Oakland Raiders: Derek Carr-Jordy Nelson relationship hugely important
Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr is singing the praises of new receiver Jordy Nelson, and that relationship will be critical for 2018.
Many jokes have been made this offseason at the expense of the Oakland Raiders. Under new head coach Jon Gruden, the team not only brought in a questionable haul of draft picks rife with perceived reaches and misfires, but they have also routinely signed older veterans in free agency. One such player in the latter mold is 32-year old wide receiver Jordy Nelson.
Formerly of the Green Bay Packers prior to being cut this offseason, Nelson was arguably the most reliable target for Aaron Rodgers when healthy. However, injuries and a seeming decline in physical tools in recent years led to his release from Green Bay. Now he’ll look to find new life with Derek Carr tossing him the pigskin.
Though we’re still months away from the pads being put on, things seem to be going as the Raiders would hope with Carr and Nelson. Last week after some work at OTAs for Oakland, the quarterback lauded the way that the veteran wideout goes about his business.
Carr had this to say via Scott Bair of NBC Sports Bay Area:
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"“Nothing is just being left under the rug,” Carr said last week. “Nothing is just being thrown out the window and not thought about. Jordy is very detailed. He wants to do everything exactly how you want it done. I see why Aaron (Rodgers) loved throwing him the ball. He knows if you’re comfortable, you’ll throw it to them. I think all the guys are taking note of that.”"
The relationship between Carr and Nelson itself is critical to the success of the Raiders offense. With Michael Crabtree gone after being cut, Carr needs that reliable target in the passing game that is going to be where he needs him to be and make plays. While Amari Cooper has game-breaking ability, there is nothing in his career to this point that says he can be that type of player. Nelson, however, has proven to be that guy time and again while in Green Bay.
Just as important as how Carr and Nelson coalesce in the offense is Nelson’s presence in the receiver room. The quarterback’s point that “all the guys are taking note” shouldn’t be glossed over.
With Cooper, Martavis Bryant and Seth Roberts in the wide receiver corps alongside Nelson, you have a group of players that have flashed ability, but also a group plagued with inconsistency throughout their careers. Nelson imparting both his work ethic and behaviors as a player unto this group could be transformative if all goes well.
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Yes, the Raiders may have gotten older this offseason, and that’s good fodder to poke fun at Gruden’s return to the coaching ranks. Having said that, there is some method to doing so, at least in the case of Nelson. If all goes as planned, he could help to take Carr and the Oakland passing attack to new heights.