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I have always had the theory that Schaubs biomechanics are inherently imbalanced, and therefore unstable. I base this on the postural misalignment evident in all of his team photos. Im sure some of you have noticed it too, but Ive never seen a discussion here on how it could affect his mechanics.
In the pictures below, the yellow lines are a square X and Y axis anchored in the center of the collarbone. The vertical blue line is the diverted angle of the cervical spine (neck) from the Y axis. Halfway through the vertical blue line, there is one vector point where it changes direction back to 0 degrees, indicating a compensatory tilt in the head. The vector point is placed at the base of the nose since that is approximately where the base of the skull meets the spine.
![]()
In figure 1, the horizontal blue line follows the estimated tilt in the collarbone. The tilt is only estimated since the jersey conceals the necessary reference points to track it accurately.
Figure 2 confirms that the misalignment on a younger Schaub to indicate that it has always been present.
Below, the figure on the left illustrates how his neck is tilting, and how the head tilts to compensate. On the right is an example of a neck with a normal vertical angle.
![]()
With a neck diverted to that degree, one would expect a compensatory curvature in the thoracic (middle) and lumbar (lower) spine. This often results in a tilting of the collarbone and pelvis, which would cause one arm to drop lower, and one leg to strike the ground harder when running. Below is an example of how a tilted neck is an indication of compensatory misalignments throughout the rest of the skeletal frame. Notice the pelvic tilt from horizontal.
![]()
Figure 1 indicated that Schaubs collarbone and shoulders are apparently within a normal range of the X axis. Since I could not find any other team photos from mid-torso to compare to figure 1, I used the photo in figure 3 below, then emphasized the negative (black) space in figure 4 to demonstrate how uneven the shoulders hang. Also note differences in the shapes of the negative space around the neck.
![]()
For contrast, lets look at the alignment of a random teammate, TJ Yates. His neck alignment isnt perfect, but its about the best you could expect from anyone, much less a football player. Considering the daily effects of sitting on the bench, hunching over film study, and lurking on Texans Talk, TJs doing pretty good here. This cervical alignment is Texans worthy.
![]()
Question 1: Assuming that Schaubs frame is as imbalanced as Im theorizing, why does that mean his mechanics are unstable? That is because a quarterback throw is a motion of the entire body, much like boxing or baseball pitching. If you have ever taken boxing, you know that a good instructor coaches you on the form of your entire body to achieve an efficient transfer of energy from the planting toe to the fist. Power and accuracy are lost if your mechanics are inefficient.
Question 2: What makes me an expert on biomechanics? Not much. Im presenting data, and this is my conclusion. I also have spinal misalignment, and my X-rays confirm a tilt in my collarbone and hips. It does not prohibit weight training, but long distance running is painful. Since I notice the imbalance in my own posture, I notice it in other people too.
Question 3: Is it possible that I am projecting my own spinal condition onto Schaub? Possibly, but from what Ive researched, compensatory misalignments in the spine follow a predictable trend. I've never seen a case of only a crooked neck without a compensatory curve in the thoracic or lumbar spine. Also, this fact is revealing to me: I would not have been able to play football due risk of back or hip injury, but Schaubs degree of misalignment is worse than mine.
Question 4: Why wasnt Schaubs mechanical imbalance a prohibitive factor before 2013? Because Schaub is a hard worker who overcame any mechanical issues during his developmental years. My theory asserts that his mechanics were only unstable, not consistently unreliable. Today, his mechanics are deteriorated because he is planting on a foot that is sending slightly inaccurate messages to his head. That is what this all comes down to: The foot isnt doing exactly what his brain thinks it is, and his coordination can no longer compensate for the imbalanced mechanics.
So there is my theory. It is founded more on my experience and observations than on academic study, so take it for what it's worth. I also look forward to CnD either confirming or shredding it.
Just having some, didn't mean to trash your post that you obviously put some time into.Wow. Did you just make that?
Just having some, didn't mean to trash your post that you obviously put some time into.
Bringing it forward... maybe Dr CND will comment.
No worries, I asked because it was funny. And don't worry about trashing my post -- that's one of the reasons why I posted it. I want it to be critiqued or challenged.
Too late, I saw what you posted. I do not "take personal offense any time Schaub is critiqued" Why is it that you all have this obsession with Schaub? You accuse me of being the one with an obsession, or love affair, or whatever ridiculous label you try to pin on me, but I am not the one posting this kind of comedy.
You say in your post you "want it to be critiqued or challenged", but just not by me? WTF?
So you caught my ninja edit. I edited it for two reasons. 1) I realized that I could've misinterpreted your tone and your reasons for critiquing it, and 2) I shouldn't care about your reasons and I should just accept your critique.
