Who's your QB next week...next year

[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.

[barrett]

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.

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.

[Keith]

Originally Posted by barrett

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.

I've been slapped so hard and often by this team that my face must be getting numb.

Bringing these three back is the path of least resistance. Yes, this team needs an Aaron Rogers, Andrew Luck... some super talented QB, but please let us know who that player is that will be reasonably available to the Texans this offseason.

That player seems to be a unicorn, at least this offseason.

Anyone think the Pats might make Tom Brady available? And if so, what's he worth to the Texans?

[chuck]

I will be far more irritated with another zero-production draft than I will be with a Mallett/Keenum/Savage quarterback arrangement. I recognize that the quarterback play is holding the team back but as Keith says I just don't know where they can get an elite guy right now.

[barrett]

I have no idea where we could get a great QB. But I was under the impression we were paying millions of dollars to multiple people to expressly answer that question.

Additionally, I cannot give a pass to the logic, "it seems hard to get a QB right now so we better not try." At least not when said logic is applied year after year. I think BOB can really coach but it would be a gutless move to declare for a 2nd year in a row there was no QB answer out there. You're a head coach who got hired as an offensive mind and a QB guru. So go get your QB and start coaching him.

[chuck]

Originally Posted by barrett

So go get your QB and start coaching him.

He may have already done that, which is why I'm not on the Get a QB at all costs train. If BOB believes in Mallett, that's good enough for me. If he doesn't, well, I guess you're trusting Rick Smith to find you a franchise quarterback.

[barrett]

If he believes in Mallett I don't know why it took as long as it did to replace Fitz. But maybe it was just patience.

If Mallett is BOB's guy than I want to hear that all offseason. Go all in with him or get a QB. And honestly I don't care if it is another mid round guy or a reclamation. Maybe we unearth a Russell Wilson or a Rich Gannon. I doubt it but I am okay with trying. I don't have to see a 1st round pick or a high priced FA. I just don't want to see a team with terrible QB production miss out on the playoffs and maybe more due to that lack of QB production, and then bring back the same guys who provided that lack of QB production and act like they expect something different.

[popanot]

You bring up valid points, but I don't think BOB is so enamored with Fitz that he's a lock to be the backup, or, heaven forbid, the starter next year. If they don't make a change at starter and Fitz is the guy, it will alienate more fans than at least trying to tap into the potential of or resurrect Mallett/Savage/Ponder/Locker/Glennon/Plug-in-name-here. I can't imagine any of those guys would turn down ~$4MM-$8MM on a 1 or 2 year deal knowing that they might hit gold on a fairly good team who is as needy as the Texans are for an upgrade at QB. Again, I'm not saying I want any of these guys or that they're the answer. I'm just saying I don't think the percentages of Fitz being back are as high as some do.

EDIT: Sorry, Keith posted after barrett. This in reply to barrett's post.