Still fighting to prove himself, UH ex will tussle with Savage for backup job
For the first time since he signed with the Texans as an undrafted free agent in 2012, Case Keenum didn’t have T.J. Yates with him in the quarterbacks meeting.
Keenum won a roster spot over Yates, who was traded to Atlanta on Wednesday for inside linebacker Akeem Dent .
“It’s a weird deal,” Keenum said about not having Yates around. “When it comes to off-the-field stuff, it’s a business, and it’s tough.
“T. J. is a good friend of mine. He busted his tail since before I got here. We made each other a lot better. We competed since the day I got here and learned a lot.
“I’ve got the utmost respect for him, not just as a player, because he’s also a great person. He helped me so much last year. There’s not many people like that.”
Keenum has the same philosophy he had since the day he arrived at the University of Houston from Abilene: His job is never safe, andhe’s con--
stantly proving himself.
“I’ve got to prove myself every day,” Keenum said. “It’s still June, and I’ve got to get better. A lot can happen (before camp). A lot can happen during the season, too.”
Coach Bill O’Brien said the timing was right.
“We felt that in the best interest of the team, it was right to go with three quarterbacks at this time,” he said. “I have nothing but good things to say about (Yates). He worked hard.
“Regardless of what position, any time you’re talking to a player about (parting with) him, those are tough decisions.”
O’Brien impressed
Yates didn’t lose the spot; Keenum earned it.
“He’s a hard worker,” O’Brien said about Keenum. “He’s a bright guy. He’s a good teammate. He’s coachable, puts in a lot of time, and he’s working extremely hard at it.”
O’Brien admitted the Texans will always look to upgrade the roster, and that includes at quarterback.
“We’ll always try and do what’s best for the team,” he said. “We’re always in the mode of if there’s a chance to improve the team, we’ll do it, regardless of what position it is.”
Keenum understands the situation. He never feels comfortable.
“You’re worried about your business and trying to get better,” Keenum said. “I’ve still got an opportunity to prove myself, to prove my ability as a quarterback, to take what I learn in the meeting room and transfer it to the field.
“I have to show them I’m working hard to learn this offense and I’m capable of leading this team.”
Ryan Fitzpatrick is the starter. O’Brien likes competition. He said Keenum and Tom Savage, the impressive fourth-round pick, are competing for the backup job.
‘Fight for that spot’
“No matter where you are on the depth chart, you’ve got to fight for that spot every day or fight for the next spot,” Keenum said. “I’ve got to prove myself today and go out and prove myself again tomorrow.
“I’ve still got a long way to go. I’ve got to make a big jump over these next four weeks. I’ve got to review what we’ve learned and really set it in stone so I can hit the ground running when training camp begins.”