Raiders’ Derek Carr: ‘I always think about what I did wrong’
Oakland Raiders rookie QB Derek Carr is a perfectionist. Despite throwing a touchdown pass to Darren McFadden in training camp recently, he wasn’t satisfied. He’s the first to criticize himself and analyze what he could have done better.
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“I felt like I should have put the ball another yard in front of him, but McFadden was so fast that he just beat and it didn’t matter much,” Carr said after Friday’s practice. “I got lucky there. I was blessed that he caught it. But it’s little things like that that I’m focused on. I can’t say what I did best, I always think about what I did wrong.”
It’s a good sign that the young signal caller recognizes how much he needs to learn. However, he must find a balance, or else he’ll end up his own worst enemy. Others are seeing the improvement in Carr.
“The ball’s getting out quicker,” offensive coordinator Greg Olson said. “…We felt that his drop step was way too high, so we widened it a bit so he’ll be ready to throw quicker. He has great upper-body mechanics, but now he’s much more balanced. I think this change will tie in well.”
He has demonstrated solid knowledge of the playbook up to this point, according to CSN Bay Area’s Scott Bair. The Raiders’ second-round draft pick has exceeded expectations. If he doesn’t get an opportunity to start this year, he will certainly be a competent backup.
“Derek, he’s attacked it the right way,” head coach Dennis Allen said. “I think he’s on track for where we want him to be and he’s continued to improve on a daily basis. We’re pleased with where Derek Carr is.”