Oakland Raiders quarterback Matt Schaub looks forward to preseason debut

Jul 28, 2014; Napa, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Matt Schaub (8) throws at training camp at Napa Valley Marriott. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

While veteran quarterback Matt Schaub’s career will be based on his play during the 2014 regular season with the Oakland Raiders as he looks to regain his status as a productive veteran starter in the league following losing his role with the Houston Texans, Friday’s preseason debut will be the first time that the much criticized former Texan will be evaluated in game action. Something that Schaub is looking forward to as he begins practices this week in preparation for his debut on Friday against the Minnesota Vikings.

Schaub told media on hand at Monday’s practice in Napa that his fresh start will truly begin in the regular season, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t looking forward to his first time putting on the Raiders jersey in game action after spending the prime of his career in Houston before this new start and opportunity in Oakland.

“You know, probably the regular season,” said Schaub to the media when asked about if there will be a sense of a fresh start in the preseason or if that will come during Week One in New York. “But you know, it does start once you put on that jersey for real, which in the preseason, you put it on you go out representing the Raider Nation. I’m looking forward to it. It does start there. It started back in March when I came here. So we’re just looking forward to going and lining up against another team.”

When it comes to how long Schaub will be under center come Friday night, the veteran is unsure on how Dennis Allen will monitor his expected starting QB’s reps during the preseason opener and is planning on just focusing on ensuring the snaps he does take are all quality ones.

“You know, I’m not sure,” said Schaub on expectations of playing time in Week One of the preseason. “I’ve been doing it this long, but I don’t know what D.A.’s philosophy is. We’re just going to go out and prepare and whenever they say to come off the field, then we’ll go there, but you have to prepare to play the game and let the coach decide that. But we’re looking forward to getting some good reps in.”

Regardless of how long Schaub plays on Friday, there will be a spotlight not only in Oakland but also around the league as the veteran who struggled mightily in the public eye last season will be under the microscope until he proves that his struggles were an anomaly. While Schaub will have to perform in the games at count to satisfy the critics, a good preseason game will do a lot to start Schaub’s plans of a comeback 2014 on the right foot.