Coach believes Weeden made strides during spring showing
When Brandon Weeden arrived in Houston in 2015, he said learning the Texans’ offense was like reading Chinese backwards.
Picked up off waivers in November of that year after former starter Brian Hoyer went down with a concussion, Weeden was forced to learn quickly as the new No. 2 behind T.J. Yates.
More than a year and a half later, the 33-year-old finds himself in a similar supporting role to Tom Savage this season, but this time, with valuable experience in the organization under his belt.
“Well, it’s English now,” Weeden said last week. “It’s a great system, it really is. They put a lot on the quarterback, but I think that helps you from a pre-snap standpoint because you’re so involved in everything that goes on around you … I’m a lot more comfortable now, obviously, than I was then.”
Watching the six-year NFL veteran take reps with the team at minicamp Tuesday and Wednesday, his comfort level was evident.
Weeden displayed poise and patience in the pocket, dishing out completions with ease and rarely making a low-quality throw. His best connection during Tuesday’s two-minute drill was with secondyear wide receiver Wendall Williams — a crisp touchdown pass to the left corner of the end zone.
“I have a lot of respect for Weed. He’s had a good spring,” Texans coach Bill O’Brien said. “He knows our system a lot better than I felt like he did last year. He’s made a lot of strides, and I really enjoy coaching him. He’s not accepting anything. He’s got a lot of talent.” An 18-month layoff
Of course, it’s been nearly 18 months since Weeden has taken a consequential snap. His last appearance was in late December 2015, playing in two consecutive games against the Indianapolis Colts and Tennessee Titans — the latter, a 34-6 victory in which he threw for 200 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions.
On third string behind Brock Osweiler and Savage during the 2016 season, Weeden saw no in-game action.
With O’Brien suggesting Savage likely will have the starting job, and the addition of rookie first-round draft pick Deshaun Watson this offseason, Weeden continues to embrace the role he has been in for much of his pro career.
“We’ve all been around guys that maybe have got other things going on, they don’t want to help the young players but my role on this team is to make our room better, however that is,” Weeden said. “Whether that’s helping (Deshaun), helping Tom. It’s not about me, it’s more about helping us get better as a football team.”
The trio — which has combined for just three career regular-season starts in Houston — has grown closer over the past few weeks. ‘Just a fun room to be in’
Weeden said he spends a lot of time off the field with Savage, who he has been friends with since joining the organization, and has been extremely impressed with how quickly Waston has learned the offense and his work ethic.
“It’s just a fun room to be in,” Weeden said. “It’s one of those times where it’s genuinely fun to come into work every single day.”
The Oklahoma City native loves the culture of competitiveness that surrounds the team and permeated training sessions this spring.
He credits O’Brien — who will call the Texans’ offense this year after firing former offensive coordinator George Godsey in January — for creating a contagious atmosphere of passion and hard work.
“I told the guys earlier, if we could just do two-minute every single drill, go out, compete and talk a little (noise) — (the defense) is going to win some, we’re going to win some — that’s fun, you know,” Weeden said. “You guys hear Kareem ( Jackson), he never shuts up. I don’t even go against him, but I’ve always got something to say back to him. The environment (the coaching staff) has set up kind of allows us to go out, have fun and compete.”
Weeden doesn’t anticipate anything affecting the tight-knit nature of the QB room this fall.
“I mean, we all know the situation. I’m not stupid. I’m an old guy, been around the block a couple of times and I understand how everything works, but I think they’d all agree that it’s bigger than us three,” he said. “If our relationship is dysfunctional, it’s infectious across the team. And that hasn’t been the case. I can truly say all three of us care about each other and want each other to succeed.”