Raiders/WFT Preview: Carr Versus JDR

The last time the Raiders played the Washington Football Team, they left the field, broken, embarrassed, and humiliated. That loss started the downward spiral for the team that, if you are honest, they haven’t recovered from. Granted, the team finished near or around .500 for the last two seasons. Yet, that loss versus Washington sticks as a turning point. More importantly, Derek Carr can serve up a defiant middle finger to Jack Del Rio.

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The Background

Jack Del Rio led the Raiders to their last playoff appearance. Now, in retrospect, people that followed JDR understand that you’d receive a phenomenal year, surrounded by uninspired, lackluster efforts. After the Raiders fired Del Rio, in favor of Jon Gruden. Del Rio, fresh off a disappointing 2017, saw his team unravel under the weight of expectation. Weekly, you’d see him give banal responses to losses. Whether its ” regaining mojo” or some nonsense, the former coach hindered his quarterback.

Hamstrung

For all of Derek Carr’s flaws as a player, one thing about his time with Jack del Rio stands out. Derek Carr was actually too coachable. Instead of firing back when Del Rio slid subtle barbs in press conferences, Carr just took the damage. In the meeting room, Del Rio replaced Bill Musgrave with Todd Downing. Downing managed to transform a Top-10 offense into a sputtering mess. The Raiders dropped in every offense category. The new coordinator, way over his head, lacked the touch and nuance that Carr needed to succeed.

Post Raiders

After his firing, Jack Del Rio landed at ESPN for a stint. Del Rio still could not keep Carr’s name out of his mouth. He mentioned Carr’s failings in cold weather. Now, as a WFT defensive coordinator, Del Rio stands in the way of a Las Vegas victory. Few know Derek Carr better than he does. Yet, as a defensive mind, Del Rio uses this insight to sculpt a gameplan Expect the WFT to dial up blitzes. With Chase Young and Montez Sweat out, the best part of the line becomes the interior. Additionally, the right tackle spot remains a weakness. In return, watch for the WFT to scream off the left of their line.

Ending

Sunday’s game means a great deal to both Jack Del Rio. For Carr, he gets to defeat a former coach and show how much he’s progressed in the ensuing years. For Del Rio, a shot at defeating the organization that unceremoniously fired him. Either way, someone will walk off the field as a winner, holding that victory aloft, as a trophy.