ALAMEDA -- The Cleveland Browns have an intimate knowledge of how Raiders quarterback Derek Carr plays football, and not just because they considered drafting him in 2014 and played against him last year.
They also employ someone who helped train him.
Browns offensive coordinator John DeFilippo was the Raiders' quarterbacks coach last year when Carr was a rookie, and played a major role in the young quarterback’s growth as an NFL quarterback.
“I love ‘Flip,’” Carr said. “He was huge in developing me, him and (former offensive coordinator Greg Olson), in helping me learn what it takes to compete at this level, physically and mentally. I can’t say enough good things about him.”
DeFilippo may not know what the Raiders will do or call on game day, but he should know how Carr will react in certain situations and what he does or doesn’t do well against.
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“I’m sure he’ll come in throughout the week and give us some tips,” Browns defensive lineman John Hughes III said. “Maybe in practice he’ll give us some things we can work on.”
Carr has made strides since his rookie season, and seems comfortable within Bill Musgraves’ offense. The Raiders need him to perform well, especially with a defense still finding its way.
The Raiders certainly hope to build off a victory where they scored 37 points and moved the ball well through the air.
“I think he is extremely talented. He has a really nice arm,” Cleveland outside linebacker Paul Kruger said. “He can make all the throws, throw side-armed, over the top. He has a lot of speed. I just think he is a talented guy and athletic. He is somebody that jumps out on tape that can hurt you in a lot of different ways.”
There is familiarity both ways in this instance. Carr has worked against the Browns in a 23-13 loss last year. He was 34-for-54 passing for a then-career-high 328 yards and a touchdown. He also lost a fumble on a big hit from Kruger.
“You’ve played against them, you know their tendencies,” Carr said. “They always change it up. There’s always going to try to throw a curveball at you. You have to stay true to your rules. It is nice for it to be the second time to play them.”
The Browns will have some inside knowledge about Carr and could try and use it to their advantage.
“We obviously know a lot about him,” Browns head coach Mike Pettine said. “He had statistically a pretty good game against us last year, and then the obvious with having [offensive coordinator] John DeFilippo here, having worked with him as a rookie and knowing him as well as he does. He’s very poised, can make all the throws."
