Matt Leinart has a new role, and the Houston Texans hope he can keep them rolling.
Leinart, who will be starting in place of injured quarterback Matt Schaub who is out for the season with a foot injury, hasn't started a game since 2009 — and only one since 2007.
But the Texans (7-3) hope the former Heisman Trophy winner can help the team extend its winning streak to a franchise-record five games when they take on the Jacksonville Jaguars (3-7) on the road today.
"I just think he's going to get better every day out here," Texans head coach Gary Kubiak said. "I think we (have) got to be smart in what we're asking him to do. Obviously, the team's got to play well around him. It's not just about what he has to do. It's about what the whole team has to do. He's in to what's going on."
Leinart, drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in 2006 after winning the Heisman and a BCS national championship while at USC, had a less-than-stellar career with the Cardinals.
Arizona cut him before the 2010 season, and he signed with the Texans.
But Leinart believes his career will be revived under Kubiak's tutelage.
"I've said it so many times. The coach here is second to none. The quarterback coaching is unbelievable. I think that is why Matt (Schaub) has been able to be so successful and very efficient for years now.
"They're so demanding of us here, but in a way that they get the best out of you and that's something that I love. It's competitive and they push you to be great. So, for me, being here, I realized, 'Wow, this is awesome. I love this. I love this offense. I love the stuff we do."'
And Leinart's teammates would love for him to keep them rolling.
"We're very confident in Matt (Leinart)," said Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson, who will return to action after missing the last six games with a hamstring injury.
"You don't see anybody walking around here hanging their heads. We'll go out and we expect to win on Sunday."
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