The NFL Scouting Combine is underway this week in Indianapolis, with over 300 of the top professional prospects going through interviews and on-field drills heading into the 2016 NFL Draft.
The overarching focus of the week is the NFL hopefuls and how they perform throughout the Combine process, but with over 1,200 credentialed media members in attendance, everything NFL-related is on the table – including the Silver and Black, and particularly quarterback Derek Carr.
Carr has been a hot topic of discussion for Head Coach Jack Del Rio and media members alike, so here's what people are saying about the Raiders' quarterback.
Head Coach Jack Del Rio
On Derek Carr:
"I feel like we have a really good, young quarterback in Derek Carr who's coming off his second year now, took a significant jump last year for us, and we feel like there's a lot of room for growth there. We're really looking forward to getting him to this offseason and further developing him, further developing our football team. It's imperative that you find a guy that you believe can lead your franchise, and we think we have one."
ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter
On if double digit-wins and hosting a home playoff game is realistic:
"If Derek Carr continues to progress the way he has and the receivers continue to play the way they have, establish a running game, why not? Why not? Double-digit wins and a division championship, and the playoffs and whatever else [Head Coach Jack Del Rio] believes is possible?"
Quarterback Guru George Whitfield
On Carr's second season:
"Every time he comes out on the field, he has ownership of what he's doing. Last year he was playing and working through it, and they were kind of riding with him. It was a strong rookie season. He made it wire-to-wire, but now you see full ownership. That's the most fun to watch with a young guy, confidence. You can see him making adjustments at the line of scrimmage, bouncing back after turnovers. Over on the sideline, he's now getting everybody involved, and then you see them putting him in situations where they're going to let him take shots here."
Former Raiders Quarterback Rich Gannon
On the biggest difference he saw from Carr in his second season:
"I think the confidence. I think the overall command of the offense. I think his anticipation. You look at the number of touchdowns he threw, the big plays, the explosive plays. His ability to keep plays alive with his legs – which is something I'd like to see more of – but I just think when you go back and look at that draft class, and look at the quarterbacks that were taken in the first round – there were three of them – I think Derek was the steal of that draft."
ESPN NFL Insider Adam Caplan
On Derek Carr:
"I would say Blake Bortles of the Jaguars and Derek Carr made the two biggest jumps at quarterback I've seen in several years. I think Carr was so much more comfortable, more willing to pull the trigger, more willing to throw the ball downfield, and the thing that we noticed was his accuracy just jumped in year two on throws downfield. I think he got more comfortable in the offense."
