Denver writer calls Texans desperate, stupid for signing Brock Osweiler

Ian St. Clair of Denver’s ABC 7 claims the Texans move for former Bronco Brock Osweiler showed desperation and stupidity

Ian St. Clair of the ABC affiliate in Denver must have never lived through Brian Hoyer as a starting quarterback. If he had, he would most likely have a totally different view of the move the Houston Texans made this offseason to sign former Broncos quarterback Brock Osweiler.

After struggling through journeyman after journeyman, the Texans decided it was time to dish out big cash, and take a big risk on Osweiler as he hit free agency. Many applaud the move, some say it was too risky. St. Clair went a step further by saying that the move showed “desperation and stupidity.”

There’s some merit to what St. Clair said, but to dismiss the move as stupid is short sighted. Sure, it comes with incredible financial risks, as St. Clair states:

"The move to sign an unproven quarterback with that kind of money was risky enough (4 years, $72 million). To do so without your head coach or offensive coordinator talking to him, looking him in the eyes and getting a feel if it will work, is utterly nuts."

What he’s missing though is that Houston wasn’t as far off as he thinks. While in this same piece he refers to the Texans as a losing team, the fact is they’ve gone 18-14 in two seasons with a revolving door of subpar passers going in-and-out of the lineup.

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The reason they kept winning is the same reason Denver is winning now (and the same reason they were comfortable to let Osweiler walk) their defense. Denver won because no one could block Von Miller. On Houston, no one can block J.J. Watt.

Back-to-back winning seasons with Ryan Fitzpatrick, Ryan Mallett, Tom Savage, Case Keenum, Brian Hoyer, T.J. Yates and Brandon Weeden at quarterback were possible because of Watt. Just like winning a Super Bowl with Peyton Manning not being able to throw downfield was possible for Denver because of Von Miller.

This offseason Houston had a choice to make. Sitting at pick 22, the odds of landing an NFL ready rookie were slim-to-none. They could have decided to draft a developmental kid who would need time to groom, which could take a few years.

With Watt turing 27-years old, did they want to waste his prime on a developmental project, or take a huge risk on a kid they’ve seen do it, albeit in a small sample size.

The Texans chose to take the risk, and despite St. Clair calling it desperate, it was actually wise. During Osweiler’s seven starts, the Broncos went 5-2 and the 25-year old led two game-winning drives against playoff teams (the Patriots and Bengals). Houston hopes he can bring this same poise on the field to their franchise.

St. Clair also maintains part of the problem for Houston was head coach Bill O’Brien not meeting with Osweiler before he signed the big deal. Again, there’s merit there as the hope would be that your coach and quarterback could share a similar vision.

For the Texans, they decided that the film on Brock was enough convincing for them. Again, this was absolutely a risky move, but again the potential payoff is worth it. Houston’s spent the past several years trying to find an under-the-radar signing or hope a project player would break through.

Even if Osweiler proves to be overpaid, the team had to do all they could to win while their defense still featured the most dominate player in the game. They believe their new quarterback is capable of helping Watt and company win now, and that belief is worth the risk.

Next: J.J. Watt played through 5 torn muscles

As for St. Clair, let’s see how he feels after a few weeks of watching Mark Sanchez under center for Denver.