Derek Carr

Derek Carr attempted to compare someone to the incomparable. Let's just get the games started already. (Stan Olszewski/Special to S.F. Examiner)

Empty talk reigns supreme ahead of NFL season kickoff

The NFL schedule is in that not-so-sweet spot between the end of…

Derek Carr attempted to compare someone to the incomparable. Let's just get the games started already. (Stan Olszewski/Special to S.F. Examiner)
Left: San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Ahmad Brooks (55) celebrates against the Houston Texans at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on August 14, 2016. Right: Oakland Raiders tackle Donald Penn (72), running back DeAndre Washington (33) and quarterback Derek Carr (4) celebrate a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans at Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on August 26, 2016. (Stan Olszewski/Special to S.F. Examiner)

It’s the most wonderful time of the year

No more games that don’t matter. No more empty talk. No more…

Left: San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Ahmad Brooks (55) celebrates against the Houston Texans at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on August 14, 2016. Right: Oakland Raiders tackle Donald Penn (72), running back DeAndre Washington (33) and quarterback Derek Carr (4) celebrate a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans at Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on August 26, 2016. (Stan Olszewski/Special to S.F. Examiner)
Oakland Raiders running back Jamize Olawale (49) carries the ball against the Tennessee Titans at Oakland Coliseum on Saturday. (Stan Olszewski/Special to S.F. Examiner)

Raiders first-team offense impresses in preseason home opener

Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr impressed during his time at the helm…

Oakland Raiders running back Jamize Olawale (49) carries the ball against the Tennessee Titans at Oakland Coliseum on Saturday. (Stan Olszewski/Special to S.F. Examiner)
Jack Del Rio, right, greets punter Marquette King during practice at the team’s training camp on Friday. (Eric Risberg/AP)

Oakland’s Del Rio acknowledges ‘buzz’

NAPA — Coach Jack Del Rio walked off the field after the…

Jack Del Rio, right, greets punter Marquette King during practice at the team’s training camp on Friday. (Eric Risberg/AP)
Offensive tackle Donald Penn had his bags packed before the Raiders made him offer to return. (Jeff Chiu/AP)

Donald Penn embraces return to Raiders after flirting with Giants

ALAMEDA — Donald Penn’s suitcase was packed and he was all set…

Offensive tackle Donald Penn had his bags packed before the Raiders made him offer to return. (Jeff Chiu/AP)
Former Seattle Seahawk Bruce Irvin will be joining the Raiders on a multiyear contract. (Stephen Brashear/AP)

Raiders continue spending spree with pass rusher

The Oakland Raiders have filled another hole in free agency by agreeing…

Former Seattle Seahawk Bruce Irvin will be joining the Raiders on a multiyear contract. (Stephen Brashear/AP)
Mark Davis is rumored to be committed to Las Vegas as long as they build a stadium. (Ben Margot/AP)

Desperate and doomed, Raiders owner Mark Davis should try Levi’s

So the seats are red. And the logos have gold. And the…

Mark Davis is rumored to be committed to Las Vegas as long as they build a stadium. (Ben Margot/AP)
Oakland Raiders cornerback David Amerson (29) intercepts a pass intended for Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Albert Wilson (12) for a touchdown, during the first half in Kansas City, Mo., on Sunday. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

In possible farewell, Oakland Raiders lose

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Charles Woodson walked off…

Oakland Raiders cornerback David Amerson (29) intercepts a pass intended for Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Albert Wilson (12) for a touchdown, during the first half in Kansas City, Mo., on Sunday. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) warms up before a game against the San Diego Chargers on Christmas Eve. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Carr closes in on milestones

A 4,000-yard season, the franchise single-season touchdown record and other milestones are…

Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) warms up before a game against the San Diego Chargers on Christmas Eve. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr directs his team as he rolls out against the Green Bay Packers during the game on Sunday in Oakland. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

Carr errors lead to playoff ouster

OAKLAND — The Raiders will have an entire offseason to reflect on…

Raiders quarterback Derek Carr directs his team as he rolls out against the Green Bay Packers during the game on Sunday in Oakland. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
Denver Broncos quarterback Brock Osweiler (17) is sacked by Oakland Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack (52) during the second half Sunday in Denver. (AP Photo/Joe Mahoney)

