There was a lot of surprise and excitement around Raider Nation when rookie quarterback Derek Carr was named the starting quarterback for Week 1 (and beyond) over veteran Matt Schaub earlier this week. But now that the week is almost over and gameday is quickly approaching, what exactly should we expect out of the rookie from Fresno State on Sunday against the New York Jets?
In his press conference on Tuesday, Carr mentioned that he “wasn’t really thinking about being the starter or being the backup.”
“I was really focused on learning the offense the best I could,” he said. “So that way, whenever I got onto the field, whenever that time was, I could help this team win.”
Carr definitely helped the team win during the preseason. He completed two-thirds of his passes in the preseason (30-for-45) for 326 yards with four touchdowns and an interception. As his numbers showed, he seemed to get better and more comfortable during the preseason as well. His only interception was in his debut at Minnesota when he threw just high to his fullback Jamize Olawale on a rollout to his left.
make animated gifs like this at MakeAGif
Since then, Carr’s shown that he can drive the team efficiently downfield. He makes his reads quickly and gets rid of the ball almost instantly.
While it’s a good sign that he can make his reads almost right away, and for the most part place the ball in a spot where only his receiver will catch it, Carr has shown that he’s not afraid to throw into double coverage.
make animated gifs like this at MakeAGif
make animated gifs like this at MakeAGif
In his breakout game against the Seahawks (the game that got him the starting job), Carr showed all of these traits in the win against Seattle: comfort in the pocket, quick reading and release, and a comfort level with his receiving core, the momentum of all of which he should continue going into Week 1. The best part going forward is that he knew where everyone was going to be and when they make their breaks in each passing play.
He was near perfect against Seattle, going 11-for-13 for 143 yards with three touchdowns, two to wideout Denarius Moore against cornerback Philip Adams.
make animated gifs like this at MakeAGif
make animated gifs like this at MakeAGif
Don’t expect the same exact success from Carr against the Jets on Sunday. It’s possible he may struggle for a drive or two, however it’s possible that he could gain some confidence throwing in this league against a makeshift and inexperienced Jets secondary highlighted by converted corner Antonio Allen and Darrin Walls. Both corners have just four combined starts in the NFL with nickel corner Kyle Wilson (who has been decent at best) and rookie safety Calvin Pryor backing all of them up. Cornerback Dee Milliner is out against the Raiders with an ankle injury he suffered early in the preseason, something that could benefit Carr.
It’s the front seven that Carr has to worry about against the Jets.
Rookie quarterbacks are 1-7 in their first meeting against a Rex Ryan-led Jets defense with a 48.3 completion percentage.
“You’re going to see coverages you haven’t seen and blitzes you haven’t seen necessarily in college,” Ryan said a few days ago. “In college a lot of times, you can spread guys out (on offense) and see quarters coverage (from the defense) the whole game, and coaches are yelling like they’re really coaching or something. It’s hysterical when I see it sometimes.”
Expect the Jets run defense to contain both Maurice Jones-Drew and Darren McFadden, forcing Carr to beat them in the passing game. What Ryan will exactly do to put together a new blitz package and mixed coverage looks will be seen on Sunday, but it will be a true test for Carr out of the gate.