Since they day they traded for him, the Raiders have been consistent in their praise and belief in quarterback Matt Schaub.
But outside the organization, many still believe rookie Derek Carr will emerge as the team’s No. 1 QB.
Some, in fact, believe it won’t take long for Carr’s coronation.
Carr, Oakland’s second-round pick in the May draft, has looked good at the team’s rookie minicamp and in organized team activities (OTAs).
“Carr already has shown the talent and intelligence during OTAs to get the organization thinking about turning to the rookie sooner rather than later,” wrote NFL.com’s Chris Wesseling. Wesseling goes on to cite a story by Albert Breer of NFL.com that Carr will push Schaub for the starting job this season.
“Carr has displayed the talent and intelligence early on to shed his redshirt (season) and play right away,” Breer said. “Schaub will keep taking the first-team snaps, but Carr’s progress bears watching.”
Plus, as promising as Carr looks, there is the fact that it’s hard for many to believe Schaub can rebound from the worst season of his career in 2013 with the Texans.
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“If Schaub doesn’t perform at a much higer level in training camp and preseason action than he has in his past 20 games, don’t be surprised if coach Dennis Allen gives Carr the shoulder tap as early as September or October,” wrote Wesseling.
In writing about Schaub’s possible resurgence with the Raiders, ESPN’s Ashley Fox quoted Raiders offensive coordinator Greg Olson as saying he’s a believer in the veteran.
“The goal right now is to resurrect the player and get him playing at a level he was playing at before last season,” Olson said of Schaub, 32. “Because he’s not at an age where most quarterbacks start to decline. We still feel like there’s some good years left in Matt.”
Olson told Fox he believes a new team and a fresh start – and a good supporting cast strengthened through free agency and the draft – will help Schaub regain his form.
“We think he’ll flourish,” Olson told Fox.
Yet Fox isn’t so sure. And if Carr continues to impress, it might be hard for the Raiders not to see what they have in Carr.
“Will Schaub be the answer at quarterback for Oakland?” she asked. “He will turn 33 later this month, and it seems more likely he will turn out to be another (Carson) Palmer, a quarterback past his prime trying to reinvent himself in silver and black.
“Changing scenery is one thing. Changing fortunes … is something else.”
