Pete Carroll Admits To Processing Raiders 1-4 Start ‘Poorly’

Prior to the start of the season, Las Vegas Raiders head coach Pete Carroll sent a message to the rest of the league that he expected his squad to win a lot of games immediately. Unfortunately, things have gone downhill since the Raiders’ opening week win over the New England Patriots.

This Week 5 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, however, a 40-6 drubbing, was easily the low point of the year so far. The Raiders’ turnover issues were once again on display as quarterback Geno Smith threw two more interceptions to raise his total to nine on the season. Additionally, the Raiders’ defense struggled to get off the field, as the Colts converted 8 of 10 third-down attempts.

Following the contest, Carroll offered no excuses, admitting that he isn’t taking the Raiders’ rough start to the season well, via Ryan McFadden of ESPN:

“I’m processing it poorly to tell you the truth because I did expect to win right out of the chutes,” Carroll said after enduring his second-largest margin of defeat as a coach — including NFL and college.

Carroll is a notoriously positive person who is always full of energy, so to hear him admit that he is taking this start to the season poorly is pretty jarring. It also shows how passionate Carroll remains about this game and his belief in the Raiders as a whole.

And despite the lopsided score, there were some positives to take away from this game and build on. The Raiders defense held league-leading running back Jonathan Taylor to under four yards per carry and ended his nine-game streak of at least 95 scrimmage yards. They were also able to get another strong game from rookie Ashton Jeanty, who finished with 109 yards from scrimmage.

The good news for the Raiders is that there is still plenty of time for them to turn this season around. There is no doubt that Carroll will do everything in his power to get this squad where he wants them to be and, hopefully, challenge for a playoff berth.

Raiders coach Pete Carroll not worried about Geno Smith’s confidence despite turnovers

Raiders quarterback Geno Smith leads the league with nine interceptions through five games, which is something head coach Pete Carroll knows he has to get under control. But prior to the Raiders’ loss to the Colts, Carroll made it clear that he isn’t worried about Smith losing confidence despite his early-season struggles.