Maybe it’s coincidence, but the Raiders have been playing better in the two games since Jon Gruden resigned.
Interestingly, the defense hasn’t changed. Gus Bradley’s defensive unit has been rock solid all year. But for some reason, the Raiders look better than ever on offense and Derek Carr seems to be thriving without Gruden on the sideline.
Two games is a small sample size, but is it possible that Carr in Gruden’s offense – but without Gruden – is actually the best situation for the Carr?
CBS analyst Boomer Esiason asked former Raiders quarterback Rich Gannon this week if Carr might be more relaxed without Gruden “because there is nobody yelling in his ear.”
Gannon’s response was noteworthy.
“Maybe there’s some truth to that,” Gannon said. “[Offensive coordinator] Greg Olson has been with him for a while. There is a relationship there. I think Derek Carr’s turned a corner.”
Carr has appeared strangely more comfortable running the offense over the last two weeks and he seems to have embraced his new role without Gruden on the sideline. Even in calling a simple timeout against the play clock on Sunday, Carr seemed to carry himself differently walking to the sideline.
How many times has Carr quietly trudged over to Gruden to explain himself in these situations?
Now, all of a sudden, the Raiders’ offense answers to Carr… and maybe that’s not a bad thing.
Gannon also made a good point in referencing Olson, who joined Gruden’s staff in large part because of his strong relationship with Carr. Those two work extremely well together and that has obvious to see in the last two weeks.
twitter: @raidersbeat
Professionals overcome the small stuff and play. Carr was just as good when the Raiders started 3-0 as he was tge last 2 games. The hypocrisy of the NFL affected the Raiders as a whole not just Gruden.
Glad to see Carr finally getting some of the respect he deserves! He has always played well no matter how bad the rest of the team plays year after year. The guy gets a lot of blame for the team not winning, even though his stats as a QB are at the top of the NFL every year. Give me 11 guys on offense with his skill, dedication, attitude and ability and the Raiders would be in the super bowl every year!
And there will be a lot more respect for Carr, when it comes time when significant big games come up. There will surely be a few of those times coming up ahead. We’ll see if he can come up big and perform to a high level, produce wins as the leader of the team, not fold under pressure. And believe me that’s what I hope happens, but the truth of the matter is that’s pretty much the only knock on him. Let’s hope that now changes…
Agree! More confident, DC4 can finally be the QB, you know that one who played balls out @ Fresno State..NEW & IMPROVED! This is gonna be fun!
Ok nation, let’s be real shall we? Top notch quarterbacks rise to the occasion when they need to, if they don’t they’re not top notch quarterbacks, right? I agree that Carr has always played at least pretty well if not very well; but it’s time to go to the next level and I think just about all the pieces are in place to do that. The Raiders have always gone only as far as the Carr goes with or without Gruden. Is it nice to go to work and bust your *** without worrying about your boss telling you it’s not enough? I’m pretty sure you all know what I’m getting at on that one. Go Carr, go Nation! RAIDER4LIFE!!
That knock isn’t even true either. He’s a top 5 performer under pressure. It’s more like he tries to do too much in certain situations. What could you expect from a guy determined to win regardless of how little help he’s been given
Fold under pressure???? What a silly perspective
Gruden would call plays to his most trusted players…the guys he had the most confidence in. Carr seems to really enjoy throwing to all the receivers and giving Drake a good percentage of plays. Carr trusts his team mates. It’s working out great. Defenses can’t key on just Waller and Renfrow. Amazing, huh.
I agree. I watched the Buccaneers pick apart the Chicago Bears last week, and one thing that makes Tom Brady so relentless is that he’s an opportunistic quarterback. He has his favorite targets, of course, but he has no problem throwing to whoever is open, and that’s just relentless. Now that Derek Carr seems to be opening up the field like that, it’s paying dividends for the Raiders. I mean, the only quarterback in the NFL who has more passing yards than Derek Carr right now is Tom Brady (and right now Brady is ahead by only 6 yards). My point being, however things play out for the remainder of the season for the Raiders, as far as stats go Tom Brady is leading the NFL right now, and Derek Carr is right behind him. That’s not bad company to be in. And honestly, I think a lot of the difference is that Carr is opening up the field in a way in which he just wasn’t able to do under Gruden.
