He's got a pro bowl caliber o line (multiple players based on last year). He's got a pro bowl hall of fame wide receiver in Dre. He's got a pro bowl running back and a very capable back up in tate. He's got a pro bowl caliber tight end in owen daniels. He's got a head coach who has somehow tricked people into thinking he's some "offensive/qb guru" in gary kubiak. Kubiak zealots even like to mention that he's got superbowls. The defense is still talented and cushing is back. And now he's got his 2nd receiver in Hopkins that a lot of Schaub Slurpers like to use as an excuse as to why the offense struggled so much last year. Patriots are going through a lot of distractions and subtractions. The Ravens lost half of their squad. Everything is setting up nicely for the Texans and Pro Bowl Legend Matt Schaub this year. I dont want to hear any more excuses.
So a 12-4 record, playoff win and the 7th/8th-ranked offense in a league of 32 teams... that's an interesting definition of struggle. P.S. You don't have a "Pro Bowl-caliber" offensive line when the second-most important position on it is an enormous question mark.
The line was not elite last year. They ran the ball very ineffectively which led to them having to throw more... and when this team gets one dimensional (all passing), they're bad. When the offense succeeds, they're running the ball at an elite level... and hitting the big plays off the play-action (set up by the elite running) or quick-hit passes.
Chris Myers is still a top 5 Center though he's on the downside of his career. Other than that, Duane Brown is the only elite o-lineman. The right side was very vulnerable last season and it really showed, especially whenever they ran right. So overall, I'd agree with Nick and say the line wasn't elite last year.
I think we've seen the best of Schaub. Now it's just whether the decline is a rapid thud or a slow descent. I'm tired of hearing about the line or this or that. It's always everything but Schaub.
Just like when the team is winning and the offense is elite, its due to everything but Schaub. Can't have it both ways. I agree... Schaub isn't going to win it on his own. Most QB's in the NFL aren't. The Texans need to have everything clicking for this offense to be elite. When the other pieces are in place, Schaub usually does his job quite well.
I don't think Schaub making plays is him winning it on his own. He's a largely accurate passer when there's no pressure and people are wide open but thats what you expect from an NFL QB. He still under throws long passes with regularity, he will force throws into coverage, and he has little ability or presence to move within the pocket to avoid the rush much less any real scrambling ability which is had an effect on the play action roll outs last season.. He is ready to go fetal position at the first sign of a rusher, especially up the middle. This team requires more than competency or a take what the defense gives you type quarterback, however you want to characterize him. He may have been a top ten type QB in the past but there are more than 10 guys I'd rather have than Schaub right now.
Odds are TJ will still be the backup. But reportedly he's stagnating while Keenum is improving so Case moving up to #2 is a real possibility.
So, you're criticizing him for only being good when players are wide open, but he's bad because he forces throws into coverage? As you presume most QB's can be accurate when there is no pressure, most QB's also get worse when there is pressure up the middle. Most QB's will get burned when forcing throws into coverage as well. Schaub's responsibility is to execute the offense... move the ball... and make accurate throws to the guy most open. I agree, if he's covered, I don't want Schaub (or any other QB) forcing the throw. I also want him to be throwing to wide open players more often than not... that means our offense is clicking. I certainly think he's overpaid, but I also think that if he plays well... this team can be in position to win any game.
