Jacksonville Jaguars: Jalen Ramsey vs DeAndre Hopkins rivalry easier without solid quarterback

Nov 13, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey (20) defends Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) in the second half at EverBank Field. Houston Texans won 24-21. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey (20) defends Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) in the second half at EverBank Field. Houston Texans won 24-21. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey’s rivalry with Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins is made much easier without an adequate quarterback in Houston.

Jalen Ramsey can shut down any wide receiver regardless of who the opposing quarterback is, but it’s a lot easier when the opposing quarterback isn’t particularly experienced or talented.

With the news that Tony Romo will be heading to the broadcast booth rather than to the Houston Texans, Ramsey’s job against Texans stud wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins just got easier. Hopkins is an electric wide receiver even with abysmal Texans quarterback play and would have been a major threat – even to Ramsey – with someone like Romo throwing him the ball.

Instead, Hopkins will have to make do with Tom Savage or, worse, a rookie quarterback. With no clear-cut, safe option at quarterback in the 2017 NFL Draft and only Savage and first-round bust Brandon Weeden on the roster, the Texans are going to struggle at the game’s most important position in 2017.

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This is both beneficial and unfortunate. It is beneficial in that Ramsey’s job should be easier against Hopkins in a budding rivalry. It is unfortunate in that Ramsey won’t be pitted against the literal best, able to match his skills against a top quarterback and a top wide receiver.

In a budding rivalry that Ramsey reportedly enjoys the “fire” of, it is unfortunate that it can’t be everything it could be. Ramsey vs Hopkins will still be enjoyable, but it could be so much more if it wasn’t an inexperienced quarterback or quarterback with limited tools throwing the ball. Hopkins can still make all of the catches, but we, as fans, would see a better battle with better quarterback play.

As Ramsey and Hopkins continue throwing barbs at each other on social media through the offseason, fans of the Texans and Jaguars can’t help but get excited. It will be one of the best rivalries to watch in the AFC South and, maybe, the entire NFL.