David Carr, an NFL Network analyst and older brother of Raiders quarterback Derek Carr, shed some light Friday on the decision of the club to elevate quarterbacks Todd Downing at the expense of offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave.
Speaking with the Raiders’ flagship station 95.7 The Game on radio row at Super Bowl LI in Houston, Carr said Downing’s promotion should coincide with more freedom for Derek within the offense.
“Derek is in such a place, especially now at this point in his career, it’s time for some more flexibility and let him just take ownership of this thing,” Carr told host J.T. The Brick.
The Raiders announced on Jan. 14 that Downing would take over as offensive coordinator for Musgrave, whose contract had expired.
Under Musgrave, the Raiders went from 24th in the NFL in total offense in 2015 to sixth last season, from 17th to seventh in points per game, from 16th to 13th in passing yardage, and from 28th to sixth in rushing yardage.
The Denver Broncos have since hired Musgrave as their quarterbacks coach.
David Carr said his brother’s situation with Musgrave was similar to one he witnessed first-hand as a backup on a Super Bowl championship team with the New York Giants.
“I’ve been around it with Kevin Gilbride in New York, and it was hard for him to even let Eli Manning, who was an absolute master at the line of scrimmage, to give him the freedom to do that,” Carr said. “I think Musgrave was the same way.
“He wanted to give Derek freedom, but at the same time, (he thinks) `I’ve been doing this for 20 years. I have a certain way of doing things.’ I think you’ll see a lot more freedom for Derek at the line of scrimmage, some more flexibility there.”
A few other observations from David Carr on Derek’s thoughts on Downing:
— “He loves the guy. He gives them a lot of credit for his red zone efficiency. You look at this game on Sunday that’s where it’s going to be won. They do as good a job as anyone in the league to be able to run the football, create some plays for their backs with their mismatches with (Michael) Crabtree and Amari (Cooper) and even the eight ends. Downing is going to do a fantastic job. Musgrave, as good as he was, sometimes, I’ve been around him, there’s just old-style thinking.”
— “He and Downing have an incredible relationship, they talk every day on the phone, game-plan wise, and he was really the in-between guy. Derek would give ideas, Downing would take them to Musgrave, if they got through, they got through, if they didn’t, then they just didn’t get through. I think now that you’ve eliminated that gap, it’s going to be good. they’re not going to miss a beat.”
David Carr also confirmed speculation that surgery for his brother following his broken right fibula included the insertion of a plate in his foot.
