Raiders quarterback Derek Carr has tired of the incessant speculation about his job security with the team that drafted him in 2014. The talk commenced in earnest at the start of the past two offseasons. This time, the chatter kicked off much earlier. On Wednesday, the Dallas Cowboys and Prescott failed to reach agreement on
Raiders head coach Jon Gruden, general manager Mike Mayock unlikely to pursue QB Dak Prescott
Dak would be more expensive than Brady. Moreover, I don’t know if he brings that “it” factor Gruden seems to favor. If you were to compare 2019 seasons between Dak and DC, I’d say they had a relatively even year.
We are already stuck with a QB who is overpaid, don’t need to have Dak. I would also think that Mariota may have a shot at taking over the starting gig for the Raiders. He’s versatile and seems to do whatever he can to get his team a win.
Coming off two injury years, having Mariota healthy is the priority. Mayock has said as much. In 2018, it was his throwing shoulder. Last season, it was his throwing elbow. While he ran the Titans’ scout team and gave their defense fits in practice, it’s different versus game action. The richness of Mariota’s contract, I believe, had more to do with being a quality player. The other part, which you alluded to in another thread, is having a quality back-up to DC. The Raiders haven’t had anyone who could step in and play effectively as the No. 2. To an extent, I think DC has the expectation Mariota will push him during camp and practice.
David, Mariota definitely needs to be healthy. I actually think that the lay off from playing this off season is going to help a few guys get their bodies “right” Mariota included.
When will everyone realize that DC is Gruden’s guy? He does exactly what Gruden tells him to do. Cork said predraft that if Gruden/Mayock weren’t 100% sold on DC, that they would make a move in the draft because it would be their last chance to be in position to do so. They stood pat with DC. That speaks volumes. Gruden does not want to start over, and doesn’t think he needs to. He’s happy with DC’s progress to date. If he wasn’t, he would have made his move when he had the chance. The Dak noise is just that, because nobody has anything else to talk about and they need clicks. Mariota is good insurance, just like any other solid back up QB. Glad to have him, but he won’t be starting unless Carr gets hurt. DC’s “spiking” cap hit of $22M in 2021 is chump change for a starting QB by today’s standard. Time for us all to move on and find something else to talk about. Actions speak louder than words, and Grudens/Mayock’s actions with DC tell us everything we need to know.
Carr is Gruden’s guy right now – that’s all, just a marriage of cpnvenience.
It’s not lack of anything else to talk about that keeps us coming back to the way that Derek fails to lift the team to wins, his inability to adapt to the situation and the plain obvious poor decision making too many times on big downs in big games.
As fans we can see this and you can bet that Gruden and Mayock can too…. when a realistic chance at a guy they think can make this team a contender comes along they’ll take it like a shot.
Put simply, there was no real chance to get that guy this year in the draft or FA : Brady, too old and wanted to play for Arians. Rivers, old and overrated. Cam, not been fit since 2015. Dalton, a Derek Carr lite. No way were Cincy trading out of the first pick on Burrow, Herbert not a step change from Carr. Only real option was injury hit Tua and Miami didn’t want to trade. Against that list, Carr didn’t have to have much apart from experience to keep the gig.
Carr won’t win the big games again this year, based on what we have seen in 5 of his 6 years. We know it, whatever we hope for and Gruden knows it and is waiting for his guy to come into view….
Great counter points, Andy. We’ll hopefully find out one way or the other this year, barring some COVID-19 nonsense that messes up the season.
Matt, absolutely right…. still hoping for a breakout type year for#4…. if we get any play. I would genuinely love him to succeed and prove me wrong: both for him and because of what it would mean for the team.
Only thing that counts is what happens on the field!
Cheers
Carr is a middle of the pack QB.
He’s a QB that you need talent around him to bolster him. It’s not the other way around. He doesn’t elevate a team and he won’t win you a Super Bowl.
Keep searching for a QB that is capable of winning a Super Bowl.