FentayeJones Posted February 3, 2016 Share Posted February 3, 2016 Quote A quarterback who previously worked under Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan is set to become an unrestricted free agent in March and is likely worth a long look. No, we're not talking about Johnny Manziel. Veteran Matt Schaub, who turns 35 in June and just completed his 12th NFL season, is not expected to be re-signed by the Baltimore Ravens. Schaub also said last month he had no plans to retire. Matt Schaub played in two games for the Ravens last season, throwing three touchdowns and four interceptions. AP Photo/Ron Schwane So would a reunion between the Falcons and their former 2004 third-round draft pick out of Virginia makes sense? Well, consider this: When approached prior to a preseason game between the Falcons and Ravens back in September, Schaub was asked what happened to the talk of him re-signing with the Falcons. "You can never say never," Schaub told ESPN.com. Falcons coach Dan Quinn admitted the Falcons had interest in signing Schaub as a backup to Matt Ryan before he joined the Ravens on a one-year contract ($2 million guaranteed). Schaub had his most productive NFL season alongside Shanahan in Houston back in 2009, when he led the league with 4,770 passing yards and made the Pro Bowl. He threw 29 touchdowns with 15 interceptions that year while completing a career-high 67.9 percent of his passes. Now, that was seven seasons ago, and Schaub isn't the same player. He struggled in two starts in place of Joe Flacco this past season, throwing two pick-sixes. Schaub has thrown 14 career pick-sixes and seven since 2013. But his familiarity with Shanahan's scheme could make him a solid option if Ryan suffered an injury or struggled miserably in a game. Would you be more comfortable with Schaub or an unproven Sean Renfree? Drafting a quarterback to groom in a backup role is an option, of course, but the Falcons are in win-now mode after missing the playoffs three consecutive years. It seems more sensible to go with a seasoned veteran behind Ryan. Here's what Shanahan previously said about his time working with Schaub: "Schaub was my first guy that I had. He was extremely accurate and very good at going through a progression. He didn't need very good protection. If you didn't block for him well, he still got rid of it. He was great at not taking sacks. He's a guy I felt comfortable to throw the ball with every time, and I think we led the league in passing and were toward the bottom in rushing. It was because with Schaub, you could do three-step drops and count on it as a pass play because he would get rid of it. I thought Schaub was a very good player at that.'" We'll see which direction the Falcons go once free agency begins March 9. http://espn.go.com/blog/atlanta-falcons/post/_/id/18947/never-say-never-to-matt-schaub-returning-to-falcons Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndySG Posted February 3, 2016 Share Posted February 3, 2016 Please say "never". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toadfishtom Posted February 3, 2016 Share Posted February 3, 2016 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OBXFalcon Posted February 3, 2016 Share Posted February 3, 2016 (edited) People are gonna probably flame me like crazy for this-but I would love to have Schaub backing up Ryan. It should have been obvious this past year that Shanahan's system is extremely complicated (enter Matt Ryan 2015). The guy knows the system and had his best years running the system. Yeah Schaub had some bad games in Baltimore (and elsewhere) but did you see how many injuries that team had and how bad they were in general? Stash Renfree on the practice squad and sign Schaub to a one-year $1 mil deal. I think he would be one of the better options out there personally. Edited February 3, 2016 by OBXFalcon add line Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jesus Posted February 3, 2016 Share Posted February 3, 2016 He might help Ryan with that playbook. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sponge Posted February 4, 2016 Share Posted February 4, 2016 I say let Schaub and Manziel have a fist fight for the backup spot. And the winner gets to be told NO, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thanat0s Posted February 4, 2016 Share Posted February 4, 2016 We need an experienced backup, so I wouldn't have a problem with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lornoth Posted February 4, 2016 Share Posted February 4, 2016 Better than Renfree. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slamee101 Posted February 4, 2016 Share Posted February 4, 2016 People get so name obsessed. I know he's a whipping boy but seriously, he'd be the best backup we've had in this city in quite some time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Francis York Morgan Posted February 4, 2016 Share Posted February 4, 2016 He'd also help our backups learn the playbook. I'm all for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ltstorm2 Posted February 4, 2016 Share Posted February 4, 2016 All day long all day strong bring him in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
falcndave Posted February 4, 2016 Share Posted February 4, 2016 I like it. Not really a guy who will push Ryan, but he knows the system well enough that Ryan will be aware of his presence. In the event he actually had to play, I think we are good enough on offense that he wouldn't have to carry the team. He would clearly be better than anyone else we have here today. Unless we are actually going to draft a QB who may play in this league some day (with five picks I don't see how), he is a better option than most who are actually available. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4dabirds Posted February 4, 2016 Share Posted February 4, 2016 Schaub is better than Renfree, and would be a good 2 year option IMO. Renfree would benefit being the 3rd guy with the experienced older guys giving him information. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PK Manley Posted February 4, 2016 Share Posted February 4, 2016 I wouldn't be too opposed to it, but man, his tendency to throw pick sixes lately is unbelievable. The article says he's thrown "seven since 2013", which sounds bad enough, until you realize that's only in 12 starts. If you thought the turnovers this year were bad, God help us if we have to start Schaub. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knight of God Posted February 4, 2016 Share Posted February 4, 2016 1 hour ago, slamee101 said: People get so name obsessed. I know he's a whipping boy but seriously, he'd be the best backup we've had in this city in quite some time. lol...sense he left Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bring It Posted February 4, 2016 Share Posted February 4, 2016 Matt Schaub is a used pickup truck running in a NASCAR race. Too over the hill for words. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rightsaidfred Posted February 4, 2016 Share Posted February 4, 2016 16 hours ago, FentayeJones said: Here's what Shanahan previously said about his time working with Schaub: "Schaub was my first guy that I had. He was extremely accurate and very good at going through a progression. He didn't need very good protection. If you didn't block for him well, he still got rid of it. He was great at not taking sacks. He's a guy I felt comfortable to throw the ball with every time, and I think we led the league in passing and were toward the bottom in rushing. It was because with Schaub, you could do three-step drops and count on it as a pass play because he would get rid of it. I thought Schaub was a very good player at that.'" But not now. Please...........no Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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