Quantcast Titans’ Carr glad to be out of Oakland on Nashville City Paper

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Welcome Visitor!  Sign-In  | Breaking News Alerts
SEARCH SITE
 
Free Online Classifieds | Autos | Real Estate | Jobs || News | Sports | Business | Lifestyles
NEWS
ABOUT US
MY CITY PAPER
PROMOTIONS
CITY BLOGS
DINING GUIDE
PUZZLES
MULTIMEDIA
ADVERTISE
ARCHIVES
 
Titans’ Carr glad to be out of Oakland
By: By Terry McCormick, tmccormick@nashvillecitypaper.com
Posted: Tuesday, May 20, 2008 12:16 am
 Email Print
The stadium in Oakland is known as “The Black Hole.”

For new Tennessee Titan Chris Carr, the black hole also describes where he felt his career was while spending his first three seasons with the Raiders.

“That’s an understatement to say it’s a little nicer here. It’s just so many things that go on over there, and it’s disheartening too because you don’t win any football games,” said Carr, who signed with Tennessee this offseason as a restricted free agent.

To Carr’s delight, the Raiders chose not to match the Titans’ offer of just under $2 million for the 2008 season, even though they received no compensation in return for surrendering the return man and defensive back to the Titans.

Carr, 25, expected to make his exodus from Oakland despite his undrafted status coming out of Boise State in 2005.

“I felt I was going to be picked up somewhere else. Plus, with me being undrafted, I knew there wasn’t going to be any compensation,” Carr said. “I felt that Oakland was pretty stacked with DBs, and especially later on when they got DeAngelo Hall, I felt there was no way they were going to match the offer. So I knew there was a good chance I was going to leave.”

He is happy to be out of the Raiders’ organization, which he said was filled with other issues that played a role in the team’s lack of success. In Carr’s three seasons with the Raiders, the team was 10-38.

“It’s tough, and it’s kind of bittersweet, because I loved all those coaches there and I loved my teammates, I really do,” Carr said. “But there’s just so much other stuff going on there that it makes it so difficult. After a while you just want to leave, and I was a free agent and got a shot to leave, and coming to a team like this, I’m glad to be here and be on a playoff-caliber team.”

Asked if any of his ex-teammates in Oakland were envious of his escape to Tennessee, Carr said, “I’ll plead the fifth on that one. They’re trying as hard as they can in their situation, so I won’t comment on that one.”

The Titans are happy to have Carr, who will likely take over as their primary return man in at least one capacity this season. The Titans struggled to find punt and kickoff returners last season with Adam “Pacman” Jones suspended, and Carr has experience in both roles. He averaged 24.1 yards per return on kickoffs and 5.9 yards per return on punts, though he fielded only eight punts in 2007. He was the Raiders’ primary punt returner during his first two seasons with the club.

“I did punt return my first two years, and last year was kind of off and on. Like in Oakland, there’s a lot of stuff going on there that you don’t understand. It’s just whatever,” Carr said.

Carr will likely receive competition from first-round pick Chris Johnson on kickoff returns, and perhaps from Chris Davis on punt returns.

“Chris Carr is out here fielding punts and he’s doing very well, despite the fact that he only returned kickoffs for [the Raiders] last season,” Titans coach Jeff Fisher said. “Chris Johnson can return, and Chris Davis can. If your name is Chris, you can do it. It’s wide open, and never in my experience here have we had this many good returners.”

But Carr hopes to do much more than just return kicks. Right now, his role is to provide depth at safety, cornerback and nickelback as well as returns.

“All these DBs here are pretty well established and all of them are pretty good,” Carr said. “I’m just hoping to play wherever, whether it’s at safety, corner or the nickel. Whatever I can do to get on the field, hopefully, I can get as good as possible at all the spots. Hopefully, I can be on the field on Sundays and just not on returns.

“I play a lot of spots and a lot of different positions on the football field. It doesn’t matter to me what they want me to do, because I know can do a lot of things well. Whatever they want me to do on this team, I’ll do it.”
Share: 
Tags:  Chris Carr, Jeff Fisher, Oakland Raiders, Tennessee Titans
Member Opinions:
By: jontrain on 5/20/08
does the 5th DB on a losing team really deserve this much press????? i'm a raiders fan and trust me, i had love for chris carr, and i wish him the best of luck. but if u expect him to make some kind of impact on this team??? puh...LEEZ

By: OneTimer on 5/20/08
This is Nashville media at its best. They give us Titans every day of the year. So yes, the 5th DB will eventually get his own article. Just like the 4th TE will.

