Raiders quarterback David Carr keeps his confidence up, even in the face of injury

Posted: 10/08/2014 07:39:12 PM PDT

Updated: 10/08/2014 08:56:16 PM PDT

ALAMEDA -- Derek Carr's welcome to the NFL has included four consecutive losses, a head coaching change, an anemic running game and ankle and knee injuries that left him limited in practice Wednesday.

It may look like a textbook example of how to ruin the first rookie starting quarterback in franchise history, but there's a feeling that the second-round draft pick out of Fresno State is the least of the Raiders' problems.

Carr, who watched his older brother David have his career path diverted by playing on inferior teams, isn't spending a lot of time feeling sorry for himself. Any awkward feelings from being named the starter over Matt Schaub have dissipated.

Upon learning he was the starter, Carr had a conversation with Tony Sparano, then the assistant head coach and line coach under Dennis Allen. Sparano's advice? Grow up and lead, there is no time to be a rookie.

'At first it was a sensitive situation I was stepping in to,' Carr said. 'Now it is my team -- those are his words -- and we're past that stuff. For me, it's great because now I can be myself. I don't have to hold back, I guess.

'It's kind of, here are the keys, now let's go. There's no easing in to it anymore. You're the guy, let's roll.'

Sparano stopped short of saying Carr will start Sunday against the San Diego Chargers at O.co Coliseum. Carr, who was moving well at practice, said he intends to play and will do so without a brace on either his right knee or ankle, which were injured in a 38-14 loss to the Miami Dolphins in London.

The physical qualities that made Carr a second-round draft pick have been enhanced by a willingness to take charge of the team.

'Derek's DNA is he wants to go out there and do that, he wants to be the leader,' Sparano said. 'We had a really good conversation and he knows he has to wear that hat. He knows that it comes with the position.'

Through four games, Carr is completing 63.2 percent of his passes (84 of 133) for 734 yards, four touchdowns and four interceptions. His passer rating of 75.2 is about where Matt McGloin (76.1) was as an undrafted rookie starter last year.

Carr has a powerful throwing arm, yet is averaging just 5.7 yards per pass attempt, the lowest figure for a regular starter in the NFL. Thirty-seven offensive possessions have resulted in 22 punts, five touchdowns and three field goals with four interceptions and three lost fumbles (none by Carr).

Sparano said the Raiders need to be better throwing the ball downfield and with yards after catch, which would improve the yards per attempt, but noted, '(Derek) completing passes is a good start.'

The Raiders have protected Carr well, allowing him to be sacked only four times. The Miami injuries came on a scramble.

Carr is uninterested in public self-evaluation that isn't tied to the bottom line.

'As long as we win games, then I'll say I'm doing good,' Carr said. 'Until then, I haven't done a good enough job.'

Linebacker Nick Roach was placed on injured reserve because of persistent concussion symptoms, ending his season without having played a snap.

Roach was injured Aug. 22 in the third preseason game against Green Bay and did not return to the field until Sept. 3. He has been limited in practice ever since and never got through the league-mandated protocol for concussions.

Linebacker Jamar Chaney, a five-year veteran who in 2011 started 16 games for the Philadelphia Eagles, was signed to the 53-man roster. Chaney was with the Atlanta Falcons last season and did not make the Denver Broncos roster this summer as a training camp player. Weakside linebacker Sio Moore practiced for the first time since leaving a Week 2 loss to Houston with an ankle injury. Sparano wants to get a look at Moore on Thursday, hoping for no setbacks, with the possibility he could play Sunday against the Chargers. Right tackle Khalif Barnes did not practice with a hip injury, with Menelik Watson stepping in with the first team. Fullback Marcel Reece (quad) and cornerback Keith McGill (groin) were limited.

For more on the Raiders, visit the Inside the Oakland Raiders blog at http://ift.tt/REKAk4. Follow Jerry McDonald on Twitter at twitter.com/Jerrymcd.

Lokasi:

Share :