That sound you hear is Raider Nation collectively collapsing to the ground in pure agony. According to a report by NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport, the Oakland Raiders are still planning on starting veteran Matt Schaub at quarterback Week 1 against the New York Jets.
NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported Monday, via a source informed of the quarterback’s injury, and the plan remains for him to start Week 1.
To say that Schaub has been bad this preseason would be a dramatic understatement. He has completed 24-of-47 passes for just 218 yards with zero touchdowns and one interception through three games. That’s an average of 4.6 yards per attempt. In a sign that Schaub simply can’t push the ball downfield at this point in his career, the veteran has connected on just 2-of-13 passes that have traveled 10-plus yards. For comparison’s sake, he’s also attempted 10 passes that ended up behind the line of scrimmage.
The idea of Schaub starting Week 1 against the Jets can’t be good for fans in Oakland, who have put up with some horrendous quarterback play over the years. With Matt McGloin impressing thus far in the preseason and Derek Carr entrenched in as the Raiders quarterback of the future, head coach Dennis Allen wouldn’t be doing himself any favors starting Schaub.
Schaub also sat out practice over the weekend with a sore elbow, at which point Carr took first-team reps. While the newly acquired veteran may very well start the season under center, there is no reason to believe that he will hold the job too long. Schaub threw 10 touchdowns compared to 14 interceptions with a career-low 73.0 quarterback rating with the Houston Texans last season.
Photo: USA Today