Rookie James is the ‘next man up’ as Heeney falters
The phrase “next man up” doesn’t pertain only to injuries in the NFL.
It also summarizes the turnstile nature of the league, as new players get their shot when starters are ineffective.
Raiders rookie inside linebacker Cory James, the “next man up,” knows that the Titans are going to be running right at him Sunday in Nashville.
“I am going to step up to the challenge and hopefully do a good job,” James said Tuesday.
James will be taking a lot of snaps from Ben Heeney, who struggled covering running backs and tight ends in Sunday’s loss to the Falcons and “left the door open” for James, according to head coach Jack Del Rio.
Heeney, who coaches and teammates spoke so highly of in training camp, had the green dot (helmet with a communication device) taken away before the season opener. And then the Raiders looked so bad Sunday and are giving up a league-worst 8 yards a play. So it’s not a surprise that he will be watching James a lot this Sunday.
James replaced Heeney the last two series against Atlanta.
Del Rio said Heeney barely beat out James in training camp, and safety Keith McGill the same with rookie Karl Joseph, and now it’s time to turn things around.
“I have gotten more comfortable since camp,” James said. “Learned the defense, and all the linebackers are helping me. But I am still learning, how to recognize formations and stuff. But I know all the plays.”
Del Rio said the sixth-round pick has been making plays at practice.
“He’s effortful,” Del Rio said. “He’s a guy that, last week in practice, I think he ended up with three turnovers during the practice. He’s just a guy (who’s) kind of a ball magnet. He’s around the football, he’s physical, he’s fast.
“He doesn’t have a lot of experience, but we like his upside.”
James has found that he can find the ball and get there at his new position.
“That’s just instincts,” James said. “I have been doing that since they moved me in college.”
At Colorado State, the 6foot-1, 230-pounder moved from defensive end to outside linebacker to inside linebacker.
“It took some time to grow on me,” James said.
He could see only half of the field from his defensive-end spot, and he likes “seeing everything” now.
And as far as being an undersized inside linebacker, James said that’s to his advantage.
“My speed and awareness to find the ball really helps me,” he said. Briefly: Raiders cornerback David Amerson, who sustained a concussion late in Sunday’s loss, was unavailable to talk to reporters Tuesday as he is still going through the NFL’s protocol. … Trainers put Menelik Watson (groin) through an extensive workout Monday, but Del Rio isn’t sure yet if the right tackle will return to practice this week.