Handicapping Houston's Offense under Yates? (1 Viewer)

[Nagoltooth]

I'm throwing this out there because I don't see much talk about Houston and I don't see much analysis/reaction to Houston starting a 3rd string rookie QB. I would expect to see Atlanta's defense get talked up this week because they're going up against a rookie QB. Losing Schaub for Leinart was one thing - Leinart might not be the best QB but he's been around the block once and had more snaps to learn the system. Yates is the 3rd string and an NFL rookie w/out any hype. He didn't SUCK last week, but he didn't exactly light it up either, w/ a 53.3% completion rate and 4.7 y/throw. Atlanta's only given up 20 points once in their last 6 games, and that was 26 to the Saints. Atlanta has the NFL's 2nd best run defense going up against a team which should be primarily running the ball. I was very surpised to see FBG rank them dead last this week.

Houston is a good offense, ~3rd in running and ~16th in passing. Much of their offensive strength comes from having a dominant defense, which keeps the offense out on the field. But if you look at their season so far, Houston struggles against good offensive teams (losses to NO, OAK, and BAL). They have a great record, but an extremely weak schedule... only their wins against PIT and TEN are worth noting. Otherwise they're beating up on IND, JAC 2x, CLE, TB, and MIA - miserable teams with a combined total of 14 wins out of 55 games. You can't help but put a question mark in front of Houston so far this season given their SoS.

I'd expect Arian Foster to be ranked somewhat highly this week, but with some concern as well... they're going to rely on him to run the offense, but Atlanta's 2nd ranked run D are going to stack the box against him. Against another good run D v JAC last week Foster put up 22 for 65 and 7 for 24. Regardless, Foster is going to get checked down to alot so he should still put up numbers especially in PPR. I wonder what Yates' mobility does for Foster, that could be a wildcard factor given Leinart and Schaubs more immobile passing styles.

In the passing game, Kevin Walter, Jacoby Jones and Andre Johnson aren't exactly striking fear into anyone's hearts this year with Johnson's knee trouble, even under Schaub. Owen Daniels could be a check down threat if Foster is well covered. Atlanta's Passing D is only ranked 22nd, but this is a rookie 3rd stringer so Houston's 16th ranked pass offense deserves a downgrade.

Anyway I like this defensive matchup and I'm a bit worried about Foster these next two weeks. He's got another tough run defense in CIN next week, before 3 pretty matchups against CAR and IND and TEN. (assuming he plays and isn't held back for the playoffs)

Is Houston overrated because of a weak schedule? Is this the kind of team that can win playoff games under a rookie QB? Is Atlanta worth a DEF look this week?

 

[Onions]

Some excellent questions here. I'd be curious to hear some thoughts on the above too.

 

[firstseason1988]

I agree with the opening poster. Atlanta is going to smell blood and will be all over Yates. I am benching AJ for Harvin. Foster is only viable fantasy starter for Houston this week, and even then I would be wary. I don't see Houston moving the ball with much authority this week.

 

[Phenix]

I agree with the opening poster. Atlanta is going to smell blood and will be all over Yates. I am benching AJ for Harvin. Foster is only viable fantasy starter for Houston this week, and even then I would be wary. I don't see Houston moving the ball with much authority this week.

Yates did not practice with first team o last weak and was not really involved in the game plan. this week he is, i'm not benching a stud player until i am certain he will not have any effectivness.

 

[Shutout]

Yates is a very cerebral QB and his completion percentage was great in college. His one big knock is arm strength. He is noted as being a guy that reads and understands his preogressions as well as anyone. He is also pretty good with the play-action pass game but isn't going to put it 40 yards down field with great accuracy. So I fully expect him to be prepared. I fully expect Atlanta to do the typical "make the young QB beat us", so I am expecting a lot of double TE in and fantasy-wise, I think this will be a good game for Foster, Owens, and Dreessen in PPR.

I think it is a poor game for Tate because I can't see the Texans getting up enough to run him a lot and I don't see him being the preferred check down option over Foster.

I think it is a poor game for AJ with a puncher's chance of success because Yates can get the play-action going but its not going to be a scenario where he hits AJ in perfect stride and he's gone so AJ is going to have to likely adjust his route/slow down/come back for it. With that and the likliehood that AJ isn't in top shape yet, I can see him getting the catch but not breaking it all the way to the house. I can also see them using AJ on an end around or two in this game too so he can help his fantasy day there.

