I think about that question every time Schaub gets hurt (which is to say I think about it at least every other week). My initial reaction to the deal was that we overpaid for an unproven commodity. When Schaub has been healthy, he’s looked like a top fifteen NFL QB far more often than not. Problem, as you noted, is that the guy’s been incredibly unlucky with regard to some of the shots he’s taken. Due to those injuries, I’d have to say the jury’s still out on whether we gave up too much for him, so I’d probably hold off on that mulligan right now. If 2009 sees more of the same, however, I’ll have no choice but to say that the deal didn’t work out like we apparently thought it would. On the other hand, if Schaub manages to stay on the field for 14-16 games next season, I have a feeling we might be feeling pretty good about the deal.

I know Braylon has displayed a charming refusal to catch the ball this year, but he hasn’t had the luxury of facing the Houston secondary. When he isn’t completely by himself on Sunday courtesy of the patented Texan eight (8) yard coverage cushion, I am confident enough balls will bounce off the stone hands of Petey Faggins and/or Jacques Reeves and into Braylon’s that he’ll easily enjoy a 100 yard day.

What about your huge gaff of paying the big bucks for DA? Ha, just another Raven retread gone flat! Next year you can have Matt Stover and Chris McAlister from us!

1. Of course. That is, if he isn’t busy presenting the ball to you through interception.
2. Oh, he’ll be open. Don’t you worry about that.
3. I’m admittedly biased, but I think ‘Dre is the best WR in all of football. He simply gets zero recognition because of where he plays.
4. No, he’s not good. Super Mario is amazing. There is nothing he cannot do. If anything, society is suffering because he’s focused on football instead of finding a way to end world hunger.

I’m Irish as well, so let me answer your question this way: There’s an excellent chance DeMeco is my still-to-be-conceived son’s first name.

Ryans has been hampered by an ankle injury for the last few weeks and actually looked a rung below the DeMeco that’s been spoiling us since arriving in ‘06. The past couple of games, however, he’s looked like the DeMeco of old, which is to say that he was sent to Houston from Mount Olympus.

He’s been unbelievable, and there’s no question he’s the feature back in the Houston offense. The pounding is a legitimate concern, but Slaton’s been pretty good about avoiding the big hit. Ahman Green, when healthy, has done a very nice job spelling Slaton; as I don’t think Ahman’s going to be back next season, I’d look for the Texans to spend a late-round pick on a RB or commit relatively small dollars to a free agent in the hope of finding a mauling back for short yardage situations.

You should probably sit him this week because he is playing the Browns.

Forget that you are also playing me and positioning yourself for the playoffs, do it for the Browns, man!

Tough to say. With Thomas being a force at LT, you’d think we’d move Mario around to the other side a bit, and in fact we did do that earlier in the year against different opponents. We seem to have gotten away from that the last couple of weeks.

Generally speaking, Super Mario can’t be stopped without help. The good news for you is that he is the only pass rushing threat we have. Everyone else couldn’t penetrate and get to Quinn if their lives depended on it.

4. Three to block him and 1 to distract him with a turkey leg.