Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie may have made his biggest offseason move.
After a flurry of free agent signings, Oakland Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie seems to have made his biggest offseason move to date.
The Raiders will be trading a late-round draft pick for Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub, giving Oakland a well-rounded roster and a experienced signal caller.
Schaub, 32, has thrown 124 touchdowns and 78 interceptions during a seven-year career as a starter for the Texans, with a quarterback rating of 90.9. Schaub’s first three years were as a backup in Atlanta.
The team has yet to formally announce the move.
Oakland struggled through 2013, starting three different quarterbacks in Matt Flynn, Terrelle Pryor and rookie Matt McGloin. They seem to have developed an affinity for quarterbacks named Matt.
Flynn was shown the exit by the Raiders after three terrible preseason performances last season, yielding to Pryor, who started nine games in 2013.
McGloin got his first start in Houston after an injury to Pryor, tearing apart one of the league’s best pass defenses and snatching a starting role.
But the win at the Texans would be McGloin’s only win of the season, with a worn-down defense allowing more and more scores to the opposition.
What Schaub brings is a veteran savvy, playoff experience and a knowledge of working with a mediocre starting cast. Houston has been carried by their defense since defensive end JJ Watt came into play, and never built a solid offensive line or receiving corps.
On paper, Oakland is a better place to be for Schaub, who will be throwing to the likes of new Raider James Jones, along with third year receiver Rod Streater and fourth year Denarius Moore.
Struggling to find an identity in the loaded AFC West division, the Raiders are inching closer and closer to being a contender. There’s a long way to go before anyone knows the full impact of what Schaub can bring, though the rebuild appears to be going pretty well.
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Matt Schaub has started two Pro Bowls but has never had the tools the Raiders can provide.
