We all know what a disaster of a season the Texans went through; injuries, lack of stellar QB play, a predictable offense, and a defense that couldn't even stop the Jaguars from scoring on them. Ugh.
A fresh new start awaits, however. Kubiak was canned and now he's coaching the Ravens, who he claims will get started on his newest playbook(Who knew he had another playbook?!) In comes Bill O'Brien and also new hope with the number 1 pick in this year's draft. So which prospect should have the dubious honor of being the first player selected?
Potential Texans: Bortles, Manziel, Bridgewater, Clowney
Jadeveon Clowney
Clowney started off slow, doing only 21 reps on the bench press but then began to blow everyone away with his 40 yard dash time. To take into account how fast he was, he did better than all 16 QB's, 20 of 33 RB's, and 15 of the 16 TE's doing the same drill. That is some speeeed. He has a Lebron-esque wingspan and an almost 38 inch vertical leap. Oh yea, he's 6-5 and 266 pounds. However, his work ethic is a big question mark and the fact the guy gave some serious thought into sitting out a whole collegiate season to ensure a salary in the NFL leaves a bad taste in my mouth. However, if the Super Bowl taught us anything, it's that defense wins championships and who's going to guard both him and the best defensive player in the league in J.J. Watt?
Teddy Bridgewater
This has been my pick all along. When you look at his game tape, you can see the ''cool as a cucumber'' demeanor and awareness in the pocket that is very reminiscent in some of the best QB's in the NFL today. Harsh words about his skinny body were quickly dismissed when Teddy showed up bulkier than usual. He really impressed a lot of coaches in the interview process. He has also shown he's a great teammate and not a distraction when he told Louisville not to patronize him with his own Heisman campaign claiming he just wants to win and it's only about the team. So what's wrong with him? After saying he’d run the 40, Bridgewater backed out a day later. In the long run, it will not affect him becoming a great quarterback However, opting not to run or throw at the combine seem to belie his claims of being a "competitor" — a term he used four times in his 12-minute interview with the media — and help separate himself in a three-QB race to be the first QB drafted.Here's a guy who said he ''sleeps, eats, and breathes football" but couldn't participate in the drills. Not a good first impression by him. Still, he's the prototype QB a lot of teams are salivating over. Here's to hoping he gets his act together.
Johnny Manziel
Speaking of people getting their act together, what's with Manziel? The guy has grown up, it seems. Reports have come out that he is asking RG3 and Tom Brady for advice, training in San Diego against the waves, and studying Bill O'Brien's offense with former Pats QB Kevin O'Connell. The kid is throwing some serious curveballs for the Texans to draft him. In fact, he went on record saying that the Texans will regret passing him up if they don't draft him. "It would be the worst decision they've (the Texans) ever made," he told The Houston Chronicle of the possibility. "I'd be in the same division playing against them twice a year. Sorry, but you just turned that chip on my shoulder from a Frito into a Dorito." When he's not comparing himself to food, he's being mediocre at the combine. I seriously thought during his throwing drills, he would be the first QB to take off and run. His interview went well, in fact so well, that the Jags and Raiders might consider drafting him if the Texans do pass on him. His 3 cone time was very good, but his 40 yard dash, for someone we are used to unleashing that speed on a consistent basis, was not that great.
There are also other issues with him as well; no one can seem to agree what team he should go to. Ron Jaworski, current ESPN analyst and former Eagles QB, said he wouldn't touch him in the first 3 rounds. Mel Kiper and Skip Bayless both have put him No.1 overall claiming he's the next Frank Tarkenton. Peter King, of Sports Illustrated, wanted to keep Johnny Manziel in Texas. “Houston has to pick a quarterback and I think if Manziel satisfied the off-field issues, he would probably be the guy I would pick,” King said. Alex Marvez, senior writer for FoxSports.com, predicted Houston to do what he would do. Draft Manziel. If it was up to me, I would pass. If I wanted to sell jerseys, I would take him for sure. Guess I will "regret" this decision, Manziel.
Blake Bortles
I am not really sure why Bortles is being considered here. Is it all hype, like the media did with Blaine Gabbert in 2011? Is it because he has the ''right body'' for Bill O'Brien's system? Is it because his head coach at Central Florida, George O'Leary, having coaching ties with Bill O'Brien and quarterbacks coach George Godsey? Whatever it is, he's a darkhorse for the No.1 pick. It really helped him that he was the only QB out of these 3 mentioned in this article to throw. He also measured in at 6-foot-5 and 232 pounds and showed well in the vertical jump (32.5 inches) and broad jump (9 feet, 7 inches).Some believe that it can only hurt a quarterback to throw. Throwing to an unfamiliar set of receivers can be challenging to a QB. That's usually enough to cause at least one top quarterback to shy away from the spotlight in Indianapolis but not Bortles. In fact, he talked about it somewhat; "why wait till pro day when you have an opportunity to make your first impression here in Indianapolis? I grew up watching this as a kid and dreamed of competing in it, why would I sit anything out and do any of that kind of stuff? [I am] just excited to be here and honored to be here, but definitely believe I belong here."
It also helped that he threw well. According to a lot of scouts, he can throw the deep ball effortlessly. He also has a ''smooth set up'' and ''release. '' His footwork on his three-step dropbacks were pretty good and he was mostly accurate. Some analysts agree with me; Pat Kirwan, NFL insider for CBSSports.com, endorsed a quarterback with the first pick. Kirwan felt Bortles was simply a better fit in the Texans offense as did former NFL quarterback and Sirius radio analyst Jim Miller. For CBS.com’s Pete Prisco, the answer to both questions was Blake Bortles, the best quarterback in the draft. I still think it's fool's gold. I don't really see how Bortles is being the top pick. It would be a major upset if he is picked, passing on arguably two QB's that are better than him.