Why the Raiders’ Derek Carr has always thought highly of Saints quarterback Drew Brees
Derek Carr has always been a big fan of Drew Brees.
“He’s very accurate,” Carr said in a Zoom call this week with reporters. “He’s always among the top at completion percentage. We model a lot of what we do as quarterbacks based on what he does. He’d rather throw a completion than throw a 40-yard pass for an incompletion. And he has a Super Bowl ring, so he doesn’t care much about it. So, I love his game. He keeps the ball moving, he’s efficient, they stay on schedule. He’s one of the best to ever play the game.”
The Las Vegas Raiders will host Brees and the New Orleans Saints for a prime time game Monday in the first game to be played at Allegiant Stadium.
This will be the second time Carr will oppose Brees’ Saints. The former Fresno State star had success the first time he played New Orleans in 2016 — in dramatic fashion.
Carr threw a touchdown to Seth Roberts and added a two-point conversion to Michael Crabtree for a 35-34 victory at the Superdome.
Carr understands this is a new-look Saints that includes two former Raiders in running back Latavius Murray and tight end Jared Cook. The Saints’ defense is run by former Raiders coach Dennis Allen.
Like the Raiders, the Saints are coming off a season-opening victory. New Orleans beat Tom Brady and the visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers 34-23.
Carr sees a huge challenge for his team.
“On offense, they are hard to stop,” he said. “On defense, they are hard to get a yard on. We just saw a six-time Super Bowl champ go into the Superdome and it’s a tough place to play. It’s a tough team. ... We have our work cut out for us. When you watch the film, they’re talented on all levels. Their defensive line is disruptive. They all can rush to passer and disrupt their game. We have our hands full come Monday night.”
Killers to perform in Las Vegas
While fans cannot be inside Allegiant Stadium, the Raiders are bringing in some Vegas natives.
They are The Killers.
The trio will perform from the Caesars Palace rooftop at halftime.
“The Raiders really wanted to pay homage to our new hometown so naturally we were ecstatic to partner with an iconic Las Vegas band like The Killers on this once-in-a-lifetime performance,” Raiders president Marc Badain said in a news release. “While fans can’t be with us in person, we hope this exciting halftime show gives those at home a taste of the exceptional entertainment experience awaiting them at future games and events at Allegiant Stadium.”
On Twitter, the group explained why they said yes.
“When the Raiders call you to play a song at halftime in their first home game, first game ever in the new Las Vegas stadium, you say yes,” the group wrote.
Charles Woodson to Hall of Fame?
Charles Woodson is one of 14 first-year eligible players to be listed on the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2021 ballot.
Eighteen finalists will be presented to the full 48-member Pro Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee during its annual meeting on “Selection Saturday” the day before Super Bowl LV.
The finalists will consist of 15 modern-era candidates and the recently named coach finalist, Tom Flores. Others on the list include senior finalist Drew Pearson and contributor finalist Bill Nunn.
This story was originally published September 16, 2020 at 6:05 PM.
