Why is everyone so high on Shaub?

[nedthehead]

I mean he hasn't played a down yet, and rarely played in Atlanta. When he did, he did look pretty good, but so can a lot of relief pitchers, so to speak. Gradkowski in Tampa is a good example. When played his first game, he looked pretty good as well, then later, did not. Nobody knows for sure how he will do in his first opportunity to start. This team finally gets a new QB and everyone seems so relieved, as if he is going to automatically save the franchise. He didn't even have to win the job, he was just handed the keys to the car. I liked Schaub when he was in Atlanta because he's not Vick, he's a real QB, but this means nothing this year. He's on a different team in a different system and has not played a down here yet. Time is gonna tell what he will be able to do. If his numbers and wins don't look better than Carr's did last year, then it will be very revealing. I'm not jumping on this bandwagon till he proves it to me on the field, in a Texans uni.

[PapaL]

Because the bar was set so low by the previous starter. Also to note, he is in a very similiar system - if not the same, only the terminology is different.

[Tailgate]

Because at this point... I have trust in Kubiak. He did his homework on this one. Of course time will tell everything.

[Scooter]

the obvious answer is ... the backup quarterback (or new quarterback) is always the fans' favorite player.

my answer is ... david carr COST us games and i cant think of a single game that he won for us. if we stop losing david carr games, we'll have a better record with almost anyone else behind center.

the potential answer is ... matt schaub was a potential early first rounder (injury or something dropped him, i'm not sure what it was exactly) who has everything you want in a quarterback. from a scouting perspective, he displays loads of leadership, great mechanics, and the build & mobility required our system. as for the texans, he's basically a rookie with experience. he's been allowed to learn our system with actual game time, but without taking the punishment you'd expect to get from someone with his knowledge. teams have been trying to pry him away from the falcons for these reasons for 2 years now. schaub doesnt have carr's arm or natural physical talent, but he has what matters most in a quarterback and that's what both teams and fans have taken notice of. leadership, pocket presence & poise, accuracy, and the ability to improvise. schaub doesnt have michael vick physical talent, but he's got joe montana quarterback ability. once schaub gets his first start, we'll see many falcon fans on this board for that very reason ... schaub was expected by several people (fans and administrators) to take the falcons where vick couldnt.

you're right that schaub doesnt have any body of work to prove what he's capable of. it's entirely possible that he crumbles during this time to shine. scouts, coaches, and fans from the entire league proclaim him as a potential great though, so i'm inclined to lean that direction. gary kubiak trading two second round draft picks solidifies that point.

[Specnatz]

Originally Posted by nedthehead

I mean he hasn't played a down yet, and rarely played in Atlanta. When he did, he did look pretty good, but so can a lot of relief pitchers, so to speak. Gradkowski in Tampa is a good example. When played his first game, he looked pretty good as well, then later, did not. Nobody knows for sure how he will do in his first opportunity to start. This team finally gets a new QB and everyone seems so relieved, as if he is going to automatically save the franchise. He didn't even have to win the job, he was just handed the keys to the car. I liked Schaub when he was in Atlanta because he's not Vick, he's a real QB, but this means nothing this year. He's on a different team in a different system and has not played a down here yet. Time is gonna tell what he will be able to do. If his numbers and wins don't look better than Carr's did last year, then it will be very revealing. I'm not jumping on this bandwagon till he proves it to me on the field, in a Texans uni.

We are doing it so you will have something to gripe about and say how we are fooling our selves.

Other than that your boy Carr stunk up the place worse than beer/egg fart on a sunday morning after a late night out and a trip to Dennys.


OK now that the sarcasim is out of the way. It is not only that people are so high on just the QB it is everything that has happened in the last 6 months and everything that Smith and Coach Kubiak has said. you listen to them speak and it just makes you believe and filled with confidence. Heck I would want to run through a brick wall for smith by how much he gets me pumped for the season and it is only June.

[dalemurphy]

Because:

1. He has all the physical skills to succeed in the NFL: height, arm strength, accuracy...

2. He's had 3 years of NFL coaching and is only 25 years old.

3. Zero health concerns.

4. All coaches and players who've worked with him rave about him as a person, QB, and about his leadership abilities... how often do you hear that about a backup?

5. He's spent about 6 years learning West Coast offensive elements like the ones we run in Houston under Kubiak

6. He immediately impressed Kubiak and also immediately assumed leadership of this football team.

7. We're desperate for a change at QB.

[Mr teX]

It might have something to do with the fact that in his little time on the field during meaningful games he's looked pretty good, so much so that he was being likened to the next tom brady etc...

& his former teammates say that he's the real deal as well. Also don't rule out what he did as a collegiate either. When you put all those things together............

[bigbrewster2000]

Well for 1 he is not David Carr and 2 he appears to have all thos intagibles that we as Texans fans have been longing for in our QB since day 1.

It just seems that in the short time that Schaub has been here that he has taken the full resposibility of his role on this team and thus gotten us extremely excited.

