Raiders' DC marvels over a player no one expected to be this good
The Las Vegas Raiders will be playing a guy on Sunday that I think no one expected to be this good. I mean, let's be honest, the guy has the nickname of mister irrelevant. Brock Purdy has emerged as the guy for the San Francisco 49ers, the team the Raiders play next. Their first-round pick […]
The Las Vegas Raiders will be playing a guy on Sunday that I think no one expected to be this good. I mean, let's be honest, the guy has the nickname of mister irrelevant.
Brock Purdy has emerged as the guy for the San Francisco 49ers, the team the Raiders play next.
Their first-round pick from last season, Trey Lance played just two games before breaking his ankle. Jimmy Garoppolo had the same injury after playing 11 games. Now Purdy, the very last pick of the entire 2022 draft and the third-string quarterback, is playing his tail off, and the Raiders have to deal with him.
"The young kid, I mean, he's good," defensive coordinator Patrick Graham said. "He's getting the ball out quick. I mean, he's doing what you ask a quarterback to do… You see him checking the run. You see him doing all the right stuff and I'm sure that comes from Kyle, it comes from the quarterbacks coach, their run game coordinator who does a great job.
"And I'm sure it comes down to their young coaches having him prepared for the situation. I mean, everybody's usually in the same boat, but those young guys when they play, it's probably had something to do with the young coaches on their staff. So, kudos to them."
If you have watched the way the 49ers are still playing even with Purdy then you know that him under-center doesn't increase the chances of a win any more than it would have before, or any less.
Purdy can play ball, and he has been doing just that. If you need a reference, go look at their last four games.
Purdy isn't doing anything crazy, by any means. But, as Graham said, he is hitting his check downs, he is making the open throws, and he is just simply doing what he is supposed to, nothing less.
Purdy has a rating of 112.3 over his last four games, with eight touchdowns and two interceptions.
If you watch his highlights too, he is making throws that the last pick in the draft should be making.
The Raiders will have their hands full on Sunday, with Purdy, because the 49ers are talented all-around. Just to make matters even worse, the Raiders almost have to win to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Featured Image Via Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
