Just Blog Baby
FanSided

Should Derek Carr be the Raiders quarterback heading into Las Vegas?

By Sanjit T.

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - SEPTEMBER 29: Head coach Jon Gruden of the Oakland Raiders talks to Derek Carr #4 during a timeout in the fourth quarter of the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 29, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - SEPTEMBER 29: Head coach Jon Gruden of the Oakland Raiders talks to Derek Carr #4 during a timeout in the fourth quarter of the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 29, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 4
Next
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 08: Derek Carr #4 of the Oakland Raiders throws a pass against the Tennessee Titans during the first half of an NFL football game at RingCentral Coliseum on December 08, 2019 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 08: Derek Carr #4 of the Oakland Raiders throws a pass against the Tennessee Titans during the first half of an NFL football game at RingCentral Coliseum on December 08, 2019 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

No. 3: Derek Carr is no good

The last blame that the Raider fans throw out, is Derek Carr. Personally, I think this one deserves more blame, as opposed to the first two arguments that Raider nation uses. Six years in the league, a record of 38-54, five losing seasons, I believe Carr has been the one factor that is holding this Raiders team back.

With his average throw going for only seven yards, Carr currently ranks 32nd among 34 quarterbacks, who have played at least 25% of snaps. This means Carr isn’t risking the throws he once risked. In 2015, 2016, and 2017, Carr averaged 8.3, 8.2, and 8.4 yards per throw.

All clearly better than him the past two years, 7.1 and 7.

Also, in 2019, Carr is one of four, among 34 quarterbacks, who has yet to throw for 300 yards in any game this season. And the Raiders are the only team to not score 30 points on offense.

If you don’t agree and want to blame the defense, I don’t think you’re necessarily wrong. But defense isn’t the only thing holding this team back. I want you guys to think about something. The Seahawks and Texans also rank in the bottom half of the NFL. But they are either in the playoffs or one game out from being in the playoffs.

So how does a bad defensive team win games?

Simple, those offenses are all top-10 in points per game. In essence, a great offense can make up for bad defense. The same way the Raiders did in 2016. That season, they were 7th in offensive scoring and 20th on defense.

This article started with me asking if Derek Carr should be the quarterback heading into the 2020 NFL season? I believe he should 100% be the starting quarterback on Day 1 of training camp.

Although Carr has not sold me, I am also a realist. A random veteran or drafting a rookie and forcing him in there is not ideal.

dark. Next. Oakland Raiders at Los Angeles Chargers: Game preview and prediction

With that said, I do believe the Raiders should take a quarterback in the first round in the 2020 NFL Draft. This way, by keeping Carr, you can allow Jon Gruden to groom his next quarterback. The same way Andy Reid did with Patrick Mahomes, Mike McCarthy with Aaron Rodgers, and lastly, John Harbaugh with Lamar Jackson. This will give a rookie quarterback some time to learn the offense, and develop.

Home/Derek Carr