I don't think any other Texan is startable this game.

 

[firstseason1988]

I agree with the opening poster. Atlanta is going to smell blood and will be all over Yates. I am benching AJ for Harvin. Foster is only viable fantasy starter for Houston this week, and even then I would be wary. I don't see Houston moving the ball with much authority this week.

Yates did not practice with first team o last weak and was not really involved in the game plan. this week he is, i'm not benching a stud player until i am certain he will not have any effectivness.

I don't blame you, starting Harvin over him. If you are subscriber check out Dodds predictions. I got 1st round bye in both leagues I am sitting him in, so this doesn't matter, I am truly trying to start best lineup though, but really doesn't matter to me. Nice to have fun with it.

 

[scrumptrulescent]

I think Rackers is a good start since they'll be able to move it, but struggle in the red zone.

 

[Rick James]

Really don't know what to expect here. TJ Yates was an accurate QB in college, and being a rookie he might fall in love with AJ and lock onto him, which would be nice.

ugh...who knows though?

 

[Buckna]

Total crapshoot what Yates will look like. Unless forced to I wouldn't rely on any Texans except Foster this week. Even then, be prepared for a possibly mediocre game from Foster. If you make the playoffs, week 15 & 16 are great matchups, but I wouldn't be expecting much the next two weeks.

 

[Hipple Long Ware & Peete]

T.J. Yates makes quick rise to Texans starter

<h2 class="articleSubheadline" style="margin-top: -15px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 18px; font-weight: normal; color: rgb(85, 85, 85); "></h2>By Chris Vivlamore

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

4:25 p.m. Thursday, December 1, 2011

It took a moment for Carol Yates to understand the significance of what was happening. Motherly instincts tend to take over.

From high atop Jacksonville’s EverBank Field, she watched as Texans quarterback Matt Leinart left the field injured in Sunday’s game against the Jaguars. Her first thoughts were concern for the player’s health and, then, how unfair it was for Leinart, finally getting another chance to start a professional football game.

At the same time, she and her husband, John, noticed his replacement, No. 13, trotting onto the field. It was their son, T.J. Yates, about to make his NFL debut.

“We were stunned to the point we couldn’t speak,” Carol said. “I was thinking ‘He’s not ready. He hasn’t even warmed up.’

“It was the most surprising thing in my whole life, one of my top five moments of my life.”

It was the latest leg in Taylor Jonathan Yates’ remarkable journey from Pope High School to the University of North Carolina and on to the NFL. The odyssey continues Sunday when Yates starts for the Texans against his hometown Falcons.

The 24-year-old rookie has been pressed into a starting role after the Texans lost Matt Schaub (foot) and backup Leinart (broken collarbone) to season-ending injuries in back-to-back weeks. A fifth-round draft pick, Yates was inactive for the first 10 games and moved to the No. 2 spot only after Schaub’s injury. With their son in uniform for the first time and with the proximity of Jacksonville, his parents made the trip to Florida for what they thought would be a relaxing weekend.

“I said to my husband, ‘This is so much fun to come to a game and not freak out and just enjoy it,’” Carol said.

Little did they know.

“Yeah, it’s pretty cool,” Yates said of being thrust into the limelight. “I try not to think too much about it. I’m trying to stay as focused as possible. I’m trying to keep my head out of all the other stuff. It can do nothing but affect my play on the field.”

A year off

Yates’ youth football career started as a third-grader in Indianapolis. The family moved to Cobb County shortly after, and Yates continued to play through his sophomore year at Pope. After a difficult campaign, he took his junior season off to concentrate on basketball.

The 6-foot-4 Yates, who played on the national AAU level, had plans to play Division I basketball. However, he wasn’t attracting offers from top-tiered schools. He accepted the invitation of new Pope coach Bob Swank — after many meetings — to return to football. A chance to play a final season with his friends and a new offensive scheme finally swayed him.

Early in his senior season, North Carolina recruiters attended a game to watch a pair of linebackers on the opposing team. They quickly noticed Yates. He threw five touchdowns and for more than 300 yards in a double-overtime loss.

About a week later, Yates got a call from then-North Carolina coach John Bunting offering him a scholarship. He accepted immediately.

“That was really how good he was,” Swank said of the speed of the recruitment. “T.J. just tore it up. You could see in person he was that good. [After he signed with North Carolina], all of a sudden there was a buzz about him. He wasn’t on anyone’s radar screen because he hadn’t played his junior year.”

