While some roster battles are still undecided after the Raiders’ 13-6 win over the Green Bay Packers, one thing is certain: the young defensive front continues to impress – including Arden Key
When Raiders General Manager Reggie McKenzie drafted talented but troubled defensive end Arden Key from LSU, draft experts and fans alike wondered aloud why the team would take yet another gamble after grabbing offensive tackle Kolton Miller in the first round, and small-school right tackle Brandon Parker 20 picks earlier. Arden’s off-field issues were the reason he slid from a bona fide top-25 pick to the 87th pick overall. Still, the player’s upside was too good for McKenzie to pass on.
Derek Carr hands the ball of to running back Doug Martin.
While still early, Key’s performance against Green Bay on Friday shows it might not have been such a gamble after all. Key, and his rookie classmates, Mo Hurst and PJ Hall, again keyed the Raiders defense as Oakland topped Green Bay, 13-6.
Helped by great coverage overall by an improved defensive backfield, which was strengthened by this week’s addition of eight-year veteran Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, the pressure up the middle was, again, better than the team has seen in years.
Hurst recorded a half-sack and Hall was again stout in the middle. Oakland’s interior pressure helped rack up four sacks and proved disruptive to the Packers. All three rookies saw significant playing time and delivered.
Key was the catalyst from the end position. Although he didn’t record a sack, he helped contribute to two and even helped create two false starts. Key’s quick first step and ability to get off the ball quickly led to a stellar performance by the defensive front.
Defensive end Bruce Irvin missed the game to attend to a personal issue, according to Gruden. No other details were available.
While the offense – outside of Carr’s first drive – struggled, Paul Guenther’s new-look defense appears much improved. The Raiders might still have some questions marks, but even when it makes mistakes, this defense is vastly improved in almost every way.
Linebackers Marquel Lee and Nicholas Morrow also continued their hot preseason. Lee recorded a tackle and performed well on special teams. Morrow notched two tackles and a sack in another spirited performance.
Even Fadol Brown came to play. Brown compiled four tackles (three solo) and 1.5 sacks, and three quarterback hits. Clearly, guys are starting to turn it up a notch to make it before the final roster cuts in just over a week. Brown, a five-year vet out of Ole Miss, has felt the pressure created by the young, stocked rookie class on the defensive line. He responded along with rookie teammate Key.
Gruden has meticulously built a culture of competition this camp season and into the preseason. If the Raiders staff wanted a slew of tough decisions when it came down to cuts, they’ll get it. That’s especially true on the defense.
The offense? That’s an entirely different situation. After an electrifying connection early between Carr and Amari Cooper, the Raiders stalled again and again once the second-team skill players took over. They only reached the red zone twice after Carr’s opening drive.
Although there were solid individual performances (Cooper, Jared Cook and Chris Warren III), the hot-mess that is the backup quarterback position is now a big problem for Gruden. Both Connor Cook and EJ Manuel lack confidence and sharpness you’d expect at this point.
Cook, after looking sharp in Week 1, continued his slide with another poor and disjointed performance. Manuel wasn’t any better. It’s clear the Raider might have to make a move to shore up the role, but there aren’t a lot of experienced backups readily available.