Improvements in field position help
Last week, head coach Jon Gruden gave a succinct assessment of the Raiders’ average starting field position through three games.
“It’s been horrible,” Gruden said.
The Raiders’ average drive from Weeks 1 through 3 started inside their 23-yard line, according to Football Outsiders, worst in the NFL. It was better Sunday against the Browns, as the Raiders started on average from their 35-yard line in a 45-42 overtime win.
Part of that was because of takeaways. The Raiders’ defense forced just one turnover in Weeks 1-3 but had four Sunday, including two deep in Cleveland territory. Both ensuing Oakland drives ended in touchdowns.
“When you get the ball back in decent field position, you can take some shots,” Gruden said Monday. “And that we did.”
The return and coverage units also contributed. The Browns started four drives at their 20 or worse following kickoffs or punts. And Raiders returner Dwayne Harris, who had two punt returns this season entering the game, averaged 19.6 yards on five punt returns, including a 49-yarder to set up a field goal.
“It’s just me getting a feel for” the blockers, Harris said. “Once I get a little time to get started and see how the return’s supposed to turn out, I kind of just set the blocks up for them.”
Parker plays: Gruden did not provide injury updates Monday, but he complimented rookie Brandon Parker, who replaced injured right tackle Donald Penn in Sunday’s game.
Parker “did well,” Gruden said. “He had a couple of plays that he needs to clean up. … To go in and play against a team like Cleveland who’s blitzing repeatedly, I thought he did some good things.”
After Penn left in the third quarter with a leg injury, Parker played 57 snaps, the first significant action for the third-round pick from North Carolina A&T. The Raiders played much of the game with two rookie tackles in Parker and first-round pick Kolton Miller.
“We’re pleased with both our rookie tackles,” Gruden said. “I know it was a sore topic when we drafted both of them a few months ago with some people, but we need those two guys.”
Worley returns: Cornerback Daryl Worley is eligible to be activated this week after serving a four-game suspension for violating the NFL policies on substance abuse and personal conduct.
Worley, 23, pleaded guilty in June to charges of DUI, carrying a firearm in public and resisting arrest stemming from an April arrest in Philadelphia. He took part in training camp and preseason workouts, but was not allowed to practice while suspended.
“We like Worley. We like the job that he did in the offseason,” Gruden said. “We’ll see where he is. And we’ll make any adjustments we need to make in a few days after we see where he is.”
The Raiders have a roster exemption for Worley, meaning he can practice this week without being on the active roster. If the Raiders activate him for Sunday’s game against the Chargers, they will have to make a corresponding roster move by Saturday.