[h=1]Case Keenum to start Sunday against Chiefs[/h]
Former Houston Cougar Case Keenum, the all-time college leader in passing yards, completions and touchdowns, will make his first NFL start Sunday for the reeling Texans against the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs, who have ridden the league’s stingiest and most disruptive defense to a 6-0 start.
Keenum indicated the moment wasn’t too big for him by joking when he met with the media, “This is going to be the best NFL defense I’ve ever played against.”
Coach Gary Kubiak made the announcement at his Thursday press briefing after saying he and the team’s medical staff concluded Matt Schaub wouldn’t be ambulatory enough to play after suffering ankle and foot injuries in the Rams game, which resulted in the Texans’ fourth consecutive loss. T.J. Yates had finished up against St. Louis, throwing two interceptions in what became a 38-13 blowout, but Kubiak said he chose the emotional, energetic Keenum to step in for Schaub in Kansas City because, “I feel like we need a spark.”
Defensive coordinator Wade Phillips referenced Keenum’s “moxie” and said Keenum reminded him of Tony Romo, the Dallas Cowboys’ quarterback who was also an undrafted free agent. Romo was Phillips’ quarterback when he was head coach of the Cowboys.
Keenum, who’s listed at 6-1, insisted he wasn’t playing to prove people wrong about his presumed deficiencies but rather to prove that the “people who believed in me were right.” He said a number of his former coaches had sent texts upon hearing the news, but that he hadn’t yet had time to read them, much less respond. Nor was he thinking about what a strong showing in Kansas City might mean for his future with Schaub already in a deep funk even before he got hurt.
“I’ve got enough on my plate, I think,” Keenum said.
It had been assumed Kubiak wouldn’t tip his hand before Sunday morning, but he concluded the Chiefs’ knowing Keenum was going to start would be offset by the Texans’ situation being settled well in advance of kickoff.
“I’m worried about my team and doing what’s best for us,” Kubiak said. “We have to run our offense. I want everybody moving forward and understanding where we’re going. I didn’t hesitate because I feel like we need a spark. I think it’s the best thing for our team. I have confidence in Case. Matt and T.J. will help him. We’re not sending him out there alone, and he’s done well since camp. He’s excited.
“T.J. is disappointed, as he should be, but he promised me he’d be ready to go if we need him.”
Keenum’s teammates were supportive of the decision and even Yates offered his congratulations, Keenum said. Asked if the new quarterback’s energetic personality would be an asset in getting the Texans again pointed in the right direction after a month of losing, running back Arian Foster indicated it could, saying, “Football is a game of emotions.”
Added Andre Johnson, speaking about Keenum: “He just has that thing about him. And it’s a good thing.”
Yates admitted he “wasn’t very happy” with Kubiak’s decision but insisted he’d “support” Keenum.
Kubiak said Keenum’s “eyes got kind of big” when he broke the news to him, adding: “He’s excited. He’s a competitor and a very confident young man. We went out there today and I thought he practiced really well. He’s been in big games (with) a lot of his shoulders.”
But the challenge confronting him Sunday is exponentially bigger. Arrowhead Stadium has become the loudest place to play in the NFL with the Chiefs having rebounded dramatically from a 2-14 season a year ago. Kansas City is giving up only 10.8 points per game while the Texans have managed just three touchdown drives in their last four games. And the last of those, directed by Yates against the Rams, came long after the outcome was in doubt.
Schaub had thrown pick-sixes in four consecutive games and Yates kept that improbable historic streak alive Sunday, one of several mistakes that made it easier for Kubiak to take a flyer on the untested Keenum, who led the Cougars to the brink of a BCS bowl game but then went undrafted in large part because of his short stature.
Kubiak, however, thought he had enough promise to sign as a free agent and he spent his rookie season last year on the Texans’ practice squad. He got his first opportunities to show he’s an NFL-caliber quarterback during this preseason and he responded by completing 68.3 percent of his passes for 482 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. He directed six scoring drives.
