Raiders’ line is keeping QB clean
Carr, with only 8 sacks: ‘I feel as fresh as can be’
Like any caring quarterback, the Raiders’ Derek Carr said he checks in regularly with his offensive linemen, who are usually sore but will ask how he’s doing in return.
“I say, ‘I feel great, thank you for asking,’ ” Carr said goodnaturedly Wednesday.
For much of last season, if being candid, Carr’s answer might have been different.
In 2018, he was sacked a careerhigh 51 times — tied for thirdmost among NFL quarterbacks and more than twice his previous year’s total. As early as Week 9, following a sevensack beating by the 49ers, Carr acknowledged the hits were having an effect on him “physically,” if not mentally.
This season, Carr has been sacked eight times — total — in seven games and hasn’t taken a sack since Week 4 against the Colts. After allowing 89 quarterback hits last year, the Raiders have allowed just 14 entering Week 9, the fewest in the league.
Asked about the contrast Wednesday, Carr confirmed the evident.
“I definitely feel different this time this year,” Carr said. “I feel fresh as can be with all the games we’ve played already.”
The link between fewer hits and higher performance is not absolute. Of the league’s 10 mostsacked quarterbacks this season, two have higher passer ratings than Carr — Seattle’s Russell Wilson (115.5) and Houston’s Deshaun Watson (105.7). But both of them thrive on extending plays with their feet, giving pass rushers more time — and opportunity — to chase them down.
In an Oakland offense that relies more on quick reads and the occasional deep shot, however — Carr’s average release time of 2.55 seconds since the start of 2018 is among the fastest in the league, according to NFL’s Next Gen Stats — the improved protection has coincided with Carr compiling notably efficient numbers.
Among quarterbacks with at least 100 attempts, Carr ranks seventh with a 103.6 passer rating, and his passer rating, completion percentage (72.1) and yards per attempt (7.7) all would be career highs extended over a full season.
“He’s been pinpoint with a lot of throws,” head coach Jon Gruden said Wednesday. “He threw some great passes down the field (in Houston on Sunday). He’s like any other quarterback in this league — the better the protection, the better the outcome. But he’s playing well for us, that’s for sure.”
Carr has seemed more inclined to throw down the field lately. In the past two games, Carr has 11 attempts of 20 or more yards downfield, according to Next Gen Stats, compared with nine in the Raiders’ first five games. On Wednesday, Carr said that is a result of “getting different coverages” rather than increased comfort in the pocket.
Still, Carr indicated the Raiders’ pass protection this season — along with an improved running game and more familiarity with Gruden’s system — has allowed for an expanded offense.
“You can be a completely different player when you have that kind of time, to be honest with you,” Carr said. “You can throw different routes, you can have different schemes, you can have different game plans. You can do a lot of different stuff.
“We’re going to go as that offensive line goes. They’re the best players on our football team by far, and we’re going to go as they go.”
The Raiders addressed the line last offseason with the signings of right tackle Trent Brown and left guard Richie Incognito, but have dealt with instability in the first eight weeks. Left tackle Kolton Miller is the only lineman to play every snap as the Raiders have used three players each at left guard, right guard and right tackle. Center Rodney Hudson now is sidelined by an ankle injury.
The safeguarding of Carr has occurred despite the changes. Incognito said Wednesday the line is “really starting to build some momentum.”
“We know if we keep Derek clean, he can pick people apart, and that’s what’s happening,” Incognito said. “We’re protecting really well and some of those receivers are coming uncovered late and he’s able to complete the ball downfield because he’s not getting his head knocked off. We think if we keep Derek clean, we have a chance.”