Kubiak said that quarterback Sage Rosenfels will have to play the game of his life for the Texans to win at Indianapolis this Sunday.
Texans head coach Gary Kubiak spoke to the media on Thursday following practice.
Head coach Gary Kubiak
(on if there is anything new today) "No, injury-wise, (LB) Danny (Clark) practiced a little bit, so we're hopeful Danny's going to be able to go. I think (RB) Ronnie (Dayne) is going to be ok. I held him a little bit on the turf since we're in here trying to work with some noise. (QB) Matt (Schaub) did more today, so everybody stepped it up a notch. (LB) DeMeco (Ryans) practiced some today. We look more like we're going to all be ready right now."
(on seeing QB Matt Schaub play again before the season is over) "I'd like to see him play some more football. We're playing our two division opponents, two great football teams. (QB) Matt (Schaub) has never been to Indianapolis and what that's like to play there and run a team in that situation and that environment. Can I get him to that point this week? I don't know. I will be smart with him, but I would hope that by the end of the week we feel like maybe he can be (QB) Sage's (Rosenfels) backup and then we'll go from there."
(on if using QB Matt Schaub as the backup will be a Sunday decision) "Yes, I think it will be."
(on where this team would be right now without QB Sage Rosenfels) "He's done a tremendous job. For a guy to be 3-0 in this league and then the games that he stepped up and played well for us to win have been exceptional. But I'll say this, and I just told him, if he doesn't play the best he's ever played, we're not going to go down there and beat Indy, so I expect even more out of him this week. He's a fine pro; he's done a lot for himself and his career in these three games, and I would expect him to do even more."
(on playing at a high level across the board this week) "There's no doubt. If we go in there and we're taking any steps that aren't full with our concentration, this team will expose you in a heartbeat, especially in their stadium, so we better be ready to go."
(on if DE Mario Williams needs to rattle QB Peyton Manning) "I don't know if you rattle (QB) Peyton Manning. That word, I don't know if anybody's ever rattled him. I think it's important that you make him get the ball out as quick as you can, but the biggest key against this defense is they're going to make plays. They're so good, they're going to make plays. You need to play great red zone defense. Hopefully, you hold them to some threes that maybe frustrate them a little bit and then find a way to get a turnover or two. Then offensively, hopefully we can help them by holding the ball a little bit."
(on if Indianapolis is playing their best football all year) "I would just say this, I think it's one of the best coaching jobs I've ever seen and I've been in this league a long time. That football team has been missing (DE) Dwight Freeney and (WR) Marvin Harrison and some guys for a great period of time, and nobody talks about them. They're sitting there 12-2; they're getting poised for another run at this thing, and I think their coaches and their players have done a tremendous jobs of getting to the point that they're at. I'm very impressed with what they're doing."
(on this year's rookie class) "First off, (DT) Amobi (Okoye), I think he contributed strongly early in the season. He had a couple of weeks there where he didn't play as well as he had played. He came back and played extremely well last week. I think he's had a good rookie season and he has a big step to take, kind of like the one (DE) Mario (Williams) took. Hopefully he's on the same path. (WR) Jacoby (Jones) started extremely fast, but one thing Jacoby found out is that the preseason and the regular season are two different things in the National Football League. He just has to keep working and continue to get better as a player. (CB) Fred Bennett has been a tremendous draft choice. (G Kasey) Studdard and (T Brandon) Frye are going to be players in this league. Our guys have been pretty healthy offensive line-wise, but those two guys are going to be players. (LB) Zac Diles has been a great draft choice. He's played a lot of special teams. He's getting a lot of valuable experience right now with (LB) DeMeco (Ryans) being a little hobbled with his knee, so I think it's a heck of a class. They've done a good job."
