Pressure squarely on Carr’s shoulders
Offensive coordinator notices his QB is ‘pressing’ at times
ALAMEDA >> You’ll never meet a more friendly and gregarious sports figure than Raiders quarterback Derek Carr, a guy who seemingly has it all together — faith, perspective, a beautiful family and also a competitive streak that has served him well.
Yet even with all those things working in his favor, Carr isn’t immune to the outside pressure that comes with being a big-salaried, face-of-the-franchise leader who has changed systems of football more than he has cars. And Derek loves his cars.
The pressure was turned up a notch when the Raiders decided they wouldn’t pay Khalil Mack at a rate greater than that of Carr in terms of guaranteed dollars.
Criticisms are coming at Carr from all angles. He’s too conservative and checks down too often. He takes unnecessary gambles, particularly in the red zone. He should stay in the pocket and throw. He doesn’t step into his passes. He should move out of the pocket and create with his feet.
If you’re 4-1, none of it is true. When you’re 1-4, all of it is true. That’s life as a quarterback.
It appears to have been too much to ask for Carr to hit the ground in a dead sprint when it comes to operating the most complex of the four different offenses the Raiders have run since he arrived.
Eleven games remain, and that’s pretty much what the season comes down to — making sure Carr runs Gruden’s scheme with the right mix of being bold and being smart.
“First year in the system. He’s on his fourth coordinator now in his time in the league and I think it’s a comfort level in the system,” offensive coordinator Greg Olson
said. “It’s a matter of sometimes pressing. For us right now, trying to get him to calm down and play in a more relaxed mode so that he doesn’t feel like he has to press to make plays.
“When you look at some of the turnovers he’s had, he’s been pressing, trying to make a play. We like that part about him and he’s a competitive guy. He wants to make every play. Just make better decisions going forward.”
Carr and some other Raiders players were not available for comment as they are scheduled to meet with media in London on Friday. WORLEY IS THE ROCK OF THE SECONDARY >> That didn’t take long. Daryl Worley proved in his first game back he could not only handle his duties in coverage, but was also a physical presence coming up and making tackles against the Chargers.
As Paul Guenther and Gruden seek to figure out a clear pecking order among cornerbacks, Worley is the closest thing to a sure thing.
Worley had eight tackles against the Chargers — second to linebacker Tahir Whitehead — and one for loss.
“That’s just how I was taught when I first came to the NFL, in this day and age they want to get running backs out on corners,” Worley said. “You have to prove to the opposing offense that you can tackle and hopefully they won’t come back to it.”
Coaches in Carolina had Worley watch film of Charles “Peanut” Tillman, one of the best tacklers and ball-strippers this side of Charles Woodson. Tillman ended his career in Carolina in 2015, the year before Worley arrived, but not before forcing 44 fumbles during the course of a career that began in 2003 with the Chicago Bears.
“He was big on getting the ball out, making those physical tackles,” Worley said. “Ever since then I’ve tried to model my game after that.”
After Worley, Rashaan Melvin, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Gareon Conley and Leon Hall will compete for time. Gruden echoed Guenther’s thoughts about the need to take their foot off the accelerator when it comes to Conley’s development.
“He’s got to be more physical and he has to continue to get more experience,” Gruden said. “Everybody wants to see Charles Woodson out there. He’s only played five games. He’s like a rookie. he’s going to continue to learn, get better. He missed most of training camp and almost all of last season. You’re not seeing the finished product yet.”
LEE’S LEADERSHIP MOMENT >> It was a bit of a surprise to see secondyear linebacker Marquel Lee breaking down the pre-game huddle for the Raiders, something that’s usually done by a more established veteran.
Lee, who along with Whitehead have gotten the most work among linebackers, was prodded to get the Raiders going by none other than Carr.
“Derek Carr kind of gave me the brush forward, and it was just something I thought at the time,” Lee said. “I was miked up, too, and was trying to get everybody going.”
While reviews on Lee’s play were generally favorable, he did draw a late unnecessary roughness penalty after being goaded by 38-yearold tight end Antonio Gates. Gates successfully blocked Lee, but also apparently instigated a retaliatory action, which drew the flag.
Gruden greeted Lee before he got to the sideline.
“I was just defending myself, to be honest,” Lee said. “The guy had me by the helmet, and I don’t care who you are, you’re not going to try and punk me. I’m a grown man too. Coach Gruden was like, ‘You’re better than that. Keep your cool. Let it go. Get him back on the next play.’ ” MARTIN BIDING HIS TIME >> Running back Doug Martin, when healthy, has spent most of his career as a lead back who gets plenty of work and gets into a rhythm. It’s a big change this season, with Marshawn Lynch turning back the clock and Jalen Richard settling in to the receiving-rushing role as the thirddown “satellite” back.
Martin has 99 yards on 27 carries. Raiders fans have taken to social media and wonder why he’s even on the roster. Gruden and Olson understand the position is one of attrition and they like the way Martin goes about his business.
“It’s tough on him,” Gruden said. “We’ve given the ball to Marshawn a lot . ... We didn’t run the ball much last week for obvious reasons . ... Doug’s been a real pro. I’ll say it again, that’s the strength of our team. That group of backs has been really solid. It’s a credit to Doug for maintaining his poise. I think he knows he’ll be ready if needed.”
OSEMELE DOESN’T PRACTICE >> Raiders starting left guard Kelechi Osemele, who missed the Chargers game with a knee injury, did not practice Wednesday, and Gruden termed him “questionable.”
“If he can’t go, we’ll go with (Jon) Feliciano again,” Gruden said. “We’ll have to rearrange our shortyardage and goal (offense) again. Also sitting it out was defensive end/tackle Frostee Rucker, who left the Chargers game with a neck injury.
The following players were limited in practice: center Rodney Hudson (ankle), defensive tackle Maurice Hurst (shoulder), right guard Gabe Jackson (pectoral), safety Karl Joseph (hamstring), linebacker Emmanuel Lamur (foot), Lynch (hip) and left tackle Kolton Miller (knee).
Joseph was injured early in Week 3 against Miami after playing sparingly in the first two games and may be considered for a role as an occasional blitzer as the Raiders seek ways to pressure the quarterback.