Tom Savage (American football)

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Tom Savage
refer to caption
Savage with the Pittsburgh Panthers in 2013
No. 3, 5, 7, 12, 14
Position:Quarterback
Personal information
Born: (1990-04-26) April 26, 1990 (age 31)
Springfield, Pennsylvania
Height:6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:230 lb (104 kg)
Career information
High school:Cardinal O'Hara
(Springfield, Pennsylvania)
College:Rutgers (2009–2010)
Arizona (2011)
Pittsburgh (2012–2013)
NFL Draft:2014 / Round: 4 / Pick: 135
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career NFL statistics
Passing completions:181
Passing attempts:315
Percentage:57.5
TD–INT:5–7
Passing yards:2,000
Passer rating:72.5
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Thomas Benjamin Savage (born April 26, 1990) is a former American football quarterback. He played college football at Rutgers, Arizona, and Pittsburgh and was drafted by the Houston Texans in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL Draft.

Early life[]

Savage was born in Springfield, Pennsylvania on April 26, 1990, to Linda and Tom Savage. He has an older brother named Bryan who played quarterback at Wisconsin and Hofstra.[1]

At Cardinal O'Hara High School, Savage was a member of the Lions football team for four years and started at quarterback for three.[2] He threw for 1,355 yards and 10 touchdowns as a senior.[3]

College career[]

Savage enrolled at Rutgers University in 2009 under head coach Greg Schiano.[4] After Rutgers opened the season with a 45–17 loss to Cincinnati, he was named the starting quarterback.[5] He led the team to a 9–4 record.[6] During his freshman year at Rutgers, Savage passed for 2,211 yards and 14 touchdowns, while throwing only seven interceptions.[7] In arguably his best game of the year, he completed 14-of-27 passes for a season-high 294 yards and two touchdowns against the University of Central Florida in a 45–24 victory in the 2009 St. Petersburg Bowl.[8] He was named on the All-American Freshman Team by the Football Writers Association of America.[9]

In the 2010 season, Savage threw for 521 passing yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions.[10] Early in the season, he was sidelined by an injury to his hand and replaced with freshman quarterback Chas Dodd.[11] Dodd remained the starting quarterback based on his performance against Connecticut in his first ever start.[12] On January 8, 2011, Savage announced he would transfer from Rutgers University.[13] Rutgers granted Savage a conditional release. In February 2011, he announced that he was transferring to Arizona. He missed the 2011 season due to NCAA transfer rules but was eligible to play in 2012.[14]

Late in 2011, Savage announced his departure from Arizona, a move which followed the announcement that Arizona had hired Rich Rodriguez as head coach.[15] In June, Savage announced via his Twitter page that he was transferring to Pittsburgh where he redshirted in 2012.[16] Savage initially wanted to play at Rutgers again; however a hardship waiver was denied by the NCAA.

On August 14, 2013, Pitt head coach Paul Chryst officially named Savage the starting quarterback for the 2013 season opener against Florida State.[17] On September 21, against Duke, he threw for 424 yards and six touchdowns in the 58–55 victory.[18] For the season, he passed for 2,958 yards, 21 touchdowns, and nine interceptions.[19]

Savage majored in communications.

College statistics[]

Year Team Passing Rushing
Cmp Att Pct Yds Y/A TD Int Rtg Att Yds Avg TD
2009 Rutgers 149 285 52.3 2,211 7.8 14 7 128.7 59 −105 −1.8 1
2010 Rutgers 43 83 51.8 521 6.3 2 3 105.3 32 −6 −0.2 0
2013 Pittsburgh 238 389 61.2 2,958 7.6 21 9 138.2 76 −208 −2.7 3
Career 430 757 56.8 5,690 7.5 37 19 131.1 167 −319 −1.9 4

Professional career[]

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Wonderlic
6 ft 3+7⁄8 in
(1.93 m) 		228 lb
(103 kg) 		31+5⁄8 in
(0.80 m) 		9+5⁄8 in
(0.24 m)		 4.97 s 1.77 s 2.92 s 4.36 s 7.33 s 27 in
(0.69 m)		 8 ft 9 in
(2.67 m)		 29[20]
All values from NFL Combine[21]

