Raiders hoping for healthier corners
NAPA, Calif. — The news on Gareon Conley arrived shortly after Sunday’s practice.
And with it, relief.
“He has a little hip strain there,” defensive coordinator Paul Guenther said. “It’s unfortunate. He made a good play on a ball on a one-onone drill (Friday). Just bumped his hip a little bit. He won’t be out for too long.”
Nothing to curtail the Raiders’ expectations.
The team is very much hitting “reset” on its cornerback position in 2018. That includes a fresh start for Conley, who missed all but two games last year to a shin injury. His minor ailment is a small scare but larger example of reality regarding the Raiders’ starting cornerback tandem.
There is obvious ability between
RAIDERS
Conley and Rashaan Melvin. This duo could be the secondary’s strength, even.
The caveat is availability. Both look to prove theirs.
“I think, first, Gareon is a very talented football player,” Melvin said. “A young guy, long guy, his skill set is unbelievable, for one. (There are) high expectations for both of us. I feel like we can be one of the best defensive back groups in the league, and that’s what we’re aiming for. That’s our main goal, to come out here every day and practice hard and get better.”
Melvin, 28, knows the importance and tenuous nature of health.
He’s dealt with an array of injuries over his NFL career, having yet to play a full 16-game season. What he demonstrated in 10 games with the Indianapolis Colts last year, before a hand injury required season-ending surgery, contributed to the Raiders’ confidence when offering a one-year contract worth up to $5.5 million.
He shadowed receivers, such as Pittsburgh Steelers superstar Antonio Brown, with success. He showed a knack for breakups, totaling a teamhigh 13 passes defensed; the next closest Colts defender had seven.
The Raiders are hoping the durability will come.
“I’ve been in the league for six years,” said Melvin, who’s started 21 of 37 career games. “The start of my career, there were a lot of injuries, banged up in the past three years, three years I’ve been healthy. So, just staying the course. Injuries happen in football. It’s a part of the game. You just try to prevent it as much as you can, and if they happen, try to recover as fast as you can and get back out there to help the football team out any way you can.”
Last year, four Raiders cornerbacks played at least 25 percent of the defense’s snaps.
Only one, Dexter Mcdonald, remains with the club.
Sean Smith was released and imprisoned in January after signing a plea bargain for having assaulted his sister’s then-boyfriend in July 2017. David Amerson was released in Feburary, soon thereafter joining the Kansas City Chiefs. In March, TJ Carrie cashed in with the Cleveland Browns as an unrestricted free agent, signing a four-year, $31 million contract.
Behind Conley and Melvin, myriad veteran cornerbacks form a deep battle in camp. Nick Nelson, a fourth-round pick, is also part of the mix.
It’s a healthy competition.
The healthier, the better.
Contact reporter Michael Gehlken at mgehlken@reviewjournal.com. Follow @Gehlkennfl on Twitter.
2. Key still turns
Well, it’s official.
Arden Key is just as impressive in pads. The defensive end and rookie thirdround pick continues to flash this offseason. The aforementioned drill showcased some slippery inside-rush ability. He also has demonstrated a knack for bending the edge with burst when working against offensive tackles.
“He’s doing a good job of playing the runs how we want him to play the runs,” defensive coordinator Paul Guenther said. “We know he can rush. He’s special that way. Obviously, we came out here in pads today, he showed the same thing he did in shorts. It’s exciting to have him out there.”
Said defensive end Bruce Irvin: “He’s a really natural rusher. He reminds me a lot of the old 99 (Aldon Smith) that was here. If he keeps his head on straight, which he will, he’s going to be a hell of a player and a hell of a player for the Raiders. Can’t wait to see what he’s going to do this year.”
Key fell to the third round, in part, because of character and shoulder concerns. His production at Louisiana State also fell off in 2017.
3. Bouncing back
An early miss didn’t deter Giorgio Tavecchio.
The Raiders kicker was errant on his first field-goal attempt, but he made six of his other seven. The lone miss clanged off the right upright. The final two occurred in simulated game-winning situations with teammates standing near him, their proximity intended to elevate the pressure.
On Friday, Tavecchio was 3-for-6 on field goals to start camp.
Undrafted rookie Eddy Pineiro is expected to handle Monday’s field-goal reps.
Michael Gehlken