OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- For quarterback Matt Schaub, the first 10 practices of Baltimore Ravens training camp have resembled his last two forgettable seasons.
There have been poor decisions, interceptions and frustration. Onlooking fans have grumbled in the stands, and a teammate has even heckled.
It seems like the only ones not worried about Schaub's play are the Ravens' coaches and the backup quarterback himself.
"I thought I've had a good camp," Schaub said. "I've felt things have gone relatively well. Obviously, it's a time you want to test things, you want to test yourself, test your offense [and] test the other guys in the huddle and see what they can do and see who's going to be there to make the plays. So, it's just one of those things that we're going against a good defense day-in and day-out -- and it's really challenging us."
Schaub will get plenty of opportunities to play against someone other than the Ravens' challenging defense over the next four weeks. He will receive the most playing time of any Ravens quarterback during the preseason, which begins with Thursday's preseason opener against the New Orleans Saints.
His play in the preseason should be a better indication of whether this is truly a fresh start or a continuation of a downward spiral. In a span of three years, Schaub's gone from being a Pro Bowl quarterback (2012) to a benched starter (2013) to the runner-up in a quarterback competition against a rookie second-round pick.
Quarterbacks coach Marty Mornhinweg said there's no concern if Schaub was pushed into the starting role, something a Ravens backup hasn't had to do since 2007.
"He had the one [tough year] in Houston, and then last year in Oakland, things didn't go quite the way [he hoped]," Mornhinweg said. "He's a very good quarterback, he has an awful lot of strengths, he's very consistent and he knows much of this offense already. He's just an excellent leader. He has a lot of strengths, so I would have no concern about that. In fact, I'd be excited for him to get to play in these preseason games and see exactly where he's at."
From 2009 to 2012, Schaub ranked in the top 10 in passing yards (sixth), touchdowns (ninth) and passer rating (No. 8). He led the Texans to AFC South titles in 2011 and 2012.
In 2013, his last season in Houston, Schaub had interceptions returned for touchdowns in four straight games, an unwanted NFL record. Last season, after getting beat out by Derek Carr in Oakland, he threw 10 passes -- five went to his receivers and two landed in the hands of the defense (one was returned for a touchdown).
Schaub, 34, was cut by the Raiders on March 16 and was signed by the Ravens to a one-year deal with $2 million guaranteed two weeks later.
"Last year was very difficult. It was a tough year in general," Schaub said. "There were a lot of things going on away from football that a lot of people don't know about. I've grown as a person -- both as a football player and as a person from it."
The biggest question with Schaub is his arm strength. He has had problem throwing outside the numbers and deep downfield.
"I hear some of the criticism [that] he's not throwing the ball as well as Joe -- I will grant that -- and he has had a few crazy plays out here," coach John Harbaugh said. "There have been some tipped balls and things that have come back, but I still stand by the fact that I believe he's practicing very, very well. He gives us a lot of a backup quarterback. We're going to hope we don't need him, but if we do need him, he's going to play well."