Nov 30, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans quarterback Tom Savage (3) before a game against the Tennessee Titans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
We’re going to kick off today’s review of the Texans 2014 draft class with Tom Savage, the Texans 4th round draft choice. Going into the draft the Texans had local fan favorite Case Keenum, T.J. Yates and newly signed journeyman veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick on the roster. Yates played much like Matt Schaub, Keenum moved around a lot and made plays happen while Fitzpatrick was known for bouts of good play and really bad games over his career. Basically, there wasn’t a franchise QB on the roster.
There were fans so enamored with the possibility of seeing Johnny “football” Manziel in a Texans jersey that they spent money on billboards trying to convince the Texans to select him as their first pick of the draft. When Clowney was selected those hopes were dashed, when the second and third rounds went by and the Texans failed to grab a quarterback, fans started to worry. Then came the Savage pick. Savage has the size and arm strength that O’Brien looks for, but lacks a lot of experience. Instead of finding a franchise quarterback, they selected a raw talent, a work in progress.
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This season, Savage has spent pretty much most of the time not even suiting up. It took the benching of Fitzpatrick and an injury to Ryan Mallet for him to suit up. The aforementioned Yates and Keenum had been released prior to the start of the season when the Texans drafted Savage and traded a 7th round pick to the Patriots for Mallett. Mallett is out for the rest of the season, and Savage now get’s to wear the Texans uniform.
His first game in backup duty, he saw some action, mainly late fourth quarter clock grinding time. What we know about Savage, is very little. During the pre-season he got to throw, but against the Titans he was regulated to handing off the ball to eat up clock. As I stated earlier, he’s a work in progress to this point. Bust? Not at all. Just not ready for prime time yet.
The Texans then selected Jeoffery Pagan, a young man who played DE at Alabama. He’s not seen a whole lot of action this season. It took to the 9th game of the season against the Eagles before he started to get some snaps in. He’s a work in progress as well, with potential if he can keep working hard and grow as a player. Not a bust for the season.
Alfred Blue, LSU. Here’s a name that has made a splash for the Texans. Selected with the 181st pick this young man has really been a success story for the Texans. With the injuries to star running back Arian Foster the Texans have learned to trust this young man. He has the franchise record for most carries in a game, 36 for 156 yards gained in his spot start in place of Foster against the Cleveland Browns. Blue has a bright future with the Texans and is learning the ropes from a master of his craft.
We’ll finish up this list tomorrow before the game. Be sure to have your grills going and the beverages cold as your Houston Texans take on the Jacksonville Jaguars on the road while looking to keep their post season dreams alive.
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