QB Carr is mastering the mysteries of mobility
ALAMEDA >> Since the day he arrived, Raiders coach Jon Gruden, and by extension offensive coordinator Greg Olson, have told Derek Carr he needs to play quarterback almost as much with his legs as he does with his right arm.
Not that Carr will be doing any Lamar Jackson impersonations any time soon. Nor will he ever rush for 529 yards in a season like
Rich Gannon did under Gruden in 2000.
But with the second half of the season starting tonight for the Raiders (4-4) against the Los Angeles Chargers (4-5), it’s clear Carr has embraced the concept of evasive action.
It hasn’t always gone smoothly.
Carr’s decision-making skills throwing the ball have usually been pretty good. Some of his judgement calls out of the pocket, whether they be overzealous pylon reaches or launching himself into the air near the sideline while trying to get a first down, have left Gruden and previous coaches scratching their heads.
But Carr has clearly gotten better of late, as evidenced by his 9-yard touchdown pass
to Hunter Renfrow that stood up for the winning points in a 31-24 win over the Detroit Lions. According to NFL Next Gen stats, Carr scrambled 21.1 yards on the play until Renfrow came free to his left in the end zone — twice as many scramble yards than any other Carr touchdown pass over the last three seasons.
Carr, who has had his game analyzed and overanalyzed regarding depth of targets and the like, found the scramble stat amusing in his usual gollygee-whiz manner.
“The evolution of analytics, gosh dang. Who comes up with this stuff?,” Carr said. “Let’s just complete passes.”
Which is precisely the point. Carr’s not looking for rushing yards as much as he’s trying to get an extra moment or two to find an open receiver.
“You saw coach chasing me around and yelling on ‘Hard Knocks,’ ” Carr said. “That was not just for the camera. We did that almost every day. After practice, at special teams period, in between drills. It was something we emphasized.”
In a 27-24 loss to Houston, Carr threw a 46-yard touchdown pass to Tyrell Williams off a scramble to his right.
Sometimes the movements are more subtle, as was the case when Carr had just enough movement in the pocket to hit Foster Moreau for a 3-yard touchdown pass against Detroit.
The Moreau play had been worked in during practice during the week.
“Just buying time, and it’s something we drill all the time. Oly (Olson) just last week had me doing that drill, where I’m buying time in the pocket for a few seconds and find a window in the end zone,” Carr said.” Buying time, roll out and throw a touchdown. So, it’s stuff that we work on literally all the time, and it’s fun that all season long, even since Week 1 all the way to now, you’re seeing it happen for first downs, for touchdowns, or even throwaways.”
Carr’s best “throwaway” against the Lions came after backup center Andre James rolled a shotgun snap on thirdand-5. Carr picked the ball up, rolled to his right out of the tackle box, and then threw the ball away. So instead of a long-distance field goal attempt by Daniel Carlson, he converted from 32 yards — approximately an extra point distance.
“That was one of (Gruden’s) favorite plays the whole game because then it helps Daniel. It was Daniel’s favorite play of the game, I can promise you that,” Carr said. “All that stuff, It was harped on, and he’s on me all the time. He never let’s me be comfortable and he hasn’t let me be comfortable with that all year, and it’s been good.”
Gruden likes what he sees Carr doing.
“He made some plays scrambling that are signature plays,” Gruden said. “Things that we’ve been really coaching and prodding him on, and he’s really responded. The touchdown to Renfrow, the bad snap, getting out of trouble and throwing it away saved us three points.”
Having been sacked only eight times all season, Carr has the kind of comfort level where he can buy time without concern for the blow-up hit that came so often a year ago.
“I’m going to sit in the pocket and try to beat you with my mind and my arm,” Carr said. “Now when things (get settled) and people cover things, which happens in this league, being able to extend plays with our offensive line puts in a dagger sometimes. You can extend a third down, get out running and hit a first down or a touchdown.”
• Center Rodney Hudson (ankle) and tackle Trent Brown (knee) were limited in practice Wednesday and will be listed as questionable to face the Chargers. Also listed as questionable is wide receiver/return specialist Dwayne Harris.
Cornerback Daryl Worley (foot) was limited in practice but not given an injury designation, meaning he will play. Running back Josh Jacobs, who has been battling a shoulder injury the past few weeks, was a full participant in both practices and not given an injury designation after a career-high 28 carries (for 120 yards) against Detroit.
Two players are out — defensive end Arden Key (broken foot) and defensive end Josh Mauro (groin).