Oakland

Schaub Again Shaky in Raiders' Loss

In third exhibition, veteran quarterback doesn't look comfortable or effective in defeat at Green Bay

In his third preseason game for the Raiders Friday night, Matt Schaub looked much like he did in Games 1 and 2.

And that’s not good.

Schaub completed 13-of-27 passes for 110 yards – just over 4 yards per attempt – in Oakland’s 31-21 loss to the Packers in Green Bay.

Schaub still looked fragile in the pocket, didn’t challenge the Packers defense downfield and showed a less-than-rifle arm.

At one point he threw a pass into the end zone intended for a well-covered Denarius Moore that could easily have been intercepted, prompting Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle to tweet: “Decision-making sometimes fails him more than his less-than-powerful arm.”

Even luck was against Schaub Friday night. He appeared to connect with James Jones for a touchdown, but it eventually was overruled. And Marcel Reece also dropped a pass that could have gone for a TD.

As Marcus Thompson of the Bay Area News Group noted on Twitter during the game, “Schaub should be looking more comfortable … he’s not.”

So, through three games, Schaub – anointed the opening-game starter – has had three shaky appearances. Rookie Derek Carr, the No. 2, was held out because of a concussion and rib injury last week. And No. 3 Matt McGloin again looked very good, completing 10-of-17 for 162 yards and two TDs – but against the Packers’ second- and third-teamers at the end of the game.

So, while the Raiders roster appears to be much better than it was at this point last year, the quarterback position remains a giant question mark.

By now, Schaub is looking like Matt Flynn II, the anointed starter of 2013 who flamed out. Once Carr is cleared to play, it seems only a matter of time before the former Fresno State standout is starting.

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