The Facts: A year ago, on Day 2 or 3 of training camp, coaches and players started to notice a lack of zip in Matt Flynn's passes. His confidence, and months later Flynn himself, followed his arm strength out the door. The early returns this year have been much better. Second-round pick Derek Carr is zipping passes, not looking like a rookie. And the guy that GM Reggie McKenzie traded for this year to be the starter, Schaub, looks the part. "Matt's our quarterback and he's done a great job ever since he got here," HC Dennis Allen said.

Diehards Line: Schaub lost his starting job last season in Houston, and threw interceptions that were returned for touchdowns in a record four straight games. DT Antonio Smith was there, and now he is in Oakland after signing with the Raiders. "Schaubby's getting his mojo back," Smith said. ... We'll see. Given the current league-wide depth at the position, there are no guarantees Schaub will even be drafted in most fantasy football leagues. But that doesn't mean he isn't worth watching as a potential free-agent pickup once the season starts.