One of the biggest questions surrounding the Raiders’ 2019 season will be how quarterback Derek Carr bounces back from a subpar year. One way Carr can be a dramatically better passer is if he takes more chances down the field.
In a recent article by Doug Farrar of the Touchdown Wire, he listed the one number that could define each team’s season. For the Raiders, that number was “10”, which was the difference in deep touchdowns between Ben Roethlisberger and Derek Carr.
Will the addition of Antonio Brown (and Tyrell Williams) be enough to make Carr a more aggressive passer? Maybe. Take a look at Farrar’s thoughts on Oakland’s quarterback:
Carr hasn’t been known as a great deep thrower throughout his career, but that’s as much to do with the quality of his targets and the conservative nature of his offenses. Last season, Carr completed 23 of his 51 deep throws for 715 yards, five touchdowns, and four interceptions. His 49.)% completion rate on those throws ranked fifth-best in the NFL.
If Carr can become a more aggressive passer and can extend plays, Oakland’s offense should be significantly more explosive. Look for the Raiders’ offense to have more firepower in 2019.
