Some Texans fans have let it be known they're down on quarterback Case Keenum because he's 0-3 as a starter and has thrown only one of his seven touchdown passes in the second half.

After three starts, these same fans are certain Keenum isn't the answer and that the Texans need to use their first-round pick on a quarterback.

The Texans might draft a quarterback in the first round, but for now, let's be fair to Keenum. We're talking about an undrafted quarterback who spent his rookie year on the practice squad and the first six games of his sophomore season on the inactive list.

Of course Keenum is going to make mistakes. All quarterbacks do.

In his three starts, the Texans have lost by one (Kansas City), three (Indianapolis) and three (Arizona). The games against the Chiefs and Cardinals were on the road.

I believe what Keenum has accomplished is amazing. And before I disclose the research to back it up, I'd like to point out that running back Arian Foster had four carries before he was injured against Kansas City and hasn't touched the ball since.

Keenum didn't play with Pro Bowl tight end Owen Daniels, who's out with a fractured fibula. And his pass protection has been woefully inconsistent.

More Information Early returns Case Keenum (7) ranks first in touchdowns, interceptions and passes over 25 yards and is second in passer rating among current NFL starting quarterbacks in their first three career starts. How he compares with the rest of the top five (based on rating): QB, teamW-L Comp.-Att. Yards TDs Int. Rating Tony Romo, Cowboys 2-1 68-101 862 5 1 106.1 Case Keenum, Texans 0-3 57-102 822 7 0 105.1 Robert Griffin III, Redskins 1-2 60-89 747 4 1 103.5 Aaron Rodgers, Packers 2-1 64-99 796 4 0 102.9 Colin Kaepernick, 49ers 2-1 53-80 682 3 1 100.1

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Now, let's compare Keenum's first three starts to those of some other quarterbacks. For those down on him, do you realize Peyton Manning, Eli Manning and Alex Smith were 0-3 in their first three starts? All three were the top pick in their drafts.

Check out the first three starts of Houston's greatest quarterbacks: Dan Pastorini (1-2 in 1971), Warren Moon (0-3 in 1984) and Steve McNair (1-2 in 1997).

Pastorini was the third pick in 1971. Moon was a free agent with five Grey Cup championships on his résumé. McNair, the third pick in 1995, didn't start three consecutive games until his third season.

Keenum has completed 57 of 102 passes for 822 yards and seven touchdowns. He hasn't thrown an interception, and his rating is 105.1.

Pastorini was 38-of-89 for 486 yards with one touchdown and nine interceptions.

Moon was 46-of-103 for 778 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions.

McNair was 40-of-72 for 490 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions.

Among current NFL quarterbacks - and remember, there are some great ones - only Tom Brady threw more passes (162) without an interception to begin his career than Keenum. So far.

Of all active QBs, none threw seven touchdown passes in his first three starts as Keenum did.

No current quarterback - not Brady, Peyton Manning, Eli Manning, Aaron Rodgers or Drew Brees - had 11 completions of 25 or more yards as Keenum has.

Only Tony Romo (106.1), another undrafted quarterback, had a better rating through three games than Keenum's 105.1. And Romo didn't start until his fourth season with Dallas.

Only Romo (862) and Andrew Luck (846) threw for more yards than Keenum's 822.

And there are two active quarterbacks besides Keenum who didn't throw an interception in their first three starts - Brady and Rodgers.

Keenum's bubble may burst, but his first three games compare favorably with any active QB, as well as Moon, McNair and Pastorini.

Texans defensive coordinator Wade Phillips has been analyzing quarterbacks during his 36 seasons in the NFL.

"He's done some really good things," Phillips said Monday about Keenum. "I think his fundamentals overall - his three-step and five-step drop, those kinds of things - he still needs to work on.

"Obviously, some blitz things, he needs to react quicker, but that's part of playing. He makes plays off-schedule that really nobody makes and we haven't seen. Sometimes I think he probably is a little early to get off-schedule. He maybe needs to hang in there a little more."

And if Keenum's critics will hang in with him a little more, they might find he'll get better with more playing time. If not, well, there's always that deep and talented draft for quarterbacks coming in April.