Swank had tried to convince the staff at Toledo, where Swank spent the last of his 14 years in the college ranks before coming to Pope, to look at Yates. He told them he was better that Bruce Gradkowski, who played at Toledo and is now in his sixth season in the NFL. Swank said that Maryland and Virginia made offers to Yates once North Carolina recruited him.

Rule changer

Yates played four seasons at North Carolina under Butch Davis, who replaced Bunting. It wasn’t always easy. After a 4-8 campaign as a freshman, Yates led the Tar Heels to three consecutive 8-5 seasons.

His mother recalls that Yates was once booed at a basketball game when he appeared on the scoreboard after his junior season.

Yates threw for 3,418 yards, 19 touchdowns and nine interceptions his senior season. He rallied the Tar Heels to a dramatic comeback 30-27 double overtime victory over Tennessee in the Music City Bowl. The game was highlighted by Yates’ alertly spiking the football with one second remaining in regulation even as the field-goal team attempted to get on the field. After ruling the game over, officials reviewed the play. North Carolina was penalized for too many men on the field, allowing them to kick the game-tying field goal.

This season, the NCAA changed the rule to institute a 10-second runoff as an option if a team commits a penalty that results in a clock stoppage. It is known as the “Dooley Rule” in some circles after Tennessee coach Derek Dooley. It is known as the “T.J. Rule” in other parts.

The play drew praise from North Carolina men’s basketball coach Roy Williams. “I’d take T.J. Yates as a foxhole buddy, because when it was chaos, that young man used his brain, and he’s tough enough to stand in there make throws,’’ Williams said on a radio program. “And I just love him to death.”

Yates, who was named the 2010 Tar Heel of the Year, was one of three recipients of the school’s Patterson Medal for career athletic accomplishment. He will accept the medal in February — at a basketball game.

Yates finished with 9,377 yards and 58 touchdowns. He set more than 40 school records, including every mark for single-season and career pass completions and yards. According to the North Carolina sports-information department, Yates will become the first quarterback from the school to start an NFL game.

Opportunity calls

Yates was drafted in the fifth round by the Texans with the 152nd overall pick. Coach Gary Kubiak said the team had no plans to draft a quarterback, but couldn’t pass on Yates. He spent most of the NFL lockout in Houston working with Schaub and other players informally. As training camp began and the roster trimmed to the final number, the Yates family hung on the hope the Texans would carry three quarterbacks. They did.

Yates waited behind Schaub and Leinart until finally getting his chance Sunday in the final seconds of the first half.

Yates finished 8-of-15 for 70 yards, throwing only nine passes after halftime, as the Texans won 20-13 to improve to 8-3.

“He’s been forced into a tough role, but that’s what he’s here for,” Kubiak said. “He’s worked extremely hard for his opportunity. ... He’s got a bright future in this league. He can do all the things you ask him to do.”

When Yates got into the game Sunday, it set off a wild reaction back home. When his older brother, David, got phone calls that Yates was in the game, he switched from tracking the game online and raced to eldest brother Evan’s home. When they couldn’t get the game on satellite, they moved on to a restaurant for the final quarter.

“I was freaking out,” David said. “I didn’t expect it to be so exciting.”

John and Carol will make the much longer trip to Houston this week. Perhaps their son can score better tickets this time as a starter. They will want to be lower than five rows from the top of the stadium, as they were in Jacksonville.

“It is a very big opportunity,” Yates said. “It’s hard not to look at it in that way because I never expected to be playing this early in my career, especially under the unfortunate circumstances. Two guys ahead of me going down, you never want to see that happen. You have to take every opportunity you get and run with it.

“I’m trying not to look too much outside the box this week. I’m trying to take it meeting by meeting, practice by practice and game by game — just trying to get better every day.”



Find this article at:http://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-falcons/t-j-yates-makes-1248312.html

 

[Hipple Long Ware & Peete]

The presumption is doom.

No team with a third-string quarterback at the helm, a rookie, no less, is going anywhere.

But T.J. Yates and the Houston Texans will set about trying to disprove that theory starting Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons at Reliant Stadium

The Texans have lost Matt Schaub and Matt Leinart for the season in consecutive games. Now a team with the NFL’s top defense and third-ranked rush offense moves forward with Yates.

