Texans coach Bill O’Brien wishes his former quarterback Brock Osweiler well.
Coach insists team moving forward while it assembles a roster for 2017
Texans coach Bill O’Brien had little to say Sunday about his former quarterback, Brock Osweiler.
O’Brien spoke to reporters before the annual Special Olympics banquet, and it was obvious he has put the Osweiler mistake behind him.
“I think (general manager) Rick Smith’s statement said it all,” O’Brien said. “We wish Brock the best, but we’re moving on.”
Last week, Osweiler was traded to Cleveland for a 2018 second-round draft choice. The teams also exchanged picks in this year’s draft. The Texans get a fourth-round pick, and the Browns receive a sixthround selection.
O’Brien refused to comment on a report by ProFootballTalk.com that a shouting match he had with Osweiler in Tennessee got physical. The website quoted a 120 Sports report that O’Brien and Osweiler had to be separated by players and coaches.
Houston media reported about the shouting match that took place right before the start of the second half when players had returned to the field, leaving O’Brien and Osweiler alone in the coach’s office. When asked about their blowup a day later — one of many they had during the season — O’Brien and Osweiler downplayed the incident.
With Osweiler out of the picture, the Texans have only two quarterbacks under contract, Tom Savage and Brandon Weeden.
The Texans are going to pursue Tony Romo if Dallas releases him, and he becomes a free agent. They also are expected to use a high draft choice on a QB.
O’Brien can’t discuss Romo because he’s under contract to the Cowboys. He reiterated that he’s a Tom Savage fan.
“I’ve always felt good about Tom,” O’Brien said. “He’s a hard-working guy. He’s got an excellent arm. But he’s been injured. He hasn’t had great luck when it comes to the health front.
“We’ve enjoyed working with Tom, and we look forward to working with him starting April 17 (the offseason program begins).”
O’Brien was happy to find out tight end Ryan Griffin re-signed Saturday.
“Griff is a key part of what we’re trying to do offensively,” O’Brien said. “He was very productive (career-high 50 catches) last season. He’s a hard-working guy, and I’m very happy for him.”
O’Brien was also happy to see three of his former defensive starters, cornerback A.J. Bouye (Jacksonville), outside linebacker John Simon (Indianapolis) and safety Quintin Demps (Chicago) be rewarded for their contributions last season.
“I’m always happy for the players,” he said. “The way the system works allows players who play well, are good teammates and do the right thing on and off the field to be rewarded. I’m always in favor of the players being rewarded.
“It’s (losing free agents) the nature of the league. Every year’s different. Our team that shows up April 17 won’t be anything like the team that was here last year. That’s just the way the NFL is. That makes it exciting and challenging.”
The Texans have yet to sign a free agent from another team, but they’re expected to.
“We’re trying to get better every day,” O’Brien said. “It takes a while to put a team together. Our team won’t be put together until the week before the season and the (roster) cut to 53.
“We have a plan and a number of ways to address all the positions in all three phases.”