Vick Continues to Show Schaub how It's Done

Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub has come a long way since being current-Philadelphia Eagle Michael Vick's back-up with the Atlanta Falcons. Proof of that came on Thursday night when his numbers nearly mirrored Vick's.

Schaub went 22 for 36 pass attempts, passed for 337 yards, threw two touchdowns, with one interception. Conversely, Vick went 22 for 33, with 302 yards, one interception as well, but also rushed for a TD, proving just how effective and versatile a weapon he is. In the end, Vick has maybe come a longer way, with the fact that he got the win serving as further evidence that the student is not yet ready to best the master.

And that's what Vick has been able to accomplish this year: in a word, mastery. The 8-4 Eagles are the likely class of the NFC East (although the New York Giants are right on their tails), with Vick usurping the starting job from Kevin Kolb no doubt in part due to his pedigree but also thanks to his determination and hard work at not treating dogs like pieces of meat for the last little while. That right there is perseverance.

Meanwhile, the Texans' 5-7 record does not necessarily reflect the job Schaub has been doing in Houston. The Texans have scored the fourth-most points in the league (at least temporarily, with last night's game being the first of the week), while giving up the second-most. As such, it's clear Schaub just needs a better supporting cast - one that doesn't feel the need to treat opposing players like punching bags - and that he's well on his way to success. It's ironic that wide-receiver Andre Johnson's brain cramp came during a game in which the team's defense showed up and helped to post a 20-0 shutout against the Tennessee Titans, but that's life for you, especially in Houston, where problems are commonplace.

"So much to learn... like what not to do to de-rail my career for two years."

In a way, it's funny to be talking about Schaub as if he's this rookie gunslinger that just recently broke into the league. As a matter of fact, he's 29 and just one year younger than Vick. So talking about how much less one has accomplished in his career is somewhat awkward, or at least it would be were it not for how great the other has been.

Schaub started a grand total of two games in three seasons in Atlanta, while both left the city after 2006, Schaub to Houston to become the starting eventual Pro Bowl QB he is today, and Vick to prison to become the ex-con we've somehow grown to love again. Evidently, it would seem there are a few more things Vick hasn't taught Schaub, and admittedly he's all the better for it. Maybe one day he'll be just plain better. That day won't be soon though.