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Real test for Brock Osweiler, Texans' QBs starts Sunday

Preseason opener gives quarterbacks opportunity to show what they have

SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Quarterback is more important than any position on the team, and that's why more attention will be paid to Brock Osweiler on Sunday night when the Texans kick off preseason against the San Francisco 49ers.

Osweiler is supposed to be the Texans' franchise quarterback, and how much he plays depends on how he performs before he turns over the offense to Tom Savage and Brandon Weeden.

Coach Bill O'Brien, offensive coordinator George Godsey and offensive assistant Pat O'Hara must see enough of their quarterbacks to be able to make evaluations when they reach the film room at NRG Stadium on Monday morning.

Some traits are common in all successful quarterbacks: They must learn from their mistakes, be poised under pressure, be ferocious competitors and be the kind of leader teammates believe in and rally around.

Brock Osweiler gets his first chance in game action tonight to show the four-year, $72 million contract from the Texans will be money well spent.﻿
Photo: Brett Coomer, Staff

O'Brien is a strong proponent of leadership, accuracy and decision-making at the line of scrimmage and with the ball.

Starting at Levi's Stadium, Osweiler, Savage and Weeden can begin to show the coaches what they have at quarterback.

The coaches would like to see Osweiler move the team, avoid turnovers and score points. Sounds simple enough, but it's not.

There is a lot to evaluate based on numerous factors, including the strengths and weaknesses of each quarterback, their knowledge of the system, how they carry out the game plan they're given and how their offensive teammates perform around them.

Osweiler knows what he's looking for in his first appearance in a Texans' uniform since he left Denver for a four-year, $72 million contract that included $37 million guaranteed.

"Obviously, in that first preseason game, you want to get into a rhythm, get some quick completions and protect the football," he said. "You want your communication, especially in this system, to be on point because the majority of it comes from the quarterback. Identifying the front, then making the MIKE (linebacker) point, getting our receivers aligned, getting our backs set up in pass protection. So, obviously, we want some clean communication.

"And if we can put some points on the board early, that'd be great."

Work in progress

Common sense tells us the Texans' offense is going to be a work in progress. When they step on the field the first time they have the ball, only two starters from last season will be there - receiver DeAndre Hopkins and left guard Xavier Su'a-Filo.

Let's examine some of the things O'Brien and Godsey will be looking for in their quarterbacks.

Interestingly, they have a larger body of work with Weeden, who helped them win two games last season after being claimed on waivers from Dallas. They already have a good feel for what he's capable of doing.

At 6-8, 235, Osweiler has excellent size to see the entire field. He has an above-average arm compared to Savage and Weeden, both of whom have cannons.

At the scouting combine in February, Denver general manager John Elway said Osweiler can "make all the throws." That's important because it forces the opponent to defend the whole field.

O'Brien and Godsey emphasize getting the ball out in a hurry. Don't hold it and risk a sack unless there's no other alternative. If he can't find a receiver, don't force the ball into coverage. Throw it away and live for another play.

Avoid turnovers at all costs.

That philosophy worked well last season when Brian Hoyer, Ryan Mallett, T.J. Yates and Weeden combined for 28 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions in a 9-7 season that produced an AFC South title.

O'Brien and Godsey want their quarterback to manage the game well. Understand the situation - the score and down and distance, for instance - and take what the defense gives him.

Godsey calls the plays in a complicated system that gives the quarterback freedom at the line of scrimmage. Osweiler has to get the play from Godsey in his headset, then make sure to communicate it properly to his teammates.

When they break the huddle, the defense is trying to confuse Osweiler by switching fronts and disguising coverages. And remember, the play clock is ticking.

Osweiler must make wise decisions at the line of scrimmage in the brief time he has. When the ball is snapped, his pre-reads are paramount. His decisions with the ball must be correct.

Footwork, decision-making and accuracy are essential for every successful quarterback.

Osweiler has been good in practice at looking away a defensive back and not telegraphing where he's going with the ball. Once it's released, ball placement is crucial.

Does he put the ball where the receiver can catch it or where the receiver is going to get a shot in the ribs from a safety?

Does he put the ball where the receiver can turn up field in a flash and turn the play into a big gain, or is the ball off target enough and the receiver is tackled immediately after making the catch?

Something to prove

The coaches will watch closely how Osweiler reacts to adversity - a bad pass on third down, an interception or a dropped pass.

One of his strengths at Denver was standing in the pocket and being unaffected by pressure, even when a pass rusher broke free up the middle and was about to rearrange his chin before he released the ball.

O'Brien and Godsey want to see Osweiler's timing with his receivers, his anticipation. Does he release the ball before the receiver makes his break, and does the ball go where it's supposed to?

Savage, entering his third season, has been in the system the longest. He needs snaps.

Like Osweiler, Savage must have good pocket awareness and feel his blockers as well as the pass rushers. Because he has an outstanding arm, he has to be careful not to try to force the ball to a receiver.

Savage has to have good touch and take something off his passes when it's required. He doesn't want passes to ricochet off receivers' hands and be intercepted.

Like Osweiler, Savage can slide to avoid the rush and even take off if he has run out of options.

Whether it's Osweiler, Savage or Weeden, something else plays into success at quarterback, and that will be up to O'Brien and Godsey. Coaches have to adapt to the quarterback's strengths and weaknesses and adjust game plans and play calls accordingly.

In their two seasons with the Texans, O'Brien and Godsey proved they're flexible, and that's half the battle. The rest starts Sunday night.

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