I always call it like I see it and from where I’m sitting, the Houston Texans got themselves a real gem in rookie quarterback T.J. Yates. The former North Carolina Tar Heel starter has been an absolute godsend for the Texans seeing as how he has held down the fort very well after the team lost both, Matt Schaub and Matt Leinart.
Sure, Yates has thrown three TD and three interceptions in six career starts, but more importantly, Yates has been uncommonly poised for a player so young while not directly causing the Texans to lose any games because of poor play.
Simply put, the Texans have found themselves a gem – while simultaneously making Leinart expendable.
Yes, Houston Texans rookie quarterback T.J. Yates threw two costly interceptions, including one late in regulation that could have tied the score and possibly sent the AFC divisional matchup into overtime, but the fact of the matter is that Yates is clearly a gifted signal-caller – and arguably the steal of the 2011 NFL Draft. 
After leading the Texans to their first playoff win in franchise history in their AFC Wild card game – and keeping the Texans in the game until the very end against the far more experienced Ravens, I’ve got to say that Yates clearly has one of the brightest futures of any young quarterback in the league, including Cam Newton and Andy Dalton, though his situation will likely be a lot different if he stays behind starter Matt Schaub for the immediate future.
