Oakland Raiders: Overreactions, legitimate concerns about Antonio Brown
Legitimate Concern: Chemistry with Derek Carr in New Offense
Carr and Brown have worked together throughout the offseason, but we can’t place that on the same level with playing against live competition. Brown has torched the Raiders defensive backs during spring practices and team drills, but how would he fare against outside competition, a group that poses different challenges in coverage?
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Remember, for the first time in his career, Brown will have a new starting quarterback. Despite the growing rift between he and Roethlisberger, the two knew each other very well and developed great timing over the years.
Brown won’t have the same rapport in his first year with Carr — no matter how many times they throw to each other on the practice field. Gruden also runs a detailed offense that took his quarterback a full year to operate “fluently.”
At the least, Carr and Brown need a few drives against an unfamiliar defense to ensure they’re reading each other on the field.
Look at this as a test drive — maneuvering in the parking lot just you and your car is different than getting on the road with other people. You have to react to your surroundings, which brings adjustments. That’s what Carr and Brown should do to hit the ground running Week 1 against the Denver Broncos.