The play-action pass has returned to the Raiders playbook in recent weeks and it has become one of Derek Carr’s most dangerous weapons.
Since Jon Gruden’s resignation, the Raiders are calling nearly twice as many play-action passes per game. Under Gruden, the Las Vegas offense was averaging 5.2 play-action drop backs per game and in the five games since he left, they are averaging 10.2. Carr’s numbers on play-action passes in the post-Gruden era have been very impressive: 46-60, 647 passing yards, 3 touchdowns, 0 interceptions, and a 127.6 QB rating.
It’s not a coincidence that play-action passes have ramped up since Gruden’s departure and according to Sports Illustrated’s Hondo Carpenter, it was something that GM Mike Mayock had wanted to see sooner.
“People ask me all the time about Gruden and Mayock and I want to make it very clear… I am in no way implying that Gruden and Mayock did not like each other or have a good working relationship. But I am going to tell you of one area of contention was Mayock wanted more play action,” Carpenter said this week on the Las Vegas 920 AM radio’s Morning Tailgate with Clay Baker.
“Jon was stubborn and you’re seeing more play action, and you’re going to see more on Sunday. I think you’re starting to see Mayock’s hand on the team more.”
By almost all accounts, Mayock and Gruden had a good working relationship, but that doesn’t mean they agreed on everything. One of those areas of disagreement seems to have involved play-action passes and there’s no question that the offense has benefited from dialing them up more often.
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I seem to remember the Raiders went to the shotgun to give D. Carr more time. He was dropping back and getting sacked before he could read the secondary.
The play action is definitely a good thing, but the tackling up high and not in the hip/legs cost yards. POOR TACKLING &Poor red zone play calling.
I can believe it! Gruden wanted the Raiders to be a smash-mouth run the ball down your throat type of offense, you could see that when faced with 3rd and 1 , 4th and 1 and Chucky would call runs between the tackles , but unfortunately a lot of the times they were unsuccessful! It would have been very creative if once and a while they would have called for play action under those circumstances! Carr is very efficient in the play action game, and Mayock knows it, it would behoove the Raiders to use it even in odd situations like 1st and goal from the 2 or 3 yard line!
Amen, ’cause grudens’stubbornness was a cancer… Carr’s being able to be creative, and he must be able to become like a Gannon and stabler, as he’s on the field, and in control of the ebb n flow, as have all the truly great ones have been.
Heck, grudens BUCS, in the day, kept winning less with each season, til they FIRED HIM.
Mayock is attempting to take credit for a positive development, is he going to blame Gruden for the two disasterous First Round picks, Ruggs and Arnette? Just wondering…
For one, the only stat that matters is W’s. Two, it’s not the GM’s effing job to decide plays or game plans ffs.