NAPA – Quarterback Derek Carr reported to training camp on Wednesday and, although he’s a rookie, it wasn’t his first rodeo. The Raiders second-round draft pick was at camp several times when his brother David quarterbacked the Houston Texans, staying to observe and absorb.
This time around, Carr will be a lot more active as he works through his rookie season.
“I remember them reporting for camp and all those things,” Carr said, shortly after checking in to the Napa Valley Marriott. “I think I like it being on this side of things now a lot more than standing around watching. As a little kid I couldn’t wait for this day to come. So now it’s here and I know how much more hard work I have to put in.”
Carr will see plenty of action. He starts camp as the No 2 quarterback behind Matt Schaub, who became a mentor of sorts during the offseason program.
“I still have a lot to learn and I’m excited to learn from my coaches and the veterans on this team,” Carr said. “Hopefully Matt (Schaub) doesn’t get too annoyed at me for asking too many questions because I’m going to ask even more now. I’m going to try and pick his brain as much as I can.”
Just because he has some experience watching NFL film and the functions of an NFL camp it didn’t stop him from asking veterans about things big and small this summer, including the best place to park.
That’s Derek Carr, humble as ever.
His focus is not on a starting job. That belongs to Schaub. He hopes to thrive under the Raiders accelerated rate of progress and impress at each stage along the way.
“Just keep getting better. We made great progress in the OTAs and minicamp, I’m starting to learn how to be a NFL quarterback and those things but I still got a long way to go. So, I’m going to rely on my coaches and the team to help me get through my first camp. Whatever I can do to help this team get better.”