In the fourth round of the 2014 NFL Draft, Savage was drafted 135th overall by the Houston Texans. He was the seventh quarterback to be selected that year.[22]

Houston Texans[]

2014 season: Rookie year[]

On May 15, 2014, Savage signed a four-year contract with the team. On November 30, against the Tennessee Titans, he appeared in a game for the first time and had two kneel down plays.[23] On December 14, Savage had his first significant playing time after Ryan Fitzpatrick broke his leg against the Indianapolis Colts.[24] Savage finished the 17–10 loss with 127 passing yards and an interception.[25]

2015 season[]

On September 5, 2015, Savage was placed on injured reserve with a shoulder injury.[26] Due to his injury, Savage saw no playing time in 2015.

2016 season[]

On December 18, 2016, Savage entered the game in the second quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars in relief of Brock Osweiler, who was benched after throwing for 48 yards and back-to-back first-half interceptions. Savage brought the Texans back from a 13–0 deficit and completed 23-of-36 pass attempts for 260 yards as he led the Texans to a 21–20 comeback win.[27] Savage was named the starting quarterback for the Week 16 game against the Cincinnati Bengals.[28] He completed 18-of-29 passes for 176 yards in the 12–10 win against the Bengals, clinching the AFC South for the Texans.[29] In the regular-season finale against the Tennessee Titans, Savage left the in the second quarter with an apparent concussion but later returned to the game for one play; which was a kneel down at the end of the second quarter. During halftime, he was re-evaluated for a concussion and ruled out for the rest of the game. The Texans went on to lose on the road by a score of 24-17.[30][31]

Due to Savage's injury, Osweiler started the team's Wild Card Round playoff 27-14 victory over the Oakland Raiders.[32] Shortly after the game, head coach Bill O'Brien announced that Osweiler would remain the team's starter for the Divisional Round playoff game.[33] Savage then cleared concussion protocol and was Osweiler's backup for the Divisional Round playoff game against the New England Patriots, which the Texans lost on the road by a score of 34–16.[34][35]

2017 season[]

In 2017, Savage was competing for the Texans' starting job after the team drafted Deshaun Watson in the first round. After a strong preseason, Savage was named the starter to begin the 2017 season.[36] He started in the season-opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars, but was benched at halftime in favor of Watson. Savage completed 7-of-13 passes for 62 yards, was sacked six times and fumbled twice, including one that was returned for a touchdown by defensive end Dante Fowler, making the score 19–0 at halftime. The Texans lost by a score of 29–7.[37][38] Watson then started the next six games for the Texans.

On November 2, Watson tore his ACL during practice, prematurely ending his season.[39] This put Savage in line to be the starter.[40][41][42] Savage then started in Week 9 against the Indianapolis Colts, completing 19-of-44 passes for 219 yards and his first NFL touchdown, a 34-yard pass to wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, in the 20–14 loss.[43][44] Two weeks later, Savage had his first two-touchdown game in a 31–21 victory over the Arizona Cardinals. He finished the game with 230 passing yards, the two aforementioned touchdowns, and an interception.[45] During a Week 13 24-13 road loss to the Tennessee Titans, Savage finished with a career-high 365 passing yards, a touchdown, and an interception.[46] In the next game against the San Francisco 49ers, he left the eventual 26-16 loss late in the second quarter after suffering a concussion.[47] Savage was placed on injured reserve on December 23, 2017.[48] During the process, the Texans were suspected to have violated the concussion protocol policy, but were not disciplined.[49]

Savage finished the 2017 season with 1,412 passing yards, five touchdowns, and six interceptions in eight games and seven starts.[50]

New Orleans Saints[]

On March 16, 2018, Savage signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the New Orleans Saints.[51][52] On September 1, 2018, Savage was released by the Saints after Teddy Bridgewater was named the backup quarterback.[53]

San Francisco 49ers[]

On October 16, 2018, Savage signed with the San Francisco 49ers.[54] He was released on Oct 20,[55] but re-signed on Oct 22.[56] He was released by the team on November 1, 2018,[57] but was re-signed the next day.[58] He was waived again on November 24, 2018.[59]

Cincinnati Bengals[]

On November 26, 2018, Savage was claimed off waivers by the Cincinnati Bengals.[60]

Detroit Lions[]