Regarding our perceived "obsession" with Schaub: This is a thread about Matt Schaub.
Regarding your sensitivity on the subject: On one hand, it seems that you have a reactionary rejection to any criticism of Schaub. On the other hand, your posts provide a little counterbalance to all the nasty, unfair, and ungrateful posts about Schaub. So maybe I shouldn't contribute to discouraging that, but I would suggest attempting a little objectivity.
National Football Post's Len Pasquarelli passes along "scuttlebutt" that the Raiders may pursue Matt Schaub once the Texans release him.Schaub's release is a mere formality, as he's owed $11 million in 2014 salary and bonuses and isn't worth half that much. He could command $3-4 million annually on a backup-caliber deal. Per Pasquarelli, Schaub "has some fans in the organization." We hope the Raiders wouldn't be counting on Schaub to start.*Feb 3 - 5:51 PM
From the link above:
Yes, a mere formality sums it up nicely. Still think Schaub's a virtual lock to the Ravens.
Schaub's been regressing since his injury, what makes you think he'll not only get better with age but also that his injury won't be more impactful as he gets older? He's played horrible since the last quarter of 2012.
/thread
sometimes these older dudes older then Schaub have there one last hurrahhh
see Kerry Collins who led the titans to the #1 seed one time
I doubt it. At best I see him signing on with another team to compete for the backup spot. Perhaps the Baltimore Ravens would be a good fit for him. He can backup Joe Flacco and he's already familiar with Gary Kubiak's offense.I'd be surprised if Schaub can't get a job where he can at least compete for a starting spot.
I doubt it. At best I see him signing on with another team to compete for the backup spot. Perhaps the Baltimore Ravens would be a good fit for him. He can backup Joe Flacco and he's already familiar with Gary Kubiak's offense.
Schaub will definitely be a starter next season. He had a bad season, but until he has another one, 2013 was an aberration. He hasn't been this bad before. He's not clutch and he is not elite, but he is better than at least 1/3 of the starters in the league if he can move past this last season and get to his previous self.
Yeah and Gary Kubiak and his antiquated offense won't be getting a job either. Oh, wait...
I don't remember anybody ever saying that, at least as OC jobs go. In fact Gary is right where he should be, an OC...
Loyal to a fault...
Your memory is selective. Tons of people said Kubiak and for that matter Shanahan's offense was antiquated around here. Some folks said, no the QB position just cratered this season.
Some said Schaub cratered and Gary needed to change SOME parts of his offense. More deep balls for example. Less 3rd and 15 screens/draws.
Was the bootleg with Schaub scaring defenses? I know they scared me more than defenses. LOL
The NFL has caught up to his outdated offense.
Degenerative injury, he isn't going to get better, just progressively less effective.
His peak performance potential is declining continuously, and his peak performance this year was not starter material.
What did Doc have to say regarding the Ed Reed injury when it was discovered? Did he nail that one?
Yes, he did.
Yes, he did.
Wow, impressive! I would be interested to read that. Have the link?
Wow, impressive! I would be interested to read that. Have the link?
Why not learn to use the search feature available on this forum?
Why not learn to use the search feature available on this forum?
You got a link for that?
I want it to be critiqued or challenged.
IF it is a Lisfranc, healing is complicated in patients who sustain this type of injury. The most common complication of the Lisfranc injury is post-traumatic arthritis of the joint. In the medical literature, it is quoted as high as 50% of those having sustained this injury. This post-traumatic arthritis mimics degenerative arthritis, but its course is accelerated because of severe injury to a joint. This can lead to chronic pain in the injured joint, and may necessitate fusion of the joint in order to prevent chronic debilitating pain.
It also ought to be pointed out that even in the cases of isolated midfoot metatarsal fractures, the development of the arthritis and chronic pain can still be a significant long term problem.
I have always had the theory that Schaub’s biomechanics are inherently imbalanced, and therefore unstable. I base this on the postural misalignment evident in all of his team photos. I’m sure some of you have noticed it too, but I’ve never seen a discussion here on how it could affect his mechanics.
In the pictures below, the yellow lines are a square X and Y axis anchored in the center of the collarbone. The vertical blue line is the diverted angle of the cervical spine (neck) from the Y axis. Halfway through the vertical blue line, there is one vector point where it changes direction back to 0 degrees, indicating a compensatory tilt in the head. The vector point is placed at the base of the nose since that is approximately where the base of the skull meets the spine.
![]()
In figure 1, the horizontal blue line follows the estimated tilt in the collarbone. The tilt is only estimated since the jersey conceals the necessary reference points to track it accurately.
Figure 2 confirms that the misalignment on a younger Schaub to indicate that it has always been present.
