Savage says he’s not a ‘turnover machine’
Quarterback wants to prove himself in his final four games
Starting Sunday against San Francisco, quarterback Tom Savage will be on a mission to prove he’s not “Turnover Tom” during what is expected to be his last four games with the Texans.
Savage, who’s in the last year of his contract, is coming off the best game of his career, a 365-yard performance in the loss at Tennessee, but he threw a late interception in the end zone that ruined the Texans’ chance to win.
The interception overshadowed a terrific effort by Savage, who was sacked four times and knocked down nine times.
In six starts this season, Savage has five touchdowns, six interceptions and a 71.8 rating. He’s been sacked 19 times, and he’s lost seven of the team’s nine fumbles, tying a franchise record.
Sunday’s loss to the Titans was only the second time Savage has committed fewer than two turnovers. The San Francisco game at NRG Stadium would be a good time for him to play a turnoverfree game.
“Now I’m being labeled as a fumbler and a turnover machine, which I know I’m not,” he said Wednesday. “It comes down to doing it and then just proving to yourself you’re not a turnover guy.”
Savage knows there’s only one way to prove it, and that’s on the field. He’ll be viewed in a more favorable light if he can avoid a turnover and pull out a victory. Getting close but suffering an end-zone interception won’t help his reputation.
“I hate to say this, but every turnover has (a) story of its own,” he said. “The last play of the game there, I’m throwing to the best receiver (DeAndre Hopkins) in the league. I threw it outside (and) he went inside.
“That’s just something that me and him have to work on. That comes down to trust and anticipation. I think you can learn from each one (turnover). I have to be smart with the ball.” Things to like
The coaches and players were encouraged by the way Savage moved the team despite losing receivers Bruce Ellington and Braxton Miller and tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz because of injuries.
“From the start, it’s never been about who’s out there with him — the first team, second team or scout team,” quarterbacks coach Sean Ryan said. “He really focuses on doing his job and has a pretty good way about him in terms of trusting whoever’s with him. It (playing without so many injured receivers) was impressive but not surprising to me.
“I think he was probably a little more consistent throughout the game. He stayed even keel. There were no periods of ups and downs. I thought he continuously made good decisions.”
Savage also established career highs of 31 completions and 49 attempts. Even though he threw the interception with 1:10 left in the game, his performance should have elevated his confidence.
Savage’s coaches and teammates are eager to see how he responds against the 49ers.
“When you perform well, there’s no question it’s going to boost your confidence,” Ryan said. “The thing we talk about in the (quarterback) room is you have to acknowledge things you’ve done well (and) you always have to keep in mind the things you’ve done poorly (and) things you need to correct.
“He (knows) it’s about winning and putting the ball in the end zone. We still didn’t get that done. So, as good as the performance was, as much as it can help him individually, he realizes that we didn’t get done what we needed to get done, so there’s certainly a lot of room for improvement.”
Depending on how he plays over the last four weeks and if he can help the Texans win a couple of games, Savage has a chance to make some money on a new contract. ‘Just the way it is’
He knows there’s a good possibility he’ll sign with another team, but he hasn’t ruled out returning to the Texans. Savage was asked Wednesday about the last four games and what amounts to an extended audition.
“I think all four years were an audition, even preseason,” he said. “That’s just the way it is. It’s an audition for other teams and audition again for Houston.
“I have to advantage of it, but, most importantly, I want to win. That’s the most important thing to me.”
During the last four weeks of his audition, Savage is determined to show something he feels strongly about.
“Hopefully, I’m showing them I’m a competitor, and I can play in this league, which I know I can,” he said. “I know I can make the throws. I know there’s nothing defenses are doing right now that are surprising me.
“I’m going in prepared, and, ultimately, I’m a team guy. I care about this team more than anything in this world.”