Brady is totally ruthless. Carr is not. Every time Brady has the ball, he is going for the throat, going for a TD, even if he’s ahead by 3-4 scores in the 4th.
If Raiders and Carr are ahead by 2 scores in the 4th, Carr will just run run run punt, Ya see, Carr is not ruthless. That is the difference
You mean Carr and the offense score and then Carr doesn’t come back on defense and stop the opposing offense from scoring? Carr’s stats speak for themselves! It’s been anyone but Carr’s fault that that the Raiders have not finished off more teams after Carr and the offense score. That said, I’d like to see the offense stack more points once the Raiders are ahead. The nice thing has been, even if the defense breaks down when the Raiders have a lead . . We know we always have a chance to come back and win with Carr at quarterback!
I agree with Rich, He seems more relaxed and I actually am Impressed with the play calls. Now let’s win the Division and move past all the distractions.
Rich didn’t mention that he won the MVP the year after Gruden left, ironic. A foretelling perhaps. Go raiders!
Exactly so! The Raiders under Gruden and Gannon were just as confounding as Carr and Gruden. When Gruden left to go to Tampa, Bill Callahan (?!) opened up the offense and Gannon thrived and won MVP and led the Raiders to the Super Bowl that year. Unfortunately they ran into that tremendous Tampa Bay DEFENSE in the Super Bowl that had the added advantage of knowing all the plays in the Raiders playbook that hadn’t changed since Gruden left. 5 Gannon interceptions, so in essence once again it proves that the only person that could stop Gruden’s offense is Gruden himself 🤣
So true! I do believe Carr has an opportunity to win an MVP this year and I also believe that we have a chance to go to the Super Bowl. I do not see a team with a defense playing as well as the Tampa 2002 defense. But then again, last year‘s Tampa defense was pretty good if they find their way again. That would be a fun Super Bowl!
Callahan lost the game
Manny . . that and Barrett Robbins, the Raiders starting Center and offensive line captain bailed to Mexico to party the day before the super bowl and missed the game. That was another huge factor in the Raiders loosing to Tampa Bay.
That said, it appears that the Raiders are playing better without Gruden as coach. I hope it has a huge impact in the draft picks the Raiders make. Since Gruden and Mayock started together their drafts have been down right horrible!
I believe the entire team is playing more relaxed, if that’s even the correct term. You can see that players on offense in particular are not walking on egg shells , hoping they don’t mess up and have to deal with Chucky’s ire as they head back to the sidelines. Gruden hadn’t coached in 10 years prior to coming back to the Raiders and you could tell his methods of motivation don’t necessarily transcend with today’s player. Some will argue today’s players are to soft and coddled but such is life and the evolution of the NFL. Las Vegas is playing well, Carr is obviously comfortable with the offense now and knows the playbook inside and out! However the team has gotten to this point I’m happy about it and can’t wait to watch the season play out!
Carr may not be under a lot of pressure as he once was , maybe this is the best thing that could happen to him
Everybody says Carr folds under pressure his stats show that his completion ratio while under pressure is among the best in the NFL. The talking heads push that narrative. I think it his more to do with David and not Derrick
There are different types of adversity we face in life and work. We rarely have linear responses to the different issues we deal with. The loss of Gruden left a true leadership void and DC has stepped up. Sometimes, having to step into a particular role comes naturally and sometimes it doesn’t. People are assuming that DC is “free” without Gruden, but there is a real possibility that the additional responsibility has brought greater focus by giving him less time to analyze. A bad decision made quickly is usually better than indecision or a good decision made too late.
Just like you want with young players — “stop thinking and just react” — DC may have reached that point by necessity and he has no choice but to trust himself and his abilities. Granted, it’s much easier to do if you don’t have someone in your face regarding every decision you make, but just like when you lose your dad (or father figure/mentor, etc.) the voice becomes internal and you push yourself and guide your actions based on what you’ve taken in from that person.