Mack daddy wild in Raiders’ win

DENVER — One sack, two sacks, three sacks ... Khalil Mack was…

Denver Broncos quarterback Brock Osweiler (17) is sacked by Oakland Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack (52) during the second half Sunday in Denver. (AP Photo/Joe Mahoney)
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr reacts during the first half of Oakland's game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015. (Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP)

Carr vows to learn from mistakes

Derek Carr's three interceptions in the fourth quarter of Sunday's loss to…

Raiders quarterback Derek Carr reacts during the first half of Oakland's game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015. (Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP)
Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Tyvon Branch, foreground, intercepts a pass from Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr that he returned for a touchdown during the game on Sunday. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

Carr crash: Raiders on life support

They stopped by his stall in a hushed locker room, one teammate…

Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Tyvon Branch, foreground, intercepts a pass from Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr that he returned for a touchdown during the game on Sunday. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) is tackled by Kansas City Chiefs inside linebacker Josh Mauga (90) and defensive back Tyvon Branch (27) during the first half in Oakland on Sunday. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

Carr’s 3 picks doom Raiders

OAKLAND — Marcus Peters and Tyvon Branch made the Coliseum feel just…

Oakland Raiders wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) is tackled by Kansas City Chiefs inside linebacker Josh Mauga (90) and defensive back Tyvon Branch (27) during the first half in Oakland on Sunday. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Seth Roberts (10) catches a 12-yard touchdown pass as he is defended by Tennessee Titans cornerback Coty Sensabaugh (24) in the fourth quarter to give the Raiders a 24-21 win over the Titans. (AP Photo/Weston Kenney)

Raiders save season on Carr TD heave

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Raiders found a way to pull out a…

Oakland Raiders wide receiver Seth Roberts (10) catches a 12-yard touchdown pass as he is defended by Tennessee Titans cornerback Coty Sensabaugh (24) in the fourth quarter to give the Raiders a 24-21 win over the Titans. (AP Photo/Weston Kenney)
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr scrambles away from Lions defensive end Ezekiel Ansah (94) during Oakland’s 18-13 loss to Detroit on Sunday. (Rick Osentoski/AP)

Raiders fading to black

Coach Jack Del Rio defended his decision not to challenge a play…

Raiders quarterback Derek Carr scrambles away from Lions defensive end Ezekiel Ansah (94) during Oakland’s 18-13 loss to Detroit on Sunday. (Rick Osentoski/AP)
Oakland Raiders running back Latavius Murray (28) crosses the goal line for a touchdown during the second half against the Detroit Lions on Sunday in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Punchless Raiders fading away

DETROIT — Derek Carr and the Raiders are falling behind in a…

Oakland Raiders running back Latavius Murray (28) crosses the goal line for a touchdown during the second half against the Detroit Lions on Sunday in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) signals behind tackle Austin Howard (77), tackle J'Marcus Webb (76) and center Tony Bergstrom (70) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015. (Beck Diefenbach/AP)

Raiders vow to fix leaks in all phases

The Raiders have lost back-to-back games, not their confidence. The mood Monday…

Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) signals behind tackle Austin Howard (77), tackle J'Marcus Webb (76) and center Tony Bergstrom (70) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015. (Beck Diefenbach/AP)
Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) runs past Oakland Raiders defensive back Neiko Thorpe (31) for an 80-yard touchdown run Sunday. (AP Photo/Beck Diefenbach)

Peterson helps Vikings run past Raiders 30-14

OAKLAND — Derek Carr led Oakland back from a slow start to…

Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) runs past Oakland Raiders defensive back Neiko Thorpe (31) for an 80-yard touchdown run Sunday. (AP Photo/Beck Diefenbach)
The Raiders’ offensive line has quietly been the driving force behind one of the most balanced attacks in the NFL this season. (Jeff Haynes/AP)

Five Guys up front fortify Raiders

Few may know their names, but as everyone from quarterback Derek Carr…

The Raiders’ offensive line has quietly been the driving force behind one of the most balanced attacks in the NFL this season. (Jeff Haynes/AP)