The Houston Texans will continue to have their quarterback competition monitored closely until a starter is named. Until then, speculation of trades and releases will run wild as head coach Bill O'Brien continues to put a stamp on the offensive plan. Currently working without the team's top wide receiver, O'Brien is putting pressure on the four quarterbacks to step up and learn quickly. First thing on the to-do list, study the game film of the New England Patriots.
O'Brien comes to the Texans are spending a short time with Penn State and a longer time with the New England Patriots. O'Brien had plenty of success working with Bill Belichick and Tom Brady as the offensive coordinator and is hoping to mirror that success with the Texans. As a result, he is having players study game film from 2007 to 2011 to see what type of offense they will likely be working in.
Backup quarterback TJ Yates noted that O'Brien assigned them the task of watching Patriots film and mimicking the way they work. O'Brien confirmed the words of the quarterback, saying that pace of play is what Houston needs.
"Our view of tempo has evolved especially those of us who were in New England," O'Brien said, via CSNHouston.com. "We were a huddle team in New England and we were always a huddle team in New England. But then the last few years I was there we incorporated more no huddle and different tempos of no huddle."
The references of the Patriots offense once again brings up the idea of a quarterback trade for the Texans. Yates might be studying game film, but the truth is he is simply fighting for a roster spot that could get a lot more crowded. Right now, none of the Texans' quarterbacks look like true leaders. Journeyman Ryan Fitzpatrick has yet to find last success as a starter with any team. Yaes and Case Keenum have not seen the field enough and rookie Tom Savage simply does not have the experience.
O'Brien and the Texans will likely be linked to Mallett until Week 1 of the season. The fit of the two is perfect. Mallett understands the type of offense O'Brien intends to run. He is working on an expiring contract. He spent the last two seasons learning under Tom Brady. Most assume the backup has what it takes to be successful as a starter. Belichick has denied the idea that a trade will take place, but after drafting a rookie himself, the speculation will linger.
The longer the Texans wait to make a move, the least likely a trade is to happen. O'Brien wants his quarterback fully knowledgeable of the offensive plan and not getting someone in until training camp is not going to achieve that.