Former Raider coach Jon Gruden isn’t caught up in all the statistical analysis regarding second-year quarterback Derek Carr.



Carr has been lauded for his touchdown pass-to-interception ratio (21 to 12) and taken to task for his meager yards per attempt (5.46) and penchant for throwing short of the first down marker.

Gruden, available on a conference call Tuesday to discuss the draft as well as his “quarterback school” series on ESPN, said the most impressive thing about Carr was how he handled himself as a rookie quarterback.

“I just love the way he took control of that football team,” Gruden said. “He looked like he was in complete control. As a leader, he didn’t look like he was pressing at all. He had very good command.”

Carr was one of Gruden’s pupils at last year’s quarterback school coming out of Fresno State, trying hard to keep a straight face when comic Frank Caliendo did his Gruden impression.

Gruden watched Carr closely, and aside from composure, liked the way the rookie quarterback got better late in the season in home wins over Kansas City, San Francisco and Buffalo.

“If you look at his last three or four games, they speak for themselves,” Gruden said. “Against a very good Kansas City Chiefs team, against an outstanding 49ers defense, even though they were short-handed, I liked the way he finished. I like the way he competes from the start to the end of a game.”

Gruden believes that with Carr’s skill set and a few more pieces in place, the Raiders can make a move in the AFC West.

“He’s much more athletic than people realize, and he has a cannon,” Gruden said. “If they can just continue on the path that they’re on, add maybe a couple more guys to that set of receivers, the Raiders can make their way back. I’m excited for the Raiders as an ex-Oakland Raider myself. I really am impressed with Carr. I really root for him.”