Now or Never for Matt Schaub, Rex Grossman

Football is in the blood of the players and the fans.

A fan will withstand wind chills in Wisconsin just to watch their beloved Packers battle the Texans. A die-hard fan will go out to the stadium in the middle of a snow storm just to watch the New England Patriots have a knockout fight with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

When you play football, you fall in love with the game. You fall in love with this game so much that you do whatever it takes to play. Millions of kids across America play this sport; they have summer workouts, withstanding the Houston heat just to play the sport they grew to love. Because once you are on the battle field, nothing else matters. A family of players come to the field together, and plays for the team, as a team.

Football itself is a unique sport. It's a sport that demands several things: heart, passion, perseverance, and strength, both mental and physical.

If we asked ourselves at this moment, do you think Matt Schaub has what it takes to lead this team to a Super Bowl win? Many of our answers would reflect the uncertainty that has slowly eaten away the Texans' locker room and front office.

If the Texans' goal for the 2009 NFL season is to just get to the playoffs, then can we really believe this team has what it takes to win a Super Bowl? Come on, if your goal is to just get to the playoffs, if you miss the playoffs, who are you going to blame? Blame yourself for setting a goal that is far too low for an NFL franchise to set upon itself.

The goal of every NFL franchise is to win a Super Bowl. But, to win a Super Bowl, you need the cohesion of several role players, talents, and leaders. Every team in the NFL has a leader that, when in doubt, teammates turn to for leadership. On the Texans' defense, the players look up to Mario Williams. The question is who to look up to on the offense?

The sport of football is a reflection of American culture. Football is a reflection of the struggles during a war, and how soldiers bond in a family of men, to overcome any obstacle that is put upon them. If, during the movie "Saving Private Ryan," when Tom Hanks asked, "What do we do?" Would we have said, "Let’s just survive"?

Then the culture of America as a great country would not be the way it is today. At this time we do not know what to expect from Schaub this season. He is coming off a terrific second half of the 2008 season, as he was injured during the first half.

At times, Schaub struggled against teams such as the Oakland Raiders; his consistency is nowhere near what is expected of an NFL franchise quarterback. He has proven to be injury prone, and at times struggles to identify an opposing defense when playing zone.

If the Texans would like to go to the next level as a playoff-caliber team, they have to keep Matt Schaub consistent on the field and off the sideline. The Texans feel this could be the season in which they will finally reach the playoffs.

Heck, who wouldn’t? They have one of the most intimidating defensive lines in the NFL, one that will finally challenge the Titans' and Colts' offensive line and put pressure on Kerry Collins and Peyton Manning. They have an under-rated receiving core that starts with Andre Johnson and ends with a fellow Pro Bowler, tight end Owen Daniels. They feel so strongly about this, they even signed free agent quarterback Rex Grossman, who led the Chicago Bears to Superbowl XLI. But as everyone knows, Rex Grossman’s career has been a roller-coaster ride full of great plays and great disappointments.

Football is a changing sport. The two-running back package has been implemented into the NFL and has worked nicely. Some teams, such as the Oakland Raiders, have prospered even with the three-running back package punch of Justin Fargas, Michael Bush, and Darren McFadden.

Could we see the two-quarterback package being introduced into the NFL? Maybe coach Gary Kubiak is pondering that in case Schaub or Grossman isn't consistent enough to get a starting job, they will have to share the playing time. Grossman could be the answer to play when playing the running game, and Schaub could be the answer when throwing deep. Keep in mind that during Schaub’s collegiate career, he played under the two-quarterback package at Virginia and prospered as a potential NFL talent.

Until the Texans find the consistency they need at the quarterback position, they won’t be able to go to the next level as a playoff franchise. Don’t be surprised if quarterback newcomer Grossman gets the starting spot at some point during the 2009 season.

For both Grossman and Schaub, this could be the last opportunity they get in their careers to be the starting quarterback for an NFL franchise. This will be an interesting rivalry for the starting spot during the season, and maybe this is the push Schaub needs to become an NFL quarterback at the next level.

Many quarterbacks have come to the NFL and succeeded. Joe Montana, Steve Young, John Elway, etc. They have imprinted themselves in NFL history. But many have failed, and nobody remembers them.

If the Texans were facing the Dallas Cowboys in the Super Bowl with three seconds left, tied ball game, and the Texans have the ball at the 20-yard line, would you trust Schaub with the ball? Or would you rather have a Tom Brady? Or a Peyton Manning?

Think about it. Until next time.