Jon Gruden's QB Camp w/ Case Keenum 2012 (has morphed into "the keenum thread")

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  • #39644
    Avatar photoAgamemnon
    Participant

    Agamemnon

    #39911
    Avatar photozn
    Moderator

    from off the net

    -X-

    He’s a solid guy that you want not only on your roster, but also in the locker room and on the sidelines. He’s just that intense and is great for morale. He’s clearly not a liability, but I think we all agree he’s not someone you build an offense around. That said, we could do much worse than Keenum, and we have. He’d be my #2 guy for as long as he wanted to be. Great, great dude.

    #39994
    Avatar photozn
    Moderator

    Rams Case Keenum happy with the vote of confidence – even if just for now

    link: http://www.insidesocal.com/nfl/2016/03/04/rams-case-keenum-happy-with-the-vote-of-confidence-even-if-just-for-now/

    MANHATTAN BEACH – On the day Rams tried to provide as many answers as possible to their players about the relocation process from St. Louis to Los Angeles, one of the biggest questions of all stood quietly in a corner of a Manhattan Beach hotel ballroom Friday.

    Only this one had very little to do with housing options or training camp sites or where the Rams will eventually set up headquarters.

    There will be clarification on all of those matters in the coming months, much to the delight of the Rams wife and girlfriends who sent their significant others to L.A. armed with a litany of questions that need addressing.

    “A lot of what we talked to about today were questions on behalf of our wives and girlfriends,” said Rams middle linebacker Alec Ogletree, who might already be in line to win the NFL’s Smartest Man of the Year award.

    After all, a happy wife is a happy life.

    “We just want to know where we’re playing football,” Ogletree said, laughing. “The wives and girlfriends wanted answers to all the other important stuff.”

    All in due time.

    Case Keenum, on the other hand, represents a conundrum of a completely different sort. And his ability to provide clarity might determine how decisively the Rams step back into their former Southern California home.

    Keenum is the Rams starting quarterback, although that distinction comes with an important qualifier: For now.

    If training camp were to start tomorrow, Keenum would get first team reps. The spot on the depth chart is somewhat earned – Keenum having stabilized the position by finishing last season 3-1 – but is mostly bestowed thanks to the nosedive previous starter Nick Foles took over the first 12 games before being replaced.

    Keenum taking over coincided with tight ends coach Rob Boras being named the offensive coordinator to replace the fired Frank Cignetti Jr. The offense became a little less predictable and considerably more versatile. Points went up, the Rams won three out of their last four games and Keenum completed 76 of 125 passes for 828 yards and four touchdowns against just one interception.

    “We put together some momentum,” he said.

    And it earned him the role of de facto starter.

    But with the calendar having just turned to March and training camp still four months away and the Rams not exactly acting shy about the possibility of adding a quarterback or two, who knows how much longer “for now” lasts.

    The Rams have the 15th pick in next April’s draft, which could put them in line add Memphis gunslinger Paxton Lynch. And with a pair of picks in the second round at No. 43 and 45 they could look to Michigan State’s Connor Cook.

    Meanwhile, free agency opens next week and the Rams have been linked to everyone from Peyton Manning to Brock Osweiler to Robert Griffin III.

    Point is, Keenum isn’t taking anything for granted. Especially after spending most of last week hearing about all the possible replacements the Rams were scouting at the NFL combine.

    “Everybody asks about the combine, and that’s (300) or so employees trying to come take our jobs, especially the quarterback position. It’s tough,” Keenum said. “As a reporter or a journalist, it’s probably the same. There’s probably 14 or 15 people lined up ready to take your job if you’re not producing. So that’s the way I I approach my work and my job.”

    Nevertheless, Keenum finds at least a little comfort in the Rams having his back to this extent. Having bounced around from Houston to the Rams as an un-drafted prospect in 2012 and started a total of 15 games over his first four seasons, even the slightest bit of confidence expressed by his bosses goes a long way.

    “It’s the first time that I’ve had a coach believe in me through the offseason like this,” Keenum said. “So, I’m excited about the position that I’m in and the position the team is in. I think we’re poised to make that next step and be a playoff contender.” Hopefully, with him leading the way.

    “We’ve had some great meetings,” Keenum said about the feedback he’s gotten from Rams head coach Jeff Fisher. “And we obviously finished the year with some good momentum, I think we had some good continuity.. The way I’m treating it is the way I’ve always treated every offseason that I’ve been a part of and I’m going to treat it like I’m the starter. That’s my mindset, I’m going to get ready to play.

