Sep 27, 2014; London, UNITED KINGDOM; Oakland Raiders linebacker Khalil Mack (52), quarterback Derek Carr (4) and coach Dennis Allen at NFL on Regent Street in advance of the International Series game between the Miami Dolphins and the Raiders. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
After making NFL.com’s Midseason All-Rookie team, it should come as no shock that rookies Derek Carr and Khalil Mack have continued to crack the NFL media’s Midseason Awards as Bleacher Report named the dynamic duo to their NFL Midseason All-Rookie team on Wednesday. Both players leading their position categories with the majority of the votes, each earning 15 apiece for their efforts through seven games of the Raiders seasons.
The race for B/R’s All-Rookie outside linebacker was tight with the Minnesota Vikings’ Anthony Barr coming in second with 14 votes, but overall the national columnists determined that both Carr and Mack are a cut above their rookie class at their respective positions. Something that can give Raiders fans something to be positive about without a win in the standings just yet.
Here is what B/R had to say about both Carr and Mack:
"Derek CarrGranted, the “All-Rookie” quarterback spot comes with a caveat. The rookie quarterbacks who have started games in the NFL in 2014 have looked very much like—well, like rookie quarterbacks.That goes for Derek Carr of the Raiders too. Oakland’s second-round pick in May’s draft has yet to win a game, and the former Fresno State star has made his fair share of mistakes.However, Carr has had his moments as well, and after he threw for 328 yards in a Week 8 loss at Cleveland, Raiders interim head coach Tony Sparano talked up the youngster while speaking with Jodie Valade of The Cleveland Plain Dealer.“The great thing about Derek Carr is he doesn’t settle,” Sparano said. “He’ll go out there and learn from the film tomorrow. I thought the guy fought his tail off right to the very end of the ball game.”Carr’s 1,517 yards and nine touchdowns are hardly eye-popping numbers, but he has more scores than turnovers and a respectable passer rating of 82.Khalil MackNot a lot has gone right for the winless Oakland Raiders, but the 2014 NFL draft certainly appears to be paying dividends for the team.In addition to Carr, first-round pick Khalil Mack has also played well. Through seven games, Mack’s 43 total tackles are tied for third on the team, and his 35 solos lead the club.After posting six stops against the Cleveland Browns in Week 8, quarterback Brian Hoyer told Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle that Mack left an impression on his opponents.Mack “gained the respect of everybody on our team,” Hoyer said. “That guy is one of the best players we’ve gone against this year, and that’s a unanimous decision in that locker room.”"
You can read the full article on B/R’s Midseason All-Rookie team (voted on by B/R’s National and Lead Division writers) by clicking on the link.
"In other words, it’s not entirely Carr’s fault the Raiders are 0-7. Not by a long shot."