Oakland Raiders to give Derek Carr extended look in final preseason game
By Cory Buck
The Oakland Raiders are giving starter Matt Schaub the night off in the team’s final preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks, which is good news for rookie Derek Carr, who will get some much-needed reps before starting the regular season on the bench behind Schaub.
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Jerry McDonald at the Contra Costa Times writes that Derek Carr ‘likely will play well into the second half‘ in the team’s final tune-up before they open the regular season. Facing the Seahawks defense is about as tough as it gets for a rookie, but Carr won’t have to worry too much about Seattle’s starters, who will likely sit before the first quarter is up.
Carr meanwhile was excited about the opportunity no matter who else is on the field. “The more that I can be out there, the happier I’ll be,” Carr said. “That’s why we work so hard in the offseason. That’s why you spend so many hours here before anyone’s here.”
A second round draft pick out of Fresno State, Carr has been Oakland’s presumed QB2 in 2014 despite the fact that Matt McGloin has NFL experience from playing last season and has outplayed Carr in the preseason. One factor working in Carr’s favor? Poise and savvy.
“I’ve said it from Day 1, the guy’s comfortable in the huddle,” offensive coordinator Greg Olson said. “The game’s not too big for him. … I don’t think the game’s too fast for him, which a lot of times is a concern with a rookie quarterback.”
He’ll want to be plenty comfortable when he spends half the game sparring with the Seattle Seahawks backup defense.