Matt Schaub to visit with Baltimore Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens are reportedly expected to bring in veteran quarterback Matt Schaub for a visit today in hopes to bring in a veteran option behind Joe Flacco.

Schaub is a former third-round draft pick of the Atlanta Falcons who made his impression on teams when he took over for Michael Vick in 2004 due to injury. Schaub was traded to the Houston Texans in 2007 and made the Pro Bowl in 2009 when he accounted for a league-leading 4,770 yards and 29 touchdowns.

More from Baltimore Ravens

He was acquired by the Oakland Raiders before the start of the 2014 season for a sixth-round pick, but lost the starting job to rookie Derek Carr in training camp. He threw just 10 passes, completing five for 57 yards, and was cut after the season.

The Ravens are in the market for a backup quarterback with just Keith Wenning, last year’s sixth-round selection, as the only quarterback on the roster besides Flacco. Former backup Tyrod Taylor left the team to sign a three-year, $3.35 million contract with the Buffalo Bills earlier this offseason.

The Ravens have not had a veteran presence at quarterback behind Flacco since Marc Bulger in 2010. Taylor has been the backup since he was drafted in 2011, and played in limited action while in Baltimore. He completed just 19 of 35 passes for 199 yards with two interceptions in 13 regular season games.

Schaub would be a solid addition as a backup. He has been under-appreciated throughout much of his career, struggling to make the playoffs in a division dominated by Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts. At 33 years old, Schaub is a shell of his former self, throwing nearly as many interceptions (28) as touchdowns (32) over the past three seasons.

The interest in Schaub signals that Marc Trestman is in fact serious about keeping much of Gary Kubiak‘s offense in place. Kubiak was Schaub’s head coach throughout his tenure in Houston and should know the offense better than any quarterback in the league.

The Ravens will have tough competition in acquiring the former Virginia Cavalier. The New York Jets and the Atlanta Falcons have also expressed interest, and each offers its own incentive. Schaub could be given an opportunity to start in New York, meanwhile Kyle Shanahan, Schaub’s offensive coordinator in 2009, is now the offensive coordinator in Atlanta.

The Dallas Cowboys hosted Schaub on Monday, but the signal caller left without signing a contract. The Ravens are fortunate that he will visit Baltimore next, and may not let him skip town without signing a contract. Furthermore, since he was cut by the Raiders, his signature would not cost the team a compensatory pick. For the Ravens, it always comes down to those compensatory picks.

Live Feed

Another former Atlanta Falcons QB joins the team's staff /

Blogging Dirty

A moment in Houston Texans' history: most passing yards in a gameToro Times

What's the best season record in Houston Texans history?Toro Times

3 surprise cuts the Falcons could make this offseasonFanSided

Atlanta Falcons: 3 Players who won't be back in 2021NFL Spin Zone

Buyer's remorse: These 11 QB's signed for more money than Cam Newton this offseasonFanSided

With Carr on board, the Raiders gave Schaub little chance to take charge of the team. It was always Carr’s team for the taking. That won’t be the case in Baltimore. He knows that if he signs, he is the backup. Schaub knows that only opportunity to play is if the worst case scenario should arrive.

Schaub has made the playoffs just twice in his career and is at a point in his career that he needs to decide what matters most to him: the opportunity to win or to start. The incentive the Ravens offer is something that cannot be stressed enough. They win. Schaub’s best chance to win a championship is in Baltimore. If that is important to him, then Charm City makes the most sense for him.

There are not many options available after Schaub if he should go elsewhere. There is no way they replace Ray Rice‘s drama with the backlash of signing Vick. Matt Flynn and Kyle Orton are other high profile names, but all lack the resume of Schaub. He has passed for 24,311 yards, 130 touchdowns and 86 interceptions in eleven seasons, significantly better production than the names above.

The hope is Flacco’s consecutive streak does not end anytime soon. They still must be prepared for the worst. The Ravens need a fall back plan. They are one hit away from needing it.

Houston got a draft pick for a guy who did not start a game for the Raiders. Solid move by the Texans. Now the Ravens need to take advantage of Oakland also, by getting their backup quarterback and not losing a comp pick in the process. It is a win-win for everyone.

Get it done Ozzie.

Next: Predicting the Ravens First-Round Pick

More from The Baltimore Wire

Home/Baltimore Ravens