Texans morning huddle: We have a quarterback edition
By Randy Gurzi
Good morning Texans fans, we officially have a quarterback. While most of us may not believe that the more talented guy won out, I have to give coach Bill O’Brien the benefit of the doubt here and hope for the best. With that said, enjoy this QB heavy edition of the ‘Huddle.’
Houston Texans picking Brian Hoyer as starting QB was the logical choice – by Tom Pelissero of USA Today Sports
"All signs pointed to Brian Hoyer as the Houston Texans’ quarterback from the moment he signed with the team in March.Top weapon Arian Foster’s absence for the start of the season only made it more logical the Texans would go with Hoyer, who was named the Week 1 starter over Ryan Mallett on Monday, a person with knowledge of the decision confirmed to USA TODAY Sports.The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the team had made no announcement on the decision, which was first reported by NFL Media.Hoyer, 29, has more NFL playing experience (17 starts to Mallett’s two), a quick release and positive intangibles. His knowledge of Texans coach Bill O’Brien’s system is strong, too, thanks in part to their time together in New England.Mallett, 27, has the big body and big arm to match. But his meaningful game exposure is limited, as is his mobility, which can be more concerning without a strong running game.Considering the Texans won nine games last season with the combination of Ryan Fitzpatrick, Mallett, Tom Savage and Case Keenum, stability at the QB position had to be a priority. Hoyer is the more known commodity, and O’Brien has praised his football smarts for years.So, as long as Foster is recovering from groin surgery — the timetable for the running back’s return remains clouded — it makes sense the Texans would go with Hoyer, who knows how to get them in the right plays and distribute the football to the playmakers they still have."
Experience, consistency push Brian Hoyer past Ryan Mallett as Texans starter – by Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle
"The Texans have named Brian Hoyer as their starting quarterback following a training camp competition with Ryan Mallett, according to sources with knowledge of the situation not authorized to speak publicly.Among the reasons why Hoyer got the starting nod, holding an edge in experience, consistency and decision-making, and throwing less practice interceptions than Mallett, who had some occasional lapses in looking off defensive backs and locking onto his primary read.Hoyer passed for 12 touchdowns and 13 interceptions last season in 14 games and 13 starts for the Cleveland Browns, finishing with 3,326 yards and a 76.5 passer rating.For his six-year NFL career, which includes a stint as an undrafted free agent with the New England Patriots, Hoyer has passed for 4,557 yards, 19 touchdowns and 19 interceptions with a 76.8 passer rating.He was signed to a two-year, $10.5 million contract this offseason that included $4.75 million guaranteed."
Jadeveon Clowney out vs. Saints, on track for Week 1 – by Tania Ganguli of ESPN
"Texans outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney will not play in the team’s third preseason game against the New Orleans Saints on Saturday, coach Bill O’Brien said Monday.Clowney returned to practice Aug. 17 after going through rehab to recover from microfracture surgery on his right knee in December. He has practiced every day since and has followed a plan prescribed by the Texans’ medical staff.“I’ve been pleased with the way he has reacted and practiced with the plan that we’ve had for him so far,” O’Brien said. “He’s eager to get out there. One of the good signs with him is that he’ll come up to us and say, ‘Can I do more? I’d like to be in that drill,’ because he sees the competition and he’d like to be in more.“But we have to stick to the medical plan. I’m definitely pleased with how he’s approached it so far.”While Clowney may not play at all in the preseason, he should be on track to be on the field at the start of the regular season."
DeAndre Hopkins studied Patriots offense to learn system – by Deepi Sidhu of HoustonTexans.com
"DeAndre Hopkins did some homework before he ever stepped foot into one of Bill O’Brien’s team meetings.He studied the New England Patriots offense.Entering his second year in the NFL, Hopkins wanted to get a jump start on learning the new offense that O’Brien and his coaching staff were bringing to Houston. Even at the age of 21, he knew that talent and athleticism wasn’t going to be enough.Hopkins turned to a friend, New England wide receiver Aaron Dobsen, for advice.“It was very hard, I’m not going to lie,” Hopkins said in an exclusive interview with Texans Radio. “I was kind of nervous in the offseason once we made that change, I started looking at the Patriots offense and just seeing things they were doing. I called my friend Aaron Dobsen, who was a receiver for them, and just asked him, ‘How does this offense work and how does it run?’ He told me, ‘Man, you got to study. It’s not an easy offense.’”So Hopkins watched the Patriots games. He saw Dobson, the Patriots second-round pick in 2013, struggle in his rookie season. Hopkins also saw Tom Brady’s frustration when Dobson would be “off track.” He didn’t want that for himself.The Texans 2013 Rookie of the Year tried to learn what he could. He studied the routes that the Patriots receivers ran and worked on them himself. When Hopkins showed up to his first meeting, he was pleasantly surprised that he was familiar with what was expected of him.“I saw some of the routes and I would work on those routes that I had seen the Patriots run, but the names and the formation of them were new to me,” Hopkins said. “I kind of had a familiarity with the routes that they were running.”Hopkins has established himself as a leader on offense now as a third-year veteran. Head coach O’Brien recognizes the hard work that’s gone into establishing the team’s top receiver."