Matt Schaub tops list of NFL's most injury prone players

Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub is the NFL's most injury prone player, according to a list on foxsports.com. [Click here for the List]

"Let's face it, he's a likable guy," says writer Sid Saraf. "He doesn't pop off at the mouth and he has tons of talent. Plus, men with a receding hairline always cut a sympathetic figure. But, he's gotta stay on the field. In 2007 he missed five games (concussion, separated shoulder) and another five in 2008 while dealing with knee problems. In his one complete campaign in 2009 he made the Pro Bowl. Coincidence?"

This is a perfect example of how rumors get started. I had to do a double take to make sure this article was really dated 2011, and that it wasn't published by another website known for it's amateurish slideshows.

I don't know whether Saraf just didn't bother to do any research or if he's been locked up in a time capsule for a year, but there's a few glaring omissions in this assessment that need to be addressed. Allow me to help, Sid.

*Schaub is currently on a string of 36 consecutive starts dating back to Week 14 of the 2008 season when he led the Texans to a win over the Packers at frigid Lambeau Field.

*Schaub took every snap for the Texans in 2010 (yes there was a 2010 season, Sid). He took all but 18 snaps during his Pro Bowl season in 2009.

*Schaub was first in the league in pass attempts in 2009 and fifth in 2010.

Saraf has Donovan McNabb ranked fourth on his list and Matthew Stafford - the guy who can't sneeze without dislocating something - is ranked ninth. Tom Brady, who has suffered one major injury in his career is ranked tenth. How suffering one major injury in your career makes you injury prone is beyond me, and who cares if Brady is listed on the injury report every week if he rarely misses a start?

Yes, Schaub had injury issues during his first two seasons with the Texans but two of the three injuries that Saraf cites as justification for Schaub's league leading injury prone-ness were the result of illegal hits that got Drayton Florence and Jared Allen fines from the league.

I guess I'm not making the connection of how suffering a concussion from a vicious blind side hit to his head during an interception return makes you injury prone.

Sure, if this was 2008, I might give Saraf's article a bit more credit - and yes there is that issue with the two left shoulder dislocations. But there's a reason or three why Schaub hasn't missed a start in 36 games - and by extension why he doesn't deserve the 'honor' of being ranked number one on the most injury prone list.

First is that the Texans have Arian Foster which forces opponents to respect the run and not just pin back their ears and rush the quarterback on every play. The result? A healthier quarterback.

Second, the Texans have had better offensive line play over the past two years. Schaub took too many sacks last year but he answered the call after every one. No one can question his toughness after he re-entered that Jacksonville game in 2009.

Finally, Schaub is playing smarter. Yeah, I know, what about those 'pick sixes?' No, I'm not talking about Schaub's tendency to lock in and not see coverage from time to time, I'm talking about his learned ability to get rid of the ball quicker and to throw it away when under duress.

Texans fans moan and groan when Matt throws the ball away during an aborted rollout but given he's so ... mobility challenged, it's better than taking a sack - and it keeps him off that left shoulder.

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DocBar said:

I honestly have to question what it takes to pass oneself off as a sports reporter. What a complete joke.

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TexansFanatic said:

The age of the internet can make children look like professionals.

Throw up a reasonably solid looking website and steer clear of typos and---voilà---you're a pro!

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IDEXAN said:

What a bunch of horse crap !
Matt may have deserved that label at one time, but if anything over the last couple years his label should be closer to "Iron Man" than injury prone and unreliable, IMO.

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DocBar said:

I honestly have to question what it takes to pass oneself off as a sports reporter. What a complete joke.

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DexmanC said:

Ben Taub Schaub

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Brisco_County said:

I bet Bob Sanders isn't even the most injury prone. It's probably some guy we don't know. The article is focusing on big name players.

A good writer gives you insight derived from indisputable facts. A lazy writer perpetuates a pre-established narrative. In other words, this guy sucks.

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DocBar said:

I guess Joppru doesn't make the list because he couldn't even hit the field during the season.

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