Donald Penn Talks Derek Carr, Amari Cooper Getting Timing Down
By Chase Ruttig
Jun 9, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) throws a pass as quarterback Christian Ponder (9) watches at minicamp at the Raiders practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Oakland Raiders left tackle Donald Penn is very media friendly as a player who always appears available to do a radio or television spot, something that has made the veteran a popular quote since coming to the team last season. The 32 year old who spent time in Tampa Bay as a Pro Bowl offensive lineman after being signed by the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent carving out a name for himself that has allowed for media attention that Penn always appreciates as one of the true professionals of the game.
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Because of his openness to make time for the media it was no surprise when Penn appeared on SI Now recently to talk about the Raiders offseason, particularly the pairing of Derek Carr and Amari Cooper who are under the spotlight as a potential dynamic duo of the future after Cooper was drafted with the fourth overall pick in the spring. Penn having an up close look at the two from the offensive line shedding some light to SI on just how good the two can be.
Penn told SI Now that even if Carr was a bit rusty from sitting out of OTAs that what he saw from the quarterback and the new rookie wideout in Minicamp in June was more than enough to be excited for the 2015 season from the two promising young NFL talents.
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“Carr’s first day back, (there were people) talking about him being rusty,” Penn said to SI Now. “I looked at him and said, ‘that’s what you call rusty?’ I like it then, because he came back from the first day like he never missed a beat. And, him and Cooper, they’re just getting their timing; they’re getting their rhythm down.”
“They had a couple of great pass and catches in this last mini-camp that were really spectacular. I wish you guys could have seen it.”
It is not a surprise that Penn is excited for Carr as the left tackle has spent much of his time in Oakland singing the praises of the hopeful franchise passer for the Raiders. Now that Cooper is in the fold there is even more of a chance that Carr lives up to the lofty expectations those in Oakland have in him, which makes for a very exciting 2015 as the Raiders rebuild looks that much closer to completion with a potential franchise wideout in Cooper to pair with the young QB.
You can see Penn’s full interview with SI Now below.