Skip navigation
Favorites
Sign up to follow your favorites on all your devices.
Sign up

Texans G.M. says Schaub needs to play better in big games

Wild Card Playoffs - Cincinnati Bengals v Houston Texans

HOUSTON, TX - JANUARY 05: Matt Schaub #8 of the Houston Texans warms up against the Cincinnati Bengals during their AFC Wild Card Playoff Game at Reliant Stadium on January 5, 2013 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

Getty Images

The leadership of the Houston Texans may be sending a message to Matt Schaub.

Yesterday we had Texans quarterbacks coach Karl Dorrell saying Schaub needs to be a better “crunch time” player. Today Texans General Manager Rick Smith appeared on NFL AM and said that Schaub has to play better in the biggest games, against the best teams.

“Quarterbacks are judged by championships,” Smith said. “That’s just a function of the position. That’s just the reality. And he understands that. He knows that. And he does have to play better in those situations for us to take our team to the next level.”

Smith wasn’t necessarily knocking Schaub -- he also referred to Schaub as “tremendously successful” -- but he was making a point about where the Texans are as a franchise right now, and where they’re trying to go. A 12-4 record and a playoff win is good, but it’s not good enough for Smith. And if Schaub can’t help the Texans go beyond that this year, Smith may be looking for a new quarterback next year.