Savage ‘super ready’ for upcoming battle to pick starting QB
Tom Savage has waited a long time for this moment, far too long to become complacent now that the Texans starting quarterback job is within his grip.
After dealing with a myriad of injuries, plenty of time watching from the bench and absorbing coach Bill O’Brien’s complex playbook, Savage is determined to maintain his new status as the Texans’ latest QB1.
Even though the organization reaffirmed that he remains atop the depth chart after trading a pair of firstround draft picks to land multidimensional Clemson All-America quarterback Deshaun Watson, Savage has no plans to relax.
“Listen, I’m going to go out there, and I’m going to play like I have to play to keep this job,” Savage said. “I mean, you have to earn it every day to be the starter.
It doesn’t matter if a coach says you’re the starter. You have to perform. I know that, and that’s the attitude I have.” Savage has displayed flashes of being a viable NFL quarterback. Big at 6-4 and 228 pounds, the strongarmed Philadelphia native and former fourthround draft pick from the University of Pittsburgh has a deep knowledge of the system. It is durability and a lack of ideal mobility that have held him back.
Savage replaced $72 million quarterback failure Brock Osweiler late last season. He completed 63 percent of his throws for 461 yards and no interceptions in three games and two starts for an 80.9 passer rating.
That was before suffering a concussion during a meaningless regular-season finale loss to Tennessee, ending his season. Savage had previous knee and shoulder injuries, spending the entire 2015 season on injured reserve.
“I don’t play this game thinking about injuries,” Savage said. “I’m going to go out there and play like I always do and play hard.”
Savage has yet to throw a touchdown pass in an NFL regular-season game. In 92 career passes, he has 588 yards and one interception for a 74.9 career passer rating. Beyond statistics, though, Savage has earned respect from his teammates.
“He’s had time to learn and grow,” Texans defensive end J.J. Watt said. “He’s got a chance to prove what he’s got. That’s all you can ask for in this league — an opportunity. I think he’s embracing that chance this offseason.”
The fan base is excited about Watson’s arrival, and some publications have already anointed him as a candidate for NFL offensive rookie of the year.
Savage has vowed to be up to the task, and he anticipates a competitive situation.
“I’m super ready,” Savage said. “There’s no doubt it’s going to be a battle, but it’s a tough league. I can’t tell you how excited I am.”
The Texans like Savage’s poise as a pocket passer, his toughness and leadership qualities as a popular, respected figure in the locker room. Savage acknowledged that he needs to play more consistently and get the football out of his hands quicker. Analysts have knocked Savage for his approach and mechanics being too deliberate.
“Well, Tommy’s smart,” Texans general manager Rick Smith said. “He’s got all the ingredients that are necessary to play quarterback at our level. He’s intelligent. He works hard. He’s got the athletic ability. The opportunities he’s had, he’s done well with them.”
Savage is a gracious competitor and was the first player to reach out to Watson via a text message welcoming him to town during the draft after the Texans selected the Heisman Trophy finalist and national championship winner 12th overall.
“I congratulated him and his family,” Savage said. “It’s an incredible honor to get drafted in the first round. I told him that the only thing that matters to me ultimately is that we win. So, let’s just go to work.”
Savage has remained hungry since a well-traveled college career during which he transferred from Rutgers to Arizona and then Pittsburgh before showing enough potential with the Panthers — passing for 2,958 yards and 21 touchdowns — to catch NFL scouts’ attention. Savage used to work construction with his father, putting up dry wall.
“That was an interesting time in my life,” Savage said. “I think it kind of instilled some really good traits in me. I think I learned a lot from that whole deal.
“Nothing better than going up 10 flights of stairs to go get tools for your dad that he doesn’t feel like going down and getting. This is a dream come true to go out here and play in the NFL and get an opportunity to start.”