Anytime you make a move for a potential starting quarterback with little or no NFL experience is a major gamble. The Houston Texans certainly made that bold gamble when they traded draft picks to the Falcons for Matt Schaub.
Schaub has all the attributes to become a solid fit in Gary Kubiak’s offense in Houston. He can get outside the pocket and plays with a lot of poise. He lacks a strong arm, but gets rid of the ball quickly and is generally accurate. The only major question is Schaub’s ability to make good decisions with the ball. He tends to force a lot of plays that aren’t there – which is typical of a backup trying to make things happen. Kubiak doesn’t tolerate that from his quarterback and Schaub should settle down in that regard now that he’s a starter.
Schaub will now have to make the adjustment of being the focal point of Houston’s offense heading into this season. I believe Schaub’s leadership ability and poise will earn the respect of his new teammates in Houston.
Now the focus heading into the draft will be surrounding Schaub with enough talent to succeed. That was a problem the organization had with David Carr. Andre Johnson is the only playmaker that worries defensive coordinators. Owen Daniels is a capable presence at tight end. They need a lot more depth in the passing game. And the aging Ahman Green in the backfield and annual questions along the offensive line doesn’t help matters.
As for the Falcons, this trade certainly makes a lot of sense. Schaub’s stock is at an all-time high within the volatile market for backup quarterbacks. Moving up a couple spots in the 2007 NFL Draft and adding a second round pick in each of the next two drafts give the Falcons the opportunity to add a few building blocks moving forward.
Schaub has been hailed the best back up QB in the league and should get his shot.
The move the Texans made this off season is questionable at best. Like you said Green? Long term big money for a RB who's career is about done? Green has been battling injuries for the last few years and it is not going to get better with age.
Schaub is not as mobile as Carr and that has to scare Texan fans. If Carr got sacked a recored number of times what do you think will happen to Schaub? New recored coming? And if Schaub can't stand up to the punishment then your back with Carr at QB and gave away all that for what?
You could say that fans look forward to getting the #1 pick every year then but look at who they passed on! Reggie Bush! Someone in The Texan office has had a little to much sun....
Texans fans must hate this trade. They gave away all those picks for who? The next David Carr? Hopefully the Texans trainers/personal saw something in him, because he certainly hasn't done anything great in the NFL yet.
I would think David Garrard is the best backup in the NFL, btw - he is the only one who has had experience and a good record. Huard is probably better too.
the falcons should have traded mike vick to the texans instead of shaub. now we don't have a proven backup when vick gets pummeled trying to run like a scared chicken
relax texan fans, im from atlanta and I'm a huge fan. I would rather Schaub starting than Vick(the most overrated football player ever). There giving up A little, but getting a Better starting QB than Carr.
It's pretty much like I mentioned in my thoughts.....there's always a premium on quarterbacks so the Texans had to pay up and it's always a gamble on the quarterback position.
Schaub will either be the next Hasselbeck or the next Cody Carlson. Although Schaub isn't significantly better talent wise than Carr, he comes with a fresh mental outlook whereas Carr is mentally drained from the punishment he's taken and its time for him to get off to a fresh start elsewhere. Carr has an opportunity to establish himself elsewhere.
For the Falcons, picking up some extra second round picks was a nice move while Schaub's stock is at its highest.
David Garrard. He's too erratic and inconsistent. He makes some big plays at times, but the more he plays as we saw last season, the more teams catch up to him.
As a season ticket holder for the Falcons I am extremely excited that McKay pulled the trigger on this trade. We HAD to get something while we could. We need depth on both sides of the ball and additional draft picks puts us in a better position then holding onto a backup that we rather not enter into the game at all. Thus, I like it lot and I am looking forward to how this is going to start a shake up on draft boards.
Houston..Dont worry! Schaub will be a huge upgrade,period. He is a complete QB and dont listen to this #### about his so called "weak arm". Get ready for some good things to happen . Kubiak is the perfect mentor for him. Good things will happen Guaranteed!!
Atlanta...Dumb move! You gave up the guy you should have been starting.For what!? 2 No.2's & a small move up in the 1st round. Things like this are why the Atlanta organization is in football's bottom tier and its not about to change. Pathetic!!
Last edited by HokiesNation on March 21st at 5:02 PM.
Ok, here is a Raider fan, who like all Raider fans, thinks everything in the league has to do with the Raiders... I'm very happy with this deal. Now David Carr can come to Oakland and back up Jamarcus Russell.
ok, listen, yeah Schaub has little experience, but when almost everyone in atlanta wants schaub to start, over "the games human highlight reel", theres something to it. Schaub doesnt make stupid passes like Vick, and he sure as hell doesnt run like vick....he's smarter, in the little time he has he has broken 4 runs of 20+ yds. this guy is gonna do somthing in Houston, and im saddened to see him go.
