Houston Texans: The 2015 offensive MVP will be…
By Randy Gurzi
The Houston Texans kick off their 2015 season in just a few short days against the Kansas City Chiefs. The long offseason saw a lot of change for the Texans as the team is being shaped into the kind of roster head coach Bill O’Brien wants.
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The team has parted ways with veterans and even youngsters who did’t fit within the system O’Brien wants to run. He has shown that a name, like receiver Andre Johnson, or high draft status, like safety D.J. Swearinger or nose tackle Louis Nix, promises nothing.
Now 53 players make up the roster, and these guys all know that in order to stay on the roster they have to do their job, and do it right.
The offense was the recipient of the most change this offseason as several new competitors are now front and center for the Texans. Quarterback Brian Hoyer and receivers Cecil Shorts III, Nate Washington, Jaelen Strong and Keith Mumphery are all new additions to the unit.
Even some old faces have new roles, as DeAndre Hopkins is the most feared receiver on the team now and former starting left guard, Ben Jones, is the new starting center.
After going 9-7 on the back of a stellar defense, O’Brien and company have re-tooled the offense in an attempt to take the next step and push through to the postseason.
To maximize the offense, O’Brien has brought in one player he really trusts and this player will be the offensive MVP for the Houston Texans in 2015. That player is none other than the newly named starting quarterback, Brian Hoyer.
I know, most people don’t think too highly of Hoyer, and I myself have been known to criticize the move as I don’t believe he is an upgrade over any of the quarterbacks the team already had.
Despite the lack of faith from fans and members of the media, Hoyer has the trust of the one person that matters, his head coach. O’Brien brought Hoyer in because during their time together in New England, the two learned to trust one another.
O’Brien knows Hoyer’s strengths, and his limitations. Hoyer knows what the coach wants and demands. That is why he was brought in to be the starting quarterback for the Houston Texans, and yes, I said he was brought in for this. The “quarterback competition” was a farce, and there was never any doubt who would start, despite what everyone besides the coach wanted.
Yes, it’s true that there are more talented players, like Hopkins, Shorts, Washington and running back Arian Foster. Still, this offense goes as Hoyer goes, especially in the early going when Foster is out hurt.
Last year the defense was impressive and kept Houston in a lot of games, but they fell just short of the postseason. This year the staff believes Hoyer will be the difference in just missing the playoffs and just making it.
If Hoyer plays as the coach expects, the Texans will be contenders come playoff time. If he plays the way his critics expect, look for Houston to finally draft a new signal-caller before round four in the next NFL Draft.
For that reason, Hoyer has the most value to this teams success, even if he isn’t the best player.