By: Aaronraider13 on 5/20/08
Chris carr is happy, but not as happy as the Raider Nation. What Cris fails to realize is he was one of the sub par players that helped contribute to the losing culture. Its comical to hear such a low caliber talent like Chris say anything negative. Was he getting good field position for the offense? Not so much. Look at his averages. The guy is just a notch below mediocre. The Titans will find this out by october. Chris should be thankful the Raiders signed his undrafted a$$, instead of parting with cheapshots. Good Luck Tenn.

By: SacRaider on 5/20/08
This is comical. Carr's comments reads as being from some kind of superstar or something. I mean, this is Chris Carr we're talking about. His production dropped off big time last year and he has ALWAYS been a liability as a DB. He's too small to take anyone down.

You'll see what I'm talking about Tennessee fans. Hopefully for you, the Titans won't need to use him as a DB. Forget about punt returns as well. He's OK as a kick returner. Was much better when he first came out of college.

And as far as him "taking the 5th" regarding other players. I don't think those players would know what he's talking about. Jarrod Cooper (our special teams ace) has already said he hopes to light up Carr when they play. They haven't taken kindly to Carr's comments here in Oakland.

By: nashbeck on 5/20/08
I think the Titans acquired Carr for his kick returning skills via Pacman situation. I will take a solid 25 yards per return; as for punts, I'll take your knowledge in that I hope one of the Chris' steps up and fills in pacman's shoes. Go Titans!! Get into the playoffs and win in the playoffs!

By: RaiderJay on 5/20/08
The same thing's going on out here as they were when we kicked the Titans ass in the 2002 AFC Championship game. Chris Carr didn't ask to leave, he was shown the door. We signed Deangelo Hall and drafted Branch because players like Chris Carr are too soft to be a Raider.

Hey, its not easy being a Raider, it takes a special, tough breed to wear the Silver and Black and dominate. Guys like Chris Carr, Randy Moss, and Jerry Porter aren't that. They're not TRUE RAIDERS. and they never were, an

By: RaiderJay on 5/20/08
Its also funny how the article states that Chris Carr thought his career was in a "black hole". That clown was a "muffed-punt" away from the Arena league.

By: gdiafante on 5/20/08
Who is Chris Carr and are the Raiders even still in the NFL?? lol

By: TITAN1 on 5/20/08
Chris Carr is a very good player, you can't blame him for wanting to get out of the "BROWN" hole.

By: r8rfan on 5/20/08
The Raiders were 10-38 WITH Carr and will match that win total in the first season without Carr. I liked his heart but, especially on punts, he ran right into the guy. If you want to pay 2 mil for 24 yards on a kick off return and no TD's, that's fine, but it will not hurt the Raiders without him. He would also be nineth on the depth chart as a corner. Good luck with that.
Peace out

By: John_Elways_Teeth on 5/20/08
Chris Carr is lucky to be in the NFL! How dare he badmouth the only team that would give his Blue Turf Lovin' A** a chance. What you'll love about Carr is that he will always bring a kick return out to the 25 yard line. What you'll hate about Carr is that he will always bring a kick return out to the 25 yard line, and NEVER EVER any further. He's always just one step away from breaking one off to the endzone, BUT...he won't. He never has and he NEVER will. But look at the brightside, He can't cover or tackle either. It's just too bad he'll never be as good as he thinks he is.

By: TITAN1 on 5/20/08
Please FADER goons, go back to the "BROWN" hole, you are leaving a brown stain on this MB.

By: Raiderfan1987 on 5/20/08
This writer is clearly a dumbass and tool. The "stadium in Oakland" is not known as the “The Black Hole." That is the south endzone. I stopped reading after I read that first line. What a fool.

By: gdiafante on 5/20/08
Hmmm, didn't take too long to find someone else call the stadium "The Black Hole"

http://www.nflfootballstadiums.com/McAfee-Coliseum.htm

Apparently Raiderfan1987 is a fine representation of the entire Oakland organization...clueless.

By: Raiderfan1987 on 5/20/08
gdiafante I'm a season ticket holder. Look in the mirror when it comes to clueless. The black hole is specifcally the sections behind the south endzone.

Bring you bring your ass over here to McAfee Coliseum and see for yourself dumbass. The Oakland organization as you call it got superbowl rings, something your shitty team will never get.