LOL @ Raider Fan. Man you are smoking some serious stuff. Wait Waait You are excited about a Rookie QB with his back up being David Carr. Dude I am from Houston and die hard Houston fan and all I can say is LOL. This is comical fo reals, so Raider fan please tell who will be your overall 1st round pick in 2008. Man I think the general consensus is to pay you to take David Carr. No more west coast QB's you all are too worried about hair.
I felt Houston had a pretty good player in David Carr, and as stated in the article, there was a problem with surrounding him with talent. Matt Schaub has a lot of potential and I feel he can be a great player given the Texans draft well. That being said, I have always felt David Carr was a good player and it's sad to see him lose his job because of the lack of talent on the team. He has made bad decisions but that mainly comes from trying to carry the team. Whoever picks him up, assuming he leaves for another team, should consider themselves lucky, he could be great on a good team.
I dont know why every one thinks this is a bad deal for the texans? h etexans need a good, solid QB which they now have in Schaub. Schaub does look good in preseason games and yes he does force soem throws but when you dotn have much playing time thinsg like that happen. If the texans use schaub right isn the kubiak offense then schaub should Be in the 10 ten QB's of '07 if not top 5!!!
I disagree that Vick is overrated. He is most likely the most physically talented player in the NFL - though that doesn't make him the best. Sometimes I think he should just switch to a RB/KR/PR - he would definitely help his team more that way. But then again, if he does ever become a good passer (and by ever I mean the in the next 2 seasons) Vick has the chance of being the next great QB.
And come on Falcon fans, why do you go to the game? It's to watch Vick. The fact is (and please don't take offense) your team isn't that great. Your D was pathetic last season, and minus Vick your rushing attack was barely above average. Your WRs aren't anything to talk about either. Give respect where respect is due - Vick is a great player.
the falcons are never going to make it under mike vick , this year showed his true colors under fire . he is also lucky he made it out of miami earlier this year without going to jail . what's next ?
As big of a price that Houston paid, this move had to be made by the Texans. Carr had been put in an impossible position to succeed in Houston due to the fallout from the Texans passing on hometown hero Vince Young last year, who's still beloved in H-town. He was facing way too much pressure from the media/fans. The front office realized that and sought to get a replacement. Schaub is a better option for the type of offense that Gary Kubiak runs than Brady Quinn would've been.
The price was high, but that's what the market is for a QB. To truly evaluate this deal, it needs to be combined with whatever Carr brings in return. Let me be the first to start the David Carr for Randy Moss rumors. Both need fresh starts, the Raiders need a QB, and Carr is originally from California. Although not Kubiak's style, an Andre Johnson/Randy Moss duo would be mighty tempting.
The other thing nobody seems to be mentioning is the stroke of genius Atlanta pulled off by moving to the #8 pick in the upcoming draft. They covet LaRon Landry, and Houston would've been their main competition for the player who ultimately will be the best player of this year's class. Now they're in the driver's seat to pick him, whereas Houston will be left with Levi Brown, Okoye, or maybe even Peterson if no one moves up to take him when he starts slipping (not bad options, but not in Landry's class).
I think the Falcons got a heck of a deal. Matt Schaub isn't a sure bet that he'll lead the Texans to victories. He has good size though.
This reminds of me when Patrick Ramsey was a high interest a few years back and the Redskins didn't want to trade him. When he got his shot, he was a total bust.
Hey, now the falcons have bobby petrino, so they can easily change their offense around. They got Joe Horn, a great veteran WR. But they got rid of Kerney, a great DE, who, with John Abraham, could've been part of one of the most dynamic DE duos in the NFL. Now, the falcons must draft a good backup QB, get another good DE, and get some good CBs. Then, they will have a good offense and defense, and will Koenen, Andersen, and the Norwood-Rossum pair on special teams, they have a chance at winning the division. The Matt Schaub trade wasn't very smart, though. We shouldve atleast gotten Carr for a decent backup for the injury-prone Vick.
garebel24-proven backup? What has Schuab proven during his time in Atlanta? To my knowledge he still doesn't have a win under his belt so he obviously hasn't proven much. So long Schuab! And they say Vick is a product of the NFL hype machine...