Still, the third-year pro Yates narrowly won out as Schaub’s backup because his preseason numbers were also excellent and he had started effectively for the Texans as a rookie in 2011 after Schaub was lost for the season with a foot injury. Yates was the quarterback of the franchise’s first playoff victory, over Cincinnati.
Kubiak said the nature of Schaub’s injury, which was certain to further restrict his mobility against a Chiefs defense that leads the league in sacks and turnovers forced, and the fact that the Texans are off next week made the decision to not risk further injury the right call. Schaub admitted Wednesday his lower leg and foot were badly swollen and very sore after he’d gotten his ankle “rolled up” on a third-quarter sack in the 38-13 loss to the Rams. He came in before dawn two mornings in a row to get treatment.
“Matt’s got a ways to go,” Kubiak said. “We’ve got an extra week to get him healthy and hopefully we can get him good and healthy and coming back here in a few weeks.”
Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin, who coached Keenum at UH, said of the news, “It’s really a neat situation for him. Here’s a guy who was an undrafted free agent who was coming off a sixth year of eligibility after a devastating knee injury. What a great story. It’s just a testament to his passion and his hard work and his demeanor – to work through all of those things and then be able to start his first NFL game after not even being on the active roster.
“Everybody has got an idea what a prototypical quarterback looks like. The way the game is played now they come in all sizes and there’s no doubt Case has always had the ability to play at a high level, and he was consistent (at UH) in doing so. You don’t set the NCAA (passing) record just by luck. He knows what he’s doing. He’s looking forward to this opportunity and I look for him to take full advantage of it.”
Sumlin said he had texted Keenum’s father congratulations, saying: “As a coach, when you have players like Case, you’re almost like a parent. You’re always rooting for them like they’re one of your kids. I’m just happy for his whole family. There’s probably not been a story of a guy who’s gone through what he’s gone through and to get to start in the NFL after not even having been activated . . .”
Sumlin choked up, then continued.
“He’s gone from sweats to starting,” he said, chuckling. “There’s a little bit of pressure involved in that.”
Former Houston Cougar Case Keenum, the all-time college leader in passing yards, completions and touchdowns, will make his first NFL start Sunday for the reeling Texans against the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs, who have ridden the league’s stingiest and most disruptive defense to a 6-0 start.
Keenum indicated the moment wasn’t too big for him by joking when he met with the media, “This is going to be the best NFL defense I’ve ever played against.”
Coach Gary Kubiak made the announcement at his Thursday press briefing after saying he and the team’s medical staff concluded Matt Schaub wouldn’t be ambulatory enough to play after suffering ankle and foot injuries in the Rams game, which resulted in the Texans’ fourth consecutive loss. T.J. Yates had finished up against St. Louis, throwing two interceptions in what became a 38-13 blowout, but Kubiak said he chose the emotional, energetic Keenum to step in for Schaub in Kansas City because, “I feel like we need a spark.”
Defensive coordinator Wade Phillips referenced Keenum’s “moxie” and said Keenum reminded him of Tony Romo, the Dallas Cowboys’ quarterback who was also an undrafted free agent. Romo was Phillips’ quarterback when he was head coach of the Cowboys.
Keenum, who’s listed at 6-1, insisted he wasn’t playing to prove people wrong about his presumed deficiencies but rather to prove that the “people who believed in me were right.” He said a number of his former coaches had sent texts upon hearing the news, but that he hadn’t yet had time to read them, much less respond. Nor was he thinking about what a strong showing in Kansas City might mean for his future with Schaub already in a deep funk even before he got hurt.
“I’ve got enough on my plate, I think,” Keenum said.
It had been assumed Kubiak wouldn’t tip his hand before Sunday morning, but he concluded the Chiefs’ knowing Keenum was going to start would be offset by the Texans’ situation being settled well in advance of kickoff.
