Photo by Tony Gonzales
The Oakland Raiders have acquired QB Matt Schaub from the Houston Texans in exchange for a 2014 draft pick. Schaub is entering his 11th season in the NFL. He has completed 2,035 of 3,181 (64 percent) of his passes for 24,254 yards and 130 touchdowns in 128 games (90 starts). Schaub is a two-time Pro Bowler, earning his selection in 2009 and 2012, and was named the 2012 Pro Bowl MVP.
His first Pro Bowl season in 2009 was his best statistical season of his career. Schaub completed 396 of 583 passes (67.9 percent) for 4,770 yards and 29 touchdowns. He averaged 298.1 yards per game that season and a QB rating of 98.6. The Pennsylvania native also earned his way to the Pro Bowl in 2012 with a 64.3 percent completion, 4,008 passing yards and 22 touchdowns.
During his career with the Texans, Schaub was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week four times (2008 Week 14; 2009, Week 2; 2010 Week 6; 2012 Week 11). He was also voted FedEx Air NFL Player of the Week twice (2010 Week 2; 2012 Week 11). Schaub also received the Ed Block Courage Award in 2012.
Schaub was originally drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the third round of the 2004 NFL Draft, where he backed up then-Falcons QB Michael Vick for three seasons. In 2007, he joined the Texans and became the regular starter. For the first three years in Houston, Schaub improved his passing-yard total each season, with only a slight drop-off in his fourth season. In 2011, Schaub's totals decreased, but his average yards per pass increased to 8.5. In 2012, he bounced back, earning his Pro Bowl selection and all-star game MVP honors.
The veteran quarterback guided Houston to the playoffs and threw for 262 yards in the AFC Wild Card Playoff against the Cincinnati Bengals on January 5, 2013. He then threw for 343 yards and two touchdowns in the AFC Divisional Playoff at New England on January 13, 2013.
Although Schaub had a down year in 2013, he joins the Raiders with a history of success. "I think I bring a lot of experience, a lot of knowledge of how to play the position, how a successful offense works and how it operates consistently," said Schaub. "I think I've done it for a few years now at a high level at the quarterback position. Just a level of leadership to help set a direction that Dennis Allen and Greg Olson will help set for the team and for the offense."
Schaub believes he can help turn the Raiders around. "Without question, I think I'm that guy," he said. "That's one of the most unique and intriguing aspects of coming to this organization is the rich and storied tradition that they have here, especially at this position. There are so many great quarterbacks that have played here, played at a championship level. It's just great to possibly be a part of that and make my name here, but also with the organization and be a part of this special situation."
The veteran quarterback is looking forward to a fresh start and an opportunity to be that Pro Bowl player again. "I had a rough year last year, but any player that's played long enough, you go through some ups and downs and it's how you bounce back, how you rebound, from those tough times," said Schaub. "I'm anxious for a fresh start and to get to work and prove a lot of people wrong from last year and move forward."
Schaub is excited to start the next phase of his career in the Silver and Black. "I'm very excited to play in front of the Black Hole and be a part of Raider Nation," said Schaub. "Just the fan base here is so passionate and it's something I'm very proud in being from where I'm from and so I can relate to that. I'm excited to be out on the field and give them something to be proud of."
