O'Brien names Hoyer the Texans' starting quarterback

HOUSTON (AP) Now that he's been named Houston's starting quarterback Brian Hoyer knows he'll have to continue to perform to keep that job.

Hoyer had been competing with Ryan Mallett for the job. Coach Bill O'Brien announced the decision before practice on Monday.

''The whole competition pushed us to be better,'' Hoyer said. ''We competed very hard and I know that just because I'm named the starter today doesn't mean if we go out there and lose a bunch of games that I'm going to still be the starter. You have to go out and earn it every day in this league.''

Hoyer started 13 games for the Cleveland Browns last season before signing with the Texans in the offseason.

''I thought that Brian showed me the most consistency, the most composure in certain situations, the experience in our system, all those different things that go into the fact that I think he's ready to be our starter,'' O'Brien said.

Some have questioned whether either of these quarterbacks are the long-term solution for this team. On Monday he addressed that question without being asked about it.

''We all need to give Brian Hoyer a chance,'' O'Brien said. ''He's got an opportunity here. He's got an opportunity to go in there as a starter and make the most of his opportunity ... I believe in him. I believe in his ability to run our offense efficiently. I believe in his experience in our offense. I think he's shown in the past that he can be a successful starting quarterback.''

The 29-year-old Hoyer was 7-6 as a starter last season and finished with 3,326 yards passing with 12 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.

''Being the new guy in this organization I want to go out there and earn the respect of my teammates and I think the only way you really do that is by winning football games,'' Hoyer said.

Hoyer went undrafted out of Michigan State before signing as a free agent with the Patriots, where he worked as Tom Brady's backup until he was released in 2012. He was also released by the Steelers and the Cardinals before signing with the Browns. He started three games for Cleveland in 2013 before tearing his ACL.

''I've always kind of had that chip on my shoulder,'' Hoyer said. ''I've been doubted my entire career whether it was not getting drafted, cut, hurt, whatever it might be. And I think that's a little extra driving force and I think that will always stay with me ... for me that drives me every day.''

Mallett started two games for Houston last season before having season-ending surgery for a torn pectoral muscle. O'Brien said he reminded Mallett that the Texans had to use four quarterbacks last season because of injuries when he spoke to him about what he called a ''very difficult'' decision.

''You have to prepare every single week like you're the starter. You have to be ready to play at a moment's notice.'' O'Brien said. ''I believe that he understands that. I'm sure that he doesn't agree with the decision, but I can tell you that he's a professional ... and he'll handle himself in such a way that we all expect from him.''

The Texans travel to New Orleans for their third preseason game on Sunday.

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