Houston Texans head coach Bill O’Brien decided to state the obvious Tuesday morning, naming Ryan Fitzpatrick the starting quarterback. Now, if Andre Johnson wants to hurry over to mini-camp already, the Texans might have a shot to contend in the AFC South. LOUD NOISES!
Brick, and everybody else screaming their heads off, please, settle down.
In 2013, Houston had some significant injuries on defense, including Jonathan Joseph, Brian Cushing), as well as on offense with Arian Foster. However, as everyone knows, what truly held the Houston Texans back was having a quarterback that was always throwing interceptions.
Matt Schaub delivered 14 passes to opposing defenses this past season, the second most in his career. While he might just need a change of scenery, Texans fans are pleased to see him shipped out of town.
So, what can Fitzpatrick bring to the Houston Texans? Mobility outside of the pocket for starters.
In 2012, when both quarterbacks started in all 16 regular season games, Schaub ran the ball 21 times for a total of -8 yards. That’s good for… -.4 yards per attempt. Nice!
On the other hand, Fitzpatrick rushed 48 times for 197 yards, which averaged out to be 4.1 yards per carry in 2012. During 11 games of the 2013 season, he picked up 225 yards on 43 carries, equaling to 5.2 yards per rush.
Houston Texans fans have been complaining about not having a QB, who can make plays on the run. Well, here’s their guy.
If Fitzpatrick can continue to make solid decisions in the pocket too, like he did last season, compiling for a quarterback rating of 82.0, Houston could find themselves winning way more games next season. They’ll need Arian Foster and Andre Johnson to stay healthy too, though; while it’s a lot to ask for, it has happened in the past.
If no one of significant consequence misses time, they should topple their ’13 win production by October.
In 2012, Foster and Johnson played in all of Houston’s regular season affairs and combined for 3,239 all-purpose yards. Fitzpatrick has never had weapons like these before, and it’s not even close. Unless he’s Allen Iverson, he’ll want to talk about practice with these teammates.
On the flip side of the ball, the defense added some key weapons, like Jadeveon Clowney and Louis Nix in the draft, to help J.J. Watt receive more one-on-one opportunities on the line.
To top it all off, the Texans have a coach that lead Penn State to back-to-back winning seasons, with essentially nothing to play for after the Jerry Sandusky incident.
There’s a long, brutal, two and a half month stretch before the football season begins. That buys Houston Texans fans sometime before having to jump up and down, like Nittany Lions fans know how to do for their former head coach.
However, in order to do so, they’ll need to start believing in Mr. Ryan “Crimson” Fitzpatrick himself. No, I’m not talking to you, A.J. McCarron.
In 2011, the Indianapolis Colts had the worst record in the NFL. They landed franchise QB Andrew Luck with the first pick, and have made the playoffs back to back years. In 2012 the K.C. Chiefs were the worst team in pro ball; they traded for a new signal caller and landed a new coach — boom playoffs, with a double win season.
Houston Texans, it’s your turn now?