GAME ON: Texans hit the field in W.Va. for training camp
Savage, Hopkins & Co. step into harmonious relationship
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. — Tom Savage reported to training camp as the Texans’ starting quarterback for the first time in his four-year career.
Based on the first practice at The Greenbrier, it’s a role that fits Savage well.
On a cool, cloudy, breezy morning when the temperature was in the high 60s, Savage threw the ball well. He’s comfortable in coach Bill O’Brien’s system, and his transition from backup to starter has gone smoothly.
“The first day couldn’t have gone better,” receiver DeAndre Hopkins said. “I think Tom and I completed every ball he threw.”
Savage, who replaced the departed Brock Osweiler as the starter, is trying to hold off rookie Deshaun Watson, the first-round pick from Clemson.
As O’Brien is fond of saying, Savage has to earn the starter’s job every day. Watson isn’t backing down. He had a terrific first practice as well.
And O’Brien was quick to make Brandon Weeden part of the quarterback conversation.
“I thought Tom had a good day,” O’Brien said. “He did a nice job of completing
passes, getting us into the right play, things like that.
“Brandon and Deshaun, same thing. It was pretty smooth relative to the quarterbacks. They did a nice job.”
On the first day of the offseason program, Savage said he looked forward to having a “peaceful” quarterback room. O’Brien’s combustible relationship with Osweiler was irreparable.
“It’s an awesome room,” Savage said. “Brandon’s an awesome guy. Deshaun, he’s a great guy. He’s really coming along and always picking our brains.
“It’s good to have that room. With (quarterbacks coach) Sean (Ryan) and (offensive assistant) Pat (O’Hara), it’s a good room.”
O’Brien, who is calling the plays this season, has made it clear since the offseason program began that Savage is the starter. Since he was promoted, Savage has worked hard to build a rapport on and off the field with his receivers, especially Hopkins.
Savage believes it’s important to bond with his receivers, and they try to spend time together in the offseason, too. ‘Really beneficial’
After the offseason program, Savage invited Hopkins to his hometown.
“Yeah, we got together in Philadelphia and threw a couple days,” Hopkins said. “We also communicated the whole offseason about football and personal (things).
“More so about me and him, what’s going on in our lives. His daughter, my daughter, stuff like that. Just communicated a lot throughout the offseason.”
Savage and Hopkins believe a strong quarter back receiver relationship is vital to the passing game.
“That’s big because he’s the quarterback,” Hopkins said. “He keeps the ship running, and I’m the No. 1 wide receiver.
“Everything goes through us and (running back) Lamar Miller and other guys out there that are the key players on this offense.”
After Hopkins was interviewed in the media tent, Savage stepped in and heard many of the same questions.
His answers were almost identical to Hopkins concerning the camaraderie the two players are developing.
“We talked probably every other day this whole offseason,” Savage said. “I think it’s huge just to kind of get to know the guy and be on the same page with him.”
When they were in Philadelphia, they did more than throw.
“We worked (receiver) Jaelen’s (Strong) camp,” Savage said. “I know him and the guys; they went and got cheesesteaks. I was watching my weight, and I didn’t want to get fined.
“It was good to get together, really beneficial.”
Savage is in the last year of his contract. He’s 1-1 as a starter. He has no touchdown passes or interceptions in his career.
Nationally, NFL followers have a difficult time believing Savage is going to start over Watson, who led Clemson to the national championship last season with a victory over Alabama.
Savage knows what he wants to accomplish in training camp.
“Getting off on the right foot (and) starting fast,” he said. “We don’t want to take steps backward from OTAs. We want to consistently get better.” New experience
Savage is getting reps with the starters at this time of the year for the first time.
“It’s huge,” he said. “I mean, just them seeing me in the huddle, hearing me in the huddle, hearing my cadence, hearing everything out there.
“It’s good for them to get used to that.”
Savage knows what kind of opportunity he has.
First and foremost, he must stay healthy. Injuries have curtailed his career.
“It’s special, but I have to earn it,” he said. “I know how fast this can be taken from me, and you have to earn it every day all the way until the last game.
“It’s pretty cut and dried. You go out there and win games, you stay in there.
“And if you lose, you lose your job. That’s just what it comes down to. I realize that. That’s why all of us sign up and play this position.”