FLOWERY BRANCH — Matt Schaub’s cool presence in the huddle has the Falcons believing the offense can keep moving should starting quarterback Matt Ryan’s long string of consecutive starts end this season.
Schaub, 35, is entering his 13th season with a return to Atlanta, his first NFL home, and the confidence earned from starting 92 of 141 career games with the Falcons, Houston, Oakland and Baltimore.
Falcons coach Dan Quinn says the experience is valuable — even though Ryan hasn’t missed a start since 2009. Schaub has made a strong first impression with Quinn, who says the veteran has “a real coolness about him.”
“When the pressure is on, he kind of looks at you and smiles and says ‘This is what we’re going to do,’ “Quinn said last week. “That’s an assuring feeling, knowing that’s an important job for us.”
Quinn hasn’t decided on a plan for rotating his quarterbacks in Thursday night’s preseason opener against Washington, he said. Sean Renfree and Matt Simms also are competing for a backup job.
Ryan’s streak of 103 consecutive starts, including four playoff games, is the league’s third- longest among active quarterbacks, behind Eli Manning (194) and Philip Rivers (169). Even so, Ryan has taken a beating: He was sacked at least 30 times each of the last three seasons — the most in his career.
If Ryan’s streak continues, Schaub will be just another backup in a baseball cap. Even so, he said he likes being back in Atlanta and never considered retiring after last season.
“Keep going? There was never any doubt,” Schaub said. “It was just a matter of the opportunity.”
Schaub previously played with offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan and quarterbacks coach Matt LaFleur in Houston. He said his relationship with Ryan also made Atlanta a good fit.
“I talked with him and my ability to lend a hand, help out, be ready to go and if called upon I can be there and cut loose for these guys,” Schaub said.
When Schaub began his career with Atlanta in 2004 as a backup to Michael Vick, the Falcons were still holding training camp at Furman University. Now, he’s enjoying camp life in the team’s comparatively luxurious dormitory on the grounds of their practice facility, where, he said, “the air conditioning is always on and the beds are comfortable over here.”
Tight end Jacob Tamme said Schaub “has been hitting peo- ple all over the field” in practice.
“Look, I don’t know what age you’re supposed to play to as a quarterback,” Tamme said. “I don’t think his age is doing anything to him. ... He understands the offense, as a veteran knows the ins and outs of this offense and football at this level. He adds a great presence here.”
In other recent NFL news:
Moore retires three days after signing with Falcons
FLOWERY BRANCH — Veteran wide receiver Lance Moore retired Monday, telling the Atlanta Falcons his heart wasn’t in it only three days after signing with the team as a free agent.
The Falcons announced Moore’s retirement before practice. Coach Dan Quinn said he admired Moore’s integrity.
“I’ve got a lot of respect for him as a man,” Quinn said. “I thought it was real admirable, his approach. What a pro to say, ‘If my heart is not in it, I want to make sure I’m not taking the opportunity from somebody else.’ I thought, what a classy guy.
“I wish him the best. A guy like that you know is going to be very successful past his football career.”
Moore, the former longtime New Orleans Saints receiver, signed Friday to compete for the No. 5 spot at his position. He was competing for a spot behind Julio Jones, Mohamed Sanu, Justin Hardy, Eric Weems and possibly rookie Devin Fuller.
Quinn has said wide receiver is among the most competitive positions on the team, even after veterans Roddy White and Devin Hester were released.
Among other receivers competing for spots are Nick Williams, Aldrick Robinson, Corey Washington, David Glidden, J.D. McKissic and Jordan Leslie.
Moore, 32, had 389 career receptions for 4,816 yards and 44 touchdowns in eight years with New Orleans. He had a combined 43 catches the last two years with Pittsburgh and Detroit.
Chargers lose receiver Stevie Johnson for the season
SAN DIEGO — San Diego Chargers wide receiver Stevie Johnson will miss the season with a knee injury, coach Mike McCoy confirmed Thursday.
Johnson injured his right knee during the second practice of training camp while getting up to run downfield after making a diving catch. The nine-year pro underwent surgery Tuesday and was told Wednesday that his season was done.
Johnson, who’s often used as a slot receiver, missed six games last year with hamstring and groin issues. He had 45 catches for three touchdowns and 497 yards.