Miller blocks out noise, and opposing linemen
ALAMEDA >> Raiders left tackle Kolton Miller attributes part of his success in 2019 to “not listening to the noise.”
And that’s too bad. Miller, if he put an ear to NFL news feeds, would probably enjoy reveling in the silence.
That’s how it works for an offensive lineman like Miller, particularly one that protects a quarterback in Derek Carr who has been
sacked only eight times in seven games. Or has committed only two penalties — a holding call in Week 3 and a false start in Week 4. Or has gone toe-to-toe with Khalil Mack and lived to tell about it — even if he won’t brag about it.
The seemingly weekly social media and analyticsbased reviews questioning the Raiders’ sanity for taking Miller as their firstround pick out of UCLA have vanished. So have all the questions about leaving him at left tackle even after signing Trent Brown to the largest contract ever given to an offensive lineman.
“You keep sharpening your sword,” Miller said Monday, the day after a 2724 loss to the Houston Texans. “You try and get better each week and make the best for yourself.”
Likewise, Miller isn’t interested in saying “I told you so” or claiming vindication.
“You do that and it plays into ego,” Miller said. “You try and stay as close-knit as you can and focus on the team aspect as compared to the individual. That’s what’s important.”
The Raiders’ line has been a strength in a 3-4 start despite constant flux. Center Rodney Hudson was lost after 10 plays against Houston due to an ankle injury of undetermined severity. Coach Jon Gruden said X-rays were negative but other damage may exist. Brown was out last week with a calf strain. Right
guard Gabe Jackson missed the first five games with an MCL strain. Left guard Richie Incognito opened the year with a two-game suspension.
The only constant has been Miller, who has made all seven starts and hasn’t missed a snap.
The Raiders fill-ins have been very good. Undrafted free agent Andre James, a college teammate of Miller’s at UCLA, played in place of Hudson and could end up starting against Detroit Sunday at the Coliseum. David Sharpe filled in admirably for Brown last week. Jordan Devey (since put on injured reserve) and Denzelle Good have stepped in without a dropoff. Miller isn’t surprised. “With the guys that were brought in and with the talent we have, we were bound to be good,” Miller said. “I’m just trying to build off of every game and to keep grinding, keep getting better. It’s almost like a climb, you keep chipping at the rock and get better each week.”
As a rookie, Miller started all 16 games at left tackle, the last 12 of which were played with a knee injury incurred in Week 4 against Cleveland. To put it mildly, he took his lumps on a line that gave up 52 sacks.
Fast forward a year, and the 6-foot-8 Miller has gone from 309 pounds to 325 while still appearing lean and mobile.
“It was fighting injury and heaving to deal with that and having to play some of the best guys every week,” Miller said. “Playing each week just gets you more and more confidence. I was glad I got to build off that and show improvement this year.”
JAMES COMES THROUGH >> A tackle a year ago at UCLA, James conceded he couldn’t have imagined making spread formation snaps as a center as he was finishing his college career.
“I would have told you no way,” James said. “I didn’t think I’d be in this situation last year, especially at center. But it’s good. I’m ready to go. I’m excited for the challenges coming up and will be ready to go get this win.”
James got solid reviews from Gruden.
“He did a good job,” Gruden said. “Really pleased with his communication. He called a lot of the shots. We did a lot of different things offensively in this game. He showcased his preparation. He made some good blocks. He made some good calls upfront. I was proud of him.”
THREE GRUDENISMS >> Three topics addressed by Gruden at his weekly press event the day after the Texans loss ... The
Tuesday trade deadline: “You don’t just turn on the NFL Network and listen to all the rumors and believe they’re all possibly achievable. We’re listening to the phone and we’re making calls. Some of these guys are in the last year of their contract, that’s why they’re being shopped . . . you inherit the responsibility of playing the players. Sometimes that’s a tough decision to weigh. Then you have to decide how much you want to give up.”
Not challenging a fourthquarter spot on a Houston third down play: “I’m not very good at challenges. I threw the flag very well, though, yesterday. I launched it. I have people up in the press box that are helping me. At that point and time I didn’t feel like it was a challenge we had a chance to win based on the information that I had.”
Houston wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins getting open against linebackers: “You play zone coverage, that’s what happens. We don’t ever play manto-man with a linebacker covering Hopkins, but we play zone like everybody else. When that happens, sometimes these slot receivers catch passes — that’s how they make a living, really, working against linebackers and safeties underneath coverage.”
TRAYVON MULLEN’S DEBUT AT STARTING CORNERBACK >> “I thought he played pretty good. He played 58 plays. He had a couple really good breaks on the ball. He’s just got to stay low. Stay true to his fundamentals. He got an IV, I don’t think he was used to playing that much.”
PLAYING THEIR FIRST HOME GAME SINCE SEPT. 15 >> “I’m going to actually have dinner with my wife Friday night. I kind of miss her. It’s been tough. I’ve sarcastically had fun with it. I’ve never seen a team go six weeks without a home game, but we were able to withstand it. We won two out of five. We would’ve like to win three out of five, but our guys are playing hard. I think all the travel helped our team bond a little bit.”
• Linebacker Justin Phillips, who played 21 special teams snaps against Houston, was lost for the season with a knee injury.
Gruden said he expects a linebacker to be added to the roster within 48 hours. Marquel Lee is on injured reserve but not eligible to return until after the Detroit game.
• Defensive end Josh Mauro is being evaluated for a groin injury.
• The Raiders have 13 sacks in seven games. The same number they had in 16 games last season. Their sack leader, Benson Mayowa, has 5½ sacks, same as Khalil Mack.