Collin Kleinwasn't even signed as an undrafted free-agent quarterback. Instead, he was invited to the Houston Texans' rookie minicamp on a tryout basis.
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If you believe coach Gary Kubiak's gushing session on Sunday when asked about the former Heisman Trophy candidate, Klein might stick around a bit longer than just the tryout.
"I tell you what, it was impressive," Kubiak said about Klein's weekend performance. "I'm fixing to go up and have a long talk with him. I don't want to get too far ahead of myself, but to watch how far the guy came in two and a half days; (he) really played probably his best day out here today. He's found a way his whole career, and he's probably going to find a way this time, too."
The Texans have four quarterbacks on the roster: starter Matt Schaub, backups T.J. Yates, Stephen McGee and Case Keenum, but Kubiak talked as though Klein might get a shot to usurp one of those spots.
"He's got a ton (of talent)," Kubiak said. "For what he did in college and what Jake (Plummer) has been doing with him, he's come a long way, as far as working under center and stuff. The arm strength is there. The delivery is a little different but you work with that. But his instincts as a football player you can't coach; the way he just takes off and stuff like that."
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Most scouts viewed Klein as a Tim Tebow-esque player: a great college quarterback with a great work ethic but wouldn't translate at the pro level. Klein was invited to work out at the NFL Scouting Combine as a tight end, but he declined, citing his desire to be a quarterback.
Kubiak talked Sunday as though he expects Klein to get his chance to be a signal-caller down the road.
"Like I said, we're fixing to sit down and have a good long talk, he and I, but I think this kid's going to beat the bushes and he's going to figure out a way," Kubiak said. "I'm very impressed with him."
Follow Kevin Patra on Twitter @kpatra.
