Las Vegas Raiders starting quarterback Derek Carr, spoke his mind during a team press interview on Tuesday. The highlight of the conference was his “I’m tired of being disrespected” statement. Since then, the quarterback’s state of being has reverberated throughout the sports world, and those words will now hang over the Silver and Black captain as he enters the 2020 regular season.
Derek Carr Contradicts Himself
Derek Carr’s upbeat demeanor faltered on Tuesday with this statement during a team press conference.
#Raiders QB Derek Carr: "I'm being completely honest, I'm tired of being disrespected." https://t.co/aLnZyvwRSY
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) August 4, 2020
The disrespect that the Las Vegas Raiders starting quarterback is referring to is not that of the organization.
From Inside Training Camp Live on @nflnetwork on Derek Carr feeling disrespected and why he has a chance to show his critics what he can do. pic.twitter.com/lhfmfAIgLx
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) August 5, 2020
If it’s not disrespect from the team, then why should it matter? Just three months ago, the veteran quarterback told The Athletic’s Vic Tafur that he doesn’t care what others have to say.
“I don’t want to waste one second on that negativity when I am trying to win a Super Bowl, if that makes sense. I have one goal and that is to win the Raiders a championship, multiple championships, and your negativity isn’t helping me.”
So what changed between May and Tuesday? Nobody is sure what transpired between now and then. However, the words of the former second-round draft pick have only frustrated some Raider fans even more.
Derek Carr is still like a little boy trying to make everyone happy, he says the right things, he tells everyone about his armband and how he’s dedicating the season to his idol like he’s in high school or something. Just STFU and win some GD games. This act is getting old!!
— Kid Santi (@antjustwinbaby) August 4, 2020
Moreover, instead of a just a fractioned Raiders fanbase criticizing him, Carr has now brought national attention upon himself.
National Blowback
If Carr thought he was disrespected before Tuesday, it may be in his best interest to avoid various national media outlets for some time. Many analysts and pundits have been mute on Las Vegas’ quarterback this offseason, but his recent statement garnered the attention of many.
First, former Indianapolis Colts All-Pro center Jeff Saturday weighed in on the matter on ESPN’s First Take.
Jeff Saturday reminds Max Kellerman that Derek Carr just needs to “grow thick skin” if he is tired of being disrespected. He adds a very poignant remark at the end –
“Respect is earned in the NFL.” #RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/C8JtsK3Sid
— Albert (Raiders) (@TheFakeAlbert) August 5, 2020
Second, Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio and former NFL quarterback Chris Simms dug into the issue.
Chris Simms says Derek Carr is not as “Dorky in person as he seems in interviews”.
Florio takes another personal jab by calling him “below par”.
They both continue to make fun of his quotes from last year.
Media is killing Carr at this point. pic.twitter.com/5NpWZoe2xS
— Albert (Raiders) (@TheFakeAlbert) August 6, 2020
Likewise, Good Morning Football’s Kyle Brandt eloquently described the matter as best as anyone.
Derek Carr says he’s tired of being disrespected. @KyleBrandt responds… pic.twitter.com/lOO4xDWcVc
— Good Morning Football (@gmfb) August 6, 2020
Brandt’s closing statement of “If you (Derek Carr) don’t win this year, they’re (critics) right.” hits the nail on the head. Ultimately, Derek has placed an unprecedented amount of pressure on himself this upcoming season.
The Truth Cuts Both Ways
As the team enters a new venue in Las Vegas, there is little prohibiting Derek Carr from becoming a top tier quarterback in 2020. The organization has surrounded him with numerous dynamic offensive skill players. The offensive line is one of the largest, and best in the entire NFL. The defense has acquired quality free agents and added promising young talent. For him to say that he feels disrespected from those on the outside is a sign of insecurity.
If external forces cause Carr this much grief off the field, who is to say that opponents on the field can’t do the same? All in all, he has brought more ‘disrespect’ upon himself with his recent statements; as if the Silver and Black don’t have enough to worry about as they enter 2020.
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Top Photo by Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group