Besides we just think he is going to be better.

[Honoring Earl 34]

Originally Posted by dalemurphy

Because:

1. He has all the physical skills to succeed in the NFL: height, arm strength, accuracy...

2. He's had 3 years of NFL coaching and is only 25 years old.

3. Zero health concerns.

4. All coaches and players who've worked with him rave about him as a person, QB, and about his leadership abilities... how often do you hear that about a backup?

5. He's spent about 6 years learning West Coast offensive elements like the ones we run in Houston under Kubiak

6. He immediately impressed Kubiak and also immediately assumed leadership of this football team.

7. We're desperate for a change at QB.

Ditto ...

[HuttoKarl]

He's neither gunshy or punchdrunk like the last starting QB we had.

Because he has pocket presence

[Texan Asylum]

Originally Posted by Scooter

the obvious answer is ... the backup quarterback (or new quarterback) is always the fans' favorite player.

my answer is ... david carr COST us games and i cant think of a single game that he won for us. if we stop losing david carr games, we'll have a better record with almost anyone else behind center.

the potential answer is ... matt schaub was a potential early first rounder (injury or something dropped him, i'm not sure what it was exactly) who has everything you want in a quarterback. from a scouting perspective, he displays loads of leadership, great mechanics, and the build & mobility required our system. as for the texans, he's basically a rookie with experience. he's been allowed to learn our system with actual game time, but without taking the punishment you'd expect to get from someone with his knowledge. teams have been trying to pry him away from the falcons for these reasons for 2 years now. schaub doesnt have carr's arm or natural physical talent, but he has what matters most in a quarterback and that's what both teams and fans have taken notice of. leadership, pocket presence & poise, accuracy, and the ability to improvise. schaub doesnt have michael vick physical talent, but he's got joe montana quarterback ability. once schaub gets his first start, we'll see many falcon fans on this board for that very reason ... schaub was expected by several people (fans and administrators) to take the falcons where vick couldnt.

you're right that schaub doesnt have any body of work to prove what he's capable of. it's entirely possible that he crumbles during this time to shine. scouts, coaches, and fans from the entire league proclaim him as a potential great though, so i'm inclined to lean that direction. gary kubiak trading two second round draft picks solidifies that point.

Nice post Scoot. Thanks for the insight and optimism.

I imagine that all folk's worries will be replaced with an over-exuberant enthusiasm after our first game of the season!

GO TEXANS!!!

[Second Honeymoon]

Because he seems to actually like playing football and is willing to work on his game and his skills in order to be the very best he can be. that is new for us.

[Porky]

First, by default he will be better than Carr. It would take a disaster of epic proportions to at least not meet that standard.

But, beyond that. Let's go with your theory that he doesn't have a ton of experience, so how can we know. That is true to an extent, but we have a lot of clues.

Guy is near 6' 6" with an nice overhand classic delivery. He will be one of the 2 or 3 tallest starting QB's in the league. How many passes do you think will get batted down compared to the 6' 3" QB with the funky sidearm delivery?

He had an excellent career at Viriginia using a similar system, and also was tutored in the same system for 3 years at Atl. He had excellent coaching all along the way, and hasn't had to take a beating to do it.

His leadership abilities on and off the field are off the charts compared to Carr, and are an often overlooked attribute.

His work ethic is off the charts compared to Carr. He reminds me of Manning in his work ethic. Absouletely driven to be the best. Will work hard with his receivers to develop that cohesion and rythem so during games he can deliver the ball in the best placement for yac.

Has demonstrated during the times he has played that he can improvise, shuffle his feet and buy time, and has a much better feel for the rush than Carr. All in all, let's call it pocket presense. We will see plays this year that with Carr would have been a sack, and with Schaub will be a positve play.

Has demonstrated during the times he has played that he can make every throw required in this offense. Not as strong armed as Carr, but has a better, more accurate, and more catchable intermediate and deep ball. Has better touch and delivery on his short throws.

Has demonstrated during the times he has played that he can find receivers and TE's in the mid and deep middle. This in turn will keep the safety's honest, and allow more room for AJ and the RB's to roam.

Highly recommended by former teammates, and coaches. Kubiak also knows QB talent as well as anyone, and you have to think he studied every throw the guy made in his college and pro career before pulling the trigger. Unless you think Kubiak doesn't have an eye for QB talent, the mere fact that he dumped Carr and picked up Schauab should certaintly tell you something.

[hadaad]

Because bringing in a replacement for a quarterback who wasn't cutting it serves as a departure from the "Expansion" culture we grew comfortable with.

[Texan Asylum]

Originally Posted by Porky

First, by default he will be better than Carr. It would take a disaster of epic proportions to at least not meet that standard.

But, beyond that. Let's go with your theory that he doesn't have a ton of experience, so how can we know. That is true to an extent, but we have a lot of clues.

Guy is near 6' 6" with an nice overhand classic delivery. He will be one of the 2 or 3 tallest starting QB's in the league. How many passes do you think will get batted down compared to the 6' 3" QB with the funky sidearm delivery?

