Mallett Named Starter

[WMH]

@ChronBrianSmith: #Texans name Ryan Mallett starting quarterback, coach Bill O'Brien said.

And away we go. Definitely curious to see how this works given his mobility and protection issues.

This is interesting......
@ChronBrianSmith: #Texans' O'Brien said he told GM Rick Smith, others "last night, this morning" after making the decision to name Ryan Mallett starter.

[Keith]

Not going to hear many complaints about this after a 4-5 start. Makes sense if the team isn't going to be in the playoffs this year to check out Mallett before he become a free agent.

Not a lot of tape to go off of on Mallett, so...

[barrett]

I'm excited about this just because it feels like a move forward. Even if all it accomplishes is telling us Mallett is not the QB of the future (likely), at least it tells us that.

Because even though I like Fitz and his attitude/effort, watching him try his best tells us nothing about the future of this team.

[Nconroe]

I agree, this is something we had to do to begin moving forward.

In next three or four games should have some idea to stay with Mallett or try out Savage as well.

[Arky]

Well, goodness. As a fan of his college team, I hope he gets a fair shake and they don't get him killed. I watched many/most of his college games and he's a little like the young pitcher who can throw 100+ but has control issues.....

He's a bit of rare bird in this day of the throw-the-young-QB-to-the-wolves NFL. What, he's got like 3.5 years in the league with pretty much no experience?

Expect mistakes and sacks..... I hope the Texans are working on their quick-hitter passing game...

[HPF Bob]

I'm looking forward to it because we saw the limitations of Fitz and we've pretty much topped out as an offense with him at the helm. We need to see what Mallett can do, for better or worse. Fitz got us two more wins than we had all last year so he should not be looked at as a failure but it is time to see now what else we have in the cupboard before it gets to decision time next spring.

[WMH]

Rotoworld isn't real keen on the prospects of Mallett starting.......

"Mallett may take more deep shots and could “spark” the offense, but it is more likely the accuracy and decision making issues we have seen from Mallett in previous preseasons will be magnified behind a terrible offensive line. This move will be a lateral movement at best for the Texans’ offense and could end up sinking the ship altogether."

Hoping they're wrong, and we are competitive. Or at worst, entertaining.

[nunusguy]

At this point in the season this move is a no-brainer, just as inserting 2014 4th round pick Tom Savidge as the signal-caller later this year in place of Mallett will be a no-brainer if the former U. of Arkansas struggles as Fitz did.

[HPF Bob]

Rotoworld called our offensive line "terrible" while I've been criticized for pointing out Brooks and Newton as weak links. Truth, though, is that Duane Brown has backslid this year, Jones is spotty and Sua-Filo still hasn't won a job either. Foster, for his part, seems to find most of his holes behind Brooks and Newton but neither is all that good in pass-blocking.

So, we'll see if Mallett gets Keenumitis and how he handles it but I still prefer giving the kid a chance. Lord knows he's waited long enough.

[Nconroe]

I've kinda flip-flopped on the OL, and I think it depends which play look at, so inconsistency and concentration seem to be part of the issue. maybe due to way plays change, or called on the line depending on coverage? I guess OL needs to improve its play for offense to improve , but it is a team game. Denver, San Francisco, and Arizona OL all rank lower than Texans, so there are other key ingredients to success, perhaps the QB, or coach even?

I've seen some big running holes and I've seen Fitz have a long time to get off a pass, and some of sacks are on Fitz for sure. And then see lots of run plays get stuffed and see pass protect totally break down if blitzed.

And I think this is a mostly big OL other than Meyers, who is only 287 or so. And does seem Duane Brown is not performing as good as other years for some reason, or atleast we notice his mistakes more this year.

Looked at http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/ol
so a few of their stats show a pretty good balance across line and best run is up the middle. overall ranked 19 or 20 so this more middle than terrible.

RUN BLOCKING
Team Adj. Line Yards RB Yards Power Success Power Rank Stuffed Stuffed
Rank 2nd Level Yards 2nd Level Rank Open Field Yards Open Field
19 HOU 3.89 4.48 63% 19 19% 21 1.15 17 1.05 2

PASS Protection
Team Rank Sacks Adjusted Sack Rate
HOU 20 20 7.1%

this is to show efficiency running left, middle, right, rank 9 up the middle
LEFT END LEFT TACKLE MID/GUARD RIGHT TACKLE RIGHT END
TEAM ALY Rank ALY Rank ALY Rank ALY Rank ALY Rank
19 HOU 2.76 26 3.75 17 4.23 9 3.54 25 4.05 15

this shows runs in each direction, Texans very balanced
Team RB Carries LEFT END LEFT TACKLE MID/GUARD RIGHT TACKLE RIGHT END
2 HOU 242 5% 20% 45% 22% 8%

In the interviews Mallett looks mature, confident, and ready to lead the team. He has waited quite a while for his chance so hoping this turns out to be a success.

