It seems like a case of deja-vu for the Raiders as for the second year in a row they have benched the quarterback they recently acquired via trade (both named Matt), for a youngster already on their roster. Raider fans just hope the outcome is different this time.
Last year the Raiders traded a late round pick to Seattle for quarterback Matt Flynn only to see him outplayed by teammate Terrell Pryor in the preseason. Pryor had to sit out week one of the regular season due to a concussion, and Flynn stepped in only to lose to the Washington Redskins 24-14. During that game Flynn was sacked seven times, lost two fumbles, and had an interception returned for a touchdown. Not only was Flynn benched for week 2, but he was released outright. Pryor would end up the starter, but he too would struggle, and is no longer with the Raiders.
Earlier this off-season the Raiders traded a late round pick to Houston for QB Matt Schaub. Schaub played poorly in the preseason going 24-of-47 passing for 218 yards with no touchdowns and one interception. He was also sacked three times. Citing a sore elbow, Schaub sat out the pivotal week 3 preseason game as well as the final preseason game in week 4. Derek Carr was unable to play week 3 due to a concussion, but played impressively in week 4 going 11-of-13 for 143 yards and three touchdowns.
Just six days before the regular season opener, Head Coach Dennis Allen and the Oakland Raiders named Derek Carr the team’s starting quarterback. Carr will be the first opening day rookie starting QB in franchise history. Dennis Allen has told reporters that making Derek Carr the starter is not week to week. Their hope is it’s forever.
Let’s refresh your memory on the Raiders new quarterback of the present and future. Derek Carr was taken 36th overall in the 2014 NFL draft. Carr had a tremendous career at Fresno State. He became only the second FBS quarterback in the last 15 years to throw for 50 or more touchdowns and 10 or fewer interceptions in a season. Carr stands 6’ 2” tall and weighs 214 lbs. He showed great athleticism during the combine running a 4.69 40 yard dash. Carr shows NFL –calibre arm strength with the ability to throw through tight windows. He has a unique combination of arm strength, accuracy and athleticism. He also has good vision, ability to elude pressure, and shows the decisiveness to scramble when needed. The knocks on Carr are that he primarily played in a shotgun system in college against a weaker level of competition.
Draft experts predicted that Carr would push Schaub to start this year; just not sure anyone expected it would be this soon. The question now is what happens to Matt Schaub. Coach Allen has already indicated that Schaub would be the number one backup in week one versus the Jets, but the Raiders already have a reliable backup in Matt McGloin. The team would surely love to keep Schaub as a mentor for the rookie Carr, but that is only if Schaub remains professional. Also working against Schaub is that he is guaranteed to make $8 million this season.
The Raiders have handed the keys to Carr but they are rolling the dice by throwing in a rookie QB who will face Rex Ryan and his vaunted defense in week one. The Jets do have one of the weakest secondaries in the NFL with second year Dee Milliner sidelined with a high ankle sprain, so Carr could have some success if the O-line can hold up. They had better hope so as it is no surprise that this season will decide the futures of both Allen and GM Reggie McKenzie. This could be another long season if the Raiders are forced to go back to Schaub in week two.
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