He had an excellent career at Viriginia using a similar system, and also was tutored in the same system for 3 years at Atl. He had excellent coaching all along the way, and hasn't had to take a beating to do it.

His leadership abilities on and off the field are off the charts compared to Carr, and are an often overlooked attribute.

His work ethic is off the charts compared to Carr. He reminds me of Manning in his work ethic. Absouletely driven to be the best. Will work hard with his receivers to develop that cohesion and rythem so during games he can deliver the ball in the best placement for yac.

Has demonstrated during the times he has played that he can improvise, shuffle his feet and buy time, and has a much better feel for the rush than Carr. All in all, let's call it pocket presense. We will see plays this year that with Carr would have been a sack, and with Schaub will be a positve play.

Has demonstrated during the times he has played that he can make every throw required in this offense. Not as strong armed as Carr, but has a better, more accurate, and more catchable intermediate and deep ball. Has better touch and delivery on his short throws.

Has demonstrated during the times he has played that he can find receivers and TE's in the mid and deep middle. This in turn will keep the safety's honest, and allow more room for AJ and the RB's to roam.

Highly recommended by former teammates, and coaches. Kubiak also knows QB talent as well as anyone, and you have to think he studied every throw the guy made in his college and pro career before pulling the trigger. Unless you think Kubiak doesn't have an eye for QB talent, the mere fact that he dumped Carr and picked up Schauab should certaintly tell you something.

Excellent post Porky! Thanks for the read!

[HOU-TEX]

Originally Posted by Second Honeymoon

Because he seems to actually like playing football and is willing to work on his game and his skills in order to be the very best he can be. that is new for us.

Comparatively speaking he's the Hunter Pence of football.

[Texan_Bill]

Originally Posted by nedthehead

I mean he hasn't played a down yet, and rarely played in Atlanta. When he did, he did look pretty good, but so can a lot of relief pitchers, so to speak. Gradkowski in Tampa is a good example. When played his first game, he looked pretty good as well, then later, did not. Nobody knows for sure how he will do in his first opportunity to start. This team finally gets a new QB and everyone seems so relieved, as if he is going to automatically save the franchise. He didn't even have to win the job, he was just handed the keys to the car. I liked Schaub when he was in Atlanta because he's not Vick, he's a real QB, but this means nothing this year. He's on a different team in a different system and has not played a down here yet. Time is gonna tell what he will be able to do. If his numbers and wins don't look better than Carr's did last year, then it will be very revealing. I'm not jumping on this bandwagon till he proves it to me on the field, in a Texans uni.

I don't agree with all of your points, but I don't blame you for posing the question either...

The only thing I see right now, is just a clean breath of fresh air - which can be huge.. But until anything is proven on the field, questions will remain in my mind as well....

[Double Barrel]

Why is everyone so high on Shaub?

We have low expectations that were established by our previous starter?

We were high on Carr before he ever played a down in the NFL, too. Maybe Houston fans have unbridled optimism?

Besides, if Shaub doesn't perform well, we have the established excuse that our offensive line stinks, supported by the national media's perception (right or wrong).

But the big picture has to be what Porky, scooter, and other have said before me:

Shaub is a WCO QB with 6 years experience in the system (3 college + 3 pro). He understands the importance of timing patterns in the WCO, and is already closely working with his receivers in order that they can have some instinctual knowledge of each other's tendencies.

Shaub has pocket presence, and understands how to step up into the pocket to avoid a back-end pass rush.

He can call audibles at the line of scrimmage, taking advantage of mismatches with the defense.

Three step drops and quick hit passes based on timing patterns.

He can throw down the middle.

He has the confidence of the head coach.

Shaub embraces the leadership role that a QB can provide to an offense and team.

[The Pencil Neck]

There are several ways to look at this.

Would you expect people to be excited over a promising rookie QB drafted in the first round? That's basically what we have here and somewhat more. This guy would have been a first round pick but he hurt his shoulder his senior year and that dropped him down to the 3rd round. The question about his shoulder has been answered and so from a talent standpoint, he has to be considered at least as good as a 1st round prospect. Many rookie QB's are thrown into the fray too quickly, like Carr, and that hampers their development; many guys benefit from sitting and getting used to the speed of the game (Carson Palmer, Phillip Rivers, Pennington, Starr, Favre, etc.), Schaub has done that.

Another way to look at it is like this...

The easy way to be a Savior (at work) is to follow in the footsteps of someone who really sucks. There were some people on these boards who thought that our old QB was good enough and just needed a stronger supporting cast. For those people, it didn't make sense to go out and spend multiple draft picks on the QB when we still had a perfectly OK QB. But most of us think that our old QB was just a bad, bad QB that made everyone around him worse. So for us, there's a very low standard of performance that Schaub has to meet to be a huge improvement. So for those of us who thought Carr was bad, it's very hard not to feel very happy with this move.

And that's why some of us are very optimistic.

Ultimately, we won't know until the guys hit the field.