On April 9, 2019, Savage signed with the Detroit Lions.[61] He was released on August 31, 2019.[62]

NFL career statistics[]

Year Team Games Passing Rushing
GP GS Cmp Att Pct Yds Y/A TD Int Rtg Att Yds Avg TD
2014 HOU 2 0 10 19 52.6 127 6.7 0 1 51.9 6 −6 −1.0 0
2015 HOU 0 0 Did not play due to injury
2016 HOU 3 2 46 73 63.0 461 6.3 0 0 80.9 6 12 2.0 0
2017 HOU 8 7 125 223 56.1 1,412 6.3 5 6 71.4 4 2 0.5 0
Career 13 9 181 315 57.5 2,000 6.3 5 7 72.5 16 8 0.5 0

Personal life[]

Savage married Catie Varley in 2015. They had their first child, a daughter, Summer Rose, on January 18, 2017.[63] They had their second child, Tom Jr., in 2020.

References[]

  1. ^ "Savage's football career has sudden end". Delco Times. June 14, 2000. Retrieved May 1, 2018.
  2. ^ Caldwell, Dave (February 4, 2009). "Quarterback Tom Savage Sticks to Game Plan and Signs With Rutgers". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved January 20, 2018.
  3. ^ "Freshman QB Tom Savage ready for Rutgers opener". sports.espn.go.com. September 4, 2009. Retrieved November 29, 2011.
  4. ^ "Rutgers Scarlet Knights Football Record By Year". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved May 1, 2018.
  5. ^ "Cincinnati at Rutgers Box Score, September 7, 2009". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved January 20, 2018.
  6. ^ "2009 Rutgers Scarlet Knights Schedule and Results". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved January 20, 2018.
  7. ^ "Tom Savage 2009 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved January 20, 2018.
  8. ^ "Tom Savage Game By Game Stats 2009". espn.go.com. Retrieved November 29, 2011.
  9. ^ Luicci, Tom. "Rutgers QB Tom Savage named to Maxwell Award watch list". nj.com. August 9, 2010. Retrieved November 29, 2011.
  10. ^ "Tom Savage Stats". espn.go.com. Retrieved November 29, 2011.
  11. ^ "2010 Rutgers Scarlet Knights Stats". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved May 1, 2018.
  12. ^ "Connecticut at Rutgers Box Score, October 8, 2010". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved May 1, 2018.
  13. ^ "QB Tom Savage leaving Rutgers". sports.espn.go.com. January 8, 2011. Retrieved November 29, 2011.
  14. ^ Gimino, Anthony. "Former Rutgers QB Tom Savage plans transfer to Arizona". content.usatoday.com. February 17, 2011. Retrieved November 29, 2011.
  15. ^ "Arizona announces Rodriguez hire on Twitter". ESPN.com. Retrieved May 1, 2018.
  16. ^ https://twitter.com/TSavage7/status/216678018876317697[permanent dead link]
  17. ^ Hinnen, Jerry (August 14, 2013). "Pitt officially names Tom Savage starting QB". CBSSports.com. Retrieved August 16, 2013.
  18. ^ "Pitt at Duke Box Score, September 21, 2013". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved January 20, 2018.
  19. ^ "Tom Savage 2013 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved January 20, 2018.
  20. ^ "Historical NFL Wonderlic Scores". wonderlictestsample.com. Archived from the original on September 2, 2016. Retrieved October 1, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
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  25. ^ "Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts – December 14th, 2014". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 20, 2018.
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  27. ^ Reyes, Lorenzo (December 18, 2016). "Brock Osweiler benched by Texans, replaced by Tom Savage". USA Today. Retrieved December 18, 2016.
  28. ^ Patra, Kevin (December 19, 2016). "Texans name Tom Savage starting QB vs. Bengals". NFL.com.
  29. ^ Barshop, Sarah (December 25, 2016). "AFC South champion Texans still don't know what they have in Tom Savage". espn.com. Retrieved December 25, 2016.
  30. ^ Dougherty, Drew (January 1, 2017). "Brock Osweiler comes off bench to QB Texans". houstontexans.com. Archived from the original on January 2, 2017. Retrieved January 1, 2017.
