Jon Gruden on Derek Carr: ‘He’s just been victimized with some injuries and a lack of continuity’

Jon Gruden is ecstatic with his quarterback.

And why wouldn’t he be? Derek Carr has shown difference-making ability for the Oakland Raiders.

‘He can throw with touch and timing and velocity’

As the Raiders’ new coach, Gruden is, himself, expected to make a huge difference in improving the team’s fortunes. And he realizes he needs Carr to be a major part of that.

“He’s got exceptional arm talent,” Gruden told Jim Miller and Pat Kirwan on Movin’ The Chains at the NFL Scouting Combine. “It’s quick, it’s accurate, he can throw with touch and timing and velocity, and he can throw from different platforms. This guy can really uncork it. And he’s a great kid.

‘I think he’s capable of running for 250 yards — running, scrambling’

“I think he’s athletic. He ran well; I think he’s capable of running for 250 yards — running, scrambling. He’ll scramble for 12, 15, 20 first downs, extend the chains. I think he can do that as well. He’s just been victimized, I think, with some injuries and, really, a lack of continuity. He’s had four different head coaches. I don’t know how many different coordinators he’s had. And that’s hard for a young quarterback.”

Gruden is looking for Carr to return to the dominant form he showed while calling his own plays in a no-huddle offense at Fresno State.

‘That’s what we’re going to ask him to do — get more involved at the line of scrimmage’

“Fifty points a game,” the coach said. “Davante Adams was his split end. And that’s what we’re going to ask him to do — get more involved at the line of scrimmage, recognizing defenses, communicating what want done and then executing.”