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AAF: 5 standouts the Houston Texans should watch now

By Avery Duncan

DALLAS, TX - AUGUST 30: Garrett Gilbert #11 of the Southern Methodist Mustangs throws the ball against the Texas Tech Red Raiders on August 30, 2013 at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - AUGUST 30: Garrett Gilbert #11 of the Southern Methodist Mustangs throws the ball against the Texas Tech Red Raiders on August 30, 2013 at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) /
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DALLAS, TX – AUGUST 30: Garrett Gilbert #11 of the Southern Methodist Mustangs throws the ball against the Texas Tech Red Raiders on August 30, 2013 at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX – AUGUST 30: Garrett Gilbert #11 of the Southern Methodist Mustangs throws the ball against the Texas Tech Red Raiders on August 30, 2013 at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) /

Garrett Gilbert, QB, Orlando Apollos

Week 3 stats: 14/28, 207 yards, 1 touchdown, 7 carries, 43 rushing yards, 1 rushing touchdown

Remember Garrett Gilbert? The pioneer for the dark ages at the University of Texas? Well, he’s back and teamed up with Steve Spurrier; a combination that has ruled the AAF for the first quarter of their inaugural season.

Through three games, Gilbert has accumulated seven total touchdowns (one rushing, one receiving), two successful two points conversion, 827 yards, and a 59.3-percent completion rate. If that last number scares you, don’t be afraid, Gilbert is playing with AAF talent susceptible to drops.

He’s looked calm in the pocket, taken the right steps to avoid pressure, and has the arm to push the ball downfield. Per Pro Football Focus, in a game in which the Apollo’s tried to establish the run, Gilbert had 7.4 yards per attempt and 11.4-yard depth per target in Week 3 — solid numbers against a stout Memphis Express defense.

Gilbert also added in a 21-yard rushing touchdown, which is an oddity considering his game has never been centered around being a scrambler.

Gilbert didn’t provide the eye-popping stats in Week 3 that he had in previous weeks, but he did prove that he can supplement a run game well and keep a cool head during important moments of the game. Obviously, for the Texans, Deshaun Watson is the starter, but considering Gilbert’s play in the AAF, Texas ties and NFL history the team could very well look at him as their backup quarterback. After all, a team is only as good as their backup quarterback.

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