Antonio Smith: Raiders’ Matt Schaub has ‘his mojo back’
By Mike Dyce
The Houston Texans decided to pull the plug on the Matt Schaub era after he went 2-6 throwing 14 interceptions, including an outrageous four pick sixes. The Oakland Raiders brought in a lot of new talent during NFL free agency, including the discarded Schaub giving him another chance.
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In the Raiders offense, the organization is saying that Schaub is thriving. Defensive tackle Antonio Smith, who played with Schaub in Houston before making the move to Oakland with him, is one of those around Schaub making that assessment.
“Schaubby’s getting his mojo back,” Smith said, via the San Francisco Chronicle. “He’s getting his confidence back. He’s starting to believe in himself again. He is starting to throw with confidence. You would be surprised just how much your mindset is important in this league.”
Smith’s time around Schaub in Houston before Oakland gives his words some extra weight. He has seen Schaub at his best with the Texans, arguably in 2009 competed roughly 68 percent of his passes for 4,770 yards and a career high 29 touchdowns.
If Schaub is in that 2009 form, the Raiders could be a team to contend with in a loaded AFC West division. Three teams from the AFC West went to the 2013 playoffs.