Texans introduce Schaub as starting QBAssociated Press
HOUSTON (AP) - The Houston Texans introduced quarterback Matt Schaub at a news conference on Thursday, saying he will replace David Carr as the team's No. 1 starter.
The Texans acquired Schaub, a restricted free agent, in a trade with Atlanta. The teams also swapped No. 1 picks in the upcoming draft — the Falcons now have the eighth pick and the Texans dropped to No. 10. Atlanta also received second-round picks in the next two drafts.
"This is another exciting moment in the history of the Texans," said owner Bob McNair, flanked at a podium by Schaub, Coach Gary Kubiak and general manager Rick Smith. "Winning is all about getting better every day and that's what we're trying to do."
Smith said the Texans are trying to trade Carr, the starter since the franchise's inception. Carr completed 60 percent of his passes, but has also thrown 65 interceptions and been sacked 249 times.
"We're working with his representatives and David to find a place for him to continue his NFL career," Smith said. "Matt is our starting quarterback. We're trying to help David find another place. We're trying to trade him today, maybe the next couple of days."
Schaub, who turns 26 in June, has backed up Michael Vick in Atlanta for the past three seasons. He's started only two games and threw only 27 passes in 2006.
The Texans did not release terms of Schaub's contract.
Carr, who turns 28 in July, was the Texans' first-ever draft pick in 2002. The Texans expected Carr to flourish this season under Kubiak, an offensive guru, but Carr disappointed, finishing with more interceptions (12) than TDs (11) for the first time since 2003.
The Texans have never had a winning record, finishing 6-10 in 2006.
Carr has two years left on his contract that will pay him about $11.5 million over the next two seasons.
"We're hopeful he will continue his NFL career and be successful," Smith said of Carr.
Before landing Schaub, Houston tried to sign Jeff Garcia and Patrick Ramsey before the two joined other teams. The Texans were also reportedly pursuing Jake Plummer, who retired.
The Falcons took Schaub in the third round of the 2004 draft. The 6-foot-5 Schaub set school records at Virginia for pass completions (716), passing yards (7,502) and touchdown throws (56).
"This player is what an NFL quarterback should be," Smith said. "He's a leader. He's a strong, smart accurate passer. As we looked at the market and assessed how to get better at the position, we entertained a lot of ideas.
"At the end of the day, the acquisition we've made today is perfect for us."
Carr had similarly glowing numbers at Fresno State when the Texans chose him with the first pick of the 2002 draft. But he's thrown 23 interceptions and been sacked 109 times over the past two seasons and the Texans have gone 8-24.
Houston also has quarterbacks Sage Rosenfels, Bradlee Van Pelt and Quinton Porter on its roster.
Didn't take long to make him the starter 😮
Texans release former No. 1 pick CarrESPN.com news services
The Houston Texans have released quarterback David Carr a day after acquiring quarterback Matt Schaub in a trade with the Atlanta Falcons.
Carr was the first overall pick in the 2002 NFL draft and leaves the Texans as the franchise's all-time leading passer with 13,391 yards and 59 touchdowns in five seasons.
Carr had a 22-53 record as a starter for Houston and was sacked 249 times during those five campaigns with the Texans.
Carr's future was in doubt once Schaub signed his six-year, $48 million contract with the Texans on Thursday. Houston swapped first-round draft choices in 2007 plus the Texans received second-round picks in the 2007 and 2008 drafts for the former backup to Michael Vick.