    “The nice thing now is I have some confidence, the coach is saying some nice things ands I think we believe in the same things. I’m going to continue to believe in myself and my teammates. And I’m going to continue to compete. I know that in this league, that’s what the whole league is about. It’s about competition.”

    It’s something Keenum knows all too well. And he’s bracing for more of the same over the next few months. He’s the Rams starting quarterback, but it’s no secret they are intent on adding a quarterback or two to the roster by training camp.

    #40000
    Avatar photozn
    Moderator

    #40001
    Avatar photoAgamemnon
    Participant

    As the process continues, it is looking more and more as if the Rams won’t draft a QB, at least not in the first round. imo

    Agamemnon

    #40002
    Avatar photozn
    Moderator

    As the process continues, it is looking more and more as if the Rams won’t draft a QB, at least not in the first round. imo

    I see it different. I think they will draft one high, and yes maybe even in the 1st round depending on who is there.

    #40008
    Winnbrad
    Participant

    As the process continues, it is looking more and more as if the Rams won’t draft a QB, at least not in the first round. imo

    I see it different. I think they will draft one high, and yes maybe even in the 1st round depending on who is there.

    Well I hope you’re right, ZN. We can’t have another “placeholder” at QB. If we do, we’re 7-9, again.

    I say draft a QB high. Bring in some FA’s. Sign people off the street. Make trades. Whatever it takes.

    This team has a D and a good running back. A QB gives us a shot at the playoffs. Even an avg QB gives us a shot.

    #40011
    Avatar photoAgamemnon
    Participant

    As the process continues, it is looking more and more as if the Rams won’t draft a QB, at least not in the first round. imo

    I see it different. I think they will draft one high, and yes maybe even in the 1st round depending on who is there.

    That is what I originally thought. But, Cook and Lynch have gone down a bit in my opinion. Keenum and Mannion have gone up a bit. It also looks like replacing FAs will be a bit more up to the draft. All that makes QB less of a priority. imo

    At one time I was going to make the argument that drafting a QB in the first round was the smart thing to do. The more I tried to do that, the more I started to think maybe it is better to wait.

    But, anyway, either path is fine. It is hard to say one way is better than another at this point.

    Agamemnon

    #40013
    Avatar photozn
    Moderator

    Making the case for Case (2/4). Arm strength.

    This is the one I have doubts about. On this particular vid there, he lofts the ball some. I want a flatter trajectory on passes like that.

    But then some people think Keenum has a rag arm. I think it’s a little better than that.

    For a small-ish guy, I think his arm is better than the arm of

    Steve Walsh
    Jamie Martin
    Kellen Clemens
    Shaun Hill
    Austin Davis
    AJ Feeley

    I think of Keenum as the perfect blend of Joe Montana and TJ Rubley.

    Kidding. I kid. I’m a big kidder.

    Yes they need a qb but Keenum, in the meanwhile, has one key job: do not throw INTs.

    Cook and Lynch have gone down a bit in my opinion

    I am wondering if Lynch is a less ready, needs more development version of Flacco. If he’s there, maybe they take him.

    #40015
    Avatar photoInvaderRam
    Moderator

    i think he’s a more athletic version of joe flacco.

    but it sounds like he’s gonna need a lot of time and development.

    • This reply was modified 8 years, 9 months ago by Avatar photoInvaderRam.
    #40017
    Avatar photoInvaderRam
    Moderator

    paxton lynch threw the ball 59 mph. best in this year’s class. i also like that he has some running ability.

    #40021
    Avatar photozn
    Moderator

    L.A. Rams’ Case Keenum has the mind-set of a starting quarterback

    http://www.latimes.com/sports/nfl/la-sp-la-rams-case-keenum-20160304-story.html

    The Los Angeles Rams’ head coach sat behind the middle of the table, a Pro Bowld efensive tackle to his right and a Pro Bowl punter to his left.

    As reporters, photographers and television camera operators surrounded Jeff Fisher, Aaron Donald and Johnny Hekker on Friday after a team meeting at a Manhattan Beach hotel, Case Keenum stood off to the side.

    It marked perhaps the final time that Keenum, the presumptive starting quarterback heading into off-season workouts, would not be the focus of attention as the Rams prepare for their first season in Southern California in more than two decades.

    “I’m looking forward to moving to L.A.,” Keenum told reporters, adding, “I’m ready for the city and just for the experience to blow me away.”

