NFL Off-Season: Top QB Competitions
May 16, Alameda, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterbacks Derek Carr (4) and Joe Southwick (13) throw a pass at rookie minicamp at the Raiders practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Oakland Raiders
Matt Schaub vs. Derek Carr
[table id=11 /]
Prediction:
As stated before, I am not here to instigate any controversy or start rumors. For the time being Matt Schaub is the starting QB of the Oakland Raiders and Derek Carr is the backup. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that Schaub will be the starter at the end of the season. Coming out of Fresno State, Carr was one of the NCAA’s most coveted passers. For Fresno State, Carr lead the nation in passing in almost every single category. As a senior at FSU, Carr had arguably one of the best senior seasons to date, throwing for the most passing yards in the nation (5,082 yards, 420 yards more than the second highest passer Sean Mannion), most touchdown passes (50 touchdown passes, 10 more than the second highest passer Jameis Winston), as well as an awesome 68.9% completion rate (would’ve been 70.08%, excluding Carr’s 217-yard performance against USC in the Las Vegas Bowl). Carr looks and feels like a typical NFL QB. At 6-2, 214 pounds, Carr can definitely throw the football deep and short with accuracy. For the Raiders, I think Carr has a legitimate chance at taking the starting job from Matt Schaub during the regular season if Schaub screws up.
When comparing the two QBs together there are many similarities and many differences. In terms of passing style, Carr and Schaub are pretty similar. Only real difference is that Carr is more of a shot gun passer while Schaub has more experience under center, handing the ball off. Both have strong arms to chuck the ball deep. Only problem I can see with Schaub is his unfortunate 2013 season with the Texans. He was able to throw numerous pick sixes and ended up getting a concussion, which the lowlife Houston Texan fans cheered about. With that considered, Schaub has had some issues with interceptions. But like all QBs, Schaub is due for a huge comeback in 2014.
Also, when I look at the Raiders offense, I realize that they are actually pretty loaded. With WRs Rod Streater (888 yards), Denarius Moore (695 yards, 5 touchdowns), Andre Holmes (431 yards), and TE Mychal Rivera (407 yards and 4 touchdowns), and new additions in former Packers’ WR James Jones (817 yards in 2013, 14 touchdowns in 2012) and Browns’ WR Greg Little (1,821 career yards and 8 touchdowns in 3 seasons as a Cleveland Brown), I believe that the combination of Streater, Denarius Moore and Watkins could be potentially one of the most dangerous in the NFL. Schaub and Carr should have plenty of receiving options to throw to next season. Hoping that Schaub and the Raiders’ dreams of a championship don’t get intercepted, Carr should see the light of day somewhere in the future. Key for him is to show off that gun of his. At Fresno State, he put up video-game-like numbers resembling that of Case Keenum. He needs to make sure to complete all of his passes so that he doesn’t become just another one-trick pony in the NFL.
In conclusion though, I see Schaub staying as the starter for a while. He’s got a great receiving corps and a defense that can protect a lead on the back end. The running game could potentially be a problem, seeing as that there are a lot of lingering questions with Maurice Jones-Drew. Regardless, I think as long as Schaub doesnt throw and interceptions and completes 60% of his passes, he should remain starter. Get the ball to his receivers hands and let them do the work. As for Derek Carr, I believe he will see plaing time, just not in the immediate future. Best possible outcome I can predict right now is that Carr gets the start if Schaub gets injured. Back to the clip board, I guess.