Osweiler’s critics have explaining to do
Quarterback turns in better performance than in opener with confidence, poise
Come on, admit it: When Brock Osweiler was 4-of-7 passing for 27 yards against San Francisco, you were one of those thinking, “They blew it.”
It’s preposterous, but there were fans and some in the media convinced the Texans made the wrong decision to sign Osweiler, even though he played only three series in the 24-13 win over the 49ers. Because Tom Savage engineered three scoring drives and threw two touchdown passes, there was a segment of the fan base ready to declare him the starter.
That’s the nature of the quarterback beast, right?
Maybe you feel better about Osweiler after his performance in a 16-9 win over New Orleans in the second preseason game Saturday night. You know coach Bill O’Brien and offensive coordinator George Godsey do.
“(Osweiler) played better,” O’Brien said. “We definitely improved offensively, but we’ve got to take another step and keep improving. There was more good than bad, but there’s still work to be done.” Marked improvement
Osweiler wasn’t great, but he was better than at San Francisco. He played five series, including two scoring drives. When he was replaced by Savage with 4:58 left in the first half, Osweiler was 12of-19 for 124 yards and a touchdown. He was sacked once and threw an interception.
“The results were better,” Osweiler said. “We moved the ball better and put points on the board. The defense gave us good field position.”
Osweiler played behind an offensive line with one starter, left guard Xavier Su’a-Filo, in the lineup. The linemen gave him enough protection to get rid of the ball when he had to.
Anyone watching the game at NRG Stadium or on television had to feel better about Osweiler after the Texans’ first series. He looked comfortable at the line of scrimmage and in the pocket. He seemed confident with his throws. He got rid of the ball quicker.
After the Texans went threeand-out on their first series, running back Jonathan Grimes recovered a fumbled punt at the Saints’ 39. After being sacked on the first play, Osweiler rebounded by going 4-of-4 for 51 yards and a touchdown. On third-and-7 at the Saints’ 19, Osweiler threw a perfect pass to rookie Will Fuller for the TD.
Fuller was covered well by cornerback P.J. Williams, but Osweiler threw the ball where the receiver could make an over- the-shoulder catch.
DeAndre Hopkins had a cup of coffee before going to the sideline in the first quarter. Then Fuller became Osweiler’s favorite target. Osweiler completed three passes to Fuller for 48 yards. They wished they had a do-over on the last one. Duplicate not in cards
The Texans went from the Saints’ 49-yard line to their 3. Osweiler was 4-of-4 for 39 yards. The Texans had a first down at the 8. He threw high to tight end Ryan Griffin in the back of the end zone.
After rookie running back Tyler Ervin gained 5, they faced fourth-and-goal at the 3.
Osweiler went for the touchdown. He threw to his right side to Fuller, who was covered by Williams. This time, Williams came up with the ball in the end zone, ruining Osweiler’s chance to finish with an almost-perfect game. Instead, Osweiler went to the bench with a 10-0 lead. He had more good things to show than he did against the 49ers. The key is to keep improving.
“It’s the cardinal sin. No turnovers in the red area,” Osweiler said. “That won’t happen again. I’ll learn from that play.”
One thing everyone will agree on: Osweiler needs to play better in the next game against Arizona. The idea is to show improvement as the Texans approach the regular-season opener against Chicago at NRG Stadium on Sept. 11.