C'mon Falcons...where are you going?? Schaub should be the starter in Atlanta and you trade him for 2 #2's and movin' up 2 slots in the 1st round...got rid of Kerney too...man, the character & intergrity this team has is on the way out the door...next thing you know Brooking will be gone...Hey, maybe we can get Randy Moss!! There's an upgrade to the team chemistry & character
C'mon folks get it right. The Falcons did the right thing in this trade. Shaub would have definitely left next year for nothing in return. It's not like his stats are any better than Vick's and for that matter are not as good as Carr's. But Houston wanted him so that's the business. Carr will be decent in a different situation. As for Kerney, he voided his own contract and chose free agency.
here is why this deal is stupid for the Texans and I am saying this as an avid Schaub fan. Schaub is a good QB but he is not worth those picks they gave up. The Texans always seem to be gearing up to FINALLY get to the playoffs but every year they are undone by horrbile O-line play. Schaub will be just like Carr...a sitting duck. The Falcons got the better deal because they needed the picks but it is true that Michael Vick is the most overrated player in football. No team with him will be bad but no team with him will ever make a serious play-off run either. People who still think he is the next great QB need to relize that he is no longer a youngster learning the system. He simply isn't that good. Oh yeah and to the guy who thinks the Falcons have a shot in this division...what? The Saints were great last year and I don't see them dropping much and I think the Panthers are due for a good year
Sorry I know this is off topic. However I am thrilled with the signing of Stokely to the Broncos. He is a peice we have been missing. Since Easy Ed Macafrey retired.
I'd like to see Carr in Minnesota. He'd get some protection and we could groom Tavarius Jackson some more. I think Carr could bloom in the right situation. I do have to wonder like someone else wrote...is he just drained from the abuse in Houston...We always have Drew Henson! Arrrrrgh!
I personally think Carr is underated...the guy has led the NFL in completion percentage even with that non-existant Offensive Line...imagine what the guy can do if given the time to make all the reads.
I wouldn't be surprised to see Carr traded on draft night, and i actually hope he does. He deserves a fresh start somewhere else. With the right talent around him he can be a great QB...a trade to Oakland would make some sense for either Porter or Moss...then the Raiders can use that pick on Calvin Johnson. Also woudn't be shocked if the Lions look to unload one of their receivers for him or perhaps their #2 pick. Carr would be a better fit than Harrington was and replace the aging Kitna.
well, i could possibly be the biggest Falcon fan there is and I am very disappointed(sp?) with the trade. Vick has not proved himself the 6 years he has been in Atlanta and what makes everyone think he is going to do anything good in Petrinos' offense. Petrino loves to throw the ball in his high octaine offense and as planly as I can say: VICK HAS NO TOUCH ON HIS PASSES AND HE IS NEVER GOING TO STAY STILL LONG ENOUGH TO LEARN HOW!!!! Being barely 6' tall and the nfl lineman of today are like 6'7" how is he ever going to see over them enough to stay in the pocket!! Schuab is 6'5" he is plenty big enough and a better quarterback by far, GOOD JOB McKAY AND BLANK FOR LETTING GO THE FALCON'S FUTURE!!!!
too many high picks in this trade.
Atlanta is screwing Houston so badly!!!
Schaub is very similar to Carr.
where's the upgrade?
dropping from 8 to 10 this year and giving up whats likely 2 high second round picks to boot for a guy who hasnt done anything in college or the NFL???
What are the Texans thinking?
and even if they cut Carr now, thye still owe him a ton of money...
The only team thats done worse than the Texans this offseason is the Broncos.
paying top 5 money for a bunch of 3rd and 4th string guys.??
Kubiak obviously is smoking the same crack as his ole buddy Shanahan.
Now while I would have liked to see the Falcons get a higher 1st round pick than what they got here, trading Schaub now and getting something for him instead of absolutely nothing next year was the franchise's best move.
Everyone sobbing over Schaub being gone and Vick still being the starter, please bring me the name of one defensive coordinator in the NFL who's gone on the record saying that Schaub would be harder to prepare for than Vick. Then tell me what Schaub's professional record as a starter is. Then tell me what his completion percentage is and his TD to INT ratio. Not better than Vick in any of those areas I can tell you that.
Yeah he looked awesome in those preseason games and in limited spot duty, but has shown no reason to suspect he will be anything more than an average pocket passer at best at this point.
If he does turn out to be one of the top starters in the game, great for the Texans. Atlanta would have had to give him top dollar to find out and sacrafice all the money they gave Vick. They made out good here.
Anyone who thinks that matt schaub is the answer to the prayers of the texans is simply not watching what has happened in houston since the team's first year. David Carr has been running for his life since he arrived in the nfl. I haven't checked the stats but I would be willing to bet quite a bit that not a single qb in the league has been sacked as many times as he has. Now you can say that some of that is Carr's fault but I've seen enough of the Texan's to know that line is and always has been a sieve. NFL teams are built from the offensive and defensive lines out, at least the good ones, Houston should save their picks and draft some linemen.
