Tough Loss Points to Bright Future For Oakland Raiders

Oct 12, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) drops back for a pass against the San Diego Chargers during the first quarter at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

Carr is For Real

Rookie quarterback Derek Carr was told by Sparano that it was his team and to take over so that’s what he did on Sunday. The result was 284 yards, four touchdown passes and a quarterback rating of 107.7 for the day on bad knee and ankle. Sure, he threw an interception that cost the Raiders the game but did so by doing what he did to keep the Raiders in the game—playing to win.

The play was not a bad decision, a bad throw or a case of Butler not making a good enough effort to go up and get it. Sometimes, you have to just tip your hat to your opponent because they made one heck of a play to help their team win. Chargers corner Jason Varrett just happened to make one of the best the interceptions I’ve ever seen to show why they got him in the first round this year.

But remember, Carr lit up the No. 4 pass defense in NFL up to that point because Sparano is letting him play his game. Many scoffed when I compared Carr to Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck as a rookie but look at him now. He has more touchdown passes (8) in his first five games than Luck  or any rookie in history without a future Hall of Fame receiver like Reggie Wayne.