Raiders “#StartTheCarr” earlier than expected, bright future ahead for Derek Carr

Forget redshirting a year, if the kid can play, the kid should play.  And the kid can definitely play.

The Raiders announcement on Monday that rookie quarterback Derek Carr will be named the starting quarterback was some of the biggest news to hit Raider Nation since they drafted him in May.

While many thought he would be the backup to veteran Matt Schaub going into the 2014 campaign, his solid performance against the defending champion Seattle Seahawks let alone all preseason, helped give him the edge over Schaub, who struggled to get the Raider offense moving in the exhibition games.  It also helped that Schaub in nursing a sore elbow, forcing him to miss Oakland’s final preseason game, which gave Carr the opportunity.

“We made the decision to go with Derek Carr as the quarterback,” head coach Dennis Allen said after practice on Monday.  “Derek’s the starting quarterback.”

And why not?  The rookie out of Fresno State, and NFL quarterback David Carr’s younger brother, has been outstanding this preseason, completing two-thirds of his passes (30-for-45) for 326 yards with four touchdowns and an interception.

His preseason is highlighted by his start against the Seahawks, where he moved the Raiders first offense downfield for a touchdown against Richard Sherman and Seattle’s “Legion of Boom” secondary, then threw a touchdown on each of his next three possessions.

Overall, Carr went 11-for-13 for 143 yards with three touchdown passes against Seattle after going 9-for-16 for 109 yards with a touchdown against Detroit before leaving the game with a rib injury.

When asked if the Seattle game was a factor in the decision, Allen said that “it was a factor in it.”

“We’ve seen signs of Derek Carr’s development from the day he started camp this year until where he’s at right now.  We’ve seen him grow by leaps and bounds and I think he’s ready to accept the challenge.”

Carr becomes the only rookie quarterback of this year’s quarterback draft class to start Week 1.  First round picks Blake Bortles (JAX), Johnny Manziel (CLE) and Teddy Bridgewater (MIN) are all starting the season as the backup quarterbacks on their respective teams.

Carr’s first test as an NFL starter will be against Rex Ryan and the New York Jets on Sunday.  Historically, Ryan’s defenses usually easily handle rookie quarterbacks, however, with the Jets defense struggling throughout the preseason, Carr may have a shot to make the case that he is meant for this job out of the gate.

Oakland could go 3-1 going into their bye week if Carr can continue playing the way he’s been playing.  They’ll host Houston in Week 2 before traveling to New England in Week 3 for a game with the Pats, then London against the Miami Dolphins in Week 4.  The games against the Jets, Texans and Dolphins are winnable games for the Raiders, especially if we get to see the same team that Carr drove downfield in the preseason.

While it’s easy to celebrate having a potential franchise quarterback take the wheel, remember this, he still has to perform.  Now the games matter and now mistakes will be magnified.  Schaub will still be waiting in the wings for his chance at NFL redemption if Carr cannot get the job done.

But from everything we’ve seen in the headlights so far, this Carr can handle the road ahead.