And the Texans starting QB for 2014 is? [+ Yates Traded]

[Nconroe]

Today Texans named Ryan Fitzpatrick starting QB for start of 2014 season.

I guess this does two things:
1. Sets reps and practice in a certain direction for all
2. Sends a message to Andre Johnson that team has a QB and direction for this year.

http://www.click2houston.com/news/texans-announce-their-starting-quarterback/26532752

[Warren]

TJ Yates (http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/06/17/texans-release-quarterback-t-j-yates/) has been released.

Reportedly Kubiak has interest in adding him to Texans-East.

[HPF Bob]

There's a report now that the Texans have released T.J. Yates. None of this is a surprise to me. Fitzpatrick was always going to be the starter coming out of camp and Yates was the most likely QB to go.

[Keith]

Yates in the drive @ Cincinnati to secure the playoff berth. Never forget!

H6sA-pWv9sc

[HPF Bob]

Yeah, if the trivia question was "which of these four quarterbacks has a playoff win to his credit?" the answer was Yates.

But you knew all along how this was going to play out from the moment they signed Fitzpatrick and traded Schaub.

Fitzpatrick would start the season as #1
Savage would be groomed to take over, maybe not in 2014 but eventually.
Keenum is the emergency answer if Fitzpatrick is injured and Savage is not ready.

Tell you what, any WCO team looking for a backup QB that can step in and keep a team moving for a few weeks could do worse than signing T.J. Yates. I could see the Packers being interested.

[Nconroe]

Yes, correct that TJ was sought after.

Apparently we actually traded him to Atlanta for LB Akeem Dent..

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/06/18/texans-ship-t-j-yates-to-falcons-for-akeem-dent/

Dent is 6'1" 240 lb MLB with 20 starts past two years. Was drafted in 3rd rd in 2011 by Atlanta. Looks like Atl signed Tim Dobbins to replace Dent.

I think Texans did pretty good in this deal, much better than just releasing Yates for nothing. This seems like good quality depth for IlB position.

[Keith]

heh, yeah Yates was traded for a sixth, not released.

I'm going to allow myself to believe that the team purposefully let out that they intended to release Yates to spur a team into biting on a trade offer. And even better, they made the NFL Network look like a bitch.

Oh, and screw you, Ravens. :p

[HPF Bob]

I like the trade. We took our #4 QB who probably was not going to see the field and dealt him for an ILB, a position sorely lacking in depth. Looking at Dent's numbers, he's nothing special but ILB stats can be deceiving. He has 1.5 sacks, 2 FFs and 3 PDs over a three-year career which tells me he *can* do those things and if he is wiling and able to contribute on special teams, this was a win-win.

ESPN says the Saints were after Yates too. Yates, btw, is from Georgia so I'm sure he is thrilled with the deal.

[chuck]

If Dent is healthy and even minimally competent then this trade is great.