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Oakland Raiders: Why Derek Carr is better than Bortles

By Matthew Lorscheider

Dec 24, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) passes the ball against the San Diego Chargers during overtime at O.co Coliseum. The Oakland Raiders defeated the San Diego Chargers 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 24, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) passes the ball against the San Diego Chargers during overtime at O.co Coliseum. The Oakland Raiders defeated the San Diego Chargers 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 29, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) welcomes teammates to the field during warm ups prior to the game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 29, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) welcomes teammates to the field during warm ups prior to the game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports /

Intangibles 

The hardest way in which to measure two players is in the vague realm of “intangibles.” Things like work ethic, leadership ability, passion, heart, toughness and football IQ. To be frank, I can’t really discuss these things with Bortles at length. He was a great leader and clutch player in college and has been a quiet and solid pro who clearly is popular enough amongst his peers to get ranked way too high on the NFL Network’s little show. I can’t detract from him in this regard.

But Derek Carr is special. Maybe the rest of the league doesn’t know how special but I have had my eye on this kid since his older brother was my favorite college team’s star quarterback. I’m a Fresno State fan as well as a Raider fan. I watched Carr come up in college, and I’ve watched him develop in two years as a pro. I’m familiar with who he is as a human being and a quarterback.

Derek Carr is every bit the football “nerd” and film room junkie that Peyton Manning was, and has been since he was a kid breaking down game tapes with his older brother. Carr has a football IQ that is out of this world and it has shown time and time again on the field for the Raiders where he has adjusted protections, changed plays, and delivered results.

Carr is also a passionate leader who loves playing football, loves his teammates, and loves being a Raider, and that infectious enthusiasm has spread to his teammates, to the organization, and to the fans. Consider his words after his first win as a starter, that memorable Sunday Night victory over the Chiefs after a 0-10 start: “I can’t wait to see my teammates smile.” Consider that among his best friends on the team are defensive players like Khalil Mack, who he greeted in the locker room after Mack’s 5-sack performance against Denver by enthusiastically repeating “I see why they picked you before me!”

Carr is the type of quarterback you build a franchise around. He’s a likable guy, a guy who his teammates all want to play with and play hard for. He’s a film room junkie and a long-time student of the game who has football in his DNA. He has exceptional arm talent and combines it with great athletic ability, and has no limitations stemming from his physical makeup. While Blake Bortles will certainly make a quality NFL quarterback in his own right, there is absolutely no one else in this league I’d rather see my Raiders return to glory with than Derek Carr.

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