Savage, Hopkins cultivate mutual respect
Wide receiver, new starting QB building trust on and off field
DeAndre Hopkins’ budding chemistry with quarterback Tom Savage is built on more than a shared understanding of the nuances of pass patterns and diagnosing defensive schemes.
The Texans wide receiver has known Savage for years, developing a friendship and camaraderie evident in their interactions on and off the field.
That is, just as long as Savage keeps Hopkins’ favorite beer stocked in his fridge when the top Texans offensive player visits.
“What I don’t like is how I went to his house last week and he didn’t have Blue Moon in his refrigerator,” Hopkins said with a smile this week as the Texans launched their offseason conditioning program. “But besides that, we’re pretty tight.”
Although they were abruptly thrown into a huddle together late last season during a win over Jacksonville when Brock Osweiler was benched, Savage and Hopkins displayed a lot of potential as a
passing tandem. Targeted 15 times by Savage, Hopkins caught eight passes for 87 yards during a 21-20 comeback victory.
It’s moments like those that Savage and Hopkins hope to replicate this fall. Savage, 26, is the projected starter after Osweiler and his $72 million contract were dumped in a trade to Cleveland. Building trust and timing comes with spending time together.
Communication vital
“It’s funny, I was talking to Hop a little bit about it,” Savage said. “I just think communication is going to be key this year. I had a couple of guys over and just hanging out and talking. At the end of the day, we have to be boys.
“We have to be able to communicate with each other. If they want to get after me on the field, that’s fine. Let’s communicate. Let’s be on the same page and at the end of the day, let’s have some fun.”
Fun is something Hopkins, 24, seeks in ways beyond a potential blockbuster new contract this offseason. Hopkins (6-1, 214) was named to the Pro Bowl for the first time in 2015 when he caught a career-high 111 passes for 1,521 yards and 11 touchdowns. His production dipped last season to 78 catches for 954 yards and four scores while dealing with erratic passing from Osweiler. Eleven of Osweiler’s 19 interceptions, including the playoffs, occurred throwing in Hopkins’ direction.
Coach Bill O’Brien made it clear at the NFL scouting combine that he doesn’t fault Hopkins for any statistical decline.
“It’s great when you have a coach like this that’s always on your side,” Hopkins said. “A down season, you know, it’s a team sport. It’s not one player out there playing. So, I did my job to get our team last year to where we got.
“Even though we didn’t get the success we wanted, we still had a pretty good season. Won the division, and it’s not easy to win the division in this league. So, to have a coach like that on your side all the time, it spreads throughout the locker room.”
Renewed relationship
Hopkins and Savage have formed something of a mutual admiration society. They seem to like each other, and that’s a start. How they attack defenses together is the bigger goal, but it starts with them spending more time together now following an offseason where Savage spent a lot of time with his wife, Catie. She gave birth to a daughter, Summer Rose Savage, in January.
“We haven’t had much time to do much this offseason,” Hopkins said. “He has a family. He’s married. We definitely have been getting after it since we’ve been back in town, just doing extra things. He throws a good ball. He knows this offense better than any quarterback that can be in this system. He’s been here since he’s been in the NFL and under this system, so he knows how to put the ball where it needs to be.”
Savage’s production was modest last season when he was thrust into a starting role. Savage went back to the bench when he suffered a concussion in a meaningless regularseason finale against the Tennessee Titans.
Savage (6-4, 230) started two of three games, completing 46 of 73 passes for 461 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions for an 80.9 passer rating. In four NFL seasons, the former fourth-round draft pick from Pitt has completed 60.9 percent of his throws for 588 yards, no touchdowns and one interception for a 74.9 passer rating. He’s had durability issues but has impressed teammates with his competitiveness and work ethic.
“The kid is a go-getter,” Hopkins said. “He doesn’t quit. He was trying to be first. He was hustling. He was out there being a leader even though he hasn’t played many snaps in this league. Even on the sideline last year, at games he was out there helping the quarterbacks, helping us, helping the tight ends. Just being active throughout even though he wasn’t starting.
“We were building that chemistry even when he was on the sideline when he wasn’t playing. There was never a time that he didn’t know where the ball was supposed to go or how it should be thrown. So, I feel like since he’s been here for four years we’ve been building that chemistry. Not just now.”
High standards
Hopkins hopes to continue piling up acrobatic catches and polishing his repertoire of routes. Hopkins has caught 317 career passes for 4,487 yards and 23 TDs.
“Well, I haven’t missed a game since I’ve been in the NFL so I don’t want to finetune too much,” Hopkins said. “Definitely sticking to my routines. Running hills, I try to follow the Jerry Rice routine.
“Don’t do too much. Don’t kill yourself. I’m a receiver. I’m not a bodybuilder. There’s always room for improvement in my game.”
Those upgrades are expected to dovetail with Hopkins’ financial situation as he enters his fifthyear option season and is due a $7.915 million base salary. No deal is imminent for Hopkins, but it’s something that’s expected to happen. Not that he seems worried about it.
“I’m out here focusing on making this team better,” Hopkins said. “I’m still under contract. So, I don’t know. When you grow up how I grew up — with nothing — anything that you have is a lot. So, I’m blessed to even be here, and I’m fortunate to be in this situation — to have what I have right now.”