Battle For Backup

Cook, Manuel dueling for role of No. 2 QB

- Michael Wagaman

Derek Carr’s season-ending broken leg in 2016 exposed one of the oldest — and truest — adages in football history: that the most important position on the roster is the backup quarterback.

The Raiders season completely came apart on that day in Week 16 when Carr collapsed to the turf at the Oakland Coliseum, clutching his leg as the sold out crowd looked on in stunned silence. Many knew immediately then what would come to light over the following two weeks when it became apparent that the drop-off from Carr to the backup was too much to overcome.

And so as the Raiders made their way through training camp there was extra attention being paid to the battle between Conor Cook and E.J. Manuel to be Carr’s understudy, with the veteran Manuel taking the early lead into the clubhouse.

“We all have to have growth,” Manuel said. “As good as Derek has to be, we all have to be good, too. When and if that times comes, you have to answer the bell.”