Sely Gallery: IT'S NOT WHAT THE DIFFERENCE IS, BUT WHAT ISN'T THE DIFFERENCE (MATT SCHAUB)! - CRAIG SHELTON

Monday, December 13, 2010

IT'S NOT WHAT THE DIFFERENCE IS, BUT WHAT ISN'T THE DIFFERENCE (MATT SCHAUB)! - CRAIG SHELTON - DECEMBER 13, 2010

IT'S NOT WHAT THE DIFFERENCE IS, BUT WHAT ISN'T THE DIFFERENCE (MATT SCHAUB)!

Written by: Craig Shelton
Date posted: 12/13/2010

I've heard the completely ridiculous assertion that "Matt Schaub performs better when all the pressure is put on him". That statement is a completely irresponsible comment to make if you're considered a credible football mind because there is no data or "eye test" confirmation to support that statement.

THE DIFFERENCE MAKERS?

Offensively speaking, the difference maker or makers for the Texans are Gary Kubiak and Matt Schaub. Kubiak is the hand that rules with the gavel and Matt Schaub is the guy who has the ball in his hands every play on offense.

Defensively speaking, the difference makers for the Texans are GM Rick Smith and Mario Williams. Rick Smith is the draft day kingpin (or should be) and Mario Williams is the one guy who's effort will permeate throughout the defense and inspire his teammates to compete at a higher level.

To borrow a NBA basketball analogy, Mario Williams is the equivalent of an NBA center that makes a timely blocked shot and hustles up the court for a rim-rattling slam dunk that spurs the fans and his teammates into a frenzy!

The fans and team alike respond to the energy and effort given by Mario Williams. Mario Williams is the only Texans defensive player that has the ability to inspire his teammates in that manner. We've seen Mario take over games and watched it spur the defense to a high level of effort.

Brian Cushing has shown some of the same qualities, but not to the same extent of the 2006 first pick of the draft. Clearly, we don't see enough of Mario taking over games on a consistent level, but when have we ever seen Matt Schaub play at a level that would cause an educated football mind to say that Matt Schaub plays better football when all the pressure is on him? When has Gary Kubiak ever set forth a game plan that promotes a scenario where all the focus would be on Matt Schaub?

HE'S JUST NOT THAT GUY & IT'S OKAY!

Matt Schaub is a respectable notch above serviceable as an NFL quarterback and that's no sin by any means. On the other hand, its crazy for anyone to suggest that this short-hopping, long-ball underthrowing, untimely interception-throwing quarterback is of elite NFL quarterback status.

Four years in as the Texans signal caller and we're still not certain if Matt Schaub is truly a winner? I do believe that we've confirmed that Schaub is good enough that you can win games with him behind center, but that may be in spite of his flaws, more so than his effectiveness as a quarterback? NFL franchises have won championships with the likes of Rob Johnson and Trent Dilfer at the helm, so clearly a well-coached team (key phrase: "well-coached") with enough elite personnel at key skill positions on offense and an elite defense, can have the highest level of success.

Matt Schaub and Mario Williams not withstanding, the two guys that the Texans have not been able to overcome on the field in the past five years have been Gary Kubiak and Rick Smith. These two gentlemen are the critical artery that has clogged up the Texans blood flow, causing the current state of contention among the Texans fan base and the local media. Its common for fans and media to over-analyze teams and management in lean times. What's uncommon is for accredited media insiders to compile fan discontent by offering agitating commentary on a poor product without offering pin-point analysis and "fact' to support their comments.

Fan Discontent???

SAD COMMENTARY

At times, its completely accurate to say that the only thing more frustrating than observing the product being delivered to the fans by the Texans is the spin put on their performance by some in the media. I completely respect the freedom of speech afforded to us all as American citizens in our professional and privates lives. But when it comes to delivering information to the public, especially when subjectivity is a player in the scenario, I believe there's a higher level of responsibility on media personnel to deliver the facts.

When the "facts" are unconfirmed or subjected to subjectivity, I believe it doesn't exonerate media from going the extra mile to assure the fan base isn't fed information based on self-absorbed, personal agendas. In other words, kill the bull people. It doesn't take an experienced NFL scout or GM to know Matt "freakin" Schaub from Tom "Elaborate Hair Care" Brady, or Craig Shelton from a Houston Texans beat writer?