While Brees struggled to make an impression, Carr was the driving force behind a 34-24 victory at the Raiders’ new Allegiant Stadium home in Las Vegas.
The 29-year-old completed 28 of 38 passes for 282 yards and three touchdowns in helping the Raiders start the season 2-0. Brees managed 312 yards, a TD and an interception on 26-of-38 passing for New Orleans, which fell to 1-1.
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There have been reports in the past that Gruden is not Carr’s biggest fan, but those have been quashed recently, and Monday’s performance confirmed to the coach that his signal-caller is among the best in the business.
“There’s a lot of people that make a lot of opinions on Derek and Derek’s performance and our relationship. You know, he had nine different flankers last year. Nine,” Gruden said.
Reflecting on his first spell in charge of the Raiders, taking in each season from 1998 to 2001, Gruden recalled: “We had Tim Brown [as wide receiver] every week for four years.
“We’ve had I don’t know how many different combinations on the offensive line. Yet [Carr] threw for over 4,000 yards and 70 percent [completions last season], put us in a position to make the playoffs in Week 15.
“This guy’s a great quarterback. We’re surrounding him with better players. And once our defense, I think, starts playing to their potential, he can even be better.
“He does so much with the ball and without the ball and behind the scenes that I think Raiders fans should really be proud of him, and I know I am.”
