The Texans again have a choice to make at quarterback, especially now that Tony Romo retired. Currently, Tom Savage tops the depth chart. Various AFC coaches and staffers mostly agree there is some upside to the longtime backup who’s now watched the franchise cycle through four different starters in three years. But the consensus is that he hasn’t shown enough to be considered an unquestioned starter, which is what he would be right now.
“I liked his arm talent but thought he was more of a developmental player. … I know some folks like his upside and potential after watching him play a little this [past] season, but I still think he is more of a backup than a starter at the position,” an AFC personnel executive told NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks.
One AFC player personnel director views Savage as a backup who can win games as a spot starter. None of the five staffers Brooks surveyed made a case for the Texans to give the job to Savage this season. This is Savage’s contract year, and it’s likely evaluators will know more about the soon-to-be 27-year-old passer at season’s end. As of now, he has 92 career pass attempts — two fewer than Jimmy Garoppolo, who has generated significantly more buzz based on his somewhat similar timeline — and has completed 61 percent of his throws. Houston has not been connected to any of the available UFAs, having all but ruled out Jay Cutler and Colin Kaepernick, but is believed to be ready to select a quarterback.
Here’s the latest coming out of the AFC South.
- Don’t count on the Jaguars or Colts trading for Richard Sherman, offer ESPN.com’s Michael DiRocco and Mike Wells. As much as the team has prioritized impact defenders in recent years, the Jaguars just authorized two mega-contracts for A.J. Bouye and Calais Campbell and have the promising Jalen Ramsey. The Colts are in need of a starter alongside Vontae Davis, but Wells points to Chris Ballard wanting to build this operation through the draft rather than give up multiple picks for Sherman. DiRocco believes it will take a first-round selection and another mid-range pick to pry Sherman from the Seahawks. Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald reports Seattle seeks a high pick and a “very good player” in exchange for the 29-year-old Sherman.
- Doug Marrone told Albert Breer of TheMMQB.com he wants a running back who can move the sticks when teams know they’re going to run the ball. This thinking leads Breer to believe Leonard Fournette could be in play for the Jags at No. 4. Jacksonville has gone defense with three of its past four first- or second-round picks, with T.J. Yeldon being the only outlier since 2015. The Jags met with Fournette, Dalvin Cook and Joe Mixon last week. Breer reports multiple teams prefer Cook to Fournette due to the Florida State back’s “21st-century style” compared to the more run-centric Fournette. PFR’s Dallas Robinson projects the LSU dynamo to fall to No. 16 to the Ravens.
- Rick Smith‘s tenure as Texans GM could end due to his inability to find a starting quarterback, Matt Mosley of the Dallas Morning News writes. Since Matt Schaub‘s stock tumbled in 2013, Smith has gone through Ryan Fitzpatrick, Brian Hoyer (and Ryan Mallett), and Brock Osweiler. Mosley believes the GM was reluctant to give up a late draft pick for Romo because of the passer’s health history.
I’ll be honest I absolutely can’t stand Kaepernick, but Cutler is way way better then him.
Cutler could be a 1 or 2 year layover for them
With an O-line & defense missing in Chicago, Cutler will take them to the SB.
As a bears fan, I’d say yes he could. Could. Might. Better then 50/50. But he’s a pain in the asss
The team makes the playoffs with no starting qb. Give Bill something to work with! So glad to hear someone else is on the hot seat and not him. He has been doing a hell of a job with what he has. Take a chance on a Cutler or Fitz or even RGIII. Then draft a guy to step in. Nick Foles should have been here but they got caught up in the Romo race and missed everyone. At least he Broncos have young guys they can use.
Why does everyone hate Kaepernick so much? I could see him leading this Texans squad deep in the playoffs just like he did in San Fran. Plus with his ability to run it would open up things a lot for Hopkins and that Texans passing game. He showed last year if anything he can be turnover averse so I don’t see why it doesn’t fit. If it’s because the Texans don’t wanna change their offensive “scheme”, it hasn’t been all that great anyway
That scheme made Lamar Miller look amazing and Arian Foster worth what he got paid in Miami. Their West Coast offense is not that different from the Chiefs with the exception that they always play from behind and can’t keep up. And with a third string qb, they can’t display their excellent run game. Kap could work, but I don’t think the state of Texas has much liking for him.
Do know him? I mean do you really know him, like hung out with him?
I would hardly call Lamar Miller’s last season “amazing”. Just over a 1,000 yards, 4.0 ypc, and 5 TDs, is as pedestrian as it gets. Also Foster’s best days with the Texan’s came before O’Brien was the coach.