Two games? We are (sample cited) judging on the results of two games? As well as darn (edtd) little information on the season-interuptus that ended a career (live by the sword…)? I love the fact that our Raiders got right back up and went right back to work, but to imply that, on the slim evidence of two games (albeit fantastic outings) there are any valid guesses, let alone answers. Lots of silent Carr haters, now; finally! Lots of cheering Chucky haters; didn’t learn a thing. “Love the man, hate the sin.” Good attitude. Same playbook, Derek has more latitude. Any “absolutes” in the way of answers are premature, to say the least, especially when so many of the cards are out of the deck. I personally can only hope that at some point we can look back and have some truth, unfiltered and laid bare. I just really want our Raiders to take this to the very top and stuff it all down the throat of the guilty.
Same playbook, Olson and Carr are reading the whole book. Gruden would never turn the page! I love Gruden but his play calling was atrocious.
Team has played great 5 out of seven games…..Gruden is an egotistical narcissist
The main difference is defense, Carr has NEVER had this type of Defense, its not about 2 games, he has always played very well. And even excellent the last 2 + years. We will go deeeeep into playoffs
Would you meaning ‘anyone’ enjoy playing for or working for a boss like Gruden? That **** of his can get old really fast!
If anyone can relate what carr is going thru is Gannon. Once Gruden went to Tampa Gannon was lights out throwing the ball around.
Well at least it’s no more Jacobs on first down, Jacobs on 2nd & 8, Waller into double coverage on 3rd down and of course another 3 and out! Offense looks much smoother and the whole concept of ‘deception’ is opening things up. Carr can really show what he’s made of now! Go Nation!
Being a DIE HARD Raiders fan it is good to see DC being able to live up to expectations. He wasn’t chosen to be the franchise if the Raiders didn’t think he could do it. The locker room now looks to him for direction. Hope he steps up to the job.
DC is the man and it shows on and off the field. He is the leader of the team and with his commitment to the game and team, you will see him excel like what your seeking now. Win -Lose-Tie, RAIDERS FAN TIL I DIE…
From watching and seeing Team playing they have there up’s and downs but they have been learning,. Now I have had the Honor to watch the game since day 1 here at the stadium and with everything going on I SEE A GLOW AND A BURDEN LEFTED OFF THE TEAMS SHOULDER
and yes when you have something negative those things will always be weeded OUT!!!!!!!!!
Raiderette JUST WIN BABY!
Al Davis dumped Gruden for a reason. Al was many things but he was never racist. Can’t wait to see how this plays out. The only reason Tampa won that Super Bowl is cuz Gruden knew the offense. Duh!?! And our unfortunate center getting “lost’ in Tijuana.
Chuckle is 1 go 2 in Super Bowls!
He was a Winner
Al never would have kept him that long.
Hell always be the Silver and Black!
What did the Raiders doing before Gruden came Back. ???? Zip
Been a Raider Fan since the AFL and the Lamonica Days. At 70
How many fans can still stand for him.
ICall Bullshit on Godell and NFL!
After 11 years of forgotten emails. Sounds like the NFL is all Democrats. Hire z at Polisi Or Shumar. That’s where ur At!!!!!
I said when they hired him they were making a mistake he wasn’t worth a **** in Play tampBay never mind Super Bowl if it had been for Tony Danza use the DF he was there for seven years and went to the playoffs once the guy cannot coach too big of a ego Mark Davis on to be happy he just saying 60 million by letting John Gruden walk
Carr and new Rams QB Stafford are in the same boat. Both are talented been in the league for a while now but both have not won any meaningful games to really establish themselves in the league. Both guys have played on some horrible teams so there’s no chance of a creating a legacy if you’re not leading your team to the playoffs. Looks like Both Stafford and Carr might have a great chance this year. Both defenses are improved or in Stafford’s case one of the best.
Let’s see how this season goes for these two veterans.
Everyone would play better without a Crazy Chucky Doll on their back or going for their juggler. 😉
The NFL did the Raiders a favor.
Well Rich I’m glad you’re doing this as old raider fans need somebody to vent on it looks like the team is turning around finally maybe now we can see how good of a GM Mike is because I’m sure Granada last say on the draft picks