In a year when Cam Newton, Andy Dalton and Christian Ponder have played well as full-time rookies and Blaine Gabbert and Jake Locker were top draft picks, Yates was the eighth quarterback selected and the 152nd player drafted.

He worked as the third quarterback until Schaub’s injury, not dressing for games and running the scout team in practices.

Plugging him in as the lead guy is hardly something the Texans envisioned, and hardly the sort of thing seen around the league.

One team that experienced similar circumstances was the 1979 Los Angeles Rams.

After losing Pat Haden to injury in Week 10 that season and then getting an ineffective start from Jeff Rutledge in a Week 11 loss tot the Chicago Bears, the Rams turned over the starting job to Vince Ferragamo, then a third-year pro who had never started an NFL game before.

Ferragamo posted a 4-1 record over the remainder of the regular season as the Rams won the NFC West. They then beat the Cowboys in Dallas and the Buccaneers in Tampa Bay in the NFC playoffs before they fell to the Steelers, 31-19, in Super Bowl XIV.

Someone asked Yates, who was born in 1987, if he knew who Ferragamo was. He said no. Relayed Ferragamo's story, he said simply, "sweet."

Can Yates do anything similar?

Schaub thinks the rookie is equipped to succeed.

“The one thing that I’ve observed, I’ve been in this type of offense now … all the way back into my college days. T.J., for being a rookie, he’s probably picked this offense up to the point where he can function in it well, faster than anyone I’ve seen, including myself, including a lot of players that I’ve been around,” Schaub told KILT radio in Houston this week. “That’s a big credit to him, because this is not an easy offense to pick up. … I, personally, have a ton of confidence that he’s going to go in there and play very well.”

It’s not just the understanding, though. Right tackle Eric Winston said Yates is the most athletic of the Texans’ top three quarterbacks. Matt Williamson of Scouts Inc. likes Yates’ arm: “He throws the ball quite well and should be able to get the ball to where it needs to be.” And everyone is talking about the youngester's calm, a key quarterback quality.

The Texans regard themselves as having supreme resolve, and they should. Their top players on offense have missed time -- receiver Andre Johnson was out six games with a hamstring injury and running back Arian Foster missed two and hardly played in one with a hamstring injury -- and outside linebacker Mario Williams was lost for the season with a torn pectoral muscle suffered Oct. 19 against Oakland.

Kansas City probably didn’t come into the season with as much talent as the Texans. But the Chiefs won their division and appeared in the playoffs last season. This season they’ve lost safety Eric Berry, tight end Tony Moeaki, running back Jamaal Charles and quarterbackMatt Cassel for the season along the way in their follow-up year.

They are 4-7, tied with San Diego at the bottom of the AFC West.

Houston’s had far better results overcoming injuries.

The mantra is how it’s about the team.

“They know how big the challenge is this weekend, but [they are a] very upbeat group, very positive group,” coach Gary Kubiak said. “… It’s a new world for [Yates]. Last week, he’s getting more reps because he’s the backup. All of a sudden, he’s running the team [Wednesday] and got a lot on his plate, mentally from leaving the classroom to coming out here, but he did fine. He’ll get better every day out here, and that’s the most important thing. The key is everybody else making sure they do their job.”

Said Yates: “Everybody around me is very confident. You can tell this team hasn’t really skipped a beat as far as intensity or tempo at practice. Nothing seems different except for it’s just a different guy at quarterback.”

Atlanta is the toughest team the Texans will have faced in some time. It’s a game they could have lost even with Schaub healthy. If they lose it with Yates it will hardly be a season-killer.

They simply need to see he can manage the game, maintain the calm they’ve lauded, and can make enough throws to make a defense either stay honest or pay the price for loading up the box with an eighth defender to slow Foster and Ben Tate.

If Yates does that, he can be enough.

If he does that, the Texans will have a chance to make us talk more about how he and the Texans can compare to Ferragamo and those Rams.<br class="Apple-interchange-newline">

 

[Hipple Long Ware & Peete]

Since I’ve been covering the NFL, I don’t remember a team having as bad a two week stretch as the Houston Texans did (well technically three weeks, but it was two games).

In one week they lost their starting quarterback Matt Schaub in a blowout win, and the next game backup Matt Leinart breaks his collarbone in the second quarter after playing well.

They now turn to TJ Yates, a rookie fifth round draft pick out of North Carolina, to lead them in the playoffs. Sitting at 8-3, the Texans are tied for the best record and are riding a five game win streak.

