FanPost

Was the Matt Schaub trade a good or a bad trade for the Texans

This is my first article on BRB. I have been reading the articles here for a long time and recently started posting comments. IMO, BRB is one of the best sites for Texans fans that I have come across and I enjoy the hell out coming to this site on a daily basis. If you have time, let me know what you think of my article... good or bad.

I would like to know if Texans fans or anyone reading this believe that we made a good or a bad decision in trading for Matt Schaub. I like the fact that we can lay down some opinion before the season too, that way we can get some folks to eat crow after the season. So, let the debate begin....

I am actually a Matt Schuab fan but I have heard and even considered the fact that the Texans may have given up too much for Matt Schaub. When the trade first happened I wondered why we didn't just give the ball to Sage Rosenfels or try our luck in the draft. After he was here though I warmed to him I never really thought about it again until Matt Cassell was traded from the Patriots to the Chiefs this summer. The Patriots gave up Vrabel and Cassell in return for one second round pick, this still amazes me. I don't quite understand how the Patriots didn't get more. I hear that they didn't want a first rounder because of money concerns but what is the reason that they didn't land more second and/ or beyond picks? This trade really messed with my head, especially considering it had nothing to do with my beloved Texans. The national media (ESPN) did make a mention of the fact that the Texans gave up more for Schaub and how Cassell was clearly the better QB in this league, maybe that is why I let it bother me for so long.

So doing the math, Matt Schaub is worth two second rounders while Matt Cassell is barely worth one because the Chiefs also go a player in return as well. From a fans perspective I found it hard to phathom. I would think Cassell accomplished more in his one year as a starter than Schaub ever did as a back-up for Vick and the Falcons. Saying all this makes me think the Texans gave up too much. I think looking at it this way isn't logical though because the Patriots gave the Chiefs a sweetheart deal obviously and the Texans actually had to pay up like most other teams to pry away another teams player. Plus I have to factor in the fact that cutting David Carr was priceless!

Listening to ESPN the Radio (Mike and Mike but I forget who was sitting in) the other morning the guys were talking about how Cassell might be a bust and how they think he is a system quarterback. I believe this to be true too but they actually had some stats to back it up. There has to be a reason the guy hasn't started in college or the pros... it's because he isn't the best guy for the job, right? Last year I thought Cassell did an admirable job stepping in for Brady. These guys thru some things out there that I didn't know though. They said Matt Cassell was the worst QB in the league in the Red Zone last year, that he got sacked more than any other QB in the league last year, and that he holds on to the ball longer than any other QB in the league. There were some more but I can't remember them all (too early in the morning) and don't want to fudge on what I heard. I found all this to be eye popping though. I don't follow the Patriots like I do the Texans, obviously! One thing I do know though (or at least have the opinion of) is that the Patriots have a great offensive line, great WR's, and a coaching staff that is superior to almost any staff in the league (if not every team). I would think that the Patriots would afford any QB alot of luxuries that he will not find in most places that he plays. With a good O-line, WR corp, and coaching staff the guy shouldn't be leading the league in sacks, should not be the worst in the Red Zone, and I would think that the NE staff would have done everything possible to make him the best he could be. and should be.

I believe Cassell may just be a bust. I think he is going to be like David Carr was in Houston, a guy that had the tools but just didn't get the job done because he didn't make quick enough decisions and held on to the ball too long.

They went on to compare Cassell and Schaub alot and both agreed that Schaub was the better deal. Not only did we get the better QB (still up for debate by some) but we ended up getting him for cheaper. Schaub's contract is a much better contract for our team that the contract that the Chiefs just ponied up for Cassell. If he is a bust, it is going to be a serious burden on the Chiefs for many years to come.

Anywho, this little ramble is more about how I think we didn't get screwed in the Schaub deal after all. I really have been debating this in my head since the Cassell trade went down. I think Schaub is and will always be better than Matt Cassel and I also think he will be a top 10 QB this year while leading us to our fist playoff appearance. I am interested to hear other opinions.