I know Carr has no winning record against any AFC West opponent. No, not even the Chargers, with LA’s sweep of last season beating Carr to just 6-6 vs. the Bolts luts. And I know the Raiders have had just one winning season during Carr’s NFL career. If you set Carr’s 12-3 mark as a starter in his famed MVP Caliber 2016 campaign, the team’s combined record under Carr is 27-52.
That’s not great. I can feel the frustration. But we don ‘t put that all on Derek, do we? Playing for Dennis Allen (like Carr did in his rookie year) and Jack Del Rio (like Carr did from 2015 to ’17) is not exactly like playing for Andy Reid or even Gary Kubiak, two coaches who won Super Bowls in the AFC West in Carr’s time in the league.
The Raiders have allowed 26.0 points per game since Carr finished 36th overall in the 2014 NFL Draft – the second-most in the NFL. And Carr entered the fourth quarter, trapping his opponent in nearly 60 percent of his starts. The Raiders have done that 56 times in a team, fourth-most in the league, behind only the Browns, Jets and Jaguars. Your white, elite company.
Of course, some responsibility for keeping up with the other team should go to the quarterback. But Carr has had to do it on his own in principle in recent years. Amari Cooper, generally ranked fourth in 2015 to be a superstar wide receiver, did not really live up to his potential until he was traded to the Dallas Cowboys in 2018. (It was like when you break up with someone who was untrustworthy to you, and then you see them on Instagram living their best lives. Cooper was like the person who broke Adele’s heart.) Cooper his departure left 33-year-old Jordy Nelson – who was well past his prime, as those rockers of the ’80s continued to perform on stadium tours, even though there was not enough spandex in the world to cover them – on top of the WR depth chart that season. Should I even talk about Antonio Brown, whose intrusion was one of the worst things I saw last season? (And I watched The Undertaker fight Goldberg in the Super ShowDown.)
Despite the lack of a proven no. 1 receiver has tied Carr Matthew Stafford for the comebacks in the fourth quarter in the NFL since 2014 (18). Yes, that’s more than Russell Wilson (15), Drew Brees (14) and Matt Ryan (14). (As I type that sentence, I realize how strange it is that Ryan is the only one from that group who has won an MVP.)
This one season, Carr is not will have to do it all because he will play with the best supporting cast of his NFL term. Running back Josh Jacobs – who should have been the Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2019, if you factor in the unbiased opinions of Gruden, Raiders fans and the fantasy enthusiasts who lined him up – is on track for a big breakout in Year 2. The offensive line, which was once a disadvantage, has become one of the best in the league, earning the top ranking Pro Football Focus in pass-blocking on long-pass games (and ranking 11th in general line play) in 2020. Near end Darren Waller appeared as a legit passing goalie. And rookie receiver Henry Ruggs III is a throwback to the era of Al Davis, who valued speed above all on the football field. (But in a good way.) As for the defense, there is reason to be optimistic after a full-season review that includes signing rock-solid veterinarians Cory Littleton and Nick Kwiatkoski and drafting cornerback Damon Arnette.
Moreover, there is the issue of the former disrespectful – and the extra motivation it will provide. Carr recently announced that he will wear an armband to honor late NBA star Kobe Bryant, one of Carr’s heroes. Kobe obviously had a Mamba Mentality that allowed him to feed on perceived slights, and used them to drive him to personal greatness.
Well, Carr has gotten enough disrespect for partying this year. And I can not wait to see it.
