The Carr Conundrum
Silver & Black Illustrated|November 2019
Fans are fast to defend, criticize franchise QB
Michael Wagaman
The Carr Conundrum

Derek Carr very well may be the most polarizing quarterback that the Raiders have ever had. It’s been that way ever since he entered the NFL in 2014 and very little has changed in the five-plus seasons since.

Take five minutes after any Raiders game and scan social media. There are hundreds of fans chiming in with their support of Carr, no matter whether he plays well or not. They are willing to overlook his mistakes and errant throws, even the head-scratching plays like when Carr intentionally threw a ball into the ground on fourth down last year. Likewise, there are those who simply won’t back Carr in any way, shape or form. A three-touchdown game? It should have been four. Put up 350 yards of passing and they’ll say he should have had 200 more.

It is both perplexing and entertaining, especially for someone who is the most prolific passer in franchise history.

Carr found that out the hard way earlier this season when he passed Kenny Stabler for first place on the Raiders’ career passing chart. While Carr was gracious and spoke glowingly about Stabler after reaching the milestone moment, there was a chunk of fans irritated that Carr’s name would even be spoken in the same breath as Stabler.

You see, Stabler won a Super Bowl. So did Jim Plunkett. Jeff Hostetler never did but endeared himself to fans because of his competitiveness. Rich Gannon was a red-ass to fans and media and was at the center of the Raiders complete meltdown in 2002 when he set a Super Bowl record with five interceptions, three of which were returned for touchdowns. But Gannon was a winner and had helped the Raiders climb out of the NFL gutter and turn into legitimate contenders, so even his historic and epic collapse in the big game was overlooked.

Carr, it seems, either gets too much credit or too much blame. That comes with playing quarterback, of course, but for Carr, it appears to be to the extreme, one way or the other.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM SILVER & BLACK ILLUSTRATEDView all
‘We have to be a much more detailed football team'
Silver & Black Illustrated

‘We have to be a much more detailed football team'

Like so many Raiders fans, coach Jon Gruden found himself searching for answers after the Raiders’ second-half collapse that cost the team a spot in the expanded playoffs.

time-read
7 mins  |
February - March 2021
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
Silver & Black Illustrated

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING

Starting Tackle Kolton Miller is entering the final year of his rookie contract.

time-read
3 mins  |
February - March 2021
Wanted: Defensive coordinator
Silver & Black Illustrated

Wanted: Defensive coordinator

The Raiders didn’t wait long to begin their search for a new defensive coordinator, and it’s becoming clear that Jon Gruden has already narrowed his list down.

time-read
6 mins  |
February - March 2021
Raiders' good, bad, ugly
Silver & Black Illustrated

Raiders' good, bad, ugly

Raiders’ good, bad, ugly

time-read
3 mins  |
February - March 2021
NEWS & NOTES
Silver & Black Illustrated

NEWS & NOTES

The Raiders had one of the easier schedules in 2020 and got only eight wins to show for it. Things won’t get any easier in 2021, either.

time-read
3 mins  |
February - March 2021
Looking back at 2020 season
Silver & Black Illustrated

Looking back at 2020 season

The 2020 season will absolutely be remembered for being one of the strangest and most disappointing in franchise history.

time-read
6 mins  |
February - March 2021
Gruden feeling the heat?
Silver & Black Illustrated

Gruden feeling the heat?

“I know there is a big bull’s-eye on my chest, certainly. If the people want to use that as an incentive, then so be it. I worked for Al Davis in 1998. That was pressure. I was 34 years old. I’ve dealt with pressure before. I don’t really feel pressure. I love the excitement and thrill of competing, and I can’t worry about things I can’t control in that regard. I know people will want to step on me and beat me, and that is just the way this league is.”

time-read
3 mins  |
February - March 2021
From the SILVERANDBLACK.com Message Boards
Silver & Black Illustrated

From the SILVERANDBLACK.com Message Boards

S&BI continually scans the message boards across Raider Nation to see what Raider fans are talking about now that the 2020 season has ended for the Raiders. We chose some of the better posts and present them here.

time-read
6 mins  |
February - March 2021
Checklist for 2021
Silver & Black Illustrated

Checklist for 2021

Now that the 2020 season has been put to rest for Las Vegas, the Raiders have shifted their focus to what figures to be a busy offseason as they prepare for 2021.

time-read
3 mins  |
February - March 2021
AFC WEST ROUNDUP
Silver & Black Illustrated

AFC WEST ROUNDUP

The Chargers fired coach Anthony Lynn after four seasons.

time-read
3 mins  |
February - March 2021