NFL Oakland Raiders

Derek Carr and Oakland Raiders Poised To Thrive Under New Management

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Derek Carr - Oakland Raiders

Ed Szczepanski – USA TODAY Sports

The Oakland Raiders are under new management for the third time in five months. Jack Del Rio, former Denver Broncos defensive coordinator, was hired as the team’s new head coach and is entrusted to repair a dispirited Raiders team.

Going 3-13 last season under head coach Dennis Allen and interim head coach Tony Sparano, the Raiders’ front office felt this team was in dire need of a full frontal coaching lobotomy. Most of the 2014 coaching staff will not return this year.

The only silver lining at the end of last season was the prospect of steady improvement from rookie quarterback Derek Carr. It is safe to say that Oakland has finally found their franchise quarterback, even if this former Fresno State Bulldog is still a little rough around the edges.

Building a team around an unpolished quarterback begins by hiring a talented core of experienced coaches. This new staff will be tasked with the development of Carr and the implementation of a new offensive system that can best utilize both his skill set and potential.

Todd Downing, former Buffalo Bills quarterbacks coach, was hired earlier this year to work with Carr and will be primarily responsible for his development. Downing has prior experience in polishing young quarterbacks who have the promise of becoming franchise players.

Matthew Stafford of the Detroit Lions owes much of his growth and success to Downing, having coached him in the 2011 season. Stafford led the Lions to an 11-5 record and a NFC Wild Card appearance last year.

Another former QB coach has joined the Raiders’ payroll this year. Ex-Philadelphia Eagles coach Bill Musgrave has returned to Oakland and will be the team’s new offensive coordinator. According to reports, Musgrave will be applying a “Chip Kelly type” no-huddle offense to the Raiders, utilizing Carr’s fresh legs and rocket arm.

Emphasis on learning the playbook and creating a solid pocket presence in this new offensive scheme will not be out of Carr’s purview. However, the issue of having this type of offense will at times force the Raiders to rely heavily on an inferior defense to stop the ball and to create turnovers.

The Raiders’ coaching staff will provide the framework to orchestrate a dynamic offense and develop their second-year quarterback into a franchise player. Their only challenge will be building a team, through free agency and the NFL Draft, that can hold up to the demands of an up-tempo, no-huddle offense.

James Forsythe is an NFL contributor at www.RantSports.com. You can Follow him on Twitter @9erJim , “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google

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