Below, the figure on the left illustrates how his neck is tilting, and how the head tilts to compensate. On the right is an example of a neck with a normal vertical angle.
![]()
With a neck diverted to that degree, one would expect a compensatory curvature in the thoracic (middle) and lumbar (lower) spine. This often results in a tilting of the collarbone and pelvis, which would cause one arm to drop lower, and one leg to strike the ground harder when running. Below is an example of how a tilted neck is an indication of compensatory misalignments throughout the rest of the skeletal frame. Notice the pelvic tilt from horizontal.
![]()
Figure 1 indicated that Schaub’s collarbone and shoulders are apparently within a “normal” range of the X axis. Since I could not find any other team photos from mid-torso to compare to figure 1, I used the photo in figure 3 below, then emphasized the negative (black) space in figure 4 to demonstrate how uneven the shoulders hang. Also note differences in the shapes of the negative space around the neck.
![]()
For contrast, let’s look at the alignment of a random teammate, TJ Yates. His neck alignment isn’t perfect, but it’s about the best you could expect from anyone, much less a football player. Considering the daily effects of sitting on the bench, hunching over film study, and lurking on Texans Talk, TJ’s doing pretty good here. This cervical alignment is Texans worthy.
![]()
Question 1: Assuming that Schaub’s frame is as imbalanced as I’m theorizing, why does that mean his mechanics are unstable? That is because a quarterback throw is a motion of the entire body, much like boxing or baseball pitching. If you have ever taken boxing, you know that a good instructor coaches you on the form of your entire body to achieve an efficient transfer of energy from the planting toe to the fist. Power and accuracy are lost if your mechanics are inefficient.
Question 2: What makes me an expert on biomechanics? Not much. I’m presenting data, and this is my conclusion. I also have spinal misalignment, and my X-rays confirm a tilt in my collarbone and hips. It does not prohibit weight training, but long distance running is painful. Since I notice the imbalance in my own posture, I notice it in other people too.
Question 3: Is it possible that I am projecting my own spinal condition onto Schaub? Possibly, but from what I’ve researched, compensatory misalignments in the spine follow a predictable trend. I've never seen a case of only a crooked neck without a compensatory curve in the thoracic or lumbar spine. Also, this fact is revealing to me: I would not have been able to play football due risk of back or hip injury, but Schaub’s degree of misalignment is worse than mine.
Question 4: Why wasn’t Schaub’s mechanical imbalance a prohibitive factor before 2013? Because Schaub is a hard worker who overcame any mechanical issues during his developmental years. My theory asserts that his mechanics were only unstable, not consistently unreliable. Today, his mechanics are deteriorated because he is planting on a foot that is sending slightly inaccurate messages to his head. That is what this all comes down to: The foot isn’t doing exactly what his brain thinks it is, and his coordination can no longer compensate for the imbalanced mechanics.
So there is my theory. It is founded more on my experience and observations than on academic study, so take it for what it's worth. I also look forward to CnD either confirming or shredding it.
Add Bucky Brooks to the list of people who think "Fixing Schaub" is the best path for the Texans in 2014.
http://www.nfl.com/podcast/nfl-draft-tracker-podcast/1391629280000/detail
Forward to 8:10 to hear the Bucky Brooks comments, and then comment. But please try to be objective, and not just try to attack Brooks like you have Marshall Faulk's opinion.
We can count on you to scour the interwebs for Pro-Schaub comments.Add Bucky Brooks to the list of people who think "Fixing Schaub" is the best path for the Texans in 2014.
http://www.nfl.com/podcast/nfl-draft-tracker-podcast/1391629280000/detail
Forward to 8:10 to hear the Bucky Brooks comments, and then comment. But please try to be objective, and not just try to attack Brooks like you have Marshall Faulk's opinion.
We can count on you to scour the interwebs for Pro-Schaub comments.
First, Brooks was pro-Clowney. He felt the best way to "fix" the Texans was to make the defense dominant. And, he has a very good point. Then, he said that Schaub had been a Pro Bowl QB (which he was) and that O'Brien should look at the tape and determine if there's anything left to fix.
Which is fine. But, if he watches the Schaub of late 2012/2013, he would realize that Schaub is not fixable. Which again, brings up the question, what do the Texans do at QB? Later in the podcast, Charles Davis says don't be surprised if the Texans go for Blake Bortles, who looks like a good fit for what O'Brien looks for in a QB.'
So, Brooks never says that Schaub is fixable. Just that if he were, that would be the best path. Who believes that to be true? Matt, his mother, and you. So, the whole notion is based on a false premise.
