Scouts Inc. analyst Steve Muench said his group was not surprised that QB Derek Carr was taken early in the second round by the Raiders. However, he said the group thought he would go in the third or fourth round.

The reason? A lack of pocket presence. Muench said a key to Carr’s success will be to see if he can handle himself in the pocket.

“We were not as high on him as a lot of other people though. ... The biggest reason is we had concerns about his poise in the face of pressure,” Muench said. “He made too many off-balance throws in the face of the rush and started to anticipate pressure when he got hit. They open with the Jets, then Houston. I think both are capable of getting to the quarterback, so it will be interesting to see how Carr fares to start the season.”

Muench said that Carr can still be a good fit for the Raiders. Carr has decisiveness, a quick release and functional mobility and he also has the arm strength to drive the ball downfield, so he’s got the physical skill set to be an effective NFL starter, Muench added.

The Raiders insist it's not an audition, just a chance for QB Derek Carr to get in some much-needed work.

Yet with starting quarterback Matt Schaub sitting out Thursday night's game against the Seattle Seahawks at O.co Coliseum with a sore right elbow, the Raiders quarterback of the future can speed up that process in front of a home fan base that is embracing his candidacy through social media.

Carr could get extended work and a chance to make another good impression if Schaub continues to struggle or not be able to play due to his elbow. Carr, a second-round draft pick out of Fresno State, appears firmly entrenched as the backup even though second-year player Matt McGloin has put up the best numbers, albeit against mostly third-team competition.

Raiders quarterback Matt Schaub missed a second straight day of practice on Monday because of a sore elbow, but coach Dennis Allen insists that the team is not planning a reprise of last year when Matt Flynn’s elbow trouble led to Terrelle Pryor making a late leap up the depth chart.

“I don’t look at those two situations as the same,” Allen said, via Jerry McDonald of the Bay Area News Group, when asked about the similarity to the way things played out at quarterback last season.

Allen also said that Schaub remains on pace to start the season opener against the Jets despite his elbow injury, which Allen said is not a major concern for him, and absence from practices that it appears he needs based on his preseason performances.

Rookie Derek Carr looks like he would get the start if Schaub can't play, as the situation seems eerily similar to last year. Schaub won't be ranked among our top QBs especially in a tough matchup against the Jets.

Presumptive Raiders starting quarterback Matt Schaub sat out practice Sunday with a sore elbow, a scene eerily similar to a situation a year ago that led to the ascension of Terrelle Pryor as the starting quarterback at the expense of Matt Flynn.

“He came in yesterday afternoon with a little soreness in his elbow,’’ Raiders coach Dennis Allen said. “We’ll see where he’s at tomorrow and kind of take that day by day.’’

Schaub is scheduled to speak to the media following practice Monday and was unavailable for comment. The Raiders host the Seattle Seahawks in their preseason finale Thursday night at O.co Coliseum.

All the work in practice went to rookie Derek Carr, second-year player Matt McGloin and veteran Trent Edwards, with Carr getting first-team reps, according to Allen.

Raiders rookie quarterback Derek Carr returned to practice on Monday, three days after sustaining a concussion and a hit to his ribs against the Lions on Friday. Carr was wearing extra padding around his ribs.

Carr got some first-team reps in the second preseason game, but coach Dennis Allen doesn’t anticipate that happening again Friday in Green Bay. He said you will see a lot of starting quarterback Matt Schaub.