Texans say Matt Schaub — not Case Keenum — to start at QB vs. Broncos
Posted: 12/18/2013 11:01:20 AM MST
Updated: 12/18/2013 11:05:01 AM MST
Case Keenum has received unwavering devotion from the brain trust of the Houston Texans.
An undrafted second-year quarterback from the University of Houston, Keenum is 0-8 as a starting quarterback. He's been playing ahead of veteran Matt Schaub, who struggled mightily with interceptions returned for touchdowns earlier this season, but is a two-time Pro Bowler and played well in beating the Broncos last season.
The 2013 season has long been hopeless for the 2-12 Texans, but isn't 0-8 enough of an audition? Keenum injured the thumb on his right throwing hand last Sunday in an inept 25-3 loss to Indianapolis, but if he proves to be healthy, it sounds as if interim coach Wade Phillips will play him Sunday against the Broncos.
'We went through that eight games ago,' said Phillips, who became the interim coach after Gary Kubiak was fired two weeks ago. 'A lot of that was wanting to see what kind of quarterback we have in Case. He's certainly done some good things in the passing game and that's (how) you evaluate the quarterback.'
And won-loss record. Keenum has completed a below-average 54.2 percent of his passes with nine touchdown passes against six interceptions while averaging a respectable 220.0 passing yards in his eight winless starts.
On the other side of the ball, Phillips' defense will try to prevent Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning from setting the single-season record for touchdown pass Sunday at Reliant Stadium. Manning has thrown 47 touchdown passes, three shy of the mark Tom Brady set in 2007. Brady broke Manning's record of 49 touchdown passes set in 2004.
Manning's 48th and 49th scoring passes that season came against the San Diego Chargers, whose defensive coordinator was Phillips.
'I was there when Walter Payton set the record for yardage,' Phillips said about the 1984 game when the Bears' Payton broke Jim Brown's all-time rushing record in a game against the New Orleans Saints. 'He only had to have 30 yards or whatever. It's part of history. I don't think it's specifically to the team I'm with that made them make the records. I hope it's not.'
Mike Klis: mklis@denverpost.com or twitter.com/mikeklis
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