    Keenum, 28, will try to hold on to a job that has potential to become the most high-profile position in a celebrity-studded Los Angeles sports environment. Keenum is entering his fifth pro season after supplanting Nick Foles as the Rams’ starter late last season.

    Fisher has said that Keenum was the starter but that Foles and second-year pro Sean Mannion would have an opportunity to compete for the job. He also said that the Rams could add as many as two quarterbacks before training camp.

    The Rams have the 15th pick in the April draft. NFL veterans Robert Griffin III and Peyton Manning have been mentioned in reports as quarterbacks the Rams could pursue.

    Keenum does not sound too concerned. He said he would treat the off-season as he did when he played at Abilene (Texas) Wylie High … as he did when he was a record-setting passer at the University of Houston … as he did after signing with the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent.

    “I’m going to treat it like I’m the starter,” he said. “That’s my mind-set… The nice thing now is that I’ve got some confidence, and some coaches saying some things and they’re believing the same thing, so I’m going to believe in myself.”

    In six games last season, Keenum completed 61% of his passes, four for touchdowns, with one interception. The Rams went 3-2 in his five starts.

    “I’m excited about the position I’m in and the position the team is in,” he said. “I think we’re poised to make that next step and be a playoff contender.”

    The Rams have a way to go. They were 7-9 last season, the fourth time in four seasons under Fisher that they finished below .500. The Rams featured star rookie running back Todd Gurley but ranked last in passing offense.

    “I’m tired of hearing that the Rams were 32nd in passing, to be honest,” Keenum said, adding, “Literally, the only way is up.”

    General Manager Les Snead has said that he has confidence in Keenum, an unrestricted free agent who Snead said would be re-signed. There was no pressure to bring in a big-name quarterback to appease the celebrity-driven L.A. market, Snead said.

    “Not only in the NFL but in most team sports, I don’t think you sell anything — I think you earn everything,” Snead said. “We’ll earn, if you want to call it fan appreciation, by going out and being competitive and winning games.

    “It’s never been a philosophy to go, ‘Hey, let’s sell an individual.’ Because it’s 11 on offense, 11 on defense, 11 on special teams. You’ve got to work together.”

    Keenum said he was prepared to compete if the Rams bring in other quarterbacks.

    “I [had] one scholarship offer out of high school,” he said. “Out of college I was undrafted. Nothing’s been handed to me. I’ve worked extremely hard for anything that’s come my way, so I know that I’m going to have to work extremely hard for anything that comes forward from this.”

    Much of the discussion during the team meeting dealt with logistics of the Rams’ relocation to Los Angeles. Keenum does not expect his bid to open the season as the starter to be thrown off by the move.

    “You can look at it as problems and you can look at it as opportunities,” he said. “I’m just a kid from West Texas who grew up in a small town. Went to Houston, a little bit bigger city. But I mean this is L.A. … there’s a lot of opportunity here.”

    #40091
    Avatar photozn
    Moderator

    more from off the net, for the “making a case for Case” thread

    Merlin

    Case is never going to be an elite QB. But he plays the position intelligently, and does a good job anticipating what the defense is doing. He makes some really good throws too, and places the ball well. In that small sample size he had at the end of the season he made a lot of the players around him look much better than they had all season. Britt for example, and he also put the ball in Tavon’s hands on time on many of the short/dump passes this offense seems to specialize in, and that made a big difference. And of course he doesn’t make dumb mistakes, he’s careful with the ball and avoids turnovers.

    I understand why Fish likes him. And I think it goes without saying that the Rams need to draft a QB. But if they enter the season with a rookie holding a clipboard, and a FA and draft addition at wideout I think this offense will be solid. He’s not the ideal bridge QB for a rookie, but he might do it better than many expect if they put talent around him.

    #40098
    Avatar photoAgamemnon
    Participant

    Let us keep trying to find the QB, but we don’t need to write off what we have now, Keenum, Mannion, and even Foles. It takes time for a QB to develope. But, I would like to trade Foles. 😉

