NAPA — Derek Carr dropped back, checked his progressions, and finding no one open and defenders retreating to cover receivers, broke to his left and set sail toward the sideline.
He got several yards downfield Saturday before running out of bounds.
We’ve heard this before about Carr. He’s got some athletic skill, and perhaps he should take advantage of it from time to time and move around a little bit. No one is asking him to be Michael Vick or even Rich Gannon, but a rushing first down every now and then would be advantageous toward moving the chains.
“I need to do it better. In the second year of a system, you can get through progressions faster,” Carr said. “In my head I can eliminate certain coverages and then get out and extend it whereas last year I was trying to do it so perfect. And we had too many sacks, and they weren’t all on the offensive line. That’s my fault. I take the blame.”
Carr said coach Jon Gruden has told defensive backs on occasion to jump routes, forcing Carr to consider running. The ancillary benefit is that Antonio Brown (one he returns from injury) excels at getting open when a quarterback has been extended. Just ask Ben Roethlisberger.
“Derek is a lot more athletic than people think,” Gruden said. “Hopefully we can get some more scramble, second-reaction offense.”
Another factor — Carr hasn’t been completely healthy for awhile now.
More quick hits from Day 1:
— Alec Ingold, an undrafted free agent from Wisconsin, looked smooth as a secondary receiver out of the backfield on a handful of plays — including two with the offense backed up to the end zone.
With incumbent Keith Smith out following minor knee surgery, Ingold can make himself a serious competitor to get a 53-man roster spot if he blocks to his potential, catches the ball and can also participate as a core special teamer.
— Darren Waller made what might have been the play of the day on a downfield catch from Carr. But the player who looked like an old-school bruiser at the position was Paul Butler. Tight end, which also includes rookie Foster Moreau (a lock if healthy), returnee Derek Carrier and veterans Luke Willson and Erik Swoope, figures to be one of the most competitive positions in camp.
— Hunter Renfrow, the fifth-round draft pick out of Clemson who G.M. Mike Mayock said looks like Doogie Howser, came as advertised in the slot. Renfrow got open consistently in the middle of the field and made more plays than Ryan Grant, who figures to be his primary competition.
— One of the few times Renfrow didn’t make a play came when Carr threw over the middle and Vontaze Burfict had the play diagnosed, reached around and swatted the ball to the ground. Burfict on the first day looked pretty active for a player who was said to have lost his legs in Cincinnati last year.
— With more than a hundred Raiders alumni on hand, ranging from legendary to the obscure, Gruden hoped a few would take the opportunity to impart some wisdom on the 2019 Raiders.
That happened near the midway point of the first session, when cornerbacks Lester Hayes and Mike Haynes gave defenders a pep talk.
“It was started by Lester, who talked about working on their weaknesses — that’s what training camp is for,” Haynes said. “If you’re right-handed and jab with your right hand, use a right shiver and use your right shoulder to tackle, then you need to just as comfortable using your left-hand jab, left shiver and left shoulder.”
Haynes advice? Telling cornerbacks to get as close to the line of scrimmage as they could so they could get their hands on a receiver.
“I just challenged them to look at film, know the game,” Haynes said.
— Others spotted either on the field or hotel included Jim Otto, Jim Plunkett, Tom Flores, Justin Fargas, Max Montoya, Bill Romanowski, Rod Martin, Todd Marinovich, Mervyn Fernandez, Harvey Williams, Justin Fargas, Isaiah Ekejiuba.
— With Brown a spectator who watched from the sideline for a time with an undisclosed injury (he could miss the first week), Tyrell Williams (6-foot-4, 205 pounds) showed the kind of smooth acceleration and size that could make him a formidable target for Carr.
Williams spent time with other receivers at Carr’s Bakersfield home in the off-season and likes what he sees.
“He likes making all the throws. He hates making mistakes. He’s fun to play with,” Williams said. “I like playing with him so far. I’m excited to just get out on the field and actually be in a game setting with him.”
Assuming Brown returns as his old self, this duo could could be superior to the Michael Crabtree-Amari Cooper duo of 2016 in terms of potential 1,000-yard seasons (and hopefully with fewer drops).
— Nevin Lawson, the free agent cornerback from the Detroit Lions, had a busy day, was beaten on a few pass plays but also made a couple of nice breakups. Even on plays where Lawson’s receiver caught the ball, he was competitive and receivers weren’t getting a lot of separation.
— Cornerback Gareon Conley found himself the victim of a few pass plays. During one sequence, Keon Hatcher got him twice in succession. Daryl Worley, a starter last year, made the best downfield breakup on the left sideline on a downfield throw from Carr.
— Linebacker Brandon Marshall, who didn’t practice throughout the offseason while rehabbing an undisclosed injury, was on the field and getting some work with the first team. In a perfect world, Burfict and Marshall prove they’ve got something left and give Tahir Whitehead some experienced help at a problem position.