I kind of like the fact that John liked him but is not giving him the keys as of now. Teams have a knack for doing things, ours is finding star players in unconventional ways, Zorn, Krieg, Largent, Porter, Sinclair, Young, Baldwin, Sherman and Kam, I will even throw in Wilson. Who's to say Howell can't be that next guy, Warner, Brady, Gardner is doing pretty well and has a chance now in Vegas. Favre had basically the same Reputation given Howell and was traded to Green Bay and work with Holmgren to become who he was.
Howell has tools and was projected much higher after his Junior year from what I read. Guys fall for lots of reasons, sometimes it is out of their control. The anomaly of the Interceptions isn't something he has had a issue with till last year as well as sacks, could be the coaching he got, could be he was trying to put everything on his shoulders, we have seen how that can snow ball with a couple guys here. Wilson and Hass both had stretches' where they tried to do more then their role and it led to turn overs.