Falcons Having Second Thoughts? Really?

by Scott on Jul 19, 2007 10:37 AM CDT in News

Adam Schefter at the NFL Network reports an earth-shattering development in the aftermath of the Vick indictment: the Falcons want Matt Schaub back. According to Schefter, there is a rumor floating around some circles that the Falcons would be willing to part with two first-round draft picks to get Schaub back from the Texans, but the Texans are perfectly satisfied with the Anti-Carr, who has "demonstrated leadership, accuracy [and] intelligence" during his few months in Space City, all of which are traits that were lacking from the Texans' prior starting QB, who by all accounts (ok, most accounts) was more concerned with his hairstyle than either his own development as a quarterback or team's success.

I am personally thrilled with the Schaub acquisition and believe that he is capable of being the Texans' starting QB for the next ten seasons. However, TWO first round draft picks? For a guy who's started just two NFL games at QB? If that was really true, would you be willing to accept that return as incentive to send Schaub back to Atlanta and go with Sage for a year or two at QB? It's not like the Falcons are likely to be a title contender in 2007 or 2008, so those two draft picks could potentially be very high first round draft picks. Thoughts?

I would probably say no, simply because Texans' fans want to win "now", and Schaub gives them the best chance to do so. However, I would not be terribly disappointed if the Texans' were able to milk a couple of first-round draft picks out of Bobby Petrino in return for Schaub, who obviously could possess all the intangibles but still not pan out as a winning QB in the NFL. Petrino must be thrilled with his current situation. Wonder how many text messages he sends a week to Brian Brohm?

UPDATE: Check out this open letter by Atlanta columnist Furman Bischer to Falcons' owner Arthur Blank regarding his decision to trade Schaub rather than Vick. The Texans have certainly made myriad mistakes in their early stages of existence, but one can never claim that Bob McNair has allowed a player of questionable character to "hold the franchise hostage". Questionable talent? Now that's a whole different ball of cheese.

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Damn...

I'm as big a pro-Schaub guy as anyone, but DAMN that's tempting. That's basically trading two seconds for two firsts, right? (I consider the trade down in the first a wash.) With our first and the Falcons' first, we could likely get ourselves in a position to draft Darren McFadden.

Ouch... I dunno.

by MDC on Jul 19, 2007 11:01 AM CDT reply actions

Hmmmm...

First off, it's likely all moot, as Schefter says the rumor has no truth to it. But assuming it did...man. I don't think I do it.

If Kubes really thinks The Schaub is the guy to lead Houston to the promised land, I would be very wary of jettisoning him, regardless of the chance to take two players in the first round of the next two drafts. Who knows who'd be available at QB? And surely there would be some significant growing pains with another rookie QB, right? Haven't we learned that lesson?

But it sure would be a tough decision.

Looking forward to a day when being a Texans fan doesn't mean that April is the highlight of my season...

by Tim on Jul 19, 2007 1:25 PM CDT up reply actions

Anybody got a quarter?

Flip it, and let me know what we decided to do.

We can be critical of the draft picks, but in the end we always support the new Texan.

by Shake on Jul 19, 2007 11:11 AM CDT reply actions

In a heartbeat

It would take me one second to accept this offer.

I mean seriously, two first round picks? Unless I was one step away from a superbowl, that's far more value than any player.

Damn.

-Chris

Check out SB Nation's Jaguar Blog at Big Cat Country

by River City Rage on Jul 19, 2007 12:12 PM CDT reply actions

Are you implying

that we AREN'T one step away from a Superbowl?

What a pessimist.

We can be critical of the draft picks, but in the end we always support the new Texan.

by Shake on Jul 19, 2007 12:26 PM CDT up reply actions

Be careful....

...what you wish for, you just might get it. Remember the last Atlanta Falcon backup QB who was traded to start for another team?...That's right, Brett Favre.

Let's keep Schaub and see what he can do.

"...and if I claim to be a wise man, well, it surely means that I don't know". SL

by Southern Lion on Jul 20, 2007 12:01 AM CDT up reply actions

Wow

Props for the impressive historical footnote.

We can be critical of the draft picks, but in the end we always support the new Texan.

by Shake on Jul 20, 2007 8:07 AM CDT up reply actions

The problem

Normally, there would be no way to pass up a deal like this. BUT, it seems as if the Texans...gulp...might actually like their starting QB. That's pretty huge. He has shown unprecedented leadership from the position, and he seems to be bringing the team together. Obviously, I'm talking a little out of my bum here, but I don't remember ever seeing this kind of enthusiasm behind carr. About Darcy? Yes.

So, now, we have a different level of expectations about the team and it's leadership. There are many of us here - undoubtedly blinded by optimism for the first time in years - that expect 8 wins. We expect not to suck. We expect the ball to be thrown downfield for more than five yards a pop.

The last thing we need is to have the wind sucked out of our sails again. It's time to start nutting up. If Schaub fails, then he fails, but at least he'll frickin' try.

by bigfatdrunk on Jul 20, 2007 8:39 AM CDT reply actions

effort

From what I've heard, almost immediately after he was traded to Houston Schaub contacted the other team members to express his confidence and enthusiasm. That's leadership, something Carr never exhibited. That's a plus already.

"...and if I claim to be a wise man, well, it surely means that I don't know". SL

by Southern Lion on Jul 20, 2007 8:56 PM CDT up reply actions