Official Texans @ Browns Game Thread, 11/16/14

[Nconroe]

Been a while since our last game.

We thought this was a winnable easy game up to a month or so ago, but now Cleveland is 6-3. Cleveland is in first place in the strong AFC North and won three in a row. Overall yards per game are statistically about equal.

Our old friend RB Ben Tate should play.

Can't wait to see our ex Brady backup, Mallett, play against the Browns ex Brady backup, Hoyer.

ESPN had these traits -
Poise: Advantage Hoyer. This is his thing. Pretty simple choice until Mallett proves otherwise. Hoyer proven patience and decision making.

Potential: Advantage Mallett. He had first-round potential in 2011 and was eventually traded. Obviously Hoyer has long-term potential, too, but the Texans can’t give up on Mallett’s value.

Huddle command: Advantage Hoyer. Character was a concern for Mallett out of Arkansas, and though some of that might’ve been overblown, he needs time to show he can lead a huddle. Hoyer is a good locker-room guy and has no problems in this area.

Arm strength: Advantage Mallett. This is his thing. Hoyer throws a tight spiral but doesn’t have the prototypical arm strength of Mallett, though that can be overplayed (see: Cutler, Jay).

Pedigree: Tie. Both learned from Brady for three years, and former draft status is irrelevant to 2014. Both have starting jobs.

Supporting cast: Advantage Mallett. This is a close one, but Arian Foster, Andre Johnson and DeAndre Hopkins provide a formidable backstop for any quarterback.

Accuracy: Advantage Hoyer. Hoyer is more accurate this season (58.5 completion percentage) than Mallett was in three years of college (57.8). Mallett might take more shots downfield, but Hoyer will complete more passes.

Personnel exec’s take: Advantage Hoyer. According to an NFC personnel executive who’s scouted both players: “I like Hoyer much better. Mallett has more arm talent than Hoyer, but Hoyer is a better decision-maker. [Mallett] not good with decision-making. Tries to muscle the ball because he knows he has the arm. Hoyer needs talent around him, but I would pick Hoyer.”