Schaub will play only if Sage gets hurt or really stinks it up

November 29, 5:50 AMHouston Texans ExaminerAlan Burge

Previous Next

Comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Houston Texans Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

The Houston Chronicle threw up a suggestive headline above an article yesterday evening about Matt Schaub lobbying for playing time, and the possibillity of Schaub playing Monday night against Jacksonville.  

[note to readers:  the Chronicle article referenced above was originally published at 5:55 p.m. Friday -- about the time I read it -- under the headline "Schaub to Kubiak: Put me in coach, QB says he is ready to play against Jaguars."  It has since been edited.]

That article was based on after-practice quotes from Gary Kubiak and Schaub which can be read in their entirety here.

In the Chronicle article, Megan Manfull said "Schaub is taking a number of repetitions in practice this week. He has made such progress in the past week that Kubiak is leaving open the possibility that Schaub may play against the Jaguars on Monday Night Football."

Here's what Kubiak actually said in terms of reps: (on it seeming like QB Matt Schaub is taking a lot of repetitions) “He’s taking some. He’s taking a few. He’s taking, probably out of a 10-rep period, he’s probably taking two or three, which is normal for a guy in a backup position or whatever."

Less than two weeks ago some media outlets ran dismal headlines concerning Schaub's "slower than anticipated" recovery.  Now some are saying he might play.  So what gives? 

Nothing really.  Or nothing that's new.  I's been four weeks and Schaub is now getting to the point where he's getting some backup reps in practice and is being considered for backup duty.  Sounds like he's right on track to me. 

Here's my gut feel based on what I see and what I've read:   It's only been four weeks since Schaub's MCL injury and the only way he sees action is if Sage throws three interceptions in the first half or gets hurt.  And that would be pushing it.

Some of this could be smokescreen coming from the Texans in order to mess with Jacksonville's prep somewhat, but  prepping for Schaub or Sage isn't all that different so that would be a low-risk item for the Jaguars' game-planners.

Hopefully this becomes a non-issue and Sage plays well in front of a national audience on Monday Night.  If he does, he may even be able to redeem some of those Old Maid cards he's been holding since The Rosencopter Game.

But Sage would have to play really bad or get hurt in order for Schaub to play on Monday night.   Let's hope that doesn't happen.