The Texans didn’t have to make a decision on embattled quarterback Matt Schaub because of injury.
But the man who signs the checks was clearly pleased with the choice to start former undrafted rookie and local hero Case Keenum, who played well in the team’s 17-16 loss to the Chiefs.
“I thought he did a hell of a job,” Texans owner Bob McNair said, via Dale Robertson of the Houston Chronicle. “He was outstanding. If we’d have given him better protection at the end, I think he’d have gotten us down the field again.
“He showed a lot of poise. I was proud of the way he played.”
Keenum, who starred at the University of Houston, threw for 271 yards and a touchdown, with a passer rating of 110.6. But he was sacked five times and fumbled once, as the undefeated Chiefs kept pressure on him throughout the day.
Of course, the Texans have now lost five straight, which is something McNair’s far less proud of. Injuries to key players (linebacker Brian Cushing was the latest to go down, with a broken leg and knee injury which will cost him another season).
“I’m discouraged we lost,” McNair said. “We played extremely hard against a good club. Give them credit. If we keep playing the way we’d played today, we’ll win a lot of games. . . .
“We don’t have them all on the field. That’s got something to do with it. And some haven’t been playing up to the level they’re playing now. The talent is certainly there, but the ball hasn’t bounced our way yet. It’s hard because we’re better than our record, but you are what your record is. We’ve got to get it going.”
The interesting part will be which quarterback gets them going. As losses mount, it becomes easier and easier to justify seeing if Keenum can do something Schaub was unable to.