    Agamemnon

    #40463
    Avatar photozn
    Moderator

    from off the net

    ==

    Kind of Blue/Gold

    Case Keenum – Week 15 Bucs

    Highlights

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whNplfU6IPw

    Keenum v. Foles

    No doubt, there are lowlights. I hope we add an RG3 for upside, or better, draft a QB like Goff or Lynch. A few things that stood out from my vantage point, particularly being able to see him immediately after Foles for ease of comparison purposes, he was noticeably more decisive and had a quicker release (sort of a double advantage), Foles couldn’t pull the trigger if his life depended on it (and some of those times receivers were open, so maybe he wasn’t seeing the field), and his feet and movement skills were incredibly ponderous. When things broke down, he looked robotic and incapable of improvising. At his best last year, Keenum seems to process things quickly (where the ball needs to go, coverages, etc.), along with having a quick release. He looks like he would be effective on quick hitting plays like bubble screens to Austin and screens to Gurley, and even hit some intermediate (Cook) and downfield plays (Britt TD) above. I’d still like an upgrade, a young, developmental QB with greater talent and upside (again, Goff, Lynch, possibly MSUs Cook). The run game will take pressure off him and deflect defensive attention. If the OL matures and can stay healthier (a chronic, habitual issue in recent years), that will help a lot. And the flip side of the offense helping the defense, the defense can help the offense, if they can get the ball back sooner and more often.

    #40759
    Avatar photozn
    Moderator

    from off the net

    -X-

    He’s a solid guy that you want not only on your roster, but also in the locker room and on the sidelines. He’s just that intense and is great for morale. He’s clearly not a liability, but I think we all agree he’s not someone you build an offense around. That said, we could do much worse than Keenum, and we have. He’d be my #2 guy for as long as he wanted to be. Great, great dude.

    Expanded.

    —-

    -X-

    If the Rams are 100% in on Case Keenum, then I’m 100% in on Case Keenum. Yes he’s not the most athletically gifted guy, and yes he’s shorter than you’d want your QB to be, but that doesn’t mean anything. You can either ball or you can’t. Keenum doesn’t fold in the pocket under pressure. He doesn’t force stupid throws in the hopes that they get caught. He can scramble. He can throw on the run. He can make good reads and go through his progressions. He’s high energy, and FIsher loves him. I’ve seen the elation on Fisher’s face when Keenum scores. Something I’ve rarely seen him do with any other QB on his roster.

    I don’t know that I would define the 49er game as Keenum’s ceiling. Every QB has a game like that, every year. And it didn’t help that our defense gave up 460 yards of total offense to a Blaine Gabbert-led team. We also didn’t have Gurley for that one, the same meh receivers, and the 49ers always play us tough. My opinion is that a healthy Gurley, more athletic and dominant receivers, and a cohesive line is easily worth an additional TD a game (I’ll also add a kicker who doesn’t miss gimme field goals). As someone already pointed out, we were about 15 points away from being an 11-5 team last year. And that’s with waiting on Foles to pull out of his tail spin and a late start with Gurley.

    Could we improve on Keenum? Of course. No question. I don’t think he’s the answer. I’ve only maintained that he’s capable of leading this offense to wins with the help of the defense, a stout ground game, and at least ONE receiver who can consistently win one-on-one battles. I really only think we’re a very good receiver away from giving our offense the boost it needs to let our defense pin its ears back and dominate. There’s nothing wrong with winning with defense. Unless the Rams move up to Wentz AND Wentz is the next great QB of our era, then I’m okay with improving the offense around the QB and getting the QB later. That’s all.

    #40763
    Avatar photoAgamemnon
    Participant

    People think finding a franchise QB or having a dominating defense is the magic formula for winning. The magic formula for winning is having more strengths than the other guy. That and running more balls than your opponent. 😉

    Agamemnon

    #40768
    Avatar photoAgamemnon
    Participant

    CoachO, Dec 29, 2015

    I’m basing my thoughts on Mannion on what I watched throughout training camp. He just has something about him that stuck out to me.

    I mentioned coming out of the preseason that the sooner he is elevated to the #2 the better. Now we go into next season and IMO he will be given every chance to compete for the starters job. Mostly due to the implosion of Foles.

    I like what Keenum has shown this far. But I think Mannion offers more upside. And I don’t see them bailing on him this soon.

    What I don’t get is how so many (not you specifically) can make any kind of evaluation without ever watching him (or anyone else) play.

    Most don’t get to see them in practice (outside of camp), so they just make assumptions. More often than not guys like Mannion are out of sight out of mind until the these type of conversations.

    I wanted to put this somewhere. I put it here.

    Agamemnon

    #40772
    Avatar photozn
    Moderator

    CoachO, Dec 29, 2015

    I’m basing my thoughts on Mannion on what I watched throughout training camp. He just has something about him that stuck out to me.

    I mentioned coming out of the preseason that the sooner he is elevated to the #2 the better. Now we go into next season and IMO he will be given every chance to compete for the starters job. Mostly due to the implosion of Foles.

