At a Town Hall meeting with suite holders and fans, head coach Bill O'Brien answered questions ranging from quarterbacks to free agency to his favorite children's book. With the NFL Draft just five weeks away, several questions were about the Texans No. 1 pick.
"I figured I'd announce the first pick here tonight," O'Brien said, jokingly.
With no media present, O'Brien didn't give away any secrets to the standing room at the Houston Texans Grille, but did offer up some honest answers to questions about draft strategy, his quarterback wish list, free agency, and more. Here are the highlights of Monday night's event:
-Rick Smith and O'Brien will draft based on value, not need but will not "over-draft" and take a player sooner than necessary.
-The Texans want to avoid becoming too top-heavy with high-priced free agents. Houston would rather build through the draft.
-On Matt Schaub being traded, both parties (Texans and Schaub) came to the conclusion that they needed a fresh start.
-Newly added safeties Kendrick Lewis and Chris Clemons will compete with Shiloh Keo.
-Former Texans safety Danieal Manning will be testing the free agent market. O'Brien left the door open for a possible return. "I don't know if this is the last time you see Danieal Manning in a Texans uniform."
-O'Brien likes a "game-plan offense" to match up best personnel each week against opponents. He likes versatile players that understand different positions. The motto for players is "The more you can do."
-Quarterbacks under O'Brien will make more decisions at the line of scrimmage. O'Brien said "formation indicators" would be used to help quarterbacks come to those decisions before the ball is snapped.
-O'Brien talked about the importance of accuracy over arm strength when it comes to quarterbacks. He then broke down an example of how passing windows are much smaller in the NFL vs. college.
-On drafting one of the top three quarterbacks in the draft, O'Brien said,"There are a lot more than 3 quarterbacks." He went on to mention about 10 other signal callers under consideration.
-O'Brien confirmed that the Texans will select a QB in the draft.
-Watt is the best defensive player in the NFL, according to O'Brien.
-Monday, April 7 will be the first day O'Brien's coaching staff can begin working with players.
-For the record, his favorite children's book is Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss.
