Raiders Have Done Nice Job Protecting Carr

Solid blocking plus Carr's quick release and ability to escape have allowed rookie quarterback to make big gains this season

There haven’t been many highlights this season for the Raiders, but one thing worth a thumbs up is Oakland's ability to protect rookie quarterback Derek Carr.

Rookie quarterbacks on bad teams often take a beating that can cause short- or long-term damage, both physically and mentally. Often, quarterbacks develop happy feet and never again seem confident in the pocket.

So far that hasn’t been the case with Carr.

Though Oakland is 0-7 as it gets ready to face the Super Bowl-champion Seahawks in Seattle Sunday, the Raiders’ offensive line has done an excellent job protecting Carr and allowing him to look downfield and make plays. The Raiders have allowed just eight sacks – and one of those was on backup quarterback Matt McGloin – the third-best total in the league, behind only Philadelphia and Baltimore. And that’s after allowing three by the Browns this past Sunday.

The Raiders are giving up just 1.1 sacks per game, way down from last year’s 2.8 average.

It’s no small factor in the fact Carr has set a franchise rookie record for TD passes in a season (nine) and is completing more than 60 percent of his throws.

A good part of it has been the blocking, and another key component has been Carr’s quick release and ability to move in the pocket and keep plays alive.

On his conference call with Bay Area reporters this week, Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll talked about the good protection Carr has received and how solid he’s looked.

“He’s shown touch," said Carroll. "He’s shown a strong arm and he’s shown downfield stuff. He’s moving well and he looks very comfortable. He looks like a terrific prospect for the years to come and he’s on it right now. He’s got great numbers for the situation. I’m thinking he’s darn good.”

Carr’s older brother, David, didn’t have it nearly so good when he was a rookie quarterback for the Houston Texans, being sacked an NFL-record 76 times.

The Seahawks defense hasn’t performed as well as it did in 2013 – it's sacked opposing QBs just 10 times -- but it should be a formidable test for Oakland’s line to protect Carr on Sunday, especially considering the Seattle secondary can lock up receivers.

“This is the defending Super Bowl champs at their house with great players all over the field,” said Carr this week. “It will be a challenge.”

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