FSH: MORE FANTASY TALK

September 11th, 2009 9:37pm PST

Ready for his Time

Schaub is hoping for a healthy 2009….

When the Texans acquired quarterback Matt Schaub from the Atlanta Falcons prior to the 2007 season, there was plenty of excitement and reason to be. The team had found its’ quarterback and believed Schaub had the talent to put the franchise on the map.

The 2007 season did not pan out quite as well as fans would have hoped. Schaub missed a total of five games with injury, including the team’s final four. Schaubs first tenure as a starter in the NFL was not a flying success and there were plenty of growing pains as the team would finish 8-8.

Once the 2008 season rolled around the excitement was back and there was plenty to be excited about. In his second season as the team’s starter Schaub looked better than ever and the offense was loaded with plenty of playmakers. Schaub would again miss time with injury in 2008, but it was what he did while he was in that has folks looking at 2009 as a big season for the Texans.

Despite the injuries and missing five games Schaub managed to pass for more than 3,000-yards in 2008. He also showed he does have the big arm and can have those big games fantasy owners and head coaches love to see.

In 2008, Schaub started just 11 games, but managed to throw for over 300-yards in four of those starts. He also passed for more than 250-yards in eight of his starts. In his 11 starts the Texans starter averaged 276.6-yards passing per game. Schaub also showed great accuracy last season completing over 66 percent of his passes and his 92.7 passer rating ranked 7th among starters in 2008.

Schaub has endured a lot to get where he is, but its pretty apparent there is much left for him to do. There’s no question that he has the size and skill-set to be an excellent quarterback in the NFL and he’s already shown fantasy owners he can produce.

Working in a passer friendly system under head coach Gary Kubiak and having a big-time elite receiver to throw to, Schaub has the makings to be an top fantasy passer in the game, so why is this promising act falling so low on the fantasy drafts boards? 10 games missed in the last two seasons have many fantasy owners concerned about taking Schaub too early.

Sure if Schaub is healthy, he’s going to be a gamebreaker for fantasy owners, but given his history he is a big risk with an early pick. As a QB2, he’s going to give fantasy owners maximum value, but the question is will owners wait before grabbing.
(2009 Predictions: 14 starts, 320 of 484 passing, 3,840 yards passing 24 touchdowns, 12 interceptions)

By David Ortega


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