Carr takes off running, looks to extend plays
NAPA >> Derek Carr dropped back, checked his progressions, and finding no one open and defenders retreating to cover receivers, broke to his left and set sail toward the sideline.
He got several yards downfield before running out of bounds.
We’ve heard this before about Carr. He’s got some athletic skill, and perhaps he should take advantage of them from time to time and move around a little bit. No one is asking him to be Michael Vick or even Rich Gannon, but a rushing first down every now and then would be advantageous toward moving the chains.
“I need to do it better. In the second year of a system, you can get through progressions faster,” Carr said. “In my head I can eliminate certain coverages and then get out and extend it whereas last year I was trying to do it so perfect. And we had too many sacks, and they weren’t all on the offensive line. That’s my fault. I take the blame.”
Carr said coach Jon Gruden has told defensive backs on occasion to jump routes, forcing Carr to consider running. The ancillary benefit is that Antonio Brown (one he returns from injury) excels at getting open when a quarterback has been extended. Just ask Ben Roethlisberger.
“Derek is a lot more athletic than people think,” Gruden said. “Hopefully we can get some more scramble, second-reaction offense.”
Another factor — Carr hasn’t been completely healthy for awhile now.
More quick hits from Day 1:
• Alec Ingold, an undrafted free agent from Wisconsin, looked smooth as a receiver out of the backfield on a handful of plays, including two with the offense backed up to the end zone.
With incumbent Keith Smith out following minor knee surgery, Ingold can make himself a serious competitor to get a 53man roster spot if he blocks to his potential, catches the ball and can also participate as a core special teamer.
• Tight end Darren Waller made what might have been the play of the day on a downfield catch from Carr. But the player who looked like an oldschool bruiser at the position was Paul Butler. Tight end, which also includes rookie Foster Moreau (a lock if healthy), returnee Derek Carrier and veterans Luke Willson and Erik Swoope, figures to be one of the most competitive positions in camp.
• Hunter Renfrow, the fifth-round pick out of Clemson who GM Mike Mayock said looks like Doogie Howser, came as advertised in the slot. Renfrow got open in the middle of the field and made more plays than Ryan Grant, who figures to be his primary competition.
• With more than a hundred Raiders alumni on hand, ranging from legendary to the obscure, Gruden hoped a few would take the opportunity to impart some wisdom on the 2019 Raiders. That happened near the midway point of the first session, when cornerbacks Lester Hayes and Mike Haynes gave defenders a pep talk.
“It was started by Lester, who talked about working on their weaknesses — that’s what training camp is for,” Haynes said. “If you’re right-handed and jab with your right hand, use a right shiver and use your right shoulder to tackle, then you need to just as comfortable using your left-hand jab, left shiver and left shoulder.”
Haynes advice? Telling cornerbacks to get as close to the line of scrimmage as they could so they could get their hands on a receiver.
• Others spotted either on the field or hotel included Jim Otto, Jim Plunkett, Tom Flores, Justin Fargas, Max Montoya, Bill Romanowski, Rod Martin, Todd Marinovich, Mervyn Fernandez, Harvey Williams, Justin Fargas, Isaiah Ekejiuba.