Secrets never last long in the NFL.
Texans coach Bill O’Brien wanted to keep his starting quarterback a mystery until Sunday’s game with the Panthers. Not surprisingly, word got out.
According to multiple reports, Houston is making a change. Ryan Mallett, who in Week 1 led the Texans on two scoring drives in relief of an ineffective Brian Hoyer, will start in Carolina.
O’Brien’s secret started to leak Wednesday while he was on a conference call with Carolina media. Moments after he told reporters, “We know who it is and we will let everyone else know on Sunday,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport was first to spoil the surprise.
When asked if he could confirm the report, O’Brien said, “You know, if it gets out there, it get out there — not too much I can do about it.”
After Hoyer helped the Texans dig themselves a 27-9 hole last Sunday against the Chiefs, Mallett mopped up in the fourth quarter, going 8-of-13 for 98 yards and a touchdown.
While O’Brien’s secret was getting out, Panthers’ defensive players were saying what you’d expect — they’re preparing for the Texans, not their quarterback.
Coach Ron Rivera shared that sentiment.
“It’s not like you got Tom Brady on one side and another quarterback somewhere else. Or Peyton Manning and somebody else. We’re talking about two young quarterbacks that have similar skillsets. One is a little more mobile but the other one does have a stronger arm,” Rivera said.
“One thing we did see: Mallet ran a very good hurry-up offense, drove down and scored a touchdown very quickly. So we obviously looked at that extensively to try and get an understanding and feel for what he does well.”
Traded to the Texans shortly before the start of the 2014 regular season, Mallett made his first start in November, beating the Browns in Cleveland. He was less than stellar his next time out. Mallett went 21-of-45 for 189 yards with an interception and no scores in a loss to the Bengals. A day later, the Texans revealed Mallett played with a torn pectoral muscle before they put him on injured reserve.
Before landing in Houston in 2014, Mallett spent three seasons as Brady’s understudy in New England, including 2011, when O’Brien was the Patriots’ offensive coordinator.
Known for his considerable arm strength, Mallett has divided opinion wherever he has gone. For what he offers with his arm, he gives up with poor footwork in the pocket and a lack of mobility.
In the lead-up to the 2011 draft, the Panthers did their homework on Mallett, even as it became clear they would use their No. 1 pick on Cam Newton.
When Mallett came to Charlotte on a pre-draft visit, he had to cancel most of his meetings because he was ill. But a report, which his agent denied, said Mallet had stayed out late partying the night before.
The former Arkansas star eventually fell to the third round, 73 picks behind Newton.
“He has a big arm,” Newton said Wednesday. “Any other time I’d tell him good luck, but obviously I can’t this game.”