:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/49842009/usa-today-8779364.0.jpg)
Pro Football Focus hasn’t pulled any punches in their repeated declarations that your Houston Texans committed an egregious error by investing in Brock Osweiler. Thus, it should come as no surprise that PFF continues to beat the drum that Osweiler is unlikely to find success in Houston with a new blurb today. Here's an excerpt:
In 521 snaps last season, Osweiler delivered for the Broncos an average performance. However, like most quarterbacks, Osweiler clearly fared better with a clean pocket than when he was pressured. The only difference is that Osweiler’s drop-off was far more significant than the NFL average, and now that the weight of the Houston franchise is on his shoulders, how he performs against pressure will take on added importance this year.
The Texans offensive line provided good pass protection last year, but two thirds of that unit has moved on since season’s end, and while left guard Jeff Allen is a good replacement coming from Kansas City, they will have to break in a new center after Ben Jones left for Tennessee in free agency.
While Osweiler did a good job when blitzed last season, he will need to improve his play when the defense gets to him with four pass-rushers. If he can do this, he may well end up as a success, but a similar performance when pressured could lead to disappointment for Texans fans expecting big things — including another division title — out of their big-money free-agent quarterback.
So, to summarize...
1. Like virtually every other quarterback, Brock Osweiler performs better when he’s not pressured.
2. Osweiler was actually pretty good against the blitz last year.
3. Because PFF’s grading system indicated Osweiler wasn’t as good against non-blitz pressure last year, he could struggle against standard pressure again this year, especially with an offensive line that’ll feature at least two players who didn't suit up for the Texans last year.
Frankly, this is a more nuanced look than I expected from a publication that has competed with Jason La Canfora to see who could shovel more dirt on the Texans' new quarterback before he ever takes a snap for the good guys. Your thoughts, BRB?