Derek Carr trying to stay ‘positive’ and ‘upbeat’ despite recent skid

The 2019 season took a major turn for the worst four weeks ago. After a three game win streak, the Raiders were 6-4 and looking to make a run at the playoffs. Then came three straight blow out loses and a second half meltdown in the final game at the Oakland Coliseum.

Now at 6-8, and somehow mathematical still alive in the playoff hunt, the Raiders have a highly unlikely path to the postseason. But if there is a pulse, there is still a chance. One thing that I am looking to see from this team is how they respond when things have seemingly hit rock bottom. On Wednesday, Derek Carr met with members of the media and was asked about the team’s morale after the streak of poor play.

“Absolutely, sometimes you see some guys, you know, it looks like their dog got kicked,” Carr said. “Because they’re human. It’s hard to go through this business when you’re not winning as many games as you want to and everybody’s talking about crazy stuff, about this and that and whatever. And it weighs on some guys to be honest with you. So you’ve gotta make sure you do your best as a player or as a coach to come in everyday and be the same person no matter the circumstance.”

Carr is the unquestioned leader on this team and he will be leaned on heavily in the next two weeks to right the ship and build some momentum heading into the 2020 season. The offense deserves plenty of the blame for their role in the four game losing streak. Across that four game span, they have been outscored 78-9 in the second half, scoring just one touchdown in that time.

“I hope that the people that were around when we were winning 12 games, I hope they would say I act the same then as I am now,” Carr said. “I try my best to be the same at all times, knowing what’s going on, knowing circumstances, knowing some things that have gone on.”

Fans can boo Carr all they want, but one thing you can never question is his unwavering dedication to his craft, his team, and his ability to remain a positive force no matter what is going on around him.

“You still try to stay positive, be upbeat, and hide everyone else from those things.”