Jun 2, 2014; Alameda, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Matt Schaub (8) throws a pass at organized team activities at the Raiders Practice Facility. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Like and idiot, I watched NFL Network last night, Monday, because they were going to have a piece regarding the AFC West. In that piece, they were going to talk about the “Great Expectations,” or what to expect from the Oakland Raiders in 2014. Once again, my disappointment was confirmed when Solomon Wilcots and Shawn Merriman began to run their mouths. Of course, they expect the Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, and San Diego Chargers to all compete for a playoff berth again in 2014. Give me a break.
As far as the Raiders were concerned, they stated that the Raiders didn’t have an identity, and their “Great Expectation” was to find an identity at QB in 2014. Merriman chimes in on how good a player Khalil Mack is, but then spins a negative on it by stating that the coaches in Oakland could ruin him. Furthermore, they mocked the Raiders off-season acquisitions by stating that “Dream Teams” don’t work, as they compared them to the 2011 Philadelphia Eagles.
Give me a freaking break! First of all, the Oakland Raiders have an identity at QB. The coaching staff, primarily Head Coach Dennis Allen and General Manager Reggie McKenzie, have had their idea on the type of QB (QB identity) they wanted for the Raiders. All along, it’s been a strong-arm, pocket passer, with a quick release, and quick decision-making ability. Enter Matt Schaub in free agency.
Say what you will about Matt Schaub’s 2013 season. It was terrible to say the least. Yes, he threw some pick-sixes, but what QB hasn’t thrown them before? Schaub (2-6 record) threw 10 touchdowns and 14 interceptions in 2013 before he was pulled and replaced by Case Keenum. Keenum, who everyone said was better, threw 9 touchdowns and 6 interceptions (his record was 0-8). Compared to similar QB’s in the NFL, Eli Manning threw 18 touchdowns and 27 interceptions (7-9 record), Matt Ryan threw 26 touchdowns and 17 interceptions (4-12 record), Ben Roethlisberger threw 28 touchdowns and 14 interceptions (8-8 record), and Matthew Stafford threw 29 touchdowns and 19 interceptions (7-9 record). None of these teams qualified for the playoffs in 2013.
QB’s are going to have some ups and downs in their careers. The downfall for Schaub in 2013 was the fact that the Houston Texans were so good in 2012. As a matter of fact, everybody was picking the Texans to be in contention for the Super Bowl in 2013 based on the 2012 season, but the Texans ended up with the worst record in the NFL. As a result, the owner of the team fired the Head Coach and brought in a new staff. That new staff was not willing to build around Schaub, as is the case with a lot of new organizations, and they let him go to the Raiders.