    I like what Keenum has shown this far. But I think Mannion offers more upside. And I don’t see them bailing on him this soon.

    What I don’t get is how so many (not you specifically) can make any kind of evaluation without ever watching him (or anyone else) play.

    Most don’t get to see them in practice (outside of camp), so they just make assumptions. More often than not guys like Mannion are out of sight out of mind until the these type of conversations.

    All the camp reporters liked what they saw of Mannion last year, at least initially.

    Though the Rams have let it slip out that they still think he needs to work on some things in his mechanics etc.

    .

    #40773
    Avatar photoAgamemnon
    Participant

    All the camp reporters liked what they saw of Mannion last year, at least initially.

    Though the Rams have let it slip out that they still think he needs to work on some things in his mechanics etc.

    .

    I don’t think you become a good starting QB overnight. Although teams can be successful playing rookies, I like the A Rogers method best. I think Mannion will be a good QB.

    Agamemnon

    #40776
    Avatar photoInvaderRam
    Moderator

    so would you still take a qb in first round or go wr, ag?

    #40777
    Avatar photoAgamemnon
    Participant

    so would you still take a qb in first round or go wr, ag?

    I would take Wentz and Goff, but they figure to be gone. I am ok with Cook and Lynch, although I would wait until the second round. If I miss out on them, I could go Brissett in the 3rd or 4th round or Hogan or Allen in the sixth. I got the guy I wanted last year in Mannion. 😉 Although, I am happy to take another QB and let the best QB win.

    I like treadwell and Doctson in the first, but I am beginning to think Floyd might be a better choice and I get a WR in the second. At this point, I am not locked into any one player or position.

    There a a lot of good ways to go in this draft. It is hard to say one way is better or worse.

    • This reply was modified 8 years, 9 months ago by Avatar photoAgamemnon.
    • This reply was modified 8 years, 9 months ago by Avatar photoAgamemnon.

    Agamemnon

    #41064
    Avatar photozn
    Moderator

    Old article. -X- found this. A lot of what it says didn’t hold up. Some of it IMO still does. Anyway different people will see different things in this.

    ==

    The Case for Keenum

    He went undrafted in 2012 and spent a year on the practice squad—but he looks like the future of the Texans. What’s right, and what still needs work, for Houston’s new starting quarterback

    FRI NOV. 8, 2013

    by Robert Klemko

    http://theramshuddle.com/topic/jon-grudens-qb-camp-with-case-keenum-2012/

    HOUSTON — Get excited, Texans. You may just have a quarterback.

    He has arrived in the form of Case Keenum, a sparkplug in stature and mood, the pride of the University of Houston and the new envy of every 6-foot-and-under college quarterback in America. Keenum went undrafted in 2012 and signed with the Texans’ practice squad after taking five years to become the NCAA’s all-time leader in completions, passing yards and touchdowns. How does such a player go undrafted? We’ll get to that.

    What matters right now is this: The Texans are 2-6 after winning the AFC South a year ago. If the season isn’t lost, it’s heading that way fast. Yet in Week 9 they discovered an offense so potent it had one of the top teams in the AFC—one that bested Peyton Manning’s Broncos and Russell Wilson’s Seahawks—grasping at straws. It started when Keenum entered the huddle on the first play of his second NFL start with these words: “Let’s get this thing turned around.”

    That’s big talk from a guy who played some cornerback on the practice squad last season and began 2013 as third quarterback on the depth chart behind 2012 Pro Bowler Matt Schaub and 2011 playoff starter T.J. Yates.
    But Keenum delivered. Schaub’s replacement went yard to star receiver Andre Johnson on the third play from scrimmage for a 62-yard touchdown, Johnson’s first of the season. Keenum screamed and fist-pumped. He threw off his back foot, falling away, side-armed and overhanded. He threw a couple of near-picks that slipped through defenders’ hands, and two more touchdowns to Johnson, including a five-yard jump ball at the close of the first half after sprinting down the field and motioning for a clock-stopping spike. It wasn’t quite as important as Marino in ’94, or Stafford against the Cowboys earlier this season, but it was no less extraordinary.

    “That was my favorite moment,” said Texans wide receiver DeVier Posey. “That was pretty cool. I didn’t think that was going to happen. I kind of jogged off and I was like, Oh, what??”

    It was the highlight of the night just before the lowlight of the season—coach Gary Kubiak collapsed from a transient ischemic attack (a mini-stroke) on the way to the halftime locker room. Kubiak’s fall took the wind out of the stadium and the Texans offense as the Colts came back to win 27-24.

