A warm fuzzy feeling is not what is usually associated with the stadium known as the “Black Hole”, but the matchup between the Texans & Raiders in Oakland will bring back some positive memories for a few players on both sides.
DL Antonio Smith & QB Matt Schaub spent the last several years in Houston, and P Shane Lechler played the majority of his career in Oakland. And of course, the Raiders newly drafted starting QB bears the name everyone in Houston remembers – Carr, as in Derek Carr, the younger brother of the Texans’ 1st ever draft pick & starting QB for the franchise’s 1st seasons, David Carr. The game has turned out to be something of a homecoming on both sides of the field.
Texans’ OT Duane Brown is especially interested in how it will be facing the “Ninja”, Antonio Smith. “It’s going to be different. It’s going to be weird,” Brown said. “I’ve never been against 
him at a full-speed tempo before. It’ll be fun though. We both had a very good understanding of each other & what to expect in each other’s tendencies.” He’ll certainly be prepared for the “Ninja” routine, having experienced it in Houston. “First time I saw him with his ninja outfit on, full clad ninja outfit on, I knew he was serious about it,” added Brown. “It wasn’t a game. It wasn’t a joke. He was very serious about it.”
Smith had 27 sacks in his five years with the Texans, and was a steady veteran presence on the defensive line. This is the 1st year DL J.J. Watt has been on the Texans without Smith alongside him. “He’s a very good guy. He taught me some things. He also just helped teach me the ropes a little bit about the NFL & what it’s like,” J.J. said. “He played in NFL Europe & he got cut many times, but he found a way to persevere through it all. He has some great stories to tell about his past & how he got to where he is. Even though my path was different, I still learned from it.”
The end of his tenure with the Texans might have sullied Matt Schaub’s name in Houston, but he was still the starting QB for seven seasons under Gary Kubiak. Schaub is currently plagued by elbow problems after a so-so preseason, which left him as the backup to Derek Carr. It’s not the reunion matchup most were expecting when he was dealt to the Raiders in early 2014, and fans clamoring to see the Texans defense intercept Schaub will probably have to suffice with watching him hold a clipboard on the sidelines.
Matt Schaub did have some special seasons with Texans, piling up a Texans’ career record 23,221 passing yards, so teammates remember him fondly. “It will be great,” WR Andre Johnson said about the encounter with Schaub in Oakland. “I’ll get to see him. Tell him ‘Yo.’” Brown was the offensive tackle for Schaub most of his time in Houston, so he’s ready to cross paths with him in Oakland, even if it’s in a different uniform. “It’ll be good. Matt’s a good friend of mine, somebody that I protected for six years. It will be weird seeing him in that black & silver, man. It’ll be different, but it’ll be good to see him.”
As to the QB who took Schaub’s place, Derek Carr is relishing the opportunity to play against the team that drafted his brother. “It will be cool. I have nothing but love for Houston & Mr. (Bob) McNair,” Carr said. “He’s 1st class & so is that city. I loved my time there. It’s where I grew up. I still hold it near & dear to my heart.”
Houston Texans head coach Bill O’Brien has been impressed with what he’s seen from Derek Carr, who was 20 of 32 for 151 yards & 2 TDs in his 1st start. “He’s a very accurate passer. Has a good handle on the offense. You can tell that obviously at Fresno (State) & now here in Oakland. For a rookie, he’s a mature guy. He’s got good poise. He’s a guy that’s going to get better & better each time out there.”
David Carr had his ups & downs with the Texans & over his NFL career, so Derek has been soaking up his advice since being drafted by the Raiders. “The best thing he has told me is you’re going to praised & you’re going to be criticized a lot. Ignore both because neither matter,” Derek Carr stated. “That’s one thing he taught me & it puts everything in perspective. You’ve got to come to work every day.”
Shane Lechler’s return to Oakland is different than most of the Texans, because he played the bulk of his career with the Raiders. He had several All-Pro seasons in Oakland, including an NFL best gross average per punt of 47.5 yards over his Raiders’ career, despite the team being awful most of his years there.
Lechler’s leg has impressed O’Brien, who is glad he is on his side of the field. “He’s very much like a coach on the field,” O’Brien said. “He’s seen so many different looks & adjustments that he’s able to help the young players with what their call should be. Most importantly, on the field he’s a fantastic punter. He’s the best punter I’ve ever been around. I know that we’re lucky to have him here & he is a big weapon.”
While this is his 1st trip back to Oakland since leaving in free agency, Lechler is not in awe of being on the visitors’ side of the field & facing the wrath of costumed Raider fans like Darth Raider, Gorilla Rilla & Blitz Chick that seem like they were pulled out of a Halloween Fright Night. “I think sometimes it gets kind of mistaken a little bit,” Lechler said. “It’s a very intense place to be in that part of the field.” He added, “But like I said earlier, I wouldn’t say it’s anymore than I felt our energy here at our stadium this Sunday. It’s a football stadium. It’s nothing out of the ordinary other than some costumes.”
It might not be out of the ordinary, but the ‘Black Hole’ does hold a special connection for some of the Raiders & Texans reuniting on Sunday. The warm feelings may dissipate after the game begins & the teams battle for victory in front of a rowdy fan base, but the ties forged will last long after the final whistle.
