Alternate Title: Why Skins fans should root for TJ Yates and the Houston Texans
The Skins are building an exciting foundation but still need a franchise QB. Many are focused on the QB prospects available in the draft, but ... could the Skins get a franchise QB who is already established? Here's how Matt Schaub might become available and fit beautifully into the Skins offense.
When Kyle Shanahan was offensive coordinator for the Houston Texans he led the top-ranked passing offense, and Matt Schaub was his QB. In 2009, Shanahan's last year with Houston, Schaub was 4th among QBs in Win Probability Added per Game behind only Peyton Manning, Philip Rivers, and Drew Brees. Together, Schaub and Shanahan do wonderful things.
The main obstacle to the Skins getting Schaub from Houston is that, generally speaking, NFL teams don't trade away franchise QBs. But here's how that might change in this particular case.
Although Matt Schaub has been Houston's franchise QB since 2007, the Houston Texans have never made the playoffs. Ever. Last year Houston finished just 6-10. Thus, in Houston at least, Matt Schaub is not synonymous with success or winning.
This year, both Matt Schaub and backup Matt Leinart have been lost for the season to injuries, and Houston has turned to rookie T.J. Yates. Yates is a fifth-round draft pick out of North Carolina who began the season 3rd on the depth chart. And T.J. Yates is quickly making a name for himself. As starter, Yates led Houston to two consecutive come-from-behind 4th quarter wins, and helped Houston clinch a playoff spot.
What if Yates continues to improve and play well? Better yet, what if Yates shows flashes of greatness and takes Houston deep into the playoffs? Yates, not Schaub, would be the name paired with Houston's first ever playoff run. Yates, not Schaub, would become a symbol of Houston's bright future as a perennial playoff team. Could such a cinderella story free up Schaub for a reunion with Kyle Shanahan in Washington?
I don't think I'm over-hyping the excitement generated by Yates' performance so far. After last week's come-from-behind win put the Texans in the playoffs for the first time, both the Houston Texans website and NFL.com declared: "T.J. Yates led the biggest drive in Houston Texans history on Sunday." The Ultimate Texans page, hosted by the Houston Chronicle, lauded Yates' "historic accomplishment."
There is precedent for teams to let one franchise QB depart so that a younger franchise QB can take control of the team. And, no, I was not thinking of the Packers letting Favre go in favor of Aaron Rodgers, although that's a good example too. I was thinking of the San Diego Chargers letting Drew Brees leave for New Orleans so they could hand the reigns to Philip Rivers.
Unfortunately Yates had a poor game yesterday against the Panthers, throwing two interceptions as Houston ended its winning streak. This week Houston plays a prime time game against the struggling Colts on national television, a perfect opportunity to get back to playing well. If you're a Skins fan, this Thursday night root for Yates to light it up.
And root for Yates to continue to play well and take Houston deep into the playoffs. If things go well, Houston could follow the examples of Green Bay and San Diego and let Schaub go to the Skins so that Yates can become the face and future of their franchise.
Enjoyed this post. Not sure it's very likely but you've defended the possibility well. I admit I'm intrigued, especially with the prospect of the blue-chip amateur pool drying up a little.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to link your blog in my sidebar on BurgundyBlog.com and will check back regularly.
Thanks for the kind words.
ReplyDeleteI agree, not likely that Schaub would become available, but if things happen just right ... It would help a lot if Yates plays well week 17 and in two or more playoff victories.
I added a link to Burgundy Blog on the right-hand side of this site.