If there was ever a team that you would feel comfortable with a rookie QB, it would be the Texans. They have the first ranked defense, the second ranked scoring defense, and the third ranked run defense.

They are also second in point differential behind the 11-0 Green Bay Packers.

Head coach Gary Kubiak said Yates is picking up the offense faster than “any QB I’ve ever seen.” He could be blowing smoke, but that doesn’t seem like Kubiak’s style.

Curiously but not surprisingly, the Texans worked out several QBs this week. They landed on former Panthers and Browns QB Jake Delhomme to serve as Yates’ backup.

I actually believe this is more of an insurance policy than an eventual take over plan. Delhomme will remain the backup so long as Yates does not implode.

Local radio has been interesting. Many fans feel the Texans will bow out in the first round, and many believe there will be a Jeff Hostetler situation and Yates will just keep them in games by taking care of the ball, letting the run game and defense win playoff games.

I actually believe it is somewhere in the middle. I believe they can win a home game in the playoffs (depending on who they play obviously), but I’m no where near believing they can win it all.

Texans fans need to remember Hostetler spend several years as a backup to Phil Simms before taking over that year—Yates is a rookie.

Unfortunately they will have to wait another year to compete for the Lombardi trophy, but they are well on their way.

 

[Hipple Long Ware & Peete]

fwiw Brent Grimes (falcons #1 CB ) is out for at least 2-3 weeks



Grimes likely out 2-3 weeks

<h2 class="articleSubheadline" style="margin-top: -15px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 18px; font-weight: normal; color: rgb(85, 85, 85); "></h2>By D. Orlando Ledbetter

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

6:11 p.m. Thursday, December 1, 2011

FLOWERY BRANCH — Falcons cornerback Brent Grimes underwent successful surgery to repair his right knee Thursday.

“We’ve been in communication with him, and he’s finished with the procedure,” coach Mike Smith said.

The Falcons have not set a timetable for his return, but players with similar surgeries are out two to three weeks, according to Dr. Jonathan Glashow, an orthopedic surgeon and co-chief of sports medicine at New York’s Mount Sinai Medical Center.

Grimes had been playing with the injury since the Detroit game Oct. 23.

“We see a lot of players who get tears mid-season and we try to put the surgery off until after the season if they don’t bother them so much,” said Glashow, who has been a medical consultant for ESPN. “Sometimes the tears get so big and bothersome that they interfere with their function or ability to run. ... A lot of times we get players back in two to three weeks. It’s certainly been done before.”

If Grimes can hit the early part of that window, he could be back in time to play against Jacksonville and have a game under his belt before the Falcons play the New Orleans Saints on Dec. 26 in a game that may decide the NFC South title.

The surgery should not affect Grimes’ extraordinary leaping ability.

“Unless it’s really a huge tear, which I doubt this is, mostly likely he’ll get everything back,” Glashow said. “Some of these young fellows are really incredible athletes, and they are able to return amazingly quick even after a surgery.”

Baker battling

Left tackle Sam Baker, who’s trying to return from back surgery, is adjusting to his role as a reserve and special-teams player. “It feels better every day,” Baker said. “I’m just doing anything I can to help the team right now.”

Baker started the first six games, but Smith announced that Will Svitek will start at left tackle. “It’s real difficult to not be a part of it when you’ve been part of it for so long,” said Baker, who has started since being taken in the first round of the 2008 draft.

Palmer’s clutch play

Second-year tight end Michael Palmer, from Parkview High, made a clutch catch to score a touchdown in the fourth quarter after the Vikings had cut the Falcons’ lead to three points. “That was extra special because Matt [Ryan] felt confident enough to throw me the ball in that situation,” Palmer said.

Etc.

Darrin Walls, who’ll be the top reserve cornerback Sunday, will see his first NFL action on special teams against Houston ... Long snapper Joe Zelenka was named the team’s "Community All-Star" for his work in the community for the month of November.



Find this article at:http://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-falcons/grimes-likely-out-2-1248543.html

 

[FantasyTrader]

Head coach Gary Kubiak said Yates is picking up the offense faster than “any QB I’ve ever seen.” He could be blowing smoke, but that doesn’t seem like Kubiak’s style.

