Raiders quarterback Derek Carr turned 29 a week ago, five months or so before he begins his seventh NFL season. There are those that think a quarterback is the player he’s going to be by the point in his career Carr has reached. However, a detailed look at the career of New Orleans Saints quarterback
Drawing a parallel between Raiders QB Derek Carr and Saints QB Drew Brees
Comparing Carr to a future Hall of Famer, Drew Brees? That’s a big leap. I get the hypothesis about the 3rd year, but I have a hard time discussing Carr and Brees in the same sentence.
Nonetheless, Carr still needs to improve in his third year with Gruden. If not, Mariota is waiting in the wings.
To be clear, there’s no comparison between Carr and Brees in terms of production. This article simply took a look at how a quarterback that has been in the league for six years can improve his play, at a time when many would consider it very unlikely.
There are no bigger fans of Drew Brees than I. I thought that was one of Al Davis’ biggest mistakes, not taking a flier on Brees in 2006, when Brees was fresh from a shoulder injury, headed to free agency, his career uncertain. Only the Dolphins and Saints were interested in Brees at that time.
Interesting comparison Cork. I agree with your general premise that Carr is still capable of performing at a higher level despite his advanced age. However, Payton’s offensive game plan centered totally around Bree’s ability to execute a wide open, throw first mentality. He let Bree’s loose and I would guess averaged upwards of 35 plus attempts per game. Gruden to this point has limited Carr’s passing attempts by and large to around 30 attempts. Interestingly, in 2016 it was indeed Carr’s arm that was relied upon time and time again to pull out the victories. Bill Musgrave ran plenty of 3 WR sets, utilized his RB’s extensively in the passing game, and had serviceable Tight Ends to work the middle of field. It wasn’t exactly New Orleans West but it wasn’t that far off. Will Gruden change his offensive play calling which will allow Carr to once again throw the ball deeper downfield? Probably not – but that doesn’t mean he won’t call on Carr to throw more passes if he trusts his decision making. In Rich Gannon’s final year playing for Gruden, his pass attempts totaled 618 – the highest amount in his career. Can Carr improve exponentially in this 3rd year of Gruden? Will Gruden trust Carr like he trusted Gannon? I believe the answer to both questions is a resounding YES.
Hmm, interesting take and one that I hope comes true. I just have lost faith in Carr, but would be happy to be wrong and have my faith restored.
I do wonder if the chatter around Brees right before his breakout was that he “needed” this and that (essentially everything around him to be pretty top notch) to succeed? If so, then the comparison would have more meaning for me.
One big, huge, enormous thing that Carr must prove and Brees already has on many occasions. The ability to “carry” that team to victory.
Carr did prove he could possibly do that, as a matter of fact in 2016 when the first game was against the Saints Carr did exactly that. JDR called on him to go for that 2 point conversion and win the game instead of giving the ball back to Brees knowing our D was overmatched to say the least. Carr had that great game but the consistency is not there. Getting rid of Musgrave was a colossal mistake and a big step back for Carr.
Brees has had years where his D could not get off the field, much like our Raiders. But Brees and the O have won a ton of those game due to his talent and the O he is so familiar with now.
If Gruden gives Carr another complete season and Carr does nothing with it, then what? Moving to a new city and stadium, how long is the leash if we start 1-3?
I know this might be a little off subject and I hate to say this, but what if Mayock drafts a DE and DT, I happen to believe that Mayock might fall in love with Kinlaw, or LB in the first, passing on all those WRs? Do we wait until the 3rd round to take a WR? Please remember that Gruden and Mayock both continued to say that Williams is a #1 WR. If Hurts is there, that is a likely pick in the third. What if Mayock cannot trade back at 19, and is unable to pick up a second and or third rounder and for that reason takes Hurts at 19? Nobody saw him taking Ferrell at 4.
I hear you load and clear Vet. Point of fact – in 2016 Carr put the team on his back many times, especially in the 4th Quarter when the team needed him the most. He had confidence and swagger and most importantly the team believed he would bring them back. Personally, I’m really skeptical that the Raiders are serious about Love. Sure put up the smokescreen so perhaps a team jumps out in front of them, thereby dropping a quality player further down than anticipated. Mayock gave a very detailed explanation on why WR’s have a difficult transition to the NFL. I’d love to hear his reasoning on why so many CB’s also have that problem. Could Henderson be the selection at 12? We certainly have a need for one. Huge draft for us.
But since that injury, to me, he has not looked like the same player. I hope he silences the critics, including myself, this season and has an MVP type year. Little would make me happier. But he needs to regain that form.
Yes Henderson could be the pick at 12. Again, after taking Ferrell at 4 last year I put nothing past Mayock. And there is no telling what Gruden will do if there is a QB there he covets.
Assuming no CB Okudah or DT Brown is there and all those QBs are gone by 12 we should get a damn good player. My pick would be Ruggs, Carr and the rest of the O need speed and Gruden has said as much. Ruggs is not DHB, he catches the ball and makes the opposing D pay when he gets the chance.
CBs have the same issue because the game is faster and so are the WRs. Not to mention stronger. Every college player has a learning curve.
Plus 1. Carr has 19 comeback wins. Great article
Plus 1. Carr has 19 comeback wins. Great article Ben that is.
I’ve said this all along about the brees carr semi comparison. Thanks cork for writing an article not hammering carr, those articles are getting old and tiresome. This is the year for carr and if not next year will be the time to move on. I personally think carr will succeed.