What happened on Tuesday didn't matter to Case Keenum on Wednesday.
Head coach Bill O'Brien tabbed Ryan Fitzpatrick as the team's starting quarterback yesterday. When Keenum, who started eight games in 2013, met with the media today, he echoed what he's said since signing with the Texans in May of 2012.
"I've got to go out and prove myself today, and I've got to go out tomorrow and do it again as well," Keenum said. "And the next day after that."
Two years ago, he competed with John Beck for the third quarterback spot behind starter Matt Schaub and backup T.J. Yates.
Last year, he and Yates dueled for the backup position.
Now with Yates and Schaub gone and Fitzpatrick named the starter, Keenum and rookie Tom Savage are vying for the backup spot. Keenum progressed from 2012 to 2013, and knows he has to improve again this year too.
To that end, he said he needs to curb his scrambling ways. In a few instances, he was able to pull off the spectacular by getting out of the pocket. But he was also dropped for a sack 19 times last season.
"I'm worried about getting the ball off on time and knowing my reads," Keenum said. "Getting the ball out and dropping back in the pocket. I got in trouble trying to move around in the pocket too much last year. Really, I'd rather get the ball out quick rather than run around and get hit trying to throw the ball."
So the names may have changed from Beck and Yates and Schaub, to Savage and Fitzpatrick, but Keenum said his mindset has remained the same.
O'Brien has noticed Keenum's preparation, and complimented the third-year signal caller on Wednesday.
"I think he is a hard worker," O'Brien said. "I think he is a bright guy. I think he is a good teammate. I think he is coachable, puts in a lot of time and he is working extremely hard at it."
Keenum, O'Brien and the Texans get to work together on the field once more for a Thursday minicamp. After that, they'll reconvene in late July for the start of training camp.
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