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Schaub Leads Texans to Best Start in Franchise History

Danny Dabiri |Sep 17,2007

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Schaub Leads Texans to Best Start in Franchise History

The Houston Texans franchise has not had much to cheer about in its six-year history. The team has yet to have a winning season. The club passed up on Vince Young and Reggie Bush in favor of defensive end Mario Williams with the first pick of the 2006 NFL Draft. The decision not to select hometown favorite Vince Young was made with the assumption that former number one overall pick, quarterback David Carr was the answer under center. After another disappointing season in 2006, the franchise finally decided to go in a different direction.

Enter Matt Schaub. The former Virginia Cavalier had spent his entire NFL career as the backup to Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick. The Houston Texans acquired Schaub from the Falcons for a second round draft pick. Of course, Michael Vick subsequently plead guilty to dogfighting charges and will probably never play for Atlanta again.

The Falcons loss is the Texans gain. With Schaub at the helm, the Texans have opened the 2007 season 2-0 for the first time in franchise history. Schaub has shown an innate ability to efficiently run an offense and get the ball out of his hand quickly. He has benefited from the outstanding play of Pro Bowl receiver Andre Johnson, who has 14 catches for 262 yards and three touchdowns in two games. Unfortunately, Johnson suffered a sprained knee and is considered doubtful for next week’s showdown with the Super Bowl champion Indianapolis Colts. The game pits two of the league’s nine undefeated teams and the winner will have sole possession of first place in the AFC South.

Dating back to last season, the Texans have now won four games in a row. Head coach Gary Kubiak has the team playing extremely well on both sides of the ball. Ironically, defensive end Mario Williams has scored more touchdowns than Reggie Bush this season. Williams returned a fumble 38 yards for a score in last week’s 20-3 drubbing of the Kansas City Chiefs. The addition of veteran running back Ahman Green has brought a level of consistency to the ground game.

If the Texans can get a victory next week against the Colts, there is a strong possibility the team can start the season 5-0. The next two games are against the winless Atlanta Falcons and Miami Dolphins. Texan fans will closely be monitoring the health of Andre Johnson as he recovers from his knee injury. Assuming Johnson returns to the form he has displayed in the first two games, the Texans will be a team to be reckoned with the entire season and should find themselves in a position to earn a playoff berth for the first time in franchise history.

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