[popanot]

Gee...I actually can't wait for the next game. Mallett might ultimately suck, but at least the franchise is moving forward.

[Arky]

Originally Posted by WMH

Rotoworld ...............

"Mallett may take more deep shots and could “spark” the offense, but it is more likely the accuracy and decision making issues we have seen from Mallett in previous preseasons will be magnified behind a terrible offensive line. This move will be a lateral movement at best for the Texans’ offense and could end up sinking the ship altogether."

............

Jeez, what a gloomy prediction. While admitting there could be a "spark", they kinda mixed "worst case" and "lateral move at best". Yep, they covered everything....

On the other end of the scale, you've got the Texans going 7-0 the rest of the way and Mallet leading them into the playoffs (hey, it's a microscopic possibility). We'll have to see what happens but IMO, the "more likely" happening will be just plain "lateral" - Texans finish 4-3 or 3-4. Anything less will be disappointing and anything more would be very encouraging for us fans and Mallet's future..... In the big picture, finishing 4-3 or 3-4 with an inexperienced QB (and the other issues - Foster, OL, Clowney, etc.) could be viewed as somewhat of a positive achievement.... Eh, it was a wasted/reloading year anyway, right?

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by popanot

Gee...I actually can't wait for the next game. Mallett might ultimately suck, but at least the franchise is moving forward.

I'm excited to, imagine a lot of us are just for the suspense of what the tall, rangy Mallett with the cannon-arm might accomplish in his NFL debut. Why I'd be willing to bet that the Chuckster was squealing like a giddy little high school girl going to the prom with her favorite beau when he first heard that Mallett would be starting for the Texans after the bye week.

[Foo'ball Fool]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

Why I'd be willing to bet that the Chuckster was squealing like a giddy little high school girl going to the prom with her favorite beau when he first heard that Mallett would be starting for the Texans after the bye week.

To paraphrase Keith in the Pick'em/Survivor thread:
Taunt at your own risk
During his deep bye week sleep
The Chuckster monster.

Actually, I think everybody not named Ryan Fitzpatrick is looking forward to it.

[chuck]

I warmly support the move, if that's the issue at hand. I am not, however, in the It can't get any worse camp. Because it can, and it might very well.

But who cares, really? At least we have a reason to keep paying attention.

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by chuck

I warmly support the move, if that's the issue at hand. I am not, however, in the It can't get any worse camp. Because it can, and it might very well.

But who cares, really? At least we have a reason to keep paying attention.

Well that's good enough for me. In the meantime, the long-term forecast for next weekend in Cleveland is windy with a hi of 36 and snow, so it's probably a good thing that Sunbelt native Mallett has spent the last 3 years in New Englands weather and also has that big gun.

[barrett]

Originally Posted by chuck

I warmly support the move, if that's the issue at hand. I am not, however, in the It can't get any worse camp. Because it can, and it might very well.

But who cares, really? At least we have a reason to keep paying attention.

I think it will get worse. I don't really think Mallet will be any kind of answer (short or long term). And yet I'm still more excited for it than almost anything this season because of the eternal optimism brought on by the unknown.

Hopefully his debut can exceed the excitement of Clowney's debut.

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by barrett

I think it will get worse. I don't really think Mallet will be any kind of answer (short or long term). And yet I'm still more excited for it than almost anything this season because of the eternal optimism brought on by the unknown.

Hopefully his debut can exceed the excitement of Clowney's debut.

Don't like to face it, but I'm starting to feel like there's a real chance that Clowney goes IR instead of playing in Cleveland.

[Arky]

It sure would be nice if Mallet shows enough good things to suggest he should have a shot at being the starting QB for 2015..... It would make picking up (another) QB - an early round QB - in the next draft not so urgent....

[Nconroe]

I hope Mallett and Clowney both have a good game Sunday.

Texans site has a good write-up on midseason QBs- http://www.houstontexans.com/news/ar...d-25230b2f185b

Mallett will be 10th starting QB for Texans over the years. And 12th QB change by a team this year across NFL.

And coincidentally, Drew Bledsoe was replaced by both Tom Brady in 2001 and Tony room in 2006.