Texans Position Breakdown – Quarterback

Over the next few weeks leading up to training camp, each writer at Toro Times will be making a brief evaluation of each position group on the Texans roster. For part 1 of this series, we’ll be starting with the Texans quarterbacks, which set new standards for the position after Matt Schaub’s fabulous 2009 season. Schaub, which had questionable health issues coming into 2009,  played in all 16 regular season games for the first time in his career. Here are the evaluations and grades handed out by the writers at Toro Times.

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QB Matt Schaub (2009)

396 of 583 passes completed (67.9%)

4,770 passing yards – 29 TD – 15 INT

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Anthony North –

Before last season, the biggest question about the Texans QB position is if Matt Schaub would be able to stay healthy and play in all 16 regular season games. Well, that question was answered, and because he did play in all 16 games, he completed the best season for any Texans quarterback in franchise history (Yeah, I know. The bar wasn’t originally set so high). Also accomplished was the first time a Texans quarterback has ever been elected to play in the Pro Bowl, also earning the game’s MVP honors. After last season, Schaub is clearly a top 10 quarterback in the league. With another good season, he should solidify his position in the top 5.

Schaub’s backup, Dan Orlovsky, will need to prove that he is a capable backup if Schaub is to go down. His performance last preseason fell just short of ok. He’ll need to improve, which he apparently has been over the offseason. Also in the mix is former USC and Vikings quarterback John David Booty. Personally, I don’t feel he’ll be anything more than a 3rd QB in the league, but he has an opportunity to prove me wrong.

Grade  A-

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Cameron Butler –

The quarterback position for the Texans is great coming out of last season. At least for the starters… Matt Schaub threw for 4,770 and 29 Touchdowns. Schaub can also improve his game by being more mobile and less injury prone. Optimistically, the running game will improve from last season and take the heat off of Schaub.

The backup quarterback position is a little sketchy though. With Grossman gone, Dan Orlovsky will most likely become second in command. Coach Kubiak has said Orlovsky was improving, but then again you can not do much worse than his stint in Detroit. Lets not throw Orlovsky under the bus though, Detroit was a struggling team. He just need more time to prove himself.

Grade  B+