    Understandably overshadowed by Kubiak’s hospital visit was the play of Keenum in defeat—20 of 34 for 350 yards and three touchdowns, to go with 271 yards and a touchdown two weeks back in Kansas City, just before the bye. The Texans ran almost exclusively shotgun and pistol formations in that start, an adjustment made for Keenum, the Abilene native who played in a spread offense in college and was so unready to contribute at quarterback as a rookie that the Texans put him on the practice squad and asked him to chip in all over the field. Posey roomed with Keenum through 2012 OTAs and remembers him quietly accepting his hodgepodge role on the scout team when the season started.

    “He got here last year, ran routes, played corner, ran down the field on kickoff,” Posey said. “He always prepared like a starter, and I just felt the past two weeks was our first chance to meet the guy who threw the nine touchdowns in a college game.”

    That guy? That guy was too short, and his arm was too weak to convert all that success in college—including a nine-touchdown game vs. Rice in 2011—into a successful pro career. He was supposed to be a system quarterback who thrived in the spread and didn’t know how to read defenses back then. Plus he had torn his ACL in his fourth season, and escapability was the only way he could see over those offensive linemen, being 6-1 and all. (Texans running Ben Tate says he’s “more like 5-11.”)

    “I’ve had a lot of people tell me I can’t do a lot of things,” Keenum said before his first start, in Kansas City. “I’m too short or this or that, but you can’t believe a lot of that stuff… I’ve tried to grow, but I think I’m done.”

    Still, University of Houston coach Tony Levine figured he was a lock to get picked by somebody, anybody.

    He plays like he has nothing to lose,” says Posey. “When he gets down on one knee in the huddle you believe any play can work.

    “Every scout I talked to fell in love with him,” Levine says. “I guess between then and draft day something changed. Maybe they felt like the most yards and touchdowns in Division I history was an accident.”

    The 32-team slight failed to shake Keenum’s confidence, and when Schaub went down with a leg injury during a stretch of four straight losses and Yates struggled as well, Keenum finally got the opportunity to open up.
    The knocks on Keenum—too short, weak arm—have not been apparent.

    “He plays like he has nothing to lose,” Posey says. “And he doesn’t, so why not? When he gets in the huddle and he gets down on one knee you believe any play can work. He just has that good old Texas country boy swagger. It’s more like a cowboy, like he’s riding a high horse.”

    Says offensive tackle Duane Brown: “It’s very contagious.”

    He’s done well enough to keep a healthy Schaub on the bench, raising questions about the veteran’s future in Houston after the season. Despite signing the two-time Pro Bowler to a long term deal in September, the Texans left themselves an out that would save them $11 million by cutting him in June.

    It’s undoubtedly tough to stomach for Schaub, who has lately declined to speak with media, and for his teammates and coaches who saw him at his best a year ago. Quarterbacks coach Karl Dorrell predicted a breakout season for Schaub over the summer but found himself endorsing Keenum in November.
    “It looks good on paper before the season starts,” Dorrell says, “but as things start to take their course, a lot can go wrong, not just for Matt but for the whole team, with injuries and other issues.”

    The holes in Houston’s roster, particularly along the offensive line, have been part of the reason Keenum’s impressive stats haven’t yet translated into wins. Yet the offense is clearly improving under him, and it’s only a matter of time before the W’s start accumulating. Here are the reasons for quarterback optimism in Houston, and factors that could temper that hope.
    Reasons for optimism

    1. Buying time, making the deep throws

    Twice now, in two separate games, Keenum has bought time with his feet and unloaded for huge gains to Andre Johnson after Johnson had given up on a route. The first example came in Kansas City on a first down during the third quarter, when Keenum sensed pressure, escaped right, wove back across the field and unloaded off-balance 45 yards downfield to Johnson for a 42-yard gain, after Johnson had given up on his route and resumed running downfield once Keenum came back his way.

    The next example was less risky but no less impressive. Keenum rolled right out of play action, located the oncoming rusher, cut the roll short and bought a split second—enough time to step into a bomb to Johnson. It was a thing of beauty, as Johnson had stopped running once he hit double coverage, then looked up and saw Keenum throwing him open deep over Colts safety Antoine Bethea. Johnson leaped to catch a 41-yard touchdown pass. The play revealed Keenum’s mobility—and also demonstrated the fallacy of the pre-draft “weak arm” diagnosis in the scouting community.

