Bill O'Brien Speaks: On QB Competition, Jadeveon Clowney's Return, Hard Knocks, More

Bill O'Brien fielded questions from the media after practice today. As usual, it's easy to see why so many observers expect the head coach of the Houston Texans to become a star when "Hard Knocks" airs tonight. The man they call "OB" talked QBs, the return of the first overall pick of the 2014 NFL Draft, whether he'll watch "Hard Knocks", whether anyone should read into who's starting on Saturday night, and much more. A few of the more interesting exchanges are below for your perusal.

(on if he’s ready to discuss who will start at quarterback on Saturday) "No, it’s preseason. Still in training camp you know, and still got a lot of things to install between now and Saturday, seriously, I mean we have two-minute situations, backed up, goal line situations still, two-point plays. I mean we have so many things that we’re not, regardless of who starts the game, both guys will play, all three guys will play in the game. Do not read too much into who’s starting that game. I’ll tell you that."

(on how tough they’ve made the decision for him) "Both guys are even. They’re competitive guys. We really, we have a lot of fun coaching both guys, they bring a lot of energy to the table. They’re smart, they’re good quarterbacks, and like I said, like I’ve said from day one, one guy will start and the other guy will back up the start, and we’ll go from there."

(on if he’s going to have time to watch Hard Knocks tonight) "I’ve seen it. Yeah, I’ve seen the first episode."

(on what his take on the episode is) "I called my parents and I asked them not to watch it."

(on why he’s asked his parents to not watch Hard Knocks) "Especially my mother. She’s Irish Catholic and she goes to mass I think every day. She’s not going to be very happy with me."

(on if OLB Jadeveon Clowney is still expected to return on August 17) "Yeah, look, August 17 is the day that I think our medical team has talked to him about. But again, with JD, it’s if he feels ready to go on that day, his knee feels good, then he’ll go. We’re not going to rush him back. We feel like that’s a good date for him, so yeah we’re on target for that. Hopefully, he’ll get out here and be able to do something that day."

(on if NT Louis Nix III will play a lot on Saturday) "Yeah, he should get a lot of snaps on Saturday."

(on who will start at safety on Saturday) "I don’t know. I wouldn’t look too much. I really wouldn’t, in the preseason, I would not be reading too much into who starts the game at any position."

As always, you can find a full transcript of today's media Q&A here; in addition to much more from Bill O'Brien, this particular one also contains good stuff from Duane Brown, Brian Hoyer, Kevin Johnson, Ryan Mallett, Louis Nix, and Chris Polk. Highly recommended reading.