Super Bowl Champion Calls Out Problems with Chip Kelly’s Offense
HENDERSON, Nev. — The Las Vegas Raiders (2-5) are not having the season they envisioned, and the issues are self-evident.
In the most recent episode of the Las Vegas Raiders Insider Podcast, a coach who won a Super Bowl with the Raiders discusses the apparent disconnect in the Chip Kelly offense, memories of Carol Davis, and more.
You can watch the entire podcast below:
With his team struggling, Pete Carroll took time to talk about the state of the franchise.
You can read the partial transcript below:
Head Coach Pete Carroll
Q: With Devin White, what have you seen out of him that's kind of been resurgent with this season and what he did in this past game?
Coach Pete Carroll: "Well, most of us remember him for being a great player, and so when John [Spytek] brought it up, 'Hey, we got a chance to get Devin [White]. What do you think?' And he had been kind of knocked around, didn't have much film to show the last couple years, and really, I thought, lost his connection a little bit with the game. And so, we've been engaged with him for some time now. We've watched him grow. We've watched him embrace the leadership opportunity. He's a heck of a playmaker, and he makes special plays every week, and so all of that just fits together. Plus he's tough as hell and he's downhill and he knocks the crap out of you when he gets a chance. So, all of that, it's really been a good story. I'm really glad for him. We were hoping that we could find him and connect him with his past, and it's shown up some. And so, he had a great game last week."
Q: Tyree Wilson's snap counts have increased the last few games, and he's also shown up in the run game. Does that get him on the field a little bit more when he shows that he can play the run as well as rush the passer?
Coach Carroll: "We're planning on him in the middle of the rotations. He's going. He's doing well. He's playing really hard. His effort has been consistent. He's such a great physical athlete that it shows up. You see the big hits and you see the overwhelming plays that he can make coming off blocks and things like that. So, I still think his best is ahead of him, and we're really excited that he's contributing in such a big way."
Q: I know earlier in the year, you talked about managing Ashton Jeanty's carries a little bit as a rookie early on, but coming off a career-high in carries against the Titans, do you feel he's better equipped for that now moving forward?
Coach Carroll: "I don't think there's any doubt. Yeah, he is, and we have to make sure we don't overdo it too early. But yeah, he's physical, he's tough, he's resilient, he delivers the punishment, and also, he can take it well too. He's handled himself really well. It's a long haul. It's a long haul, and we have to make sure that we're managing him right. But I think that being kind of normal for him is what we should expect, around 20 carries a game, somewhere in there is what we would hope."
Aidan Hutchinson Gets Honest About Facing Vikings’ J.J. McCarthy
The Minnesota Vikings are expected to have J.J. McCarthy back under center for their Week 9 matchup against the Detroit Lions. Adding extra intrigue, a former Michigan teammate will face him on the field.
It’s time for McCarthy to find his footing with Minnesota after the season-ending injury to Carson Wentz. According to ESPN, Wentz will undergo season-ending surgery to repair his left shoulder, the same injury he first suffered on October 5 while filling in for McCarthy.
The report added, citing a source, that Wentz had been playing through a dislocated shoulder, including a torn labrum and a fractured socket. As a result, McCarthy has an opportunity to run with the job and ease any questions anyone might have about him being a starting quarterback in the NFL.
Before the Vikings take on the Lions and McCarthy has a chance to show he’s the No. 1 guy in Minnesota, Aidan Hutchinson spoke about facing his former college teammate for the first time in the NFL.
“It’ll be exciting,” Hutchinson told reporters (h/t Brad Galli of WXYZ Detroit). “We have a great relationship, and I probably got to shoot him a text this week at some point, letting him know. And no, I’m super excited. He’s a great competitor, great player, and I’m looking forward to it.”
Aidan Hutchinson Enjoys Playing Ex-Michigan Teammates
McCarthy, if healthy, will be the second straight former Michigan teammate that Hutchinson faces. In Week 7, the Lions defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and now Hutchinson faces McCarthy as Detroit comes off a bye week.
“It’s always weird how some of the guys you play with just keep continuing to show up,” Hutchinson added. “And now me and J.J. will get our first. It’s going to be the first matchup, if you want to call it that. But no, it’s going to be fun. I’m sure we’ll laugh a little bit out there. Yeah, it’ll be great. I think I texted him when we got drafted, telling him I’ll just roll off a little bit on the end and not try to.
“But it’s going to be fun. It is fun when you play against. I mean, even last week, playing against Ben Bredeson, we played together for a few years, and you’re able to share in the moments in between that people don’t see. You share good moments, funny moments, [and] laughing. So it’s going to be fun. It’s going to be a lot of fun, and I’m hoping it’s going to be a good.”
Can Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy Rise to the Occasion
McCarthy faces a challenging situation, even with a former college teammate trying to take him down. NBC Sports’ Mike Florio recently said it’s sink or swim for McCarthy, as the Vikings have no veteran safety net. Last season, Minnesota relied on Sam Darnold, and this year it was Wentz—but with him out, all eyes are on the second-year quarterback.
“It’s time to see what J.J. McCarthy can do or not do,” Florio said on the October 28 edition of “Pro Football Talk.” “Let’s just see. You got to figure it out because if you made a mistake, you got to do what the
