The Oakland Raiders have started the 2015 regular season with a 2-1 record. The high-flying offense has taken off the past two weeks, and although the defense is still running to catch up, they've made enough plays to help the Raiders win two in a row. When your quarterback throws for 300 yards two weeks in a row, your rookie wide receiver goes over 100 yards receiving two weeks in a row and your bell cow running back chalks up a career-high rushing performance, people sit up and take notice.
The Cleveland Plain Dealer's Mary Kay Cabot writes:
Browns cornerback Tramon Williams has known Derek Carr since the Raiders quarterback was a scrawny 15-year-old.
"I thought he was the best one in that (2014) draft,'' Williams told Northeast Ohio Media Group this week.
"I don't throw this name around too often, but he kind of seems to have a skill set similar to Aaron, and that's saying something,'' said Williams." Obviously we don't know if he's going to turn out to be that player, but skill set-wise, he can move, he can do the whole nine, he has a strong arm, a quick release and he can read defenses as a young quarterback. He can make it to that first, that second, that third read."
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Cabot also quoted cornerback Joe Haden who was also impressed with Carr:**
"He's going to be really good,'' said Haden." He doesn't play like a second-year guy. He has control of the offense. Hats off to him. He did a really good job of just being poised and playing within himself and making plays.''
Browns head coach Mike Pettine said of the interception quarterback Josh McCown threw at the end of the game, "Credit (Raiders safety Charles) Woodson, that was a heck of play."
Raiders rookie wide receiver Amari Cooper surpassed 100 yards receiving in the first half. Pettine said the Raiders did a good job making plays. "They (the Raiders) executed. We have our best corner on their best receiver, and they made plays. There were times where they were going good against good and they were making plays, especially early."
Although he said he didn't throw it where and how he wanted, Quarterback Josh McCown tipped his cap to Woodson for the interception at the end. "Yeah, he made a good play. Again, like I said, the location of the throw was not where I wanted it. It was not the type of throw I wanted to make. I felt like with everything I did on the play – my intention was to hold him and do what we did was good – it was just getting enough on the ball. That is the main thing. That being said, he made an excellent play on the ball. To catch it and keep his feet inbounds was an excellent play."
Tackle Joe Thomas gave the Raiders credit for shutting down the Browns running game. "They had two outstanding guys on the edge that make it tough to run wide-zone when you have (Raiders linebacker ) Aldon Smith and (Raiders defensive end) Khalil Mack," Thomas said. "When you are running the wide-zone, you are putting your tight ends one-on-one usually on their defensive end, outside backer types."
Members of the national media are taking notice as well. Here is a sampling from Twitter:
