ESPN Texans reporter Sarah Barshop thinks Tom Savage will still be the starter at the halfway point of the season.
Barshop admits the pressure to turn the reins over to Deshaun Watson "will be enormous every time Savage makes a mistake," but she writes coach Bill O'Brien wants to keep the veteran in the job "for as long as possible." With a top-five defense and potentially a strong running game, all Houston really needs is a game manager under center, and Savage should have a better handle on the system than the rookie. Even so, it would be surprising if Watson does not make starts this year.
Source: ESPN
Jun 29 - 8:59 AM
When I think of this scenario I go back to knowing that the Texans have a great/top level defense and a good running game. Those two things can really mean you don't have to have an ascending star QB. You just need a guy that people can get behind and can threaten to put up some points, etc. I think Watson is that guy.This could be very interesting to watch. Savage has a much better arm and has the advantage of experience in a pro system both in college and now in HOU. Watson is the much better athlete and will give HOU a dual threat that Savage can not.
It's obviously Watson's job to lose, even if Savage does start at the beginning of the season, but I can't help but think there could be some problems with Watson's passing game at the NFL level that may end up being too big to ignore.
I can really see him coming out and having a RGIII rookie year, a Culpepper rookie year, a young McNabb year where its not about throwing for 380 and 4 TDs, its about that consistent pressure he puts on you when he's got that defense behind him and a running game. Maybe a Russell Wilson comparison is better. There's just that extra element present with players like him.
I'd have to ask what will it matter. Given their defense and division, adequate QBing from Watson should leave them at 10-6 give or take. Teams don't move on from QBs that win even if those wins are only lightly due to them. I don't view Watson as any sort of coach killer like Vince Young or young Mike Vick. He will come in, do the job, win them some games they should lose, and not be good enough to win them some other games. He could be "what if Tyrod Taylor was on Denver instead of Buffalo" or he could be "what if Alex Smith ran more in KC and had better receivers." Both of those should be long term careers.It's obviously Watson's job to lose, even if Savage does start at the beginning of the season, but I can't help but think there could be some problems with Watson's passing game at the NFL level that may end up being too big to ignore.
I'd have to ask what will it matter. Given their defense and division, adequate QBing from Watson should leave them at 10-6 give or take. Teams don't move on from QBs that win even if those wins are only lightly due to them. I don't view Watson as any sort of coach killer like Vince Young or young Mike Vick. He will come in, do the job, win them some games they should lose, and not be good enough to win them some other games. He could be "what if Tyrod Taylor was on Denver instead of Buffalo" or he could be "what if Alex Smith ran more in KC and had better receivers." Both of those should be long term careers.
I don't have much faith in either of these guys. The<50 mph pass speed and turnover issues with Watson seem like they could be fatal flaws. I know it was limited time, but Tom Savage didn't appear like he had much to offer last year.This could be very interesting to watch. Savage has a much better arm and has the advantage of experience in a pro system both in college and now in HOU. Watson is the much better athlete and will give HOU a dual threat that Savage can not.
It's obviously Watson's job to lose, even if Savage does start at the beginning of the season, but I can't help but think there could be some problems with Watson's passing game at the NFL level that may end up being too big to ignore.
Watson's 30 interceptions over the last 2 seasons could be a sign that Watson is not the guy you paint him to be.I'd have to ask what will it matter. Given their defense and division, adequate QBing from Watson should leave them at 10-6 give or take. Teams don't move on from QBs that win even if those wins are only lightly due to them. I don't view Watson as any sort of coach killer like Vince Young or young Mike Vick. He will come in, do the job, win them some games they should lose, and not be good enough to win them some other games. He could be "what if Tyrod Taylor was on Denver instead of Buffalo" or he could be "what if Alex Smith ran more in KC and had better receivers." Both of those should be long term careers.
I don't have much faith in either of these guys. The<50 mph pass speed and turnover issues with Watson seem like they could be fatal flaws. I know it was limited time, but Tom Savage didn't appear like he had much to offer last year.
Well 1) Competent vets aren't available. If LAC wanted to trade Rivers then yes they should have done that instead but I don't think those deals were there. Watson is preferable to the vets that were available (Hoyer, Fitz, Glennon, Kaep). And 2) There's a lot of recent history of "already good" teams drafting rookies and doing well while they game manage early in their career - Wilson, Flacco, Bridgewater. I don't think you gain a lot by having a vet game manage, especially a known mediocre one, and you probably have to devote more of your salary cap to a mediocre vet. When Houston had a solid but known mediocre vet QBing, what happened? He completely fell on his face in the playoffs (Hoyer vs. KCC) and made mistakes even rookies shouldn't make.Well, if that's the case it seems that you are making an argument for going with a competent vet to avoid rookie mistakes from beating your team.
Watson's 30 interceptions over the last 2 seasons could be a sign that Watson is not the guy you paint him to be.
I don't view INTs as a fatal flaw for Winston or Watson. It shows they are imperfect prospects but doesn't mean they can't be winning NFL QB and avoid the pitfalls Griffin and Kaepernick had.Watson's 30 interceptions over the last 2 seasons could be a sign that Watson is not the guy you paint him to be.
Isn't Savage an unknown newcomer himself basically?HOU already got burned with a strong team by making the mistake of going with a relative unknown newcomer at QB and having their passing O turn into a trainwreck. I'm wondering if they have the stomach to roll the dice like that again given the window they seem to be in.
Isn't Savage an unknown newcomer himself basically?
