KANSAS CITY, Mo. – It’s easy to discount a quarterback getting his first NFL start, which also marks his first time ever being active for a regular season game.
However, the Chiefs are proceeding with caution against Houston Texans second-year quarterback Case Keenum.
Aug 25, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans quarterback Case Keenum (7) warms up against the New Orleans Saints before the game at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Campbell-USA TODAY Sports
“He’s a good quarterback, he should’ve got drafted,” Chiefs safety Quintin Demps said. “We’re definitely not sleeping on him. We respect him and we got to come on with it.”
Demps has personal knowledge of Keenum having previously played in Houston (2010-12) before joining the Chiefs.
Moreover, apparently Chiefs coach Andy Reid previously studied Keenum career at the University of Houston, where Keenum set the all-time college records in total yards (20,114), yards passing (19,217), passing touchdowns (155) and total touchdowns (178).
“I thought he was a good player and I know (Chiefs general manager John) Dorsey liked him,” Reid said. “It doesn’t surprise me at all that he’s having a chance to play. That was no surprise at all.”
Still, Reid said the Chiefs used the week to prepare for Houston’s offensive system and not the individual player.
“You got to make sure that you play their system,” Reid said. “Their system is what we prepared for. It’s a complex offensive system and our guys have tried to spend the time making sure they understand that and have a good feel for it.”
Reid’s message was clearly received among the team’s defensive players.
While the Texans could choose to protect Keenum with running backs Arian Foster and Ben Tate, Chiefs defensive end Tyson Jackson said the team is ready for anything.
“Houston has a pretty good offensive coordinator and a head coach,” Jackson said. “They’re going to have some curve balls that I’m pretty sure they’ll throw at us and it’s up to us to make our adjustments on the sidelines and continue to make some plays for our defense.
Notes: The Chiefs list 13 on Friday’s official NFL Injury Report, but 12 appear as probable … S Kendrick Lewis (ankle) practiced in a limited basis and is the only player listed as questionable … Tight end Anthony Fasano (ankle, knee) was limited Friday, but appears set to see his first action since Week Two given his probable designation … Cornerback Brandon Flowers (knee, probable) also appears set to return after missing Week Six.
