Good for the Texans. To use the Denny Green vernacular, Matt Schaub is who we thought he was. The quarterback who spent his first three NFL seasons in Atlanta as Michael Vick's -- if you will -- lap dog, has completed 72 percent of his passes in winning his third and fourth career starts, the most recent one coming from 14 points down on the road in Carolina. He clearly has a rhythm with Andre Johnson. the Pro Bowl receiver is out this week with an injury, but he's already caught 3 touchdown passes - or as many TDs as he had through six weeks last year. Of course, it sure helps to have a quarterback who's upright. In Houston's first two games, Schaub has not been sacked a single time. Wonder how David Carr liked seeing that up close in person as he held Jake Delhomme's clipboard while the Texans offense overcame three Steve Smith touchdowns to win.
On "NFL GameDay" this past Sunday, our man Steve Mariucci took pains to mention how impressed he is with the Texans defense, which, in fact, fields a player with more touchdowns through the first two games of the season than Reggie Bush. His name is Mario Williams, who returned a fumble for a score in Houston's season-opening win over the Chiefs. If Williams wants to quiet any remaining naysayers, this would be a perfect week in which to do the quieting: The Indianapolis Colts visit Houston in Week 3, a week that finishes up with Bush appearing on "Monday Night Football" in a suddenly must-win game against the other guy the Texans famously passed up in the 2006 draft - Vince Young. What better way for the Texans to kick up their heels in front of the TV than atop the AFC South standings at 3-0, thanks to Williams getting Peyton Manning off the spot with an unstoppable pass rush.
It's not that far-fetched, although Johnson has already declared himself out of this game with a knee injury. And that is a huge blow to the Texans chances. But, the last team to beat the defending Super Bowl champs? The Houston Texans. Sure, I know. Last year is last year. But, 2007 also is what it is. And, in 2007, the Texans appear new and improved.
