Stability missing with stable of QBs
O’Brien realizes revolving door not best method
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Whether the Texans acquire Tony Romo or promote Tom Savage, one thing is certain in 2017: They will have a new starting quarterback for the fourth consecutive season under coach Bill O’Brien.
In O’Brien’s first three seasons, the Texans employed 10 quarterbacks, including eight starters. O’Brien’s opening-day starters have been Brock Osweiler, Brian Hoyer and Ryan Fitzpatrick.
Savage and Brandon Weeden are the only quarterbacks on the roster, and both are in the last year of their contracts.
Obviously, the position must be addressed. It’s up to general manager Rick Smith and O’Brien to find a quarterback they believe can make them a legitimate
Super Bowl contender. It’s the highest priority.
“Everybody is striving for stability at that position,” O’Brien said this week at the NFL owners meetings. “Obviously, we haven’t had stability there, and that hasn’t been any one person’s fault. We’re always trying to do what’s best for the team.
“Whether it’s the draft, or someone available in free agency that we thought was a great fit for our team, then we would do that.”
That lack of stability at the most important position on the team hasn’t kept the Texans from finishing 9-7 in each of O’Brien’s three seasons, including winning AFC South titles the last two.
“You’re trying to figure out what it is that you need to do at every position to stabilize it,” he said. “It hasn’t totally worked out yet.”
Next season’s starter could be Romo if Dallas owner Jerry Jones ever releases him. It could be Savage, who’s in his fourth season and knows the system well, as does Weeden. A rushed marriage
Owner Bob McNair said this week that one problem with signing Osweiler last year was not having time to get to know him and to see how he might fit with O’Brien.
O’Brien and Osweiler clashed repeatedly.
“The quarterback position in this league, regardless of what team they’re on, has demands put on them,” O’Brien said. “You’re playing probably the hardest position in professional sports.
“You have to make decisions at a moment’s notice. You have to be ultra-prepared. You have to be an ultimate competitor. You have to be a great communicator. You have to have leadership skills.
“Look, our offense, we have a number of different ways we try to move the football. One thing we’ve (coaches) tried to do this offseason is simplify things. We’re not talking about rocket science with our offense. We just need to do a good job of coaching.”
No matter what happens with Romo, it won’t impact what the Texans will do in the draft. They’re expected to use a high pick on a quarterback if they find one they like, possibly in the first round.
Don’t expect the first-round pick to start unless the Texans have an outbreak of injuries at quarterback.
“I think it’s tough to play quarterback as a rookie in our league,” O’Brien said. “I think there’s no substitute for experience.
“It’s hard to ask a guy to come in straight from college, and Day One he’s a starter. But I know there are some really good quarterbacks in this draft that we’re looking at, and we’ve met with a lot of them. We’re excited about continuing to get to know them.”
Even though they need a quarterback, the Texans won’t reach for one. The same goes at other need positions like offensive tackle.
“You can’t rush and grab a guy just because you think you need that position,” O’Brien said. “You have to take that thought process out of it and say, ‘This is the best thing for our team in 2017. This is what we have with our team. Let’s make sure we have the right guy at that position and not reach for somebody we’re not sure about.’
“If there’s a doubt in your mind, don’t do it. Stick with what you have, and coach them up. Whoever Rick gives us, we (coaches) try to do the best job we can. I think we’ve proven we can do that.”
O’Brien likes Savage and Weeden, but he knows they need at least one and possibly two more players at their position.
“We’re excited about the two guys that are coming back,” he said. “Both have played for us, and both won games for us.”
Last season, the Texans had the NFL’s top-ranked defense and an above-average running game. Osweiler was 8-6 as a starter but was benched for Savage. Osweiler returned to the lineup when Savage suffered a concussion.
The Texans overcame erratic play by Osweiler to reach the divisional round of the playoffs before being eliminated at New England. Proud of staff
“I’m a big believer in the team aspect of things,” O’Brien said. “We try to coach our players based on who we have, where we think they fit, what are our strengths and how are we trying to play this game against this opponent.
“We’re pretty proud as a coaching staff. We’ve done a good job, I think, developing players. We haven’t been perfect. Don’t get me wrong, we have made our share of mistakes. To me, the key for us is to get better at eliminating mistakes.”
Especially at quarterback.