Quarterback Tom Savage has completed 17-of-20 passes this preseason for 167 yards and a touchdown. His backup Deshaun Watson has rushed for a touchdown in each of the first two games, and has shown the promise and potential that caused the Texans to move up in the first round of the NFL Draft to select him.
But Savage, as has been the case since Bill O'Brien proclaimed him the starter on Draft, remains in firm command of the starting position. After Tuesday's practice, the head coach explained some of the reasons why the four-year veteran in control under center.
In O'Brien's words, here's a list of five reasons Savage is the starter:
1. "Tom's playing well this camp. Tom has really had a good camp."
2. "He's only thrown three incompletions in two games."
3. "He's really got good command of our offense."
4. "Tom has been here for four years."
*5. "The way that we want to play, the style that we need to play, relative to getting guys lined up, relative to cadence, relative to protection points, and route reads, putting guys in the right spot, Tom's ahead of Deshaun on that."
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Watson, who guided Clemson to the 2016 BCS Title, has been impressive to O'Brien.
"Like I've said: Deshaun is a very, very good young player who has a great future in this League," O'Brien said. "Let's put the cards on the table. That's what it is."
Savage, Watson and the Texans will practice in Metairie, Louisiana on Thursday against the New Orleans Saints. The two teams will play in the third preseason game on Saturday night in the Superdome.
