Ryan Mallett’s inability to show up on time ultimately proved to be his undoing in Houston.
According to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle, Mallett’s tardiness was an ongoing problem that showed up more than once on Saturday alone.
Mallett showed up late to the team’s facility on Saturday and was sent him by head coach Bill O’Brien. Mallett was then late returning to meet the rest of the team for its flight to Miami later that day. That’s when he had to buy a ticket and fly commercially to get to South Florida in time for Sunday’s game.
“We don’t have a lot of rules, but one rule we do have is we want guys to be on time,” O’Brien said Wednesday.
Mallett’s late arrival in training camp after losing the starting quarterback job to Brian Hoyer was well documented by Hard Knocks in August. Per Wilson, he had also missed a team bus in Richmond, Va. when the team was holding joint practices with the Washington Redskins.
“Ryan clearly just didn’t get it,” said one Texans player, speaking on condition of anonymity. “How can you miss the flight? That’s ridiculous and disrespectful to just not show up when everyone else is here ready to go”
A player can’t help any team if he’s not showing up when asked. It shows a lack of dedication to his job and commitment to his teammates. That lack of drive could make it difficult for Mallett to find another team willing to offer him a roster spot anytime soon.