Did Derek Carr deserve his selection to the Pro Bowl as an alternate on Monday?
No, of course not. After putting together an MVP-like season in 2016, Carr was average at best in 2017. But because the Pro Bowl is a sham, Carr is headed to Orlando.
After his career is complete, though, it won’t matter if Carr deserved the nod or not. The reality is it is Carr’s third Pro Bowl honor in his four NFL seasons. Carr, who turns 27 in March, will likely add another five more Pro Bowls to his resume before he calls it a career in a decade or so.
Carr, who signed a five-year extension with the Raiders last year, will very likely go down as the most statistically accomplished quarterback in the rich history of the Raiders. He is already one Pro Bowl away from tying the team record for quarterbacks. Hall of Famer (the namesake of RaidersSnakePit.com) Ken Stabler and Rich Gannon. They both went to four Pro Bowls as Raiders. Stabler was a starter in Oakland for nine years while Gannon started in Oakland of six years.
Stabler is the Raiders’ all-time leading passer with 19,078 yards and in touchdown passes with 150. Carr should blow past both of those marks. After four seasons, he has thrown for 14,690 yards and he has tossed 103 touchdown passes. Assuming he stays healthy, Carr will probably pass Stabler in both of those categories in his sixth NFL season, in 2019, which is set to be the Raiders’ final season in Oakland before moving to Las Vegas.
In his six seasons in Oakland, Gannon threw for more than 17,000 yards and he threw 114 touchdown passes.
Of course, what Stabler and Gannon both most did for the Raiders was lead to them a lot of victories. Stabler won a Super Bowl and Gannon played in one with Oakland. Whether or not the Raiders win with Carr will determine his legacy as the Raiders’ quarterback. The Raiders are 28-36 in Carr’s four seasons.
Of course, hopes are high with Jon Gruden – whom Gannon flourished under in Oakland – back as the head coach. Gruden’s biggest task will be getting Carr back on the right track. If Gruden is able to right Carr, expect the Pro Bowls to keep on coming (deservedly) and watch Carr run away from Stabler and Gannon in Raiders’ statistical quarterbacking lore.
Great article Bill, love our site. Raider bites ? Have you posted it today?
Not always a huge numbers guy. I admit I want TDs up and INTs down. But we can look at all the stats when his career is done and considering him for the HOF if he is worthy.
As for now, I want SB wins and that is the most important stat to me.
Obviously not so much for the HOF though, otherwise Plunk and Flores would be enshrined already. These are the same morons who kept the snake out until after his passing.