Bill O'Brien on Ryan Mallett: Let it rip and go play QB

Texans coach Bill O'Brien has the perfect attitude when it comes to his quarterback competition at the moment.

"He's a decisive player," O'Brien said of newly-minted starter Ryan Mallett on Thursday. "Let it rip and go play quarterback."

At this point, why not, right? O'Brien is in a bit of a conundrum and is doing the best he can with a less-than-ideal situation at quarterback. Last week, Mallett came in and threw for a higher completion percentage and a better passer rating. In a much smaller sample size, he took fewer sacks and he didn't throw a pick.

He has to know the offense as well as Hoyer by now, and the Texans started playing better with him under center.

O'Brien is smart enough to…