Houston Texans: Making the case for Brian Hoyer to start

By Luis Tirado Jr. | May 16, 2015

The Houston Texans continue to be a team on the rise until eventually everything falls into place and they can really push the envelope come next season and beyond. One area that they need stability and production from hands down is at their quarterback position. Expected to be a true positional showdown this summer, all three quarterbacks in Ryan Mallett, Tom Savage and Brian Hoyer will each make their case to prove they can be the best option under center to deliver when their team needs it most.

If the Texans want to make sure they put themselves in a position to win plenty of football games next season, it’s imperative that Hoyer proves his worth in training camps this summer and makes it a no-brainer decision to start him. He’s at a major advantage over Mallett in that he’s already familiar to the kind of offensive system that will be deployed next season.

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Second year head coach Bill O’Brien will look to build upon his 9-7 record last year by making sure that the Texans’ offensive playbook is simple enough to be executed flawlessly. With an emphasis on quick passes and giving receivers the ability to make plays after the catch, Hoyer is easily a much better option to go with than Mallett since he excels in this kind of offensive system.

Mallett has struggled for most of his opportunities with the Texans in that his accuracy is what brings him down. He has a decent arm for throwing deep but when it matters most, Mallett failed to deliver when it came to showing if he had what it takes to be a consistent starter in the NFL. Of course suffering a season-ending torn pectoral muscle kind of injury doesn’t bode well since there is no telling if he regressed.

Hoyer will be playing with a nice chip on his shoulder to prove to all his critics that not only will he shine with the Texans but finally be able to put up quite the show as a starting quarterback. It’s no secret that with the Cleveland Browns, he wasn’t given the right supporting cast or confidence needed to thrive.

Nov 23, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans quarterback Ryan Mallett (15) throws in the pocket against the Cincinnati Bengals at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

With a young core being built around him, Hoyer’s experience makes him the best choice to go with since he has shown signs of being solid.

Last season with the Browns, he went 7-6 as a starter with 242 completed passes for 3,326 yards, 12 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. He wasn’t great but a lack of receiving targets and a ground game put too much pressure on him.

When a quarterback gets a chance to play on a new team with a new offensive playbook, they usually tend to really deliver immediately upon arrival. Hoyer will more than likely shine at training camps and put on such a consistent performance, he will definitely surprise many with how efficient he can be with his the right system and coaching.

Overall, the Texans need to make sure that they unleash Hoyer this upcoming season, especially if he looks incredibly sharp and proficient with the starting team this summer. It’s a new city, new team and most of all a new and exciting chapter in Hoyer’s career. There is no telling how far he can take this team once he earns his opportunity to lead it.

Next: How does Kevin Johnson fit with Houston Texans?

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