The NFL season is around the corner and fans are ecstatic about the upcoming season. Here at the Raider Ramble, we want to see Las Vegas Raiders rookies and veterans alike take the field. There is one player that stands out, quarterback Derek Carr.
It feels like yesterday when the Raiders drafted QB Derek Carr
Here we are, Folks. We made it! It’s almost football season! I am pumped and I am ready to watch some NFL games. I haven’t been this excited in a long time, probably not since the start of the XFL. Fear not though, we have made it. Currently, I’m looking forward to seeing Derek Carr drive the Raiders new offense in 2020! Buckle up and start the CARR.
Carr took the starting job in 2014, his rookie season. Just like any other first-year player, the Fresno State product went through growing pains left and right. However he was able to show off some skills, and ended that campaign with 3,270 passing yards. Although it isn’t eye-popping, he also had a58.1 completion percentage. The Raiders went 3-13 that year, but Carr still showed off some individual prowess. Heading into 2020, plenty of that talent still remains the same (for better or worse).
Against Carr is the fact the Raiders have only made the playoffs once since Carr took over. Since that rookie 2014 campaign, the Raiders haven’t won much with the 2018 season being one of the worst of his career. That year, the Silver and Black had a horrid 4-12 record. Only his rookie campaign has been worse, when the team finished 3-13.
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Derek Carr hasn’t been the best, but not all is on him
Now this isn’t all Carr’s fault, hear me out. The three time Pro-Bowler doesn’t play defense or make the calls on who brings talent to the team: However, Carr’s toughness has been questioned and challenged as the Raiders have struggled under head coach Jon Gruden’s return. Last year, the veteran quarterback put up big numbers and in two years in Gruden’s system, he has posted more than 4,000 passing yards twice.
Those numbers may be high because of check down passes he makes. He recently ranked third most in that category. In 2019, Carr only threw for 21 touchdowns, the same number he had in his rookie year.
Now in 2020, Carr finally has some weapons at wide receiver. The newest group is even more talented than the bunch the Raiders had in 2016 (his only winning season). He has competition for the first time in his career with Gruden bringing in a very hungry Marcus Mariota from Tennessee. This should be a wake up call for Carr. The Silver and Black may subtly be telling him that he must improve or it may be time to move on.
With talent at wide receiver, running back, tight end, a great offensive line, and a head coach who is a quarterback whisperer, Carr has no excuses but to flourish: He can’t look back any longer, and for that reason, he’s the Raiders players I am the most excited to see on offense in 2020. I predict 40+ touchdowns and 11 interceptions, and roughly over 4,400 yards, with a 101.1 QBR.
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Top Photo: Ed Zurga/Associated Press