By: TITAN1 on 5/20/08
Listen, brown hole flunkie, don't you have an online newspaper in Oakland, take your brown streak over there, you are stinking it up around here! Fadernation! LMAO!

By: Raiderfan1987 on 5/20/08
TITAN1 how many superbowls have the titans won again? How many? Let us know about the "winning history" of your franchise lol.

By: araidertildeath on 5/20/08
wow how in the world can any titan fans talk shit about an org. that has won in every decade! and as for Raider Nation responding to your newspaper, RAIDER NATION IS EVERYWHERE... titans have never even had a fingerprint on a trophy.....lol.....you guys are just like carr......second rate..at best

By: araidertildeath on 5/20/08
guess you finnished second once

By: snnyjcbs on 5/20/08
Carr did not have to worry about the Raiders matching any offer he received. The Raiders showed the kid the door and he did not like it.

As for how happy he is with the Titans?, I bet he is. The kid never received any kind of press in Oakland. The kid was a 5th CB while in Oakland and would not even be able to make the Raider squad this year.

As the Raiders have been rebuilding over the last 5 years they have filled the team with great young talent at many positions. As they have done this they have been culling many of the mediocre players from the team.

I wish him well and he is much better off with the Titans. I hear they are going to let him fight for a starting position in the secondary. That just would not have happened with the Raiders with the talent the Raiders have at the positions.

I do not like the sour grapes that are coming from Carr but it does show the kids character and heart of which the kid has none.

As for all the Raider thumping by the Titan Fans. Just remember that it was the Raiders who thumped your Titans in the last AFC Championship game they played in.

The Raiders have been to 5 Super Bowls winning 3. The Raiders have also been a play away from playing in another 5 Super Bowls. That is 25% of all the Super Bowls played to date that the Raiders have been in or were knocking on the door of.

The Raiders have played in more Championship games then any other AFC team in history and all but 1 team in the entire NFL.

They have their ups and they have their downs but always find their way back from their lows.

So tell Carr there is something going on in Oakland and it is not his hurt ego.



By: araidertildeath on 5/20/08
well put snnyj..

By: section116row11seats on 5/20/08
You have got to be kidding

By: section116row11seats on 5/20/08
Chris I hate to be the bad news bear but you are scard on the field and we have decided to get rid of all scared cowards that means you and your boyfriend Stu!

By: Aaronraider13 on 5/21/08
Titan1 has an infatuation with brown holes. I am sure his boyfriend is happy about that. You go with your gay pride!

By: TITAN1 on 5/21/08
Aaron FADER13, you know exactly what I meant, fool.

By: Aaronraider13 on 5/21/08
Yes i did, you little gay bastard. You meant that you are a keyboard coward. You tried to be clever and funny but you only showed the world your homosexual tendancies. You call people names from the safety of your keyboard because your a cowardly little queen. Enjoy your brown holes tit-an1.

By: TITAN1 on 5/21/08
I call it the Brown hole instead of the black hole for the obvious reason, most FADER fans act like asses.

By: TITAN1 on 5/21/08
Aaron, you might not be one of those, I'm talking about the ones who verbally and sometimes physically abuse fans from other teams who wear their team colors to your stadium.

By: Aaronraider13 on 5/21/08
That is an unfortunate thing that happens in every stadium on every sunday during football season. Every team has the Jerk element. The Raiders are on the bottom half of the NFL's incident report every season. Go to a Jets game or a KC game if you want to see real drunken a-holes starting fights. Its more fun for the media to perpetuate the Raider fans are convicts and killers nonsense because we are rebels and individuals who back our team no matter what the record was last year, or the year before. Don't get me wrong, if you go to Oakland looking for trouble you WILL find it. But if you go to root your team on in a respectful manner you will recieve nothing more then good natured banter. Have a nice day. Raider Nation for life!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By: TITAN1 on 5/21/08
I guess I was stereotyping, you have a good one as well.

By: RaiderJed on 5/22/08
"Like in Oakland, there’s a lot of stuff going on there that you don’t understand. It’s just whatever,” Carr said"

Like how he goes down on first contact every time he touches the ball-it's just whatever...


 

SouthComm Set

SouthComm PublishingBusinessTNHer NashvilleLEO WeeklyMedical News PapersMusicRowNashville Post
Home | Contact Us | Submit News | Copyright | Privacy | Terms | Site Map
Expect More from Bondware's Website Design Tools
Email Marketing & Web Design  |  eCommerce, HOA, Publishing, Non-Profit, Intranet, Real Estate & Association Websites