“I’m worried about my team and doing what’s best for us,” Kubiak said. “We have to run our offense. I want everybody moving forward and understanding where we’re going. I didn’t hesitate because I feel like we need a spark. I think it’s the best thing for our team. I have confidence in Case. Matt and T.J. will help him. We’re not sending him out there alone, and he’s done well since camp. He’s excited.
“T.J. is disappointed, as he should be, but he promised me he’d be ready to go if we need him.”
Keenum’s teammates were supportive of the decision and even Yates offered his congratulations, Keenum said. Asked if the new quarterback’s energetic personality would be an asset in getting the Texans again pointed in the right direction after a month of losing, running back Arian Foster indicated it could, saying, “Football is a game of emotions.”
Added Andre Johnson, speaking about Keenum: “He just has that thing about him. And it’s a good thing.”
Yates admitted he “wasn’t very happy” with Kubiak’s decision but insisted he’d “support” Keenum.
Kubiak said Keenum’s “eyes got kind of big” when he broke the news to him, adding: “He’s excited. He’s a competitor and a very confident young man. We went out there today and I thought he practiced really well. He’s been in big games (with) a lot of his shoulders.”
But the challenge confronting him Sunday is exponentially bigger. Arrowhead Stadium has become the loudest place to play in the NFL with the Chiefs having rebounded dramatically from a 2-14 season a year ago. Kansas City is giving up only 10.8 points per game while the Texans have managed just three touchdown drives in their last four games. And the last of those, directed by Yates against the Rams, came long after the outcome was in doubt.
Schaub had thrown pick-sixes in four consecutive games and Yates kept that improbable historic streak alive Sunday, one of several mistakes that made it easier for Kubiak to take a flyer on the untested Keenum, who led the Cougars to the brink of a BCS bowl game but then went undrafted in large part because of his short stature.
Kubiak, however, thought he had enough promise to sign as a free agent and he spent his rookie season last year on the Texans’ practice squad. He got his first opportunities to show he’s an NFL-caliber quarterback during this preseason and he responded by completing 68.3 percent of his passes for 482 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. He directed six scoring drives.
Still, the third-year pro Yates narrowly won out as Schaub’s backup because his preseason numbers were also excellent and he had started effectively for the Texans as a rookie in 2011 after Schaub was lost for the season with a foot injury. Yates was the quarterback of the franchise’s first playoff victory, over Cincinnati.
Kubiak said the nature of Schaub’s injury, which was certain to further restrict his mobility against a Chiefs defense that leads the league in sacks and turnovers forced, and the fact that the Texans are off next week made the decision to not risk further injury the right call. Schaub admitted Wednesday his lower leg and foot were badly swollen and very sore after he’d gotten his ankle “rolled up” on a third-quarter sack in the 38-13 loss to the Rams. He came in before dawn two mornings in a row to get treatment.
“Matt’s got a ways to go,” Kubiak said. “We’ve got an extra week to get him healthy and hopefully we can get him good and healthy and coming back here in a few weeks.”
Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin, who coached Keenum at UH, said of the news, “It’s really a neat situation for him. Here’s a guy who was an undrafted free agent who was coming off a sixth year of eligibility after a devastating knee injury. What a great story. It’s just a testament to his passion and his hard work and his demeanor – to work through all of those things and then be able to start his first NFL game after not even being on the active roster.
“Everybody has got an idea what a prototypical quarterback looks like. The way the game is played now they come in all sizes and there’s no doubt Case has always had the ability to play at a high level, and he was consistent (at UH) in doing so. You don’t set the NCAA (passing) record just by luck. He knows what he’s doing. He’s looking forward to this opportunity and I look for him to take full advantage of it.”
Sumlin said he had texted Keenum’s father congratulations, saying: “As a coach, when you have players like Case, you’re almost like a parent. You’re always rooting for them like they’re one of your kids. I’m just happy for his whole family. There’s probably not been a story of a guy who’s gone through what he’s gone through and to get to start in the NFL after not even having been activated . . .”
Sumlin choked up, then continued.
“He’s gone from sweats to starting,” he said, chuckling. “There’s a little bit of pressure involved in that.”
