Matt Schaub saw the 2014 season starting in a much different fashion than it actually is. The Oakland Raiders originally brought the quarterback on to be a stop-gap option while they developed the future of the franchise underneath him. In need of a career bounceback after a disastrous ending with the Houston Texans, Schaub was keeping pace with the Raiders original plan. However, an elbow injury suddenly has Schaub on the bench getting replaced by a rookie.
Schaub did not play in the Raiders' preseason finale after getting diagnosed with tendinitis in his throwing elbow. Instead, rookie Derek Carr took the reins and did enough to make head coach Dennis Allen believe he could handle the starting job for Week 1 while Schaub heals. This situation is incredibly similar to 2013 when Terrelle Pryor replaced Matt Flynn as the starter for Week 1 after the quarterback was diagnosed with the same issue as Schaub. Flynn never saw the field and was eventually released. Schaub admits he is disappointed with the way things are shaping up.
"I'm definitely disappointed, but it wouldn't do me or the team any good if I just stood here and felt sorry for myself," Schaub said, via ESPN.com. "Coach Allen told me it wasn't anything I did or didn't do. My job now is to help Derek in any way I can."
Carr was drafted in the second round out of Fresno State. It was assumed that he was eventually be the face of the Raiders franchise, but Oakland was determined to not throw him into the starting role immediately. Team beat writers were noticing that Carr was looking more and more impressive during practices in training camp, assuming it was only a matter of time before he took over. For his part, Carr says that all he is concerned about is being the best quarterback and winning.
"I just try to be the most passionate teammate I could be,'' Carr said. "When we score I'm so excited. I'm excited because one of my best friends caught a touchdown or one of my best friends ran for a touchdown. Those are the things that get me excited because I like to see others succeed. I was really focused on learning this offense the best that I could so when I got on the field, whenever it was, I could help the team win. That's all I care about -- the Raiders winning. It was a surprise because I wasn't thinking about it.''
With Carr starting, the running back spot suddenly becomes extremely important. Both Darren McFadden and Maurice Jones-Drew will be expected to stabilize the offense and keep Carr from having to force the ball into the air when it does not need to be. The Raiders have confidence in Carr and if things go well, Schaub will be getting very used to the bench.