HOUSTON -- Matt Schaub was just what coach Gary Kubiak expected him to be in his first game with the Houston Texans.
He was poised, made smart decisions and evaded defenders when pressured.
That doesn't mean there aren't things he could have done better.
Schaub overthrew a wide-open Kevin Walter in the end zone in the first quarter of Houston's 20-19 loss to Chicago on Saturday night in the preseason opener for both teams. But he also evaded the rush and got off a perfectly thrown pass on third down that was dropped.
"Making all these other plays he should make, it just drove him crazy that he didn't make the one to Kevin," Kubiak said. "That's what he is about. He was pretty upset. You miss a layup like that, it's tough."
Schaub and the rest of the starters played just two series on Saturday. Kubiak wanted to see a bit more from his new quarterback, but decided before the game to pull the starters after the first quarter.
Fans didn't get to see much from new Texans running back Ahman Green, who had just three carries for seven yards. Kubiak was encouraged by Green's play, though, and said after watching replays of the game that the free agent addition was close to breaking long gains on two of carries.
"That's exciting," Kubiak said. "We have got to get that extra little block or extra little effort out of everybody to spring some of those runs."
One major disappointment for Kubiak was Houston's red zone offense. The team converted just one of four opportunities into touchdowns.
"That bothered the heck out of me," he said. "In this league, anytime that happens you are probably going to have a harder time winning. That is the big key in this business. You got to be good in the red zone and we were not last night."
Perhaps most impressive on Saturday was third-round draft pick Jacoby Jones. The Division II product from Lane College returned his first NFL punt 22 yards and led the team in receiving with 47 yards.
"It was really encouraging, because ... he acts like he belongs, all the time," Kubiak said. "Nothing bothers him. And when the lights were on last night he was no different. This kid thinks he should be out there making plays, and after last night he sure looks like he is going to do that."
The Texans are looking to sign players to beef up their depth in the secondary after strong safety Glenn Earl and cornerback Jason Horton suffered season-ending injuries Saturday. Earl fractured his foot and will have surgery on Tuesday, while Horton broke his arm and will undergo surgery Monday.
Earl started 15 games for Houston last season and had a career-high 70 tackles and two sacks. Third-year player C.C. Brown will move from free safety to take his place. Von Hutchins and Jason Simmons will compete for Brown's old job.
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press