Osweiler started more games than he did and looked better before getting a full time gig.You think after 3 years that HOU doesn't have an inkling of what he can and cannot do?
Osweiler started more games than he did and looked better before getting a full time gig.
and I'm guessing they don't think that highly of Savage since they traded a lot to move up for Watson.
DeAndre Hopkins endorsed Tom Savage as the Texans' starting quarterback.
First-round QB Deshaun Watson has been the talk of training camp but Hopkins still has faith in Savage to get the job done. "If anybody should be a judge of quarterbacks, I've played with the most quarterbacks in NFL history throughout my first four years," said Nuk. "So I put the stamp on Savage, and I think that's all that needs to be said about that." Having the team's top wideout in your corner is never a bad thing, but Savage will still need a great showing in camp to hold off Watson.
Source: Dan Graziano on Twitter
Tom Savage will start the Texans' preseason opener.
It's not a surprise; Savage has taken every single first-team rep at Texans camp, and the Houston Chronicle's John McClain recently wrote Savage was "clearly" ahead of Deshaun Watson through two weeks of practice. On Monday, coach Bill O'Brien did confirm Watson and third-stringer Brandon Weeden "will play" Wednesday night against Carolina, but didn't give any playing-time specifics.
Source: Houston Chronicle
Aug 7 - 3:47 PM
Tom Savage completed 19-of-44 passes for 219 yards, one touchdown and zero interceptions in the Texans' 20-14, Week 9 loss to the Colts, also committing a game-ending fumble.
Amazingly, the touchdown was the first of Savage's career. He now has one score through 149 attempts. It was a well placed seed to DeAndre Hopkins in tight coverage. Aside from that, Savage was positively dreadful, operating a gear slower than any other quarterback in the NFL. Anticipation is not a part of Savage's game, and he can't make up for it with mobility. He has zero athleticism in the pocket, yet operates like he has all the time in the world. Now a career 55 percent passer with a 5.83 YPA, Savage was bad enough today that it's fair to wonder if the Texans turn to T.J. Yates for Week 10.
I didn't know he played defense?
Tom Savage completed 22-of-37 passes for 252 yards, no touchdowns, and two interceptions in the Texans' 23-16, Week 12 loss to the Ravens on Monday night.
Savage also lost a fumble on a strip-sack by Terrell Suggs late in the fourth quarter that led to a Ravens field goal. His three turnovers were essentially the reason the Texans lost the game, and Savage now leads the league in lost fumbles despite sitting behind Deshaun Watson for multiple weeks. The first pick was thrown into double-coverage, and the second, late in the fourth quarter, sealed the loss. The only bright spot was Savage hooking up with DeAndre Hopkins seven times for 125 yards and becoming the first quarterback to throw for 250 yards against Baltimore this season. Savage gets the Titans on the road in Week 13.
Savage leads the NFL with seven lost fumbles despite playing in only five games.
I mean, we all know the one move he can make to improve the QB situation, and TJ Yates ain't it.Texans coach Bill O'Brien said he will bench Tom Savage if he continues to commit so many turnovers.
"It has to get corrected," O'Brien said Tuesday. "If not, we'll have to go in a different direction." Savage has committed 12 turnovers in six appearances, including a mind-boggling seven lost fumbles. He lost a fumble and tossed two picks in Monday's loss to the Ravens while generating zero touchdowns. Savage has arguably been even worse than expected. The problem for Houston is that, unless they're willing to sign Colin Kaepernick, an upgrade won't be walking through that door. In-house "option" T.J. Yates would probably be worse than Savage.
Saints signed QB Tom Savage, formerly of the Texans.
Savage began last year as the Texans' starter but was quickly benched in favor of stud rookie Deshaun Watson. He got his job back when Watson went down with a torn ACL, but would later join Watson on IR after suffering a brutal concussion in Week 14. Arguably the league's slowest quarterback, it's a wonder that a team ever considered Savage a viable starter. All things considered, New Orleans isn't a bad landing spot for the 27-year-old, who now gets a cushy gig as the clipboard holder for future Hall of Famer Drew Brees.
Related: Texans
Source: Cameron Wolfe on Twitter
Mar 14 - 5:54 PM
According to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo, free agent Tom Savage is considered the "favorite" of veteran quarterbacks to sign with the 49ers.
The 49ers were already working out Savage, so this isn't too surprising. Garafolo and NFL Media's Jim Trotter believe a veteran quarterback won't be signed this week, however, because the 49ers need the roster spots to fill other positions. Whoever ends up signing will be C.J. Beathard's backup to start. Savage has more career interceptions than touchdowns and has a 5.7 adjusted YPA. There's no way that Savage is the best free agent quarterback available.
Related: 49ers
Source: Mike Garafolo on Twitter
Sep 25 - 7:23 PM
Tom Savage - QB - 49ers
49ers signed QB Tom Savage.
The NFL's "meritocracy" strikes again. The 49ers have wanted to add a third quarterback since Jimmy Garoppolo was lost for the season. For some reason they have settled on Savage, one of the worst quarterbacks we have ever seen take regular snaps in the NFL. Savage has zero movement skills or accuracy. It would be pure cataclysm for the 49ers were he forced into a game behind C.J. Beathard. Considering the reckless nature of Beathard's game, Savage could certainly see snaps. Second-year UDFA Nick Mullens is the other quarterback on the roster.
Source: Jordan Schultz on Twitter
Oct 16 - 3:54 PM