  31. ^ Smith, Michael David (January 1, 2017). "Texans now say Tom Savage has a concussion after all". profootballtalk.nbcsports.com. Retrieved January 1, 2017.
  32. ^ Orr, Conor (January 3, 2017). "Brock Osweiler starting for Texans vs. Raiders". nfl.com. Retrieved January 3, 2017.
  33. ^ "Texans' O'Brien: Brock Osweiler to start next weekend". nfl.com. January 8, 2017. Retrieved January 8, 2017.
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  35. ^ Borek, Jesse (January 13, 2017). "Savage To Serve As Texans Backup Despite Clearing Concussion Protocol". fanragsports.com. Archived from the original on January 15, 2017. Retrieved January 15, 2017.
  36. ^ Orr, Conor (August 22, 2017). "Bill O'Brien: Tom Savage is Texans' starting QB". NFL.com. Retrieved August 27, 2017.
  37. ^ Conway, Tyler (September 10, 2017). "Deshaun Watson's 2017 Fantasy Outlook After Tom Savage Is Benched". bleacherreport.com. Retrieved September 10, 2017.
  38. ^ Greene, Nick (September 10, 2017). "An Ode to Texans QB Tom Savage, Who Lost His Starting Job a Few Minutes After Lunch". slate.com. Retrieved September 10, 2017.
  39. ^ Knoblauch, Austin (November 2, 2017). "Texans QB Deshaun Watson tears ACL in practice". nfl.com. Retrieved November 2, 2017.
  40. ^ Dubin, Jared (November 3, 2017). "Tom Savage on Deshaun Watson: 'There's things he can do that I can't do'". cbssports.com. Retrieved November 3, 2017.
  41. ^ Wilson, Aaron (November 3, 2017). "Texans' Tom Savage on Deshaun Watson: 'There's things he can do that I can't'". chron.com. Retrieved November 3, 2017.
  42. ^ Patra, Kevin (November 3, 2017). "Tom Savage: You can't replace Deshaun Watson". nfl.com. Retrieved November 3, 2017.
  43. ^ Patra, Kevin (November 6, 2017). "Tom Savage on Texans' loss to Colts: 'I played like crap'". nfl.com. Retrieved November 6, 2017.
  44. ^ Sidhu, Deepi (November 5, 2017). "Tom Savage throws TD in "frustraing" loss". Houston Texans. Archived from the original on November 6, 2017. Retrieved November 7, 2017.
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  47. ^ Robertson, Dale (December 10, 2017). "49ers send Texans to sixth loss in past seven games". chron.com. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  48. ^ Williams, Charean (December 23, 2017). "Texans place Tom Savage on injured reserve". ProFootballTalk.NBCSports.com. Retrieved December 23, 2017.
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  50. ^ "Tom Savage 2017 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 1, 2018.
  51. ^ Sessler, Marc (March 16, 2018). "Saints signing backup quarterback Tom Savage". NFL.com. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
  52. ^ "Quotes from Tom Savage's Conference Call on March 16, 2018". NewOrleansSaints.com. March 16, 2018. Archived from the original on March 20, 2018. Retrieved March 20, 2018.
  53. ^ "New Orleans Saints make roster reductions to 53". NewOrleansSaints.com. September 1, 2018.
  54. ^ Fann, Joe (October 16, 2018). "49ers Sign QB Tom Savage, Announce Other Roster Moves". 49ers.com.
  55. ^ "49ers Promote DB Tyvis Powell, Waive QB Tom Savage". 49ers.com. October 20, 2018.
  56. ^ "Transactions". 49ers.com.
  57. ^ Knoblauch, Austin (November 1, 2018). "San Francisco 49ers part ways with Tom Savage". nfl.com.
  58. ^ Teope, Herbie (November 2, 2018). "Niners bring back Tom Savage; place Mostert on IR". NFL.com.
  59. ^ "49ers Announce Roster Moves". 49ers.com. November 24, 2018.
  60. ^ "Bengals place Andy Dalton on injured reserve; claim QB Tom Savage off waivers". CincyJungle.com. November 26, 2018.
  61. ^ "Lions sign free agent QB Tom Savage". DetroitLions.com. April 9, 2019.
  62. ^ "Detroit Lions establish 53-man roster". DetroitLions.com. August 31, 2019.
  63. ^ "Tom Savage becomes a father". January 19, 2017.

External links[]

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