Tom Savage still feels like he let his teammates down.
The Houston Texans' quarterback was called into action during the team's Week 15 loss to Indianapolis when starter Ryan Fitzpatrick went down with a broken leg.
It was the first regular-season action for the then-rookie, in a game with playoff implications for the Texans. It's a game Savage, who completed 10-for-19 passes for 127 yards, is still dwelling on as the team prepares to head to training camp at the end of July.
“It’s tough,” Savage said, via the team's official website. “I’m not going to lie to you and say I don’t think about it.
With the Texans trailing 17-10 with less than two minutes remaining, Savage tried to lead the team on a game-tying drive. Instead, he was intercepted by Colts' Pro Bowl cornerback Vontae Davis, sealing the Indianapolis win. Savage said he feels responsible for the loss, which helped doom Houston's playoff hopes.
“It’s tough to go in there with some of those guys who put that work in,” Savage said. “Those guys deserved to be in the playoffs. To kind of have a hand involved in there, it was tough.”
That was then. And although Savage said he's still bothered by his performance, he's also used it as motivation to improve. The quarterback said the difference in his knowledge of the Texans' offense and his confidence running it in the six months since that day in December have improved dramatically.
“Obviously, last year I was kind of swimming in it,” Savage said. “I’m not saying that it’s easy now. I think it’s been a pretty big difference for myself from a confidence standpoint and being around the guys and understanding schemes and what we’re trying to do.”
Count Houston head coach Bill O'Brien among those who have noticed an improvement in Savage's game. The former Pitt standout is behind Brian Hoyer and Ryan Mallett on the Houston depth chart heading into training camp and he doesn't figure to start this season, but O'Brien said the future is promising.
“I think if he keeps making steady progress, he’s got a chance,” O’Brien said.
(h/t Houston Texans)
Photo credit: Brian Spurlock/USA TODAY Sports
