Conference call: Texans QB Matt Schaub

QB MATT SCHAUB, SEPT. 17, 2008

(On how things are in Houston in wake of the hurricane)

Well, it’s a very difficult situation for everybody down here. A lot of destruction has come through and a lot of people are suffering right now, not only with our team but with the community and people down in Galveston and throughout Texas. It’s a very difficult time for everybody but one thing we have to do as a football team is focus on what we have to do to be successful this week. We’re right in there with the community in dealing with things so our heart goes out to everybody that has been affected. One thing that we have to do is come to work every day and be ready to go on Sunday.

(On whether or not playing a game on the road will help ease the distraction of the hurricane)

I think it’s refreshing to get back to work and go out on the practice field and get ready for a game that we love to play and have all been playing for a very long time. It’s a good release from what we had to deal with the past five, six days and get our minds back on to what we’re doing with our jobs and what we’re doing here. Once we get away from the facility and get home then we have to focus on our families and our homes and getting everything back in order. It’s a nice refreshing feel to get back to work and go out to practice and have some fun.

(On if Houston feels like a “ghost town”)

There are definitely parts of it that are. I’d say there’s a lot of people that are coming back to the city. A lot of us and people in the community had to get out of town because we were without power or some without water and all the necessities that we rely on on a day-to-day basis. People got out of town to Austin or San Antonio so you see a lot people coming back to their homes to clean up and assess damages and check on things. But slowly but surely things are getting cleaned up and people are returning and power is coming back on in certain areas. It’s a slow but drawn-out process because there are so many things that need to get done but as a community we’re just banding together and pulling together. That’s the thing when you have a tragedy such as we did. You just rally around each other and you get through it. You just lift each other’s spirits up and come together.

(On if he has hosted any teammates or friends)

Actually, I’m still without power myself. So my wife and I are staying in a hotel right now until we get power back on. I have not hosted anybody but once power comes on I would definitely be open to that. A lot of guys have offered their homes to us so it’s just something that you just band together and you help each other out in times of need.

(On if he gets impatient that the Texans are not where they’d like to be right now)

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