Derek Carr: Is he ready to take over the Oakland Raiders?

Remember all of those people around the Oakland Raiders telling everyone that Derek Carr will “redshirt” the 2014 season, sitting behind starter Matt Schaub in order to learn the Raiders offense and the speed and nuances of the game for the future?  Yeah, forget that for now.

According to sources around the Raiders, rookie Derek Carr is ready to start if needed.

With Schaub missing Sunday’s and Monday’s practice with elbow tendinitis, Derek could possibly start Oakland’s preseason finale against Seattle Thursday night.  This is where may we get a sneak peek at the future of the Raiders franchise in Carr.

Carr, who’s taken first-team snaps in place of the injured Schaub the past two days, has completed 19-of-32 of his passes for 183 yards with a touchdown and an interception in two preseason games.  He missed last Friday’s preseason game at Green Bay with sore ribs suffered in the Raiders win against the Lions.

He showed signs of improvement and growth as an NFL quarterback in his second preseason action against Detroit, moving the offense in a more efficient way than Schaub has in three exhibition games.

Through Week 3 of the preseason, Schuab has yet to throw a touchdown, has thrown one interception and threw for just 110 yards on 13-for-27 passing at Green Bay Friday night, his longest outing of the preseason.  He’s only completed 51 percent of his passes, averaging just 4.6 yards per attempt and has completed just two of 13 passes for more than 10 yards.

The only highlight of the Raiders first team offense with Schaub under center at Green Bay was Maurice Jones-Drew’s 40-yard dash for a touchdown on the team’s opening possession.

The running game will only get the Raiders so far, Oakland’s passing game has to be more efficient for them to even fight for a .500 record this season.

Enter Carr.

While Carr’s moment in the spotlight is temporary, Thursday night against Seattle (of all teams) will serve as a guide of sort to see how far the rookie has come through OTA’s and training camp.  While most shouldn’t expect a lot out of Carr in what could be his most meaningful start of the preseason, if he can prove to the Raiders coaching staff that he can move the ball downfield consistently drive after drive, then head coach Dennis Allen needs to consider his options.

If the Raiders are out of the playoff hunt after Week 10, expect the Carr era to begin.  It’ll be a perfect scenario for him: low pressure and a chance for him to develop in a true game situation.

Time will tell if we’ll see Carr at some point this season, however the way things are going, the Raiders may take their new Carr out for a spin sooner than anyone thinks.

If that’s going to be the case, hopefully this Carr isn’t a lemon.