Raiders’ future in Derek Carr’s hands
NAPA, Calif. — In his job, there is nowhere to run and hide when things go wrong. So, Derek Carr practices being a perfectionist.
He has started every game in his first two years in the NFL. He has made big plays and big mistakes, and he knows how many people are counting on him to produce.
“A lot rides on the quarterback position,” he said.
The Oakland Raiders’ playoff hopes are riding on Carr’s ascension. He has one of the highest profile jobs in all of sports, and if he lets anything slide and slips up, he can count on critics attacking him.
That’s why he’s one of the first players to hit the practice field and one of the last to leave. That’s why he holds himself to a high standard, even on each snap in training camp.
“I put so much pressure on myself. I am the hardest person on me at all times,” Carr said. “I want it to perfect. That’s how I strive to be out here every day.”
Carr, like most other quarterbacks, is the face of the franchise. He will determine a lot about the future of the Raiders, whether they are in Oakland or Las Vegas or in Los Angeles again.
The Raiders’ future appears to be in good hands. Complete with charisma, a sense of humor and a strong work ethic, Carr displays the characteristics of a leader. He is engaging with the media and has a magnetic presence with teammates. He balances football and family as a married father of two young sons.
“He’s got command over everybody, and that’s what you want to see from a quarterback,” Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack said. “He’s always been a leader. It’s a different level of confidence.”
Oakland drafted Mack in the first round in 2014. Carr was a second-round pick from Fresno State, where he passed for 50 touchdowns as a senior and lit up the Mountain West. Carr and Mack each made the Pro Bowl in their second season.
“In my head, I need to train as if I’m still that rookie competing for that starting job,” Carr said. “I still want that same mindset, that same chip on my shoulder. That’s still that second-round thing. That still bugs me. Little things motivate me to want to be better all the time.”
He wears No. 4 in honor of his favorite player, former Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre, who also was a second-round pick. Favre recently said Carr is a “little more polished” at this stage of career.
In his first two seasons as the Packers’ starter, Favre totaled 37 touchdowns and 37 interceptions. Carr has passed for 53 touchdowns with 25 interceptions in his 32 starts for the Raiders.
“The quarterback has got to complete balls and do the right things,” Carr said. “I’ve got to be more efficient.”
Carr’s completion percentage improved from 58.1 as a rookie to 61.1 in his second season, but his passer rating of 91.1 was 19th in the league last season.
“Derek is more comfortable in the system,” Raiders coach Jack Del Rio said. “You can expect him to do things a little sharper, and he expects that of himself.”
Jeff Hostetler, a former quarterback for the Raiders in Oakland and Los Angeles in the 1990s, met Carr for the first time Friday when training camp opened.
“What a quality young man, and he comes from a great family. I’m just really impressed,” Hostetler said. “He’s a smart kid, and he’s got all the physical abilities. I think he has taken that next step already. He’s coming into camp with a lot of confidence, and he’s got talent around him.”
Still, for Carr to truly take the next step, he must eventually lead the Raiders to the playoffs. Oakland went 3-13 in Carr’s rookie season and 7-9 last season.
The Raiders can claim a history of success, but none of it is recent. Oakland owns the NFL’s worst record (63-145) since its Super Bowl season of 2002, the last time the franchise reached the playoffs. That’s a lot of losing to overcome.
“I believe it’s a mindset. We have the talent,” Mack said. “Last year is gone, and 7-9 is not good enough.”
After an interview session Friday, Carr and Mack, the Raiders’ future on offense and defense, hugged in a genuine show of affection.
“I like to talk and lead guys that way,” Carr said, “but I also like to shut my mouth and just go to work.”
Contact reporter Matt Youmans at myoumans@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2907. Follow on Twitter: @mattyoumans247