THAT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE KUBIAK'S STYLE!?!According to freaking Kubiak, Andre Johnson was feeling great and ready to go this week...this week...this week a full month before he ever returned to the field! Blowing smoke is EXACTLY Kubiak's style.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Foster's numbers dropped IIRC once the 3rd stringer entered the game. Somebody tell me I'm wrong.

 

[Major]

Foster's numbers dropped IIRC once the 3rd stringer entered the game. Somebody tell me I'm wrong.

Yes but Kubes said they were just playing it safe. I believe him. He's never overly optimistic. Since they're in a weak division they can see how Yates works out but you have to think they're looking at McNabb.

 

[mr roboto]

Why doesn't Hipple just hyperlink his RSS feed? It would be easier and definitely more readable.

 

[GregR]

Foster's numbers dropped IIRC once the 3rd stringer entered the game. Somebody tell me I'm wrong.

They didn't drop they plummeted.But this game is one of those where we can't just look at stats but need to look at what happened in the game to see how much those stats may apply to the future.Foster had a good first half, I believe 68 yards on the ground and 20 something receiving. Leinart was Captain Checkdown, with over half of his passes going to Foster. Leinart goes out during the 2 minute drill. Yates comes in and they pretty much let him play, and he moved the ball well, 3 completions in 4 passes starting at the Jags 45 and getting the ball inside the 10. But then throwing one away out the back of the end zone, but too high/not close enough to a receiver so Yates got hit with an intentional grounding which moved them back and they got a FG.Now, would I recommend saying, "Wow, Yates moved the ball great when he had a chance to throw!" No. It was the end of the half, Jacksonville had at least one safety deep enough he was off camera every play, and frequently had corners giving 8-10 yard cushions at the line. It wasn't quite like a QB moving the ball against a prevent defense, but it was closer to it than was a regular game situation. Take from it did he have arm strength, did he make accurate throws, but don't take from it that he excelled when challenged.Then the second half the Jags stacked the line against the run. Foster actually had negative rushing yards I believe. One thing about Foster, he is more patient to the line so if you get defenders into the backfield you can sometimes catch him a little further back than you would another RB, and he had a lot of defenders in the backfield last week. Unlike Leinart, Yates did not check down a lot... two throws to Foster, one of which was a designed swing pass, don't recall the other. However he hardly threw a pass longer than the first down marker. Kubiak said after the game his biggest concern was that if Yates was hurt then Owen Daniels would have had to play QB, and so in Kubiak's words he didn't his players in a good position to make plays.Yates didn't have many throws in the second half. The first two plays most every every receiver is running a 7-10 yard curl or a short slant. Reviewing the game I see he did get one bootleg, but the defensive end didn't bite and he had to get rid of it quick as he was in his own end zone, he did complete it to Owen Daniels.Ok, so where am I going with this? Same thing as with the first half play, I would not read too much out of this because it was not a normal game situation. The play calling in the 2nd half was not what you would expect to see from the Texans when the defense is stacking the line like that. I wouldn't walk away from the second half as being any kind of indicator of what Yates will or will not be able to do if Atlanta similarly stacks the line, because I think if they do we'll see Yates throwing the ball deep to make the safeties play honest. Kubiak never tried to do that against Jacksonville out of fear he'd not have a QB left to finish the game if Yates got hurt. The deepest ball Yates threw in the 2nd half was 14 yards.So my message is, don't try to read too much about Yates from the last game. Can we find a few things? Maybe. I think that Yates didn't resort to checkdowns all the time might be a decent sign, but that still doesn't say a lot. He went to Daniels and AJ more than Leinart which I would consider a small positive for them, but then targets can vary a lot just from one game to the next. He was late making the throw on one of those plays everyone ran a curl, and luckily the defender was shielded from the ball by Daniels' body, which isn't a great sign but it was also a lone play so how much stock do you put in it?Yates has a good arm, probably better than Schaub or Leinart. He can make the physical throws as needed to keep the safeties honest but the question though is going to be can he make the right reads, and/or is the game going to be moving too fast for him like it does many rookies starting. I don't think we've seen much from the last week that tells us what we should be expecting. I do imagine the Texans will be a little more conservative with him starting out, maybe try to complete some shorter passes to get him in a rhythm. But I think Atlanta is going to force him to throw it. I certainly would. I would not use the Jacksonville game as a guide of what to expect as I think Yates will be called on to make different throws, and given more bootlegs and such that put him in a better position to make a big play, and we just haven't seen that from him yet.