Texans acquire QB Schaub from Falcons

Mar 22, 2007, 18:10 GMT

Houston, TX - The Houston Texans officially acquired quarterback Matt Schaub from the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday.

Schaub was immediately named the starting quarterback of the Texans, meaning the team will try to accommodate David Carr on a trade.

'Matt is our starting quarterback and we're trying to help David find another place,' Texans general manager Rick Smith said. 'We're trying to trade him in the next couple of days. We feel good about the prospects; David is obviously a talented football player and has value, and I think that value is recognized over the league. So I don't think we'll have a problem with that and I think he will be excited about a new opportunity, and we're hopeful that he will continue have an NFL career and be successful.'

Schaub reportedly signed a six-year deal worth $48 million to come to Houston. The Falcons will get a pair of second round picks, one this year and another in 2008. The teams will also swap first-round picks this year, with the Texans moving down two spots to 10th. Atlanta will select eighth.

The 6-5, 237-pound Schaub served as Michael Vick's backup the past three seasons and completed 84 of 161 passes for 1,033 yards with six touchdowns and six interceptions in his career.

He was originally drafted by the Falcons in the third round of the 2004 draft from the University of Virginia. He has appeared in 38 career games, with two starts.

'I'm excited for this opportunity to be a part of this franchise and this football team,' Schaub said. 'I had the opportunity Tuesday morning to share a round of golf with coach (Gary) Kubiak and we hit it off really well. I understand the offense a considerable amount and I've been able to run it now for six years so I'm excited to get in there and learn even more about football and about this system and about this team.'

Carr, the first overall pick in the 2002 draft, has been brutalized by a suspect offensive line. He's been sacked 249 times during his career, including 76 in his rookie season. Last season, Carr complete 302-of-442 passes for 2,767 yards with 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

In February 2006, the Texans gave Carr a three-year contract extension.

'This is the future that we're talking about, and this young man provides the leadership that we think is needed, and the fact that there were some financial considerations here and it did cost us some money, that didn't stop us from making that decision,' Texans owner Bob McNair said of Schaub. 'I've said that we'll do whatever we need to do to win, and we're not going to let money stand in the way. That's what we did.'

The Texans finished last season 6-10, improving from a franchise-worst 2-14 mark in 2005.

Adding Schaub is the second big change for Houston's offense going into the 2007 season. Earlier this month, the Texans agreed to terms with free agent running back Ahman Green, who spent the last seven seasons with the Green Bay Packers. Green rushed for 1,059 yards and five touchdowns last year.

'I'd say it played into it a little bit,' Schaub said about him wanting to come to Houston. 'I know Ahman personally and I've watched him for the last 10 years during his career, and he's a tremendous running back. He's going to pick up yards and he can catch the ball, and as he said, he loves to block, so he can do it all. It's exciting to have a guy like that behind you that's going to have your back. That definitely enhanced my outlook as far as choosing this team and me wanting to be a Texan.'

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