Matt Schaub will be ready to lead the Oakland Raiders in 2014
May 27, 2014; Alameda, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Matt Schaub (8) takes the snap at organized team activities at the Raiders practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
What’s the Raiders identity at QB? Schaub fits the exact mold of what the coaches want in Oakland. Along with Schaub, the Raiders drafted their hopeful future in QB Derek Carr. Carr is the same type of QB that Schaub is. A pocket passer who has a strong and accurate arm, makes quick decisions, and he has a quick release. That’s the identity. Schaub was named the starter from the get go. Carr’s performance in OTA’s has everyone raving about him possibly becoming the starter in week 1, but the Raiders didn’t get Schaub to be the backup. At the least, Schaub will start the season off as the #1 QB with Carr at #2.
Nobody has to worry about Schaub, he will be fine. He is proving it by the amount of work he is putting in at the office. He is there studying the playbook and looking at film an hour or two before the coaches arrive a the office. Who does that remind you of, Rich Gannon perhaps. No, he’s not Rich Gannon, and I’m not saying that. However, Schaub is doing what he has to in order to be ready for Training Camp and the 2014 NFL Season. Ask Charles Woodson about how much work Schaub has been putting in.
My point in all of this rubbish is simply that Schaub will be ready to lead the team into the 2014 season, and Raider Nation need not worry about their team’s identity, it’s already established. We all should expect big things from Schaub. In 2011 and 2012, he led the Houston Texans to the playoffs. His overall QB wins and loss record is 46-44 (over .500). Name me a QB the Oakland Raiders have had that has done this for our team in the last decade? Carson Palmer doesn’t count, because he couldn’t lead the team to the playoffs, and he dumped the Raiders like a bad habit with the first chance he got.
For the first time in a very long time, the Oakland Raiders have a #1 QB, and they’re not claiming that the QB will be determined in Training Camp. The Raiders enter camp with Matt Schaub as the QB. Yes, Derek Carr will have the opportunity to compete at QB, but so does Trent Edwards and Matt McGloin. All Schaub has to do is continue to be the leader of the football team and stay healthy, and he will be the starter. I’m not worried about his mental status, because he has already put 2013 behind him.
Yesterday, Carl Cockerham (Staff Writer for Just Blog Baby), raised some great issues about Derek Carr and his readiness to be the #1 QB of the Raiders. I agree that Carr will be the future of the Raiders, but it is still my opinion that Carr should hold the clipboard for the 2014 season, at least. Depending on how the 2014 season plays out at QB is where I think the decision should be made. I have confidence that Schaub will not disappoint Raider Nation.
Underrated, laughed at, pushed aside, and lost in translation, is exactly how the Oakland Raiders will enter the 2014 season in the eyes of their critics. Fine by me. It will be all the more sweeter when the critics eat their words as the Raiders become the most improved team in 2014. Any record, .500 or above, would be enough to earn the team this title. However, it is my belief that 10-6 is not out of the question. Yes, there will be some very tough games, but this is the NFL. Tough games are to be expected, and Matt Schaub will lead the way for the Oakland Raiders in 2014. Go Raiders!