In total yardage, Raiders quarterback Derek Carr surpassed other members of the NFL rookie quarterback class of 2014.
Carr threw for 3,270 yards, more than the Jaguars’ Blake Bortles (2,908) and the Vikings’ Teddy Bridgewater (2,919).
But Carr also threw significantly more passes. Carr threw 599, compared to Bortles’ 475 and the 402 by Bridgewater.
And then there’s this: Carr ranked No. 33 in the NFL among qualified quarterbacks with an average of just 5.46 yards per pass attempt.
In 2014, the Raiders offense and Carr never really stretched the field, challenging defenses with deep throws. While most observers believe Carr had a solid first season and shows terrific promise, Carr also was questioned by some as not being aggressive enough with longer throws.
It appears that may change in 2015 under new head coach Jack Del Rio and his offensive coordinator, Bill Musgrave.
With the addition of No. 1 draft pick Amari Cooper and veteran Michael Crabtree at wide receiver – to go with Rod Streater and Andre Holmes – Carr apparently will be given more chances to go deep.
Sports
“I think he throws a great deep ball, and we didn’t throw that many here last year,” Del Rio said this week on a SiriusXM NFL Radio interview. “We’re going to throw some this year, so you’re going to have to cover the deep field, and we feel like with a good defense and a run game, that has to help a young quarterback.
“We’re excited about what we’re putting together around him. We don’t want him to have to just carry us, but he’s a good young player and we’re excited to work with him.”
