Quarterback Carson Palmer’s first start for the Oakland Raiders ended with a 28-14 loss to the Broncos in Week 9 of the 2011 season.
It was the last time the two teams met. Since then, much has changed for Palmer and the Raiders.
“I’m definitely more comfortable this year,” Palmer said in a conference call on Wednesday. “The opportunities this year I’ve had with guys to work in the offseason and downtime, (and work on) the timing and the rhythm of the passing game (with) the tight ends has really benefitted us as an offense and me, myself, personally.”
Following the Week 9 loss to Denver, the Raiders went on a three-game winning streak as Palmer showed he still has the abilities that made him a No. 1 draft pick in the 2003 NFL draft. In his nine starts for Oakland in 2011, he averaged just less than 300 yards passing per game.
The problem for Palmer and the offense was a 13-to-16 touchdown-to-interception ratio, as Oakland finished with a .500 record and missed the playoffs by a game.
This year, Palmer is off to a much better start. He has thrown for five touchdowns to just two interceptions and led the Raiders to a comeback victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 3.
“I’ve seen a lot of progress,” Head Coach Dennis Allen said. “Obviously, he’s getting more comfortable with the offense every day, and getting a better feel for his reads and the things he is keying in on. I knew that he was a good quarterback. I know that from having to prepare against him last year (as the Broncos defensive coordinator). He’s really starting to come into his own in this offensive scheme and he’s been a great leader for us. He’s a very good player for us.”
With Allen as the team’s new head coach and the quarterback having a full offseason in Oakland under his belt, Palmer said there is a “completely different feel” among the team.
“I’ve been through OTAs and minicamps and meetings and installs, film sessions and practice reps, preseason games and now a couple of regular season games,” Palmer said. “(It’s a) completely different year (with a) new offense. Everything’s changed. But I’m definitely much more comfortable right now.”
Tags: Carson Palmer, Head Coach Dennis Allen, Oakland Raiders, Week 4
Ab I meant to say
Very happy to hear a deal has been reached. I guess all it took was a primetime game being destroyed to get the ball rolling! When all this started I didnt think it would be that big of a deal, I have a new respect for the job the “official” officials do.
I wouldn’t be suprised if the return of the best officials in the world provokes a standing ovation to celebrate their return. Sometimes , you do know what you got till you lose it. Their will be a new found appreciation for a while anyhow. That is, until they miss a call or two. LOL
Glad to see some of our injured players back on the field, Kup especially. Hopefully he can pull that O-line together , even P. Manning needs a little time to turn the ball loose.
I’m not too worried about linebacker situation, though young, we’ve got some talent. I’d like to see those guys step up and make a name for themselves. I don’t think the game is too big for either of them, both performed well under pressure in the preseason when they had to get the job done to make the squad.
Looking forward to the game Sunday, especially with there being less of a chance a couple of bad calls could cost us another lose. Go Broncos!
The refs will get a standing O to begin the game and then I’m sure some boos will evidently follow after a certain call! LMAO! They’re refs……..the love will be short-lived!
But in all seriousness, this is excellent news and unfortunately it took this long to get done. Sorry GB had to be the straw that broke camel’s back but I think in a sense we’re all glad it happened. The games should run a lot smoother now and not run over 3.5 hours like they have been.
GO BRONCOS!
With Mays not playing we’ll need the interior D line to step it up and plug up the middle. We also need our safeties to not get tricked by the WR routes.
Also glad the NFL got a deal done with the referees. There were some bad calls, but it’s just knowing that the normal refs have a better understanding of the rules and have a better feel for those “subjective” calls. I’m glad their back, but we still need to bring our A game.