–Carr wreck: Head coach Jon Gruden was asked about quarterback Derek Carr throwing five of his league-leading eight interceptions on first down.
“Interceptions are bad on any down – first down, second down, third down,” Gruden replied. “He’s too good a player to throw any and I believe that. I think we can correct these interceptions and we are going to correct these interceptions. I think he’s aggressive and we’re coaching him to be aggressive. … We got to eliminate the turnovers. We have to win the turnover battle to be a great football team and right now we’re turning the ball over too many times ”
On Wednesday, offensive coordinator Greg Olson tried to put things in perspective regarding Carr’s unusual penchant for interceptions this year.
“Again, first year in the system,” Olson began. “He’s on his fourth coordinator now in his time in the league and I think it’s a comfort level in the system. And it’s a matter of sometimes pressing. But, for us right now, certainly trying to get him to calm down and play in a more relaxed type of mode so that he doesn’t feel like he has to press to make plays.
“When you look at some of the turnovers he’s had this year, he’s been pressing, trying to make a play. Again, we like that part about him and he’s a competitive guy, he wants to make every play. Just making better decisions moving forward.”
–Carr was among several Raiders players not available to the media Wednesday as the team’s usual routine is changed as it prepares to fly out on Friday. According to the schedule, the players will be available to meet the media in London on Friday.
–Cornerback Daryl Worley, a former third-round pick by Carolina, showed in his first game back from suspension that he could both cover and get physical when he was aggressive in support and made some loud hits.
Worley made eight tackles against the Chargers – second to linebacker Tahir Whitehead – with one for loss.
“That’s just how I was taught when I first came to the NFL, in this day and age they want to get running backs out on corners,” Worley said. “You have to prove to the opposing offense that you can tackle and hopefully they won’t come back to it.”
In an unsettled secondary, Worley, who played 49 snaps against the Chargers, appears to be the only defensive back with a sure spot. Rashaan Melvin, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Gareon Conley and Leon Hall are also on the depth chart. Conley, a first-round pick in 2017 who has been sidelined by injury and suspension, was noticeably yanked from the game against the Chargers and played only 13 snaps.
