Ealy hopes to help defense ‘wreak havoc’
Defensive end Kony Ealy made history by becoming the first player to record multiple sacks and an interception in a Super Bowl in 2016.
The Raiders, who signed Ealy on Monday, don’t need historic — they just need help.
Ealy, who had three sacks, an interception and a forced fumble for the Panthers in a Super Bowl 50 loss to the Broncos, joins an Oakland defense that has an NFL-low seven sacks in eight games this season.
“I feel like it’s a great fit,” Ealy said. “All my coaches just make me feel right at home. For me, it’s just about getting the playbook all the way down. That way I feel comfortable and free to move out there faster and make plays.”
After his Super Bowl performance, Ealy played one more season with Carolina, recording five sacks, before being traded to the Patriots. New England waived him before the 2017 season and Ealy signed with the Jets, playing in 15 games with one sack and nine passes defensed.
Ealy signed with the Cowboys this spring as a free agent. Dallas released him Sept. 1 and Ealy spent the first half of the season watching games on TV.
“I’m a competitor, I love football,” Ealy said. “But it’s a process that everybody has to go through at some point in their life. … Watching games, seeing what I could do to duplicate or evolve my games, make it better, it helped a little bit. It ain’t a whole negative thing.”
The Raiders signed Ealy (6-foot-4, 275) and Jacquies Smith (6-2, 260) after waiving defensive end Bruce Irvin, who had a team-high three sacks. Defensive coordinator Paul Guenther left open the possibility of Ealy and Smith playing Sunday against the Chargers. “We’ll see how they go,” Guenther said. “It’s all going to depend how much they can pick up. They’ve done a nice job of that.”
Ealy said he won’t be particular about his role.
“Whether it’s first, second or third (down), it don’t matter,” he said. “My job is to get to the ball, and playing with these guys, I hope it’ll be a good situation for everybody just to be able to play together and wreak havoc in the backfield.” Injury report: Running back Doug Martin has been limited in practice this week with a hip injury sustained against the 49ers on Nov. 1, when he had 11 carries for 49 yards. “I don’t know if it was the second or third carry on the hip flexor,” offensive coordinator Greg Olson said. “He continued to try to play, which is a credit to him and his toughness.”
Left tackle Kolton Miller practiced Thursday with his right knee and elbow wrapped, and was listed as limited. Also limited were left guard Kelechi Osemele (knee), center Rodney Hudson (ankle), guard Jon Feliciano (ribs) and cornerback Daryl Worley (shoulder).