The Oakland Raiders are downplaying any idea that Matt Schaub will not be healthy for the start of the season. Red flags immediately went up when the veteran complained about elbow soreness in his throwing arm as Raiders fans immediately had flashbacks to Matt Flynn last season. Could history be repeating itself? Head coach Dennis Allen denies anything is wrong, but Derek Carr is ready if it is.
Allen means it when he says he is committed to Schaub as the team's starting quarterback. Even when the quarterback appeared to be suffering from a bout of elbow tendinitis, Allen stressed that it would not hurt his chances of being under center Week 1. "No concerns," was Allen told the media when questions began to rise about the veteran who has yet to impress as the starting quarterback.
The San Francisco Chronicle is reporting that Schaub claims to feel 100 percent healthy despite being held out of practice for two days. The injury is reporting not affecting his throwing or arm strength and the absence from practice is merely for precaution reasons. Allen fully expects Schaub to be back with no limitations as they prepare to face the New York Jets. However, these statements sound very familiar given the same thing was said about Flynn and he failed to make it to Week 1 last year.
If Schaub is actually not ready to play against the Jets, who gets the start between rookie Carr and returning former starter, Matt McGloin? The Oakland Tribune writes that Carr is ready to start and take over the team if his number is called. The Raiders drafted the Fresno State standout in the second round with the idea that would eventually become the future of the franchise. Schaub is merely a stop-gap player allowing the rookie to develop.
The Raiders have been very complimentary of Carr in training camp. If Allen's confidence begins to sway in regards to Schaub, the excuse is there for damage control. No one would fault the Raiders for realizing that Schaub's career as a starter might be over. NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport confirms that elbow tendinitis could linger for Schaub and Carr is looking the part of the starter. He is taking first-team reps over McGloin. Through two preseason games, he is 19-of-32 for 183 yards and a touchdown. He has shown strong chemistry with the wide receivers and with both Darren McFadden and Maurice Jones-Drew looking strong in the preseason, the rookie is in a good spot to be successful.
Schaub will likely be under center for Week 1 simply because the Raiders made the trade for a reason and they will not admit mistake no matter what. Raiders fans can at least feel good that Carr is quickly developing into a quarterback ready to be franchise player when given the chance.
