JEFF HEATH

In Gruden’s first stint with the team, Rich Gannon had great success as a scrambler, ranking fourth among all quarterbacks from 1999-2001 with 1,058 yards rushing. He also lowered his shoulder and took a big hit fighting for extra yards on another run. “I feel like as a football fan, whenever the quarterback does that kind of stuff, it pumps the whole sideline up,” Carr said. And Carr has made the most of his runs, turning them into nine first downs — including eight in his past four games. He believes that threat will open up more opportunities for big plays throwing off scrambles if defenses start playing him to run.

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr celebrates after the Raiders defeated the Cleveland Browns 16-6 in an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)CLEVELAND – Derek Carr had no idea where his passes were going or what the weather was doing. The wind, who knows what it was?”But the winter-like weather didn't stop Carr or the Raiders. After that, it was tough.”Using running back Josh Jacobs and a short passing game, Carr controlled the clock in the second half and kept the ball away from the Browns (5-3). The Raiders appeared to take the lead in the second quarter when Carr connected with Henry Ruggs III in the back right corner of the end zone.

And when Carr threw an early interception Sunday that helped the Chiefs take a commanding lead, well, it seemed as if history was repeating itself. “I've had a lot of sad walks up that ramp,” Carr said later, “but you know what? Not today.”Instead, the oft-criticized quarterback steadied his shaky team, outplayed Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes and led the Raiders to a 40-32 victory. But the Raiders (3-2) recovered a squib quick, Jacobs rumbled for a first down as the Chiefs (4-1) burned timeouts, and Carr sneaked for the crucial first down. But that's how these things go.”The Chiefs tied it at halftime, and the game slowed down during a scoreless third quarter.

FRISCO, Texas The Dallas Cowboys released safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix on Thursday, cutting ties before the first game with the free agent they hoped could help fill the void of several losses in the secondary. Clinton-Dix didn't make it to the regular season despite being reunited with first-year coach Mike McCarthy. Darian Thompson took over his first-team reps. Thompson started four games for the Cowboys last season. Clinton-Dix signed a one-year deal with $2.25 million guaranteed, but his release will give the Cowboys $1.5 million in salary cap relief. Byron Jones, who played safety earlier in his career, was another free agent departure, to Miami.

DALLAS COWBOYS (8-8)New Faces: Coach Mike McCarthy, backup QB Andy Dalton, WR CeeDee Lamb, DE Everson Griffen, DE Aldon Smith, DT Dontari Poe, S Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, S Trevon Diggs, K Greg Zuerlein, C Tyler Biadasz. Strengths: If Lamb lives up to hype after unexpectedly falling to Cowboys at No. This season will mark 25 years since last time Dallas won multiple playoff games in same year. Roster is built for that playoff run, McCarthy sees no reason why it shouldn't happen in his Cowboys debut, 10 years after winning Super Bowl with Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay. McCarthy probably doesn't have another Rodgers in terms of pure ability, but Prescott is capable of leading postseason run that would probably secure long-term contract he's been trying to get since early 2019.

DALLAS COWBOYS (8-8)CAMP SITE: Frisco, TexasLAST YEAR: Season with high expectations ended without playoff spot, leading to departure of coach Jason Garrett. Mike McCarthy, Super Bowl winner in Green Bay a decade ago, took over. IMPORTANT ADDITIONS: McCarthy, WR CeeDee Lamb, DT Gerald McCoy, DE Aldon Smith, DT Dontari Poe, S Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, CB Maurice Canady, K Greg Zuerlein. McCarthy won Super Bowl with Aaron Rodgers, but hasn't had chance to get to know Prescott face-to-face. EXPECTATIONS: Cowboys still believe they have roster capable of contending for Super Bowl, but patience might be required based on circumstances.

But that isn't any more reason for him to wonder whether the Cowboys want to find a replacement. "If you showcase what you have and you become that guy, then it won't come with it," Woods said. Still, Stephen Jones said he's comfortable with Heath and Woods as Week 1 starters. Secondary coach Kris Richard said he never felt the need to address all the talk of replacements with his two starting safeties. For Heath, talk of being replaced has been an every offseason thing.