DEREK CARR: Raiders quarterback disrespected?
It doesn't take much to rile up a competitive athlete in the NFL. But there is nothing that fires up a player more than a perceived slight or lack of respect. That's why my ears perked up when I heard Derek Carr's response to a question on whether he considered opting out of the 2020 season.
"I did not. I have a lot to prove to myself. I have a lot to prove to my organization," Carr told reporters on Tuesday. "I'm going to be completely honest with you: I'm tired of being disrespected."
Based on the typically mild-mannered quarterback's tone there, it is apparent that he's irritated by the outside noise regarding his job status and place in the pecking order among NFL starters. Despite the fact that Carr just posted a 70.4 percent completion rate, 21:8 touchdown-to-interception ratio and 100.8 passer rating in 2019, there were plenty of whispers that the Raiders were dissatisfied with their franchise quarterback and could look to upgrade the position in the offseason. The speculation only intensified when the team signed former No. 2 overall pick Marcus Mariota in March to a two-year, $17.6 million deal. Although the veteran was dumped by his original team in favor of Comeback Player of the Year Ryan Tannehill, the signing seemingly put Carr on the hot seat. And then speculation also ran rampant that Las Vegas would jump into the quarterback sweepstakes on draft day, something that ultimately didn't come to pass.
Given all that, it's no surprise the seventh-year starter (and three-time Pro Bowler) feels disrespected by the football world.
While critics point to his 39-55 career record and a resume with only one winning season, Carr has played at an MVP level at times (see: 2016) and his improved performance under Jon Gruden should've solidified his spot as the team's long-term solution, right?
That's what I would imagine when comparing Carr's numbers to some of the young stars at the position:
PASSING STATS SINCE 2016:
Carr: 66.4%, 15,536 yds, 7.3 ypa, 90:37 TD-to-INT.
Dak Prescott: 65.8%, 15,778 yds, 7.6 ypa, 97:36 TD-to-INT.
Carson Wentz: 63.8%, 14,191 yds, 6.9 ypa, 97:35 TD-to-INT.
Jared Goff: 62.4%, 14,219 yds, 7.6 ypa, 87:42 TD-to-INT.
It doesn't matter whether you personally like the players listed or not -- the fact that Carr's production over the past four years is nearly identical speaks volumes. Each of the other three players is viewed as his team's unquestioned QB1 by his front office and coaches. Sure, some of them evoke quizzical looks from certain folks in the football world when their names are mentioned in "franchise quarterback" conversations, but they are certainly not under scrutiny from their own staff.
That's why I understand Carr's frustration. He has done more with less in the Gruden era, but skeptics -- outside and apparently inside the building -- continue to question whether he really has the goods to be a true franchise QB.
Studying the All-22 Coaches Tape from the past two seasons, I'm struck by Carr's ability to play like a pass-first point guard from the pocket. Carr gets the ball out of his hands quickly and utilizes every option in the route concept. Although the horizontal nature of the Raiders' passing game would seemingly crush Carr's yards-per-attempt average, the veteran passer notched the best ypa of his career in 2019 (7.9) despite throwing to a number of castoffs, misfits and unknowns.
With that in mind, the Raiders should be optimistic about Carr's potential to take his game up a notch with an upgraded supporting cast on the perimeter. Henry Ruggs III, the first receiver off the board in April's draft at No. 12 overall, gives the team an explosive playmaker on the outside with speed to burn. He is a rare find at the position, as a deep-ball specialist with outstanding stop-start quickness and dynamic running skills. The Alabama product should give Carr a legit No. 1 receiver to target in the passing game. Keep an eye on third-round pick Bryan Edwards as another pass catcher who will enable Carr to silence his critics with a strong 2020 campaign. The 6-foot-3, 212-pounder should thrive as a chain mover between the hashes with his big frame and strong hands. The South Carolina product has already drawn comparison to Davante Adams from Carr, based on his combination of physicality and ball skills. If he quickly emerges as the WR2 opposite Ruggs, Carr's supporting cast begins to look like a dangerous unit, with a pair of young playmakers alongside TE Darren Waller and RB Josh Jacobs.
Considering how well Carr has been able to play without blue-chip players around him, I predict that the football world will need to put some respect on the 29-year-old's name when he runs onto the field this season.