RADIO
According to several reports coming out of Houston, Texans head coach Bill O’Brien wanted to cut quarterback Ryan Mallett on Monday after missing the team’s Week 7 flight. However, GM Rick Smith convinced O’Brien to hold onto Mallett.
Well, it looks like O’Brien won the battle and got his wish – just a day later than he wanted. On Tuesday morning the Texans announced the release of Mallett. According to ESPN, the Texans will soon be signing T.J. Yates to serve as Brian Hoyer’s backup for the rest of the season.
Mallett did get a chance to start this year, but proved to be just average at best. He completed 78 of 147 passing attempts for 770 yards. He threw four interceptions and just three touchdowns.
Mallett certainly passes the eye test and looks like he has all of the tools needed to become a great quarterback. He’s tall, strong and has a great arm. Unfortunately, he struggled with accuracy, decision-making and leadership skills, which is why Hoyer is now the team’s starter.
Hoyer doesn’t have the talent or physical capabilities that Mallett has, but he’s a better leader, makes smarter decisions with the football and is usually a more accurate thrower. Mallett will likely get signed somewhere as a backup, but I’d be surprised if he ever got another chance as a starting quarterback in the NFL.
The Texans will look to add a franchise quarterback through the 2016 draft.
In other news, it sounds like Ben Roethlisberger will practice this week without limitations for the Pittsburgh Steelers. It sounds like the team fully expects him to suit up and start against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 8.
The Bengals have a decent defense and Big Ben might be a little rusty in his return game, but he can still be considered a nice QB1 for Week 8. The players who will benefit most from his return are wide receiver Antonio Brown and tight end Heath Miller.
With Roethlisberger back in the lineup, Brown will once again be a must-start WR1 regardless of matchup. Miller can be considered a TE2.
Running back Le’Veon Bell should also benefit from the fact that teams will have to respect the team’s passing attack. This will likely open up some running lanes and make his fantasy owners extremely happy. He should still be considered a RB1 in all leagues.
