Carr still confident about team’s future
Quarterback responds to critical report
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr responded Tuesday morning to a report saying he has a “fractured relationship” with his teammates.
The team might have lost confidence in Carr because of his recent struggles and facial expressions during the Raiders’ 27-3 loss to the Seahawks in Week 6, according to The Athletic.
Carr was sacked six times against the Seahawks and hurt his left shoulder from a hit in the fourth quarter. As teammates helped him up, Carr was grimacing from the pain in his shoulder.
The report described it as “what looked like him crying.” That didn’t sit well with Carr.
“I’m a Raider,” Carr tweeted Tuesday. “It’s not a ‘popular’ thing to be a Raider right now, but I am and I love it. I love the struggle of trying to fight back for our city when not a lot of people believe in us.
“People can try all they want to tear us apart, but it’s not happening to the real ones.”
Carr’s older brother, Darren, responded to a tweet from Pro Football Talk mentioning the report. Darren Carr pointed out that the Raiders’ quarterback has often played with multiple injuries.
“Don’t even waste your time with this, big bro,” Derek Carr tweeted to his brother. “On the ground, I yelled get me up, get me. Then I got to the sideline and yelled again. Not one tear. Not one time. There is the truth. People will click on it because it sounds crazy. But stop playing with me.”
It’s been rough first year for Carr with Jon Gruden, who traded Khalil Mack last month and Amari Cooper on Monday. Now rumors are surfacing that Carr could be the next one to go.
Raiders take the fifth
The Raiders’ kicker count increased to five this year after the team announced the signing of rookie Daniel Carlson.
Carlson will be the third rookie kicker this season. The addition of Carlson led to first-year kicker Matt Mccrane being waived.
Carlson was drafted in the fifth round by the Minnesota Vikings in April. He was released after missing three field goal attempts in Week 2 during the Vikings’ 29-29 tie with the Green Bay Packers.
The Raiders opened training camp with a kicker competition between Giorgio Tavecchio and rookie Eddy Pineiro.
Pineiro won the job during the preseason but was placed on injured reserve before the regular season with a groin injury.
The move made veteran Mike Nugent the new starter, but he went on IR after three games because of an injured hip.
Mccrane took over as the third starter. He struggled in his three games, making only five of his nine field goal attempts.
Notable
The Raiders have a full 53-man roster again. Wide receiver Marcell Ateman and offensive lineman Denver Kirkland were elevated from the practice squad on Tuesday.
Obi Melifonwu, a 2017 second-round pick, is officially gone. The Raiders announced that Melifonwu was taken off their injured reserve list and released.
Contact Gilbert Manzano at gmanzano@reviewjournal.com. Follow @Gmanzano24 on Twitter.
Review-journal NFL reporter Gilbert Manzano’s weekly rankings, with last week’s ranking in parentheses.
Might be premature to talk undefeated season for the Rams with the Packers and Saints next up on the schedule. We’ll find out soon how good Sean Mcvay’s team really is.
Tom Brady’s offense is starting to peak, but they have injury concerns with Sony Michel and Rob Gronkowski.
Remember when pundits had doubts about Patrick Mahomes? He might be the MVP after seven weeks.
The Saints proved against the Ravens they can score away from home versus a tough defense.
Drew Brees’ crew looks ready for a deep January run.
Minnesota has won three straight after a slow start to the season and will now host the Saints for a “Sunday Night Football” showdown.
The Chargers could be getting Joey Bosa back after the bye week. It’s time to take them serious as AFC contenders.
Cam Newton led the Panthers to a 17-point comeback versus the Eagles last week.
Aaron Rodgers will have his hands full this week with a road matchup against the Rams.
The Steelers are back from their bye week and Le’veon Bell still hasn’t reported.
Baltimore’s defense contained the Saints’ explosive offense, but that wasn’t the surprise. Justin Tucker missing an extra point attempt might be the biggest shocker of the season so far.
Remember when the Texans started 0-3? They’re back in first place in the AFC South.
The Bengals were embarrassed once again on prime time. Adrian Peterson could lead the Redskins to the NFC East crown. What year is this?
It’s probably time to panic for the defending champs.
Brock Osweiler’s “Brocktober” hit a snag last week versus the Lions.
Mitchell Trubisky’s Hail Mary attempt fell one yard short of beating the Patriots.
Blake Bortles was so bad last week, he was benched for Cody Kessler.
Could the Lions be sneaky wild card contenders? They’ve beaten the Patriots, Packers and Dolphins.
Seattle returns from its bye week to face the Lions on the road.
The Falcons have a chance at a wild card bid after two straight wins.
The Jones family went all in on 2018 after trading for Amari Cooper. They might be too high on this roster.
Tampa Bay’s pass defense wasn’t awful for a change last week.
The Titans finally mustered some offense but lost their third straight game.
Vance Joseph might have saved his job by blowing out the Cardinals.
A stunned Baker Mayfield after the Bucs’ gamewinning field goal summed up the Browns’ overtime loss.
Sam Darnold threw three interceptions in Week 7. That’s part of the growing pains.
Andrew Luck finally had some help with a reliable running game in a win versus the Bills.
Well, at least Buffalo didn’t start Nathan Peterman again.
Pat Shurmur’s news conferences are more exciting than the Giants’ games.
Do the right thing, Cardinals. Trade Patrick Peterson and Larry Fitzgerald so they can chase a Super Bowl ring.
Somehow the Raiders got a first-round pick for Cooper. That might be their last win of the year.
San Francisco lost to the lowly Cardinals at home and will start a backup QB the rest of the season. But keep sending emails asking why the Niners are ranked last.
Gilbert Manzano