Have the Raiders decided on their starting quarterback?
Some have suggested the quarterback decision has been made or that the coaching staff tipped their hand with Gardner Minshew’s extended playing time on Saturday, but according to Sports Illustrated insider Hondo Carpenter, that is not the case.
“Evidently there are some people who create alleged Raider content, who aren’t at practice, talking about the Raiders essentially made a decision [at quarterback] and that’s why Aidan O’Connell didn’t get back in the game, or that the Raiders showed that Gardner is ahead. That is [nonsense],” Hondo said the Las Vegas Raiders Insider podcast on Monday.
“Anybody who listens to my podcast knew… one quarterback was going to get one quarter, another was going to get the second quarter,” Hondo continued. “The only reason Aidan didn’t come back is he had a very long sustained drive…”
It’s also worth noting that head coach Antonio Pierce said prior to the game that O’Connell and Minshew would each play a quarter.
The reality is the Raiders have a difficult decision looming at quarterback and for the first time since the beginning of training camp, it looks from the outside like they have two encouraging options.
Pierce said on Sunday that he hopes to make a decision on his quarterback after Saturday’s game against the Cowboys. If the competition stays close, Pierce might lean towards the quarterback that plays his preferred style at the position. We don’t know what style that is, necessarily, but it’s no secret that O’Connell and Minshew possess very different skill sets.
For what it’s worth, Hondo also added that he expects Minshew to start Saturday’s game against the Cowboys because he thinks the plan from the beginning was to rotate starts. He said that wasn’t confirmed but was the impression he has been given.
x: @raidersbeat
It still appears really close, but I’m glad that a decision will be made, one way or another, after next week’s game. Neither will be the type that can put the game on their throwing arm, but if the running game is strong and they can hit some talented receivers (Adams, Myers, and the two TEs) along the way, they should be in most games. Whoever does not win the battle should be as solid a backup QB as there is in the league, so an injury or sustained poor QB1 play, there is an adequate backup plan. If the defense is as good (or better) than advertised, that will help a ton. Although it could be said of many teams, depth is a concern at most positions. The inevitable injuries could play a big part in the success, or lack thereof, for the season. Gotta hope they are few and not long-term.
Is Hondo Carpenter a legit insider or merely self proclaimed?
This organization has got to get better in drafting for what they need of players who are ready. Not players who can possibly get better. Honestly I’m tired of them drafting so called possibilities that would up turning out to be nothing. We’re actually stuck with no QB this season this is not an organization that wants to win with moves like these. C’mon Davis what’s going on here. No disrespect but we couldn’t get a QB that can really start. There’s no way we’re going to win in this division without a real QB. We’re gonna loose our star receiver in Adams. Get convince BRADY to get back into the game we definitely need him.