What About Schaub?

September 16th, 2005

Welcome one and all to what is sure to be the most popular and talked about blog in recent memory! I'm a little behind on some (all) of the other bloggers, so hopefully you'll give me the benefit of the doubt as I play catch-up. Time permitting, I'll win you over with witty sports-related rhetoric and well-placed one-liners .. and if that fails to materialize, then perhaps you'll all become endeared to me by my abundant lack of organizational skills, and rampant procrastination. I'm guessing it'll be the second one. My first prediction! Anyway, on with the show.

With the preseason firmly in the rearview mirror, the Texans arrived in Buffalo with cautious optimism, and left with bruised egos. As expected, the Bills kept steady pressure on David Carr, with Aaron Schobel (DE) and Takeo Spikes (LB) applying most of the heat to the fourth-year QB. Consequently, Carr could not find a groove and finished the game with three picks, no TDs (although he did rush for one), and just nine completions. I don't know about you, but I'm glad I didn't start him on my fantasy team this week. Dominick Davis was held to 48 yards, and Kris Brown never got a chance to swing the leg. Dare I say that the score should have been more lopsided? Sadly, it's true.

The Texans are back in the friendly confines of Reliant Stadium for Week 2, but the challenge is the same: protect David Carr! And while Buffalo's defense is more grit than tact, the Pittsburgh defensive unit that Houston will face this week is infamous for complicated blitzes designed to confuse both the quarterback and his front five. But enough about the enemy -- what can our boys do?!

Andre Johnson is the most explosive player on the field for the Texans at any given time (stop the presses!). His rare mixture of physical play and blazing speed, along with his nimble hands, make him the head honcho on any given week. Of course, opposing defenses know that, and will do anything to keep him from beating them. If there were ever a week to get Dominick Davis involved in the passing game out in the flat, this would be it. Also, sending Andre the Giant on deep routes to pull coverage away .. ah, there I go, pretending to be a fantasy guru again.

On the defensive side, the Steelers are almost definitely going to pound the rock. Big Ben Roethlisberger is banged up, and the Houston secondary is quite formidable, so look for lots of six-man fronts and counter plays with their explosive young running back, Willie Parker. This is only Parker's second career start, but he had a 48-yard catch and 45-yard run in Week 1. He's a threat when the ball's in his hands, so the Texans will have to tackle, not chase him, to stop Pittsburgh.

That about does it for the first entry, hope to have ya back for round two. This is Luke, your blog host with the most (debt), signing off .. literally.

Run 'em ragged, Houston!

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