ESPN’s Matt Mosley is not optimistic concerning Texans o-line

ESPN analyst Matt Mosley traveled to Houston’s camp this week and came away with the feeling Houston loves its new quarterback, Matt Schaub, but the offensive line isn’t as far along as some may think.

“It took the Texans at least one afternoon to get over David Carr … And the main thing the coaches … love is the fact that he gets rid of the ball quickly. Schaub carries himself with a bit of a swagger, and his teammates seem to feed off that confidence.

“Several people have tried to convince me that the Texans’ offensive line is finally in decent shape, but I’m not quite as optimistic … you have the makings of a pretty mediocre group.”

The first statement definitely has some backing. Teammates, including Andre Johnson, appreciate Schaub for more than his on-field play. He’s friends with many off the field and he doesn’t mind spending time and hanging out with his new teammates. That kind of relationship should translate well to how he plays on the field.

But it’s disheartening to hear that Houston apparently hasn’t solved it’s offensive line issues. Though a quick release will benefit Schaub, the pressure he may face could force him into mistakes. This will, after all, be his first season as a starter. Gary Kubiak has a lot to work with, but the play of the offensive line is crucial to Schaub — and the Texans’ — success.