Raiders quarterback Derek Carr speaks with Paul Gutierrez about how the team is looking to take the next step in 2016 and how much he values the protection his offensive line provides to keep him upright. (2:52)

ALAMEDA, Calif. -- A year ago at this time, Derek Carr was a mere spectator during the Oakland Raiders' organized team activities, a somewhat mysterious finger malady -- or an arm injury, as offered by offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave -- sidelining the quarterback.

This time around, Carr was comfortable enough Tuesday to check out of a red zone play and call his own number.

Yes, Carr ran it in for a touchdown.

"We did something ... we haven't even installed yet, but we just checked to it and went with it because we're already at that point," Carr said with a huge grin. "Everyone celebrated and it was awesome and it was cool, but at the same time, we wouldn't have been able to do that last year because we didn't know the checks. We didn't know, versus certain looks. We wanted to do certain things and stuff like that. Just little things like that we're already a step ahead.

"The conversations aren't, 'Hey, you know that play we installed today, where do you want me to throw the ball in this versus what coverage?' Now, it's like, 'We know that Denver plays this a certain way, let's work here. Kansas City plays this a certain way, let's work here.' The conversations aren't here anymore," Carr said, using his hands as a prop, "they're kind of here. And the more that we can be together years-wise, the conversations will continue to grow like that."

Derek Carr passed for 3,987 yards and 32 touchdowns last season, his second in the NFL. Jamie Squire/Getty Images

It's all about continuity and familiarity for a young team and quarterback purportedly on the rise.

The Raiders last year improved from three wins to seven, handing the eventual Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos a home loss in December.

Carr's passer rating improved from 76.6 to 91.1 last season, his Total QBR jumping from 38.2 to 49.2, as he passed for 3,987 yards and 32 touchdowns with 13 interceptions.

Many expect another leap for Carr and the Raiders this season.

"I think it helps that he doesn't have to learn a new language again," Musgrave said of Carr. "Two years in the league, two different systems. Now this year he can feel like he has a good grasp of it and start putting his own spin on things and can put his own signature on the system. Things that he wants to see or tweak a quarter turn here or there, he can initiate that."

Such as the red zone check. Something he could not have done at this time last year because, well, he was not participating because of injury.

"Man, it's kind of cool how you guys get together like this and practice in the offseason," Carr said he told quarterbacks coach Todd Downing.

"I was sitting out there in a sweatshirt not allowed to [practice]. That was tough but I see the importance of it now. I see how important it is, especially in the same offense, same system, to be able to go out there and get these practices in before the minicamp shows up, before training camp shows up, because we can work and tweak little things."

Anything specific?

"I've been working on throwing the ball on certain routes, like I want to throw it extremely early just to try it, just to test it and see what you can get away with in OTAs because there is nobody out there, games aren't on the line yet," Carr said. "If I think it will make something better, I want to work on it. We've been able to do that a couple of times and see the benefits."