Oakland Raiders’ Winners of Round 1 in Fights For Positions

Aug 8, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) throws during the third quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at TCF Bank Stadium. The Vikings defeated the Raiders 10-6. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Derek Carr

The biggest winner in the first preseason game of the year could very well be second-round quarterback and steal Derek Carr. Remember, this was supposed to be Carr’s red-shirt year as he learns from veteran Matt Schaub with Matt McGloin as the backup. But during OTAs, Carr put that notion to rest by showing it wasn’t too big for him in the process of taking the No. 2 spot.

Then during camp, the coaching staff sang the praises of Schaub even as free safety Charles Woodson picked him off three times in two days. But now, we can all see that Schaub’s passes stay in the air too long and his accuracy had his passes hitting Vikings’ corners in the belly. Carr didn’t set the world on fire when he came in but he showed his arm strength, accuracy, poise and ability to command an NFL huddle.

For the night , he was 10-16 for 74 yards and an interception that first went through the hands of fullback Jamize Olawale. That’s only a 10-9 round but it’s big for Carr because the old veteran looks wounded—not like the great warrior he once was. Schaub is obviously still in the lead but winning the first round is always the big for a young challenger’s confidence and gives him momentum with three rounds left.

Is this the start of another Russell Wilson vs Matt Flynn?