The Raiders play their last preseason game Thursday in Seattle, but we’re going to draw the line on how much we talk about that game, since it will feature backups rather than starters.
Instead, let’s focus on a line that should get Raiders fans a little excited about the regular season, which begins in two weeks.
Advertisement
“At the beginning of practice we work on the red line, the 50-50 balls,” coach Jon Gruden said Tuesday. “And when you have Antonio Brown and Tyrell Williams, you have to commit yourself to throwing them, and same with (Darren) Waller.”
The message is clear: Quarterback Derek Carr definitely has the green light to let the ball fly this season.
“We got to throw the ball down the field and if it’s incomplete or we get the catch, we can always challenge (Al) Riveron (the senior vice president of officiating) in New York and see what he thinks,” Gruden said, referring to the new NFL rule in which coaches can request replay reviews for pass interference. “It’s going to be a very, very subjective call this year, but we are trying to be more aggressive.”
Waller, the tight end, is too fast for linebackers up the middle and should get his chances given the attention that receivers Brown and Williams will get. The Raiders paid those two a lot of money for a reason. Same with right tackle Trent Brown.
“The better your receivers are, the more aggressive you are,” Gruden said. “And the better your line is, the more vertical shots you can call. We think we are better on the line. We think we are better outside. With that being said, we are going to take more shots, I hope.”
Carr was tied for 16th last season in pass plays over 40 yards (seven). He thinks people are sleeping on Williams a little bit.
“Tyrell’s not just a No. 2 receiver,” Carr said at training camp. “He can easily take the featured role and be a 100-catch, 1,000-yard guy. … I think you guys remember Andre Holmes, how much I loved Andre. How many times I threw the ball just 1-on-1, deep, 50-yards, just chucking it up like, ‘Hey, make the play’ …
“I think what will see is the more times (Williams is) making that play in games, 1-on-1, down the field, you are going to see me just let it rip.”
Advertisement
Kind of like one of Carr’s idols. OK, let’s not get carried away.
“Hopefully not as (Brett) Favre-ish, maybe not three guys on him, but more calculated I guess,” Carr said, laughing. “(Williams is) a guy that you definitely flick a switch when you see a certain look and you saw it happen in practice, ‘Oh, yeah, here you go buddy. Here’s your chance.’
“And I tell my receivers every day, I’m always going to give you a chance until you prove me wrong and then once you prove me wrong it just won’t happen again because that football is just way too valuable to give to the other team.”
Unless Gruden gives him a nudge. The coach and quarterback have said they are on the same page more than last season, and that just comes with collective experience. And a better supporting cast.
“He looks comfortable to me,” Gruden said of Carr. “I think he’s had a great OTA period, he’s had a great camp. He’s only had one (preseason) drive, but he’s got great rapport, I think, with his receivers. He showed a lot of leadership and command and I think the better our defense plays, the better our offensive line and receivers are, I think the better he’ll be.
“And I just hope I don’t screw it up.”
Practice notes
• Trent Brown missed practice Tuesday with what Gruden called “a personal matter that he is taking care of, but everything is fine. Everything is OK. He’s just excused.”
• It sounds more and more as if the Raiders will carry guard Gabe Jackson (knee) on the active roster for the four or five games that he is out. (They could bring him back after eight games if they put him on the injured-reserve list Sunday, the day after the roster is cut to 53 players.)
“Yeah, he’s doing good,” Gruden said. “I see him walking around, which is a great sign. Rehab is going well. I don’t know when he’s going to be ready. I don’t even know if we are going to put him on IR, honestly, but his progress has been good. We’ll see where we are after the Seahawks game and make that final determination.”
Advertisement
• Defensive tackle Justin Ellis (knee) is out again this week and Gruden said the Raiders will see where he is in a few days. Defensive tackle Eddie Vanderdoes, meanwhile, is still out with a concussion sustained three weeks ago.
“He’s been hurt the whole training camp, basically,” Gruden said. “It’s unfortunate. We haven’t really had a chance to see Eddie in pads since I’ve been here.”
• Rookie defensive end Maxx Crosby had the cast taken off his broken hand.
“He’s wearing a big ball on there now,” Gruden said. “It looks really bad, but hopefully when the season starts we’ll be able to fit him with something that allows him to use his fingers. We’ve just got to let the stitches come out before we do that.”
• Some people out there are leery of Gruden always talking up Nathan Peterman. Well, Gruden is leery of being asked about him and then people being leery.
“I’m afraid to bring up Peterman’s name with the media today,” he said. “I mean, look at it yourself. I don’t know what … he’s hitting 75 percent of his passes. The ones that are incomplete are dropped. I mean, he runs, he passes, he’s making audibles, he’s getting better and he’s getting some confidence. So, he’s in the mix. I like him. I know other people that do, too.”
— Reported from Alameda
(Photo: Rick Scuteri / AP)
