Downing just living in the moment
Todd Downing, whose first season as Raiders offensive coordinator has been heavily scrutinized due to the offense’s struggles, said Thursday he has not given thought to his future with the Raiders.
“Honestly, no,” Downing said. “I live in the moment. And I try to be the best version of myself I can be each individual day. And my task right now is to get this offense ready to play the Chargers. Until Sunday is over, I really won’t even think about it.”
Downing, though, also said he would “take full responsibility for my role” in an offense that has not met expectations in a 6-9 season. The Raiders enter their season finale against the Chargers 23rd in scoring, 30th in offensive plays run per game and tied for 19th in total yardage.
The Raiders were sixth in total offense last season, yet they replaced coordinator Bill Musgrave
with Downing, who had no previous coordinator experience. With the offense and quarterback Derek Carr producing at levels below 2016, Downing has become a target for criticism, with some reports saying he is likely to be fired after the season.
Asked to evaluate his coordinator Wednesday, head coach
Jack Del Rio said he thinks Downing is “super-bright,” adding that “a lot of things have gone in a negative direction.”
The Raiders lost Carr briefly to a lower back fracture suffered in Week 4, though Downing said he did not feel there were “limitations” on his play-calling after Carr returned. The Raiders have also committed 26 turnovers, fifth-most in the NFL, which Downing said is “something we need to get straightened away.”
Looking back, Downing said he feels the offense was “close” to playing at the level it wanted this season.
“I remember speaking to you guys a few weeks back and saying we’re right there, and I believe that,” he said. “I believe we’ve got the right kind of guys around here. I believe we’ve got the right group of coaches, I believe we’ve got the right personnel. And we just need to quarter-turn a couple things and get this thing back on track.”
Assessing Sharpe: Downing said he was “impressed” by how rookie David Sharpe handled his first NFL start at left tackle against the Eagles. Sharpe, who had played three offensive snaps in his rookie season before Monday, allowed no sacks and one pressure in 32 pass-blocking snaps, according to Pro Football Focus.
“I thought he did some nice things,” Downing said. “I was pleased with his effort. I was pleased with the fact that it wasn’t too big for him, even just seeing his demeanor on the sideline.”
Sharpe faces another challenge Sunday against a Chargers pass rush tied for fifth in the NFL in sacks (41), led by defensive end Joey Bosa (11.5) and linebacker Melvin Ingram (10).
“They’re as talented a duo as there is in the league, in my opinion,” Downing said.
Injury report: Tackle Vadal Alexander (concussion) and defensive tackle Treyvon Hester (ankle) were the only two Raiders not to practice for a second consecutive day.
Cornerback David Amerson (foot) remained limited for Thursday’s more demanding practice, a good sign as Amerson attempts to return after missing the past eight games.