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Schaub's health is key to Houston's hopes

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Alex Marvez

Alex Marvez is a Senior NFL Writer for FOXSports.com. He has covered the NFL for the past 17 seasons as a beat writer and is the former president of the Pro Football Writers of America. He also is a frequent host on Sirius XM NFL Radio.

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Updated Aug 16, 2009 1:51 PM ET
     
 

HOUSTON

Matt Schaub should be proud of his offseason accomplishments. Schaub's strength and conditioning improved through rigorous workouts. His mastery of Houston's high-powered offensive system continued to grow. And his standing as the franchise's starting quarterback was further solidified when quality backup Sage Rosenfels was traded to Minnesota.
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There was just one thing Schaub didn't get done. He never found the voodoo sadist who keeps sticking pins into a Schaub kewpie doll. "We're going to find him this year," a laughing Schaub said after a recent Texans preseason practice. "I'm going to put that to rest." If he does, Houston may rest atop the AFC South in 2009. Schaub's health issues — shoulder, knee and concussion — have marred two otherwise solid seasons in Houston. He finished last year ranked among the NFL's top four quarterbacks in average passing yards (276.6 a game) and completion percentage (66.1). Only San Diego's Philip Rivers averaged more yards per completion (8.4) than Schaub (8.0). But for the second straight year, Schaub was forced to miss five contests with injuries. "If we can keep him healthy for 16 games, a lot more people will see how good he is," Texans offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Kyle Shanahan said. Schaub enters his sixth NFL season with the reputation of being fragile. The criticism isn't necessarily fair. The NFL levied nearly six figures in fines to three players for illegal hits that knocked Schaub from the field. That includes a $50,000 penalty against Minnesota defensive end Jared Allen last November for a knee-damaging low hit. In retrospect, the blow may ultimately be remembered as a watershed moment in Schaub's career. Schaub endured for another quarter until his knee became too swollen at halftime to continue. After a four-game absence, Schaub returned earlier than expected to lead Houston to a 3-1 December record. "It showed a lot," Texans running back Steve Slaton said. "It showed he wants to be on the field and the reason we're winning." Schaub's late-season success also bolstered the confidence of a player who had started only two NFL games in Atlanta before being acquired in a 2006 trade. Unlike in 2008 when he was coming off shoulder surgery, Schaub was able to spend more offseason time in the weight room. Such diligence may help Schaub avoid ticky-tack ailments when he is hit. So would improved pocket presence in sensing the pass rush to avoid preventable shots. Schaub is off to a strong start in training camp. He completed all seven of his attempts for 70 yards in Saturday night's preseason-opening victory over Kansas City. "He had to earn his teammates' respect," Shanahan said. "He's proven that he is a good quarterback and somebody they want. There's no questioning that now." So the questions now shift to whether Houston can break into the playoffs for the first time in the franchise's eight-year history. If that doesn't happen, the future of everyone inside the organization will be cloudier than a West Texas dust storm.
Houston's defense remains suspect even with the hiring of a new coordinator (Frank Bush) and personnel upgrades that include former Arizona defensive end Antonio Smith and rookie outside linebacker Brian Cushing. But the unit need only be respectable with the caliber of offensive talent assembled under head coach Gary Kubiak and general manager Rick Smith. The 2008 Texans joined the 2000 St. Louis Rams as the only teams this decade to field a 3,000-yard passer (Schaub), 1,200-yard rusher (Slaton) and 1,500-yard receiver (Andre Johnson). Houston could be even more prolific this season with every starter returning. "We're much further along at this point in camp than in the past," Schaub said. "It's just such a comfort to have the same guys around. When you have 11 guys in the huddle together for multiple years, you're going to get better as long as you keep focusing on the little things. "It's time for us to get over the hump." And it's time for Schaub to lead the way for an entire season, especially with a less-proven quarterback (Dan Orlovsky) than Rosenfels now slotted as Houston's backup. Texans wideout Kevin Walter said it best: "We need Matt to be healthy for us to be successful."
Tagged: Steve Slaton, Chargers, Rams, Kevin Walter, Vikings, Texans, Philip Rivers, Matt Schaub, Sage Rosenfels, Jared Allen, Antonio Smith, Brian Cushing

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