Derek Carr Reminiscent of Oakland Raiders Legends

Mind: Rich Gannon

All of the Raiders’ legendary quarterbacks are smart but Gannon had the fastest mind of them all. He played in the West Coast Offense, where you drop back, go through your progressions and throw quickly. Even on a deep ball, you find that check-down quickly if it isn’t there.

With the pass-rushers playing the game these days, you don’t always have time to wait for that deeper route. When Jon Gruden was hired as the head coach, he gave Gannon the nod over Jeff George. George had the big arm Davis has always coveted.

But he didn’t get through his progressions fast enough, resulting in pressures, interceptions and sacks. Much of that wouldn’t have happened had he checked the ball down when the deep ball wasn’t there. Your mind has to be quick to do that and Carr’s is.

The offensive line the Raiders have is a great unit but that isn’t all of why he doesn’t get sacked. When Carr sees that the deep ball isn’t there, he’s on to the next progression and gets rid of the ball. You can’t survive in the NFL by holding onto the ball too long.