Shiver
02-26-2007, 05:31 PM
It appears that as coaches got done watching the Combine workouts, some of them rekindled their thinking about Matt Schaub. Be assured, Atlanta will put the high tender on Matt at week's end, but that doesn't mean Atlanta will require a first- and third-round pick as compensation in a trade.
The Falcons will not give the guy away, but after evaluating the 2007 prospects' performances, Schaub probably is no worse than third in this class, and for a few teams, he's probably second. As one personnel director with an interest in a quarterback said, "The Falcons know that Schaub's value is probably close to the 15th pick in the first round, but putting a deal together that works for all parties is the tricky part."
Here are a few ideas that are floating around Indianapolis this weekend.
1. A team in the top 14 spots in the draft could trade down close to the 15th spot, pick up an extra pick or two, and then trade for Schaub and get the other players they need with the extra picks. Keep in mind, Schaub would have to negotiate a long-term deal with a new club. I'm not sure the Falcons will ever trade Schaub, but if a team calls with a pick close to No. 15, they might sit up and listen. I wonder if teams like Minnesota, Houston or Miami would consider this idea?
2. It can be problematic for a team to get another team to trade with them in the draft in order to position them for a maneuver like Scenario No. 1, but using a second-round pick this season and a sliding-scale pick in the 2008 draft eliminates a third party. Consider the same three teams mentioned above put a package together that includes this year's second-round pick and a second next year that could escalate to a first if Schaub hits certain benchmarks. For instance, a second-round pick in 2008 appreciates to a first-round pick if Matt starts 10 or more games, throws a minimum of 15 touchdown passes and gains more than 2,000 yards. The Falcons would have a hard time turning that deal down, the trading club keeps this year's first-round pick and I'm sure the team would be comfortable parting with its 2008 selection based on performance.
3. Schaub could throw a monkey wrench in the whole thing if an interested club puts out a low-ball offer. He could decide to just sit in a Falcons uniform for one year on a high tender and then hit the street as an unrestricted free agent in 2008 with the opportunity to let any of the other 31 clubs compete for his services. The Falcons know they will receive no compensation for Schaub if he walks in 2008, and there's no way the Falcons would protect themselves in 2008 with a $12 million franchise tag.
Based on conversations I have heard around Indianapolis this weekend, it will be interesting to see what happens with the Matt Schaub situation.
Interesting, to say the least.
The Falcons will not give the guy away, but after evaluating the 2007 prospects' performances, Schaub probably is no worse than third in this class, and for a few teams, he's probably second. As one personnel director with an interest in a quarterback said, "The Falcons know that Schaub's value is probably close to the 15th pick in the first round, but putting a deal together that works for all parties is the tricky part."
Here are a few ideas that are floating around Indianapolis this weekend.
1. A team in the top 14 spots in the draft could trade down close to the 15th spot, pick up an extra pick or two, and then trade for Schaub and get the other players they need with the extra picks. Keep in mind, Schaub would have to negotiate a long-term deal with a new club. I'm not sure the Falcons will ever trade Schaub, but if a team calls with a pick close to No. 15, they might sit up and listen. I wonder if teams like Minnesota, Houston or Miami would consider this idea?
2. It can be problematic for a team to get another team to trade with them in the draft in order to position them for a maneuver like Scenario No. 1, but using a second-round pick this season and a sliding-scale pick in the 2008 draft eliminates a third party. Consider the same three teams mentioned above put a package together that includes this year's second-round pick and a second next year that could escalate to a first if Schaub hits certain benchmarks. For instance, a second-round pick in 2008 appreciates to a first-round pick if Matt starts 10 or more games, throws a minimum of 15 touchdown passes and gains more than 2,000 yards. The Falcons would have a hard time turning that deal down, the trading club keeps this year's first-round pick and I'm sure the team would be comfortable parting with its 2008 selection based on performance.
3. Schaub could throw a monkey wrench in the whole thing if an interested club puts out a low-ball offer. He could decide to just sit in a Falcons uniform for one year on a high tender and then hit the street as an unrestricted free agent in 2008 with the opportunity to let any of the other 31 clubs compete for his services. The Falcons know they will receive no compensation for Schaub if he walks in 2008, and there's no way the Falcons would protect themselves in 2008 with a $12 million franchise tag.
Based on conversations I have heard around Indianapolis this weekend, it will be interesting to see what happens with the Matt Schaub situation.
Interesting, to say the least.