Questions about his job security continue to pop up, most of the noise coming from national media. Former Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota was signed as a backup. The Raiders upgraded their overall talent in the offseason, particularly on the offensive side where Carr has arguably the best supporting cast he’s had in the NFL.
The team is in a new city with a new stadium, and expectations have risen across the board, none more so than for the seventh-year quarterback.
In short, there are no more excuses. Carr knows it and so does just about every one else inside the team’s new headquarters in Las Vegas.
The stakes, quite literally, have never been higher.
“You can feel a little bit of a chip on his shoulder, looks like he’s got a lot to prove,” said Jason Witten, the longtime Dallas Cowboy tight end who signed with the Raiders as a free agent. “I’ve been impressed by his ability to throw it accurately and lead you and kind of see it the same way you do as a receiver. (I’m) impressed by his ability to get outside the pocket and create with his legs. That’s been impressive to see, so I just think sky is the limit for him.”
Carr spent much of his early career bouncing between different offenses as the Raiders routinely changed coaches and coordinators. He handled the constant turnover about as well as can be expected and put up decent numbers, but there are few things more important in the NFL than continuity.
Just from a knowledge and communication standpoint, Carr and head coach Jon Gruden are light years ahead of where they were when they first joined up three years ago.
That’s been especially important in a year like this when the entire country and sporting world were thrown into mass chaos by the coronavirus pandemic.
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Denne historien er fra September 2020-utgaven av Silver & Black Illustrated.
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‘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.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
Starting Tackle Kolton Miller is entering the final year of his rookie contract.
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.
Raiders' good, bad, ugly
Raiders’ good, bad, ugly
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.
Looking back at 2020 season
The 2020 season will absolutely be remembered for being one of the strangest and most disappointing in franchise history.
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.”
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.
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.
AFC WEST ROUNDUP
The Chargers fired coach Anthony Lynn after four seasons.