    2. Offensive line improvement?

    Texans right tackle Ryan Harris received more pass blocking opportunities than did season-long starter Derek Newton for the first time since this time-share began in Week 5, which was not surprising given that Newton has allowed 35 sacks, hits or hurries in 310 pass blocking opportunities, fifth-most among NFL offensive tackles according to Pro Football Focus. And just as he had in four previous opportunities, Harris performed slightly better than Newton in that capacity. Expect this trend to continue, and for the quarterback play to improve as Harris gets settled in the role.

    3. Acclimating quickly to offense

    Dorrell says Keenum is still working on the finer points of dropping back from under center, which explains why Houston ran passing plays nearly exclusively from shotgun or pistol formations in the narrow loss to Kansas City. And after Keenum threw from under center just twice in his first start, Kubiak opened the playbook to a degree against Indianapolis, calling for six passes from under center in that prolific three-touchdown first half alone. It bodes well that Keenum is progressing in this regard, given the steady performance of fullback Greg Jones in run-blocking out of traditional two-back sets. Jones logged a season-low 11 snaps against the Chiefs, then rebounded with a season-high 32 versus Indianapolis. Regardless, Houston has worked an effective play action game, with Keenum completing more than 60% of his passes, for a 145.8 passer rating, after faking handoffs, the majority out of pistol. Says Dorrell: “It’ll take more time to work on his drop mechanics, his play action movements, but he’s moving fast.”

    Reasons for concern

    1. Reliance on Johnson

    There were occasions in both starts when Keenum stared down Johnson and threw into solid single coverage or double coverage while other receivers were open downfield. During the third quarter in Kansas City, Keenum forced a short pass to Johnson with time in the pocket while his No. 1 receiver was fighting through traffic for an ultimate drop. Meanwhile, tight end Garrett Graham had passed a linebacker in zone coverage and was a lock to beat the single-high safety if Keenum had noticed him. A touchdown would have put Houston over the hump in a one-score game. Against the Colts, Keenum forced a handful of throws to Johnson with open receivers in several spots, beginning with a second-quarter incompletion on a Johnson curl route with Graham and rookie wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins both open on the left side (see below). In total, Johnson has caught 13 of Keenum’s 19 targets to him, a ratio on par with the Schaub era.

    As on this second-quarter play against Indy, Keenum has shown a tendency to force throws to Johnson when other targets are open. (NFL Rewind) As on this second-quarter play against Indianapolis, Keenum has shown a tendency to lock in on the veteran Johnson when other targets are open. (NFL Rewind)

    2. Throws off back foot, falling away

    Keenum’s mechanical flaws manifest themselves in pressure situations. In both games, while leading Houston drives at the end of the first half or in the game’s final minutes, the second-year pro tends to lean away from throws rather than step into them. It affected his accuracy at the close of the first half and twice nearly resulted in interceptions against Indianapolis. “That’s the inexperience. He’s doing the things he always did having success his whole life,” Dorrell says. “It’s an ongoing process. He’s worked hard over the course of the year to clean up his fundamentals.”

    3. Easy to read

    Both the Chiefs and Colts got away with ramping up pressure and leaving a single safety to defend the deep half of the field more often than the Texans would like. Though Keenum says he’s modeled parts of his game after Saints quarterback Drew Brees, he doesn’t yet have the ability to lie with his eyes, making it easy on so-so cover safeties like the Colts’ LaRon Landry. Keenum’s been getting away with it so far, but it’s only a matter of time before a more instinctual safety or an athletic defensive back take advantage of Keenum’s tendency to stare down his favorite targets. Watch Cardinals rookie safety Tyrann Mathieu and veteran cornerback Patrick
    Peterson on Sunday.

    The future

    Keenum’s optimism and swagger have been contagious. Give him the time to make the right adjustments, and the W’s will come. (Andrew Richardson/Icon SMI)

    Keenum has several qualities you can’t teach, not the least of which is moxie. He is well-liked in the Houston locker room, and some inside that room quietly predicted his promotion when Schaub began to struggle in the first month of the season. Keenum’s immediate success will be contingent on the production of running backs Arian Foster and Ben Tate, each of whom has been sidelined with injuries in recent weeks. The Texans still have two games against the winless Jaguars and one with Oakland, so Keenum will have some suspect teams against which to keep the numbers going. But rough patches during the second half of the season should be no surprise. Provided he can shake some bad habits in the offseason, the future for Keenum looks bright.

