Backup QB Ryan Mallett Tweets He's Ready to Take Reins for Houston Texans

Ryan Mallett just wants a chance.

The 26-year-old backup quarterback remains in the Houston Texans' glass emergency case, standing by and waiting for an opportunity to replace inconsistent starter Ryan Fitzpatrick.

It would appear the wait is getting to Mallett, who tweeted a now-deleted message after Sunday's 31-21 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles about his willingness to take the reins in Houston.

Mallett wrote that he's "staying focused" for when the team decides to give him his chance to shine, via NESN.com's Darren Hartwell:

"I'm staying focused for when the time comes...seize the opportunity #justwaiting."

The tweet was quickly deleted, but the message rang loud and clear to fans and the press. Mallett took to social media again Monday morning to clarify his remarks:

"

Don't misinterpret my last tweet. I'm not calling to be the starter. Frustrations of losing. I play my role. ... http://t.co/FnlFGhtnk5

— Ryan Mallett (@Ryan_mallett_15) November 3, 2014"

The Houston Chronicle's Brian T. Smith (h/t Pro Football Talk's Darin Gantt) reports that the press was not allowed to speak to Mallett during a media-availability period in the team locker room Monday.

As far as quarterback "controversies" go, this is about as positive as they get. Mallett says he's ready, believes he can help and will wait to do so.

It's a whole other beast from the headless-chicken rodeo in New York, where Jets backup Michael Vick admitted in so many words that he wasn't ready to play after being thrust into action in Week 4 against the San Diego Chargers.

"I felt like I, for some reason, being a quarterback in his 12th year, sometimes you take things for granted," Vick told members of the media, per ESPNNewYork.com's Mike Mazzeo. "I think I took the scout team for granted...Maybe I didn't prepare or I wasn't prepared, but let me tell you it won't happen again."

As a Texans fan, you'd rather have the backup who's too excited to play rather than the one practically building himself a covered cabana on the sideline.

Whether the Texans will give Mallett a shot has yet to be determined. Smith reports (h/t Gantt) that Texans coach Bill O'Brien told the media after Sunday's loss that he is considering all options to kick-start the team's struggling offense.

"I think we have to look at, as far as what we’re doing offensively, we have to look at...who's playing what, what positions they're playing...how we're playing at every position, including quarterback," O'Brien said. "We have to look at all of that."

Is it a true controversy in Houston? Not particularly. It's a potential changing of the guard, and at least Texans fans know that the guy waiting in the wings won't be out to lunch when and if his number's called.

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