Oakland Raiders: Jared Cook sees Derek Carr, Aaron Rodgers similarities
It didn’t take long for Oakland Raiders tight end Jared Cook to pinpoint similarities between quarterbacks Derek Carr and Aaron Rodgers.
Green Bay Packers fans will roll their eyes, but Oakland Raiders tight end Jared Cook connected the dots between two-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers and quarterback Derek Carr.
In fairness, the question posed to Cook required him to attest to or deny similarities between the two signal-callers. The 30-year old tight end made the connection after Tuesday’s organized team activity session:
Cook says Carr’s ball placement and ability to read coverages on the move reminds him of Rodgers pic.twitter.com/YY7a3Egzn0
— Vic Tafur (@VicTafur) May 30, 2017
Minutes later, Cook went in-depth when asked to compare Carr’s and Rodgers’ film room habits and their cerebral tendencies, per Raiders.com:
"They know the offense and that’s really important for a quarterback, especially a young quarterback it’s to know the moving pieces of what’s going on around you. I’ve played with older guys and they don’t how to have that right touch to get the ball to the position where the receiver needs it and DC [Derek Carr] has that down."
Obviously, Carr’s resume pales in comparison to Rodgers’, but this isn’t the first connection drawn between the two. Wide receiver James Jones saw Rodgers in Carr after he won the starting job during the 2014 preseason via San Francisco Chronicle reporter Vic Tafur.
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“He’s really calm, really cool in the pocket,” Jones said. “He acts like he’s been there before. I’ve been calling him mini A-Rod since he got here.”
The former Raiders receiver watched Rodgers and Carr take over starting spots with their current teams. Kudos to Jones for boarding the early ship on Carr.
Between the 2014-15 seasons, many debated who’s the best quarterback from the 2014 draft. Now, there’s no doubt, general manager Reggie McKenzie grabbed the best prospect at the position.
In 2016, Carr came up in MVP discussions before breaking his leg in Week 16. Rodgers went on an incredible run throwing 18 consecutive touchdown passes without an interception over the last seven regular-season games. Oakland couldn’t overcome the drop off under center and logged a season-low in first downs (11) in Week 17.
As the NFL exposes the Raiders to the national audience, analysts will compare him to the accomplished quarterback in Green Bay.
Nonetheless, Carr plays with fire but walks off the field with much humility. He’s not going to allow outside noise go to his head. Once the season starts, he’s dialed in. When asked about his contract situation, he reiterated the training camp deadline but said it’s all about playing football after that point, per NBC Bay Area reporter Scott Bair:
Derek said he'll play out his rookie deal if an accord isn't reached by camp, doesn't want it to be a distraction... https://t.co/gdviasqf0W
— Scott Bair (@ScottBairNFL) May 30, 2017
Next: What are Raiders chances of winning Super Bowl 52
Despite all the Rodgers talk at organized team activities, Carr will focus on going deep to his receivers and in the postseason. After watching his teammates fall flat in the 2016 playoffs, redemption — not Rodgers — will be on his mind in 2017.