    #41066
    Avatar photoAgamemnon
    Participant

    This draft is a good draft to take a chance on a QB. Of course, some choices are more attractive than others. I think most of the trade up crowd isn’t giving Keenum or Mannion enough credit. Regardless, I think the best play is to stay at 15 and draft a QB that you like out of whoever is left, maybe even Hackenberg. But, if you don’t, there are still players that you can draft later, even the undfas look decent this year. imo

    Agamemnon

    #41846
    Avatar photozn
    Moderator

    from A look back at why Case Keenum went undrafted

    Dane Brugler

    October 18, 2013

    http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/24097883/a-look-back-at-why-case-keenum-went-undrafted

    Why did Keenum go undrafted? Below average size (6-1, 208), average-at-best arm strength and limited mobility to do much with his legs. His ball appears to flutter, especially when he doesn’t have a chance to wind up and step into his throws. Keenum holds several NCAA passing records, but those numbers came in an offense that inflated his statistics and allowed him to take advantage of a quick passing attack where he didn’t need to make extensive pocket reads. He wasn’t asked to consistently make NFL throws as the Cougars quarterback and at the end of the day, his lack of ideal physical tools were enough for teams to pass.

    So why should Texans’ fans be encouraged with Keenum at the helm of the offense? He’s resilient, tough and very smart — all qualities that cannot be measured by a scale or 40 time. Keenum makes quick decisions with astute pre-snap reads to have a clear understanding of what the defense is doing and where to distribute the football. He has a natural feel for the field and pocket with good passing vision despite his stature that is a shade under 6-foot-1. A mature, determined individual, Keenum is the son of a coach and has battled through multiple injuries, including an ACL tear in 2010 that ended his season.

    If you compare Keenum to other quarterbacks in the NFL, he won’t match-up because his physical tools just aren’t up-to-par. But his resolve and heart are why he’s still collecting a NFL paycheck and why he will start and play in his first professional game on Sunday.

    ———

    from Case Keenum

    Gil Brandt

    Nov. 6, 2013

    http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000277388/article/case-keenum-perfect-for-houston-texans-evaluating-young-qbs

    . The elder Keenum — a longtime coach himself — describes his son as a competitive football junkie who has been a quick learner from an early age. While he might not look the part of an NFL quarterback — he’s not thick like Drew Brees or Steve Young — Keenum has the skills and football know-how to succeed as a pro.

    Keenum is a system-type quarterback who is perfect for the play-action passes and rollouts that the Texans like to use. He’s athletic, has great ball-handling skills and really knows how to execute the play-fake. Thus, it’s easy to see him being successful in Houston. After all, his head coach, Gary Kubiak, put together a solid nine-year career as John Elway’s backup in Denver, and he had many of the same traits.

    I’ve always valued a player’s ability to produce, plain and simple. Keenum definitely has a history of production, from high school (he led Wylie High in Abilene, Texas, to the state quarterfinals) to college (at the University of Houston, he threw for 19,217 yards and recorded a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 48:5 as a senior). He has good feet and a quick release, and he is very accurate, completing more than 70 percent of his passes in two different collegiate campaigns with the Cougars.

    In September 2011, I went with Highland Park (Dallas) coach Randy Allen, who has worked with Keenum’s father, to watch Keenum play against North Texas, and the youngster did something that caught my attention during pregame warmups. While most quarterbacks start off throwing with the wind at their back, Keenum went the other way, throwing into the wind. In that game, Keenum showed that, while he might not have Matthew Stafford-type arm strength, he is strong enough to get the ball 55 yards downfield.

    Keenum made good on that ability Sunday night against the Indianapolis Colts. On the third offensive play of the game, Keenum connected with Andre Johnson on a 62-yard scoring strike. By the end of the first half, Keenum had racked up 208 yards and three touchdown passes.

    If Keenum had to play in a different system (say, one that does not lean as heavily on the play-action pass) or in a different setting (like outdoors in Cleveland, where inclement weather can make it tricky for a guy like him to spin the ball well), he might not be as effective. But he doesn’t have to worry about that, because he’s in exactly the right place with the exact right team.

    In fact, given Keenum’s suitability for Houston’s offense and sharp football sense, I think the second-year pro gives the Texans a better chance to win than Schaub. Keenum just knows when and where to throw it and when to hold on to the ball. He’s more of a “win the game for you” quarterback than Schaub. I’d also imagine that, as an underdog who’s had to scrap to get to where he is, Keenum has gained the respect of the locker room.

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