National Football League

Texans struggle as Schaub's performance slips

Published Oct. 19, 2011 10:36 p.m. ET

share

facebookxredditlink

foxsports

There is virtually no argument against the fact that Matt Schaub's performance has fallen off this season and appears to be regressing with each game. His 59 percent completion rate is the lowest since he joined the Texans, and his 90.7 rating is the lowest since his first season in Houston. The real question is why Schaub has been unable to sustain consistency as a passer. One current factor is his health. Texans coach Gary Kubiak said Monday that Schaub is suffering from a sore chest as well as a sore hip. Even prior to the loss to the Ravens, Schaub was trying to manage an injured shoulder. He has already been sacked 13 times in six games and is on pace for 34 sacks, which would be the highest total of his career (although he did get sacked 32 times last season). So Schaub is clearly not a healthy quarterback at the present. "It just seems we've played some very physical football games," said Kubiak. "He played one two weeks ago where he threw the ball a great deal in the fourth quarter as we were trying to come back and win the game and took some shots. (Sunday) we played a really physical football team and our goal was to protect him and I thought in the first half, we did a pretty good job of that as long we stayed on schedule. There at the end of the game, we were trying to make up some ground quickly and he took some shots. We need him on the field. There's not a break in sight right now." Kubiak expects Schaub to start Sunday when the Texans play the Titans in Nashville for first place in the AFC South: "He went out and did the work (Monday) and he'll be day to day. I'll probably give him a rest Wednesday like I did last week but all indications are that he'll be OK." In addition to his physical condition, the absence of wide receiver Andre Johnson in the lineup is having an effect on Schaub and the entire offense. With no Johnson, opposing defenses are not forced to commit a safety to Johnson thus allowing teams to blitz with less risk and to concentrate on stopping the Texans' running game. "We're getting played different," said Kubiak. "There is no doubt about that. There is a level of consistency when Andre is on the field with what people try to do. I don't think it has affected where Matt goes with the ball on this play or that play. He's got to do what he's got to do from that standpoint." Almost completely absent Sunday in Baltimore was the patented Schaub bootleg that has been a reliable play for the Texans offense for the past few years. But the quarterback's immobility is likely a factor in the decreased use of the play. But with the Texans facing a huge divisional match-up Sunday, it's imperative that Schaub reverts to the passer that he has been as a Texan. The current lack of an explosive running game combined with a flurry of blitzes is not a good combination. Finally, even when healthy, Schaub is a quarterback that needs playmakers around him. His lack of athleticism makes it virtually impossible for him to create plays on his own. If Andre Johnson is able to play against the Titans a huge load will be lifted from Schaub and, indeed, the teams as a whole.

share

Get more from National Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

in this topic

National Football League