Oakland Raiders Notebook: Preseason thoughts at halfway mark

Aug 22, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) passes against the Minnesota Vikings in the first quarter at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Going Deep

The single best moment of the preseason game against the Vikings was seeing Derek Carr throw a perfectly placed long ball to Amari Cooper early in the game. With all of the things Cooper can do, he is an exceptional vertical talent and Carr is the perfect quarterback to take advantage of that talent. With the exception of Cooper’s inability to properly drag his feet near the sideline, the throw and catch were perfect. It is not as if Cooper had created an overwhelming amount of separation either. The throw in a way helped create separation for Cooper.

If that ball is not perfectly placed over Cooper’s shoulder into his front pocket similarly to how Teddy Bridgewater’s throw to Johnson for the touchdown was perfect, then the defensive back would be allowed to make a play on the ball.

This was the first time this preseason Raider fans were able to watch their new fan favorite do what he does best and it was one heck of a flash. You can see the comfortability that has developed between Carr and Cooper. This may be the single most important relationship between players on the Raiders not only for this season, but for the next decade, and we finally got to see some true flash of potential.