Can you say "sucker". Look I'm a colt fan, normally I would be happy when a team within the divisions does something that sets there team back further, but in this case I'm not happy with the trade because they are overpaying for an unproven quarterback. If they are giving up on David Carr then they should at least see if Brady Quinn will fall to the 8th position. I gaurantee that Quinn is available to Atlanta at the number 8 position they are taking him signaling the end of Michael Vick at Atlanta. The problem isn't David Carr It is the hole friggin offensive line. Where were they at when Eric Steinbach was a free agent. It is a bad move Thats why bad organizations have losing teams year after year. I really hope that texans snap out of whatever ether they are under and nix the trade
Schaub is good player, but Houston O-Line is terrible (ask David Carr). Extra trade this year could make immediate difference for Falcons who need pass rusher and linebacker and pass blocker. All you Vick haters get will get to eat it this year. Petrino is the right man for this team. He will score points, points and more points. He is NOT pass happy. He will unlock the Vick potential and this team could go far. Falcons problem is/was not personnel. Strength and conditioning sucked, and Mora let the guys become slackers. Watch and see. Alge Crumpler has not blocked anyone on a run play for two years. See if that changes, and if it doesn't, see how quickly his all-pro butt gets traded. DJ Shockley does not scare me as back-up. not with Bobby Petrino calling plays. Go BIRDS.
As a Falcons fan, I still feel the sting of getting rid of Farve. We let the #### in black Glanville and his buddy June Jones wreck the organization for a decade by that move. I hope the Falcons are planning for the post-Vick era now because I think that era is getting closer. Vick is a talent for sure but not a QB and NOT a leader. We'll make some of the top 10 highlights with Vick but nothing more. Schaub hasn't proven anything but his potential looks great and I think people in Atlanta are tired of the Vick promises and appologies and would like to see the Falcons build a team with talent and character. We have guys with alot of both like Dunn, Brooking, Alge, Norwood but they all get shadowed by the thug Vick who's stupid enough to try to get his hash past airport security and famous enough to make it go away. What did he learn there? He learned that he can keep doing what he's always done...and that doesn't help the Falcons. I hope Petrino is as good as everyone says and does something great with all the draft picks. Good luck Matt...sorry to see you go.
call me crazy.... but with the 8th, 39th and i think the 42nd pick, we can really fill some holes on this team. defense for starters. with this class coming out this year i think people will say i sure am glad they traded schaub for those picks! mark my words! unless we trade up to get calvin.... but really i would not do that! we have talent. we just need to put it to use with a power offense that we now will have in the next year or so. if norwood puts on 10 to 12 pounds... watch out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well look like the vick era is about to began.seems like a particular schein,missed his que.shaub is on his way to houston.Adam just keep smiling and keep on with the rumor reports,you may get it right.The falcons are on their way.All you vick haters,houston will love to have you as part time fans.
To all you sorry #### Falcon fans, I bet you werent dissin Vick last year or year b4. Now you want to keep Schaub over Vick, Quit smokin the ATL crack and get a grip. Vick finally gets a offense more suited to his abilities and can audible. hard to accomplish anything when the D is set to stop your olay anfd the QB couldnt audible out of play. You got rid of your problem when you got rid of Knapp
Mike Vick is kinda where Elway was in the early years. He almost single-handed took the Broncs to the Super Bowl several times only to be pummeled. Once Bowlen opened the pocket book and got some talent around him (inlcuding Shanahan), look what happened. Trading Shaub hopefully is the start to acquire the talent needed to allow Mike to prosper. Up to now, the Falcons haven't had the talent to go very far.
i really think they have had the talent to be a good playoff team. i think coaching and injuries have hurt us alot. look at what we have done the last 2 years at the beginning of the season before injuries. i think matt would have been the better qb in the west coast style mora brought to the team but with petrino in here now with the new staff i think that the vick and shockley duo will be the key to winning this year and with the draft picks we have now we just need to focus on defense and get dunn out of here and get adrian peterson if he is avaliable at #8. i would like landry but there are alot of good safeties that we can get in the second round. there is a very deep class this year to fill the depth of this team that i dont feel like there is much that needed changing other than a coach that will not coddle his players so much as mora did. i think we show the nfl whats up this year and i think schaub will be great if they get a line down there and a couple of key players.
What is Houston thinking? That is an awful lot to give up for an unproven qb. The Texans could have used those picks to help rebuild a team that has far too many holes that need to be filled.
In order for the Texans to recoup their losses in draft picks and draft position, they better be able to find some one to trade Carr to and they better get something of decent value in return for him.
