Houston Texans: Players To Watch In Preseason
By Randy Gurzi
Aug 28, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans quarterback Tom Savage (3) throws during the game against the San Francisco 49ers at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Tom Savage, Quarterback
The forgotten man in the quarterback discussion is the second-year player out of Pittsburgh, Tom Savage who also played at Rutgers. Savage was the fourth round selection of the Texans, and the only quarterback taken by the team after moving on from long-time starter, Matt Schaub.
His senior season for Pitt, Savage put up 2,958 yards with 21 touchdowns to only 9 interceptions. He also had a completion percentage of 61.2, all of which are impressive numbers considering he sat out for all of 2011 and 2012 due to transferring schools twice.
This year I actually know what’s going on out there
Now that he has a chance to make a long-term home in the NFL, it will be interesting to see how much improvement Savage has shown from his first season to now. So far in OTA’s, coach O’Brien seems happy with the jump he has seen in Savage;
"O’Brien praised the second-year quarterback Monday, as did Savage’s teammates. The third-stringer has looked, sounded and played more confident during OTAs. He fully understands that Year Two is critical for his development and his tenure in pro football."
Savage also said in the same pice that he has seen a difference in himself from his rookie season and now as he enters his second NFL year.
"“This year I actually know what’s going on out there,” Savage said at NRG Stadium."
The Texans will not be turning to Savage in 2015 to be the starter. However, how he performs this preseason will go a long way in letting the team know whether or not it is worth the time and resources to develop the young man.
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