Quote:
Originally Posted by popanot
I honestly don't see them keeping Fitz. While he's not tying a lot money, the money he is earmarked for could be used elsewhere. Keep in mind, even though the cap will go up, and even if they cut AJ and JJoe or reduce their salaries, Watt's salary jumps to like $17MM and they have to sign Mallett, KJax (they HAVE to re-sign him. can't keep letting decent young players walk), and others. I think Fitz's money ends up going to someone else.
As for backup QB, I think Keenum really impressed BOB this last week in practice and the game with his leadership and I could see him being the #2 or #3 backup next year with Savage taking the other backup spot. This next game could go a long way in determining that. Even if Keenum's not here, I think I'd rather try to rebuild someone like Ponder or Locker than have another year of Fitz.
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I doubt Ponder and Locker cost less than Fitz. Backup QBs get paid. It is tempting to go cheap at the backup QB spot, and it's a great idea until you need one.
As for Keenum, if he had impressed O'Brien in practice I would suspect he'd have been counted on to throw the ball versus half back passes and wildcat formations.
Fitz might be gone, but I sure hope we don't cut a $4 million QB for salary purposes unless it's to spend on another QB. This team played amazing and caught every possible break and without a QB we are nothing more than a feel good story happy to miss the playoffs by a bit.
If we come back with Mallett/Keenum/Savage I will descend to Chuck levels of frustration (I do understand your POV Chuck despite giving you a hard time lately, plus it's easy for me since I don't follow any other Houston teams and I have no Oilers history). That QB triad as a plan to enter the season would be a huge slap in the face to the fan base and other players on the roster.
This year we were 21st as a team in QBR. Every playoff team finished ahead of us (including Arizona). Every team we finished ahead of is a QB disaster. There is no way we can reasonably expect to win games without getting much better at QB.
http://espn.go.com/nfl/qbr/_/type/team-season
Mallett was actually worse than Fitz, and predictably Keenum and Savage were worse than Mallett. I may have enough faith in Mallett based on his first start to bring him back, but nowhere near enough to bet a playoff roster and season on Ryan Mallett (or Case Keenum obviously).
This team will go nowhere without a QB. That is obvious. What is not obvious is why anyone would bet a whole season that one of our bad/mediocre QBs might be just average enough to get from 9 to 10 wins next year.