Derek Carr Ready to Step up to Elite Quarterback Status

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Sep 11, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) celebrates after completing a two point conversion to take the lead during the fourth quarter of a game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Raiders defeated the Saints 35-34. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

Bottom Line

In the NFL, you can’t succeed if you can’t make completions down the field and handle the blitz. Obviously, your arm talent dictates what your ability to complete passes down the field. Your ability to think quickly and work ethic dictate what you do against the blitz.

You have to make quick decisions and that takes preparation set your protections correctly. The elite quarterbacks in this league are among the hardest-working, best prepared football players. That’s why they eat the blitz up and can throw the ball down the field with success.

Elite quarterbacks also come through under pressure with 4th-quarter comebacks and game-winning drives. They make their respective teams believe they’re always in the game. That belief is the biggest impact a quarterback can make on his team.

Carr put the work in since entering the NFL and has improved his deep ball, hitting Cooper Sunday. And to a man, the Raiders knew they would get that game-winning TD and 2-point conversion. From where I’m sitting, it looks like Carr is arriving as an elite quarterback.

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