DeAndre Hopkins thinks Brock Osweiler will prove people wrong; Texans lose linebacker John Simon.
Receiver thinks former QB will improve his play
Texans receiver DeAndre Hopkins said Friday he thinks quarterback Brock Osweiler will play better for his next team than he played last season.
After one season in Houston, Osweiler was traded to Cleveland on Thursday, leaving the Texans with two quarterbacks, Tom Savage and Brandon Weeden.
“Brock was a great teammate,” Hopkins said after an appearance at Wisdom High School, where he spoke to students about domestic violence. “I wish him the best.
“He has a lot that he can prove in this league. I know he’s going to prove everybody wrong.”
Confidence in Savage
The Texans are in the market for another quarterback, possibly Tony Romo. They’re also expected to use a high draft choice on a quarterback. As it stands now, Savage is first on the depth chart and would have been even if Osweiler had remained on the roster.
“Savage has a lot of motivation right now, from injuries to being the backup to getting his chance,” Hopkins said. “If there’s one guy in that locker room I can say is hungry to play football, it’s him for sure.
“Everybody has confidence in Tom. We’ve seen what he can do in the offseason and, when he was healthy, how he worked when he was the starter. When he got his chance, he won the game for us ( Jacksonville). That didn’t surprise anybody in the locker room.”
Hopkins was also asked about the possibility of playing with Romo.
“I don’t really think about those possibilities,” he said. “The way I think is how I’m going to become a better player to help my team next season.
“(General manager) Rick Smith is one of the best in the game. He knows his job. I have no doubt that they’ll do what’s best for the Texans organization.”
Hopkins is expected to get a contract extension this season. He’s got one year left on his deal. There’s nothing imminent.
“That’s up to my agency, CAA, and the Texans,” he said. “It’s up to the Texans and CAA as to when they get a contract done. The only thing I can do is to be prepared to help my team.
“This is a great city. I love the fans here. I don’t worry about money or contract talk. To me, it’s about winning.”
Giving a little back
During his appearance at Wisdom, Hopkins told the students how his father died when he was 6 months old and how his mother suffered after acid was thrown in her face.
Hopkins spends a lot of time speaking to kids about domestic violence and other issues.
“This means a lot,” he said. “This platform I have (allows me to) touch kids like this. It’s special to me to come here and these kids listen to me. Part of being a player is trying to affect the community you’re in and helping people. If there’s one kid I can help, I feel like I did my job.
“My family stuck together. My mom made sure all her kids went to college.
“My mother got the courage to speak to hundreds of people about her story. I knew if she could do it, I could do it, too.