To all you Mike Vick haters eat a d...!!! He ran for 1000 yards and threw for 20 TD's with a #### o-line and with WR's who lack the ability to "catch" the ball. Roddy White dropped a 60 yard bomb wide open so he should have had 21 TD's. Shaub has done nothing in the NFL. 0-2 with 1,000 yards and 6TD with 6 picks. I'm sure defensive coordinators are shaking in their boots knowing they'll have to scheme for Shaub. Oh wait...thats Vick that gives them nightmares at night. Bunch of #### posting messages. Atl must have laughed their #### off when they got off the phone with this deal. Move up 2 spots, get a 2nd round draft pick this year AND next! HOLY ####!!! Thats highway robbery for a backup QB! Culpepper only warrented one 2nd round pick. Ron Mexico is going to be just fine and just to remind everyone who seem to have extremely short term memorys. The Falcons sucked #### before he got there and in his 2nd year took them to the NFC Championship game. The blame lies with Mora and Knapp who couldnt coach their way our of a wet paper bag. They didnt even let the guy call audibles at the line. And why would have a small O line when Vick likes to Run. Makes more sense to me to have 5 300 lbs guys that hide Vick. Not only does this give him time but it allows the LB's to lose sight of him if he decides to take off an run. If we trade the 2nd round pick and the #8 and get Calvin Johson say hello to the Super Bowl baby!!! I'll take Johnson on one side and Joe Horn on the other with Jenkins in the role hes been playing for 2 years...the #3 guy. Vicks money!!!
This is a result of the incompentency of the Houston organization. They had a chance at Vince Young and now they are trying to cover their tracks for this draft blunder. If they really believed in this direction, they would use these picks to support the current lineup, which includes Carr. Nothing against Schaub but he is coming into this fiasco. Looks like another Cardinals franchise on the making. Houston, looks like the Oilers weren't so bad after all...
I love how people want 2 rip Vick. I see ignorance runs rampant all over the US. Schaub is good, no doubt. Atlanta had 2 trade him to get something for his talent. McKay knew what he was doing.
Vick is not the prob in Atlanta, it's a team effort. Never will your qb realize that the team isn't stepping up and run for 166 yards b/c his receivers aren't catching anything, his cornerbacks aren't covering, and his running backs aren't running anywhere.
Houston should be better, but there are no promises. I'm from Atlanta, but I live in Houston. I will watch the games for Schaub, but the O-line will still be a sieve.
Why do people hate on Vick so much??? He doesnt get busted with an entire weapons caches in his house. He doesn't incite shootings outstide strip clubs. He doesn't slap women around. Just b/c he maybe tried to bring some weed through the airport and I emphasize MAYBE. Oh, and lord knows none of us have never given someone the finger who was pissing us off. I don't think the Falcons players question vicks leadershipt thats for sure. The guys plays his f'ing heart out and if you can't see that then your blind. He takes wicked hits behind an #### O-line and just keeps getting up. He watches his WR's drop pass after pass and doesnt call them out in the Media. All you haters need to focus that somewhere else. Vicks the reason people even talk about the Falcons. The Georgia Dome sure as hell wasnt sold out before he got there!
I just want to give much love to all the Vick supporters out there who have the common sense to realize that Matt Schaub is no Mike Vick and will never be as good as MIke Vick. But I digress!
Atlanta got the better half of this one by far. Who else in the NFL can trade their BACKUP QB for two second rounders and moving up in the first round. Now they can add some serious young talent to play with the most athletically gifted QB to ever play. Maybe a wideout who can actually catch. It seems like the wideouts there now think that all they have to do is run lousy routs and drop passes.
Houston we have a problem! Are you kidding me! Schaub is unproven as a starter and 0-2 as a back-up starter. He is not as Mobil as Carr and trouble looms for the dumb #### owners of the Texans who should have took Young or Leinart. But it all boils down to protection, protection, protection and playmakers. Houston We have a problem!
Brian DeLucia has been a widely respected NFL Analyst for several years including six-years on FOXSports.com
Brian analyzes players, coaches, and personnel guys from a unique front office perspective. You can email Brian DeLucia at bjd@enter.net
Schaub has all the attributes to become a solid fit in Gary Kubiak’s offense in Houston. He can get outside the pocket and plays with a lot of poise. He lacks a strong arm, but gets rid of the ball quickly and is generally accurate. The only major question is Schaub’s ability to make good decisions with the ball. He tends to force a lot of plays that aren’t there – which is typical of a backup trying to make things happen. Kubiak doesn’t tolerate that from his quarterback and Schaub should settle down in that regard now that he’s a starter. 