Brooks never said that Schaub was fixable, but it should be investigated. "I want to investigate...." tells me he hasn't seen enough of Schaub recently. It hasn't been a 1/2 season, either. Schaub has thrown 13 TDs vs 19 INTs over the past 16 games. I'm pretty sure myself, and most of the fans on this forum have watched a hellofalot more of Matt Schaub and the Texans than Faulk or Brooks. We see that it is a trend and not an aberration that Schaub has declined to the point that he is no longer a winning QB (which he once was).I
if I'm Bill O'Brien, I want to investigate and look at all the tapes and see if there is something I can fix in the established veteran, to allow him to play at a high level, because he has skins on the wall, he's played a ton of games in the NFL, he doesn't need an adjustment period to play well.
The problem with your comments are that you believe that the entire planet thinks Schaub is done, not fixable, with the exception of Me, Matt and his Mom. That kind of Dogmatic talk reveals a lot about you and why you are so anal when it comes to discussions regarding Matt Schaub. Clearly guys like Marshall Faulk, and now Bucky Brooks disagree with you
Add Bucky Brooks to the list of people who think "Fixing Schaub" is the best path for the Texans in 2014.
http://www.nfl.com/podcast/nfl-draft-tracker-podcast/1391629280000/detail
Forward to 8:10 to hear the Bucky Brooks comments, and then comment. But please try to be objective, and not just try to attack Brooks like you have Marshall Faulk's opinion.
Brooks never said that Schaub was fixable, but it should be investigated. "I want to investigate...." tells me he hasn't seen enough of Schaub recently. It hasn't been a 1/2 season, either. Schaub has thrown 13 TDs vs 19 INTs over the past 16 games. I'm pretty sure myself, and most of the fans on this forum have watched a hellofalot more of Matt Schaub and the Texans than Faulk or Brooks. We see that it is a trend and not an aberration that Schaub has declined to the point that he is no longer a winning QB (which he once was).
Brooks never said that Schaub was fixable, but it should be investigated. "I want to investigate...." tells me he hasn't seen enough of Schaub recently. It hasn't been a 1/2 season, either. Schaub has thrown 13 TDs vs 19 INTs over the past 16 games. I'm pretty sure myself, and most of the fans on this forum have watched a hellofalot more of Matt Schaub and the Texans than Faulk or Brooks. We see that it is a trend and not an aberration that Schaub has declined to the point that he is no longer a winning QB (which he once was).
As far as being "anal" concerning Schaub, 144 or your 374 total posts contain the word "Schaub". It's pretty well known who is anal about what here.
I hate that Schaub got hurt. I actually thought he was good enough to win a SB in Houston. That ship has sailed. Wonder what it would take for Faulk/Brooks to think Schaub wasn't the best option for the Texans? 16 pick 6's?
Correct me if I am wrong, hell it happens twice a year so I am due, wasn't this EXACT same topic discussed when Kubiak came in, EVERYBODY said that he could fix Carr and that all the Texans needed was a better defense....
Explain to me again how THAT scenario turned out in the end...
ALL ties need to be cut and move on...
Don't be so melodramatic. I think had he been re-inserted into the starting lineup after he had healed from his injury, and threw one or two more pick 6's, it would have been enough to say he has lost it for this season, but to extrapolate that into the rest of last season, and even worse what you are doing now which is implying Schaub will continue to throw pick 6's the rest of his career is laughable. For all any of us know, he could have turned it around last season had he been allowed to play though it.
I do not believe these analysts are turning a blind eye to the facts, but I do believe some of you fans have your blinders on, and Vince Lombardi himself could rise from the grave and say Schaub was the Texans best chance for the Texans to win in 2014, and you would all argue "yea but Lombardi is dead, and the NFL is different now, blaa, blaa, blaa"
Same crap you did, and some are still doing with Keenum. "oh Keenum did not get a fair chance" "oh the team had already quit" blaa, blaa, blaa. Have you ever heard of Occam's Razor?
All of these complex speculative explanations as to why Schaub had a bad year, or why you think he is finished as a player are all just theater to entertain yourselves and feel like you have some kind of 3rd eye and can see deeper into the game of football and it's players than other people can. A belief that your perceptions are correct, but when challenged by scouts, former players, current players, etc, you resort to name calling, and labeling in an effort to regain some of that imaginary power you have over the football realm. It's just like people who call other people a racist in an effort to label that person as bad, and therefore invalidate all of their comments even though the person was not exhibiting racist behavior or language.
You are laying at my feet what two former players are saying, and trying to make it out like I put them up to this, just to make you look bad. I am not directing these comments at you steelbtexan, just the first paragraph. The rest of this rant is aimed at those who's posts regarding Schaub are unreasonably harsh, and unrealistic, almost cartoon like, which sadly you have been guilty of at times.