The Houston Texans are looking to invest in a quarterback for the season. In the preseason, that was Brian Hoyer who displayed veteran knowledge and talent. However, now it could be Ryan Mallett who is getting a chance to prove himself as he makes the start in Week 2 against the Carolina Panthers. Mallett is certainly a talent with an arm to make the big plays. Head coach Bill O'Brien is hoping this game shows him who the season starter will be as Mallett is high on confidence.
One of the headlines HBO's Hard Knocks showed was just how upset Mallett got when he was not named the starter. The quarterback was in a race with Hoyer throughout training camp and while the veteran might have won the first battle, Mallett has a chance to win the war and earn the season-long job. Mallett continues to remain positive about his reaction in the preseason along with outlook for the remainder of the year.
"I wasn't angry; I was upset because of the work I put in I should have been named the starter," Mallett said, via the Houston Chronicle. "It was good competition. . . . "We've got a good room. We're going to continue to support each other and be in each other's corner like I was last week, he'll do the same thing for me. It's a team effort. I started working even harder after that. It's my dream to play every week, every down, and I'm going to keep chasing it and do what I have to do to achieve that."
O'Brien told the media his advice for Mallett was to simply go out and "let it rip." The Texans have the talent on the field to make that work as DeAndre Hopkins and Nate Washington will be his main targets on the field. Mallett as the arm to make both players stars in the upcoming games. Their fantasy outlooks do not change with Mallett under center and not Hoyer. Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reported that Hopkins really likes what Mallett brings to the field as the two could form a solid duo this year.
Alfred Blue will continue to be a fantasy starter for at least another week. According to Wilson, Arian Foster has returned to practice for the Houston Texans after suffering a groin injury in training camp. Foster will not be active in Week 2, but could see playing time in Week 3. The Texans will be cautious with Foster in his return and work him slowly back into the offense. He will run tandem with Blue until fully healthy.
