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ALAMEDA, Calif. -- Derek Carrs comfort level in changing plays at the line of scrimmage is a part of his game that has gone largely unnoticed while the Raiders worked their way into a tie for first in the AFC West.Its something that Carr is doing with more frequency and with more success -- like on his fourth-down touchdown pass to Michael Crabtree that put Oakland ahead to stay in its 34-31 win over the San Diego Chargers last week.Thats the way I love to play, Carr said Wednesday. I love having a lot put on my back. Any quarterback does. (Offensive coordinator Bill) Musgrave talks to me about his time with Matt Ryan, how he loved that and how were similar in that way. We just love that kind of stuff. I absolutely love it.Raiders coach Jack Del Rio said its just part of the natural progression for his third-year quarterback, who had a tremendous first month of the season while helping guide Oakland to its best start in more than a decade.Through five games, Carr has 11 touchdown passes with just two interceptions to go with a 102.3 rating and 66.8 completion percentage -- the latter two numbers being career-highs. The former second-round draft pick has also led the Raiders on seven game-winning drives in the fourth quarter or overtime during his brief NFL career, including twice already this season.Thats helped propel Oakland to a 4-1 start and a share of first place in the AFC West with defending Super Bowl champion Denver.While Carr certainly isnt at the level of autonomy that Peyton Manning had when he called every play at the line for the Colts and Broncos, his freedom to alter the calls coming in have added another layer to Oaklands fifth-ranked offense.Del Rio said allowing Carr to do more was something he and his coaching staff discussed during the offseason.As hes made good decisions and made accurate throws, and in those situations, we give him more leeway to do those things, Del Rio said. He sees it. He can understand what leverage hes getting. We dont have to guess from the sideline and make a call and then try to make it perfect, in terms of execution. You can see what you see and make the adjustment and make a play.Carr did just that in the third quarter against the Chargers after Del Rio made the decision to go for it on 4th-and-3 from San Diegos 21-yard line rather than settle for a chip-in field goal attempt from Sebastian Janikowski.Musgrave initially called for a passing play that had wide receivers Michael Crabtree and Amari Cooper running crossing patterns. Carr, noticing that Crabtree was in man-to-man coverage against Chargers cornerback Casey Hayward, switched up and audibled a fade to Crabtree.Crabtree easily beat Hayward down the field into the end zone to make his fifth touchdown reception of the year and help give the Raiders the lead.Carrs teammates say it was just another example of the young quarterbacks maturity and his confidence.The thing is, he wouldnt do it if he wasnt doing the right thing, Cooper said. Hell only audible if he feels like its the right thing to do, the right play to call. And he has the confidence in us that well go up and make the play for him.For the most part the Raiders give Carr a handful of plays to check into if a change needs to be made at the line. At other times, the quarterback is allowed to freelance and come up with his own plays.Most of the time the results have been good, like on the touchdown pass to Crabtree. Even then, Carr notices the coaching staff raising an eyebrow in his direction.As soon as the ball goes up, I laugh because I know what they were thinking, like `We didnt call that, Carr said with a laugh. Its nothing outside the framework of what they want me to do or being aggressive and those kinds of things. I would never do that kind of stuff, be an insubordinate. Im not like that.Game notesAustin Howard could be in line to start at right tackle. Rookie Vadal Alexander, who has started the previous two games while Menelik Watson and Howard nursed their way back from injuries, did not practice Wednesday because of a sore ankle he injured against San Diego. Watson (calf) was also held out along with running back Latavius Murray (toe).---Online:AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFLAuthentic Nike NBA Jerseys . Belfort (24-10) needed just 77 seconds to down Henderson in the headlining bout of Saturdays "UFC Fight Night: Belfort vs. Henderson" event at Goiania Arena in Goiania, Brazil. The fight served as a rematch of the pairs 2006 meeting, which Henderson won by decision. Stitched NBA Jerseys . The third-ranked Ivanovic, who won the event in 2008 and 10, served five aces and broke Wickmayer, also a former winner in 2009, five times. "The result looked easier than it really was," Ivanovic said. http://www.cheapjerseysnbacustom.com/ . "I wrote 36 on my sheet at the beginning of the game," the Cincinnati coach said, referring the yard line the ball would need to be snapped from. Authentic Nike NBA Jerseys . In the lead up - which seemed to begin the moment Mike Geiger blew the whistle in Houston last Thursday night - the Impact rumour mill went into overdrive. The speculation went into meltdown mode, of the golden nugget variety. NBA Jerseys Outlet . The scientists believe the small earthquake during a Marshawn Lynch touchdown was likely greater than Lynchs famous "beast quake" touchdown run three years ago, which also came against New Orleans during a playoff game.The top two teams in the Eastern Conference have a brunch date on Wednesday, but dont expect the Atlanta Dream or the New York Liberty to pick up the tab for the other.The Liberty (15-6) have a 3 1/2 game lead over the Dream (11-9), but both teams have won three straight. New York is 8-2 in its past 10 and Atlanta is only 5-5.New Yorks offense starts with Tina Charles, who leads the league in scoring at 22.5 points per game. She was named Eastern Conference Player of the Month for June, the second straight month she received the award.Charles has a solid running mate in guard Sugar Rodgers, who averages 16.1 points per game. Off the bench, the Liberty count on Amanda Zahui B. to provide a spark. Zahui B. came off the bench on Sunday to lead the Liberty with 14 points in a win over San Antonio.Angel McCoughtry, who is coming off a 26-point, six-rebound performance in a win over Connecticut, leads the Atlanta offense at 22.2 points per game.The Liberty also haave to contend with Tiffany Hayes, who keeps getting better and better.dddddddddddd After two seasons averaging 12.9 points per game, Hayes has stepped up her game and is at 15.9 points per game this year.Sancho Lyttle controls the boards for the Dream, hauling down 8.9 rebounds per game.Wednesdays game at Madison Square Garden will be the final regular-season matchup between the Liberty and Dream.Atlanta won the first meeting in overtime on May 24 at the Garden. The Dream held the Liberty to two points in overtime.Hayes posted a double-double with 27 points and 11 boards in the 85-79 win. Charles finished with 29 points to lead the Liberty.Charles scored 23 on June 22 to lead six players in double figures as the Liberty avenged a home loss on June 22 at Phillips Arena. McCoughtry scored 21 points but went 8 of 21 from the field. ' ' '