Tag: raiders vs. panthers

Raiders WR Henry Ruggs III makes splashy, scary, successful debut for Las Vegas

Raiders rookie WR Henry Ruggs got his career started off right for Las Vegas, but he gave fans a scare with a leg injury before returning.

The 2020 NFL draft was flush with wide receivers, with seemingly the deepest selection in years, and the Raiders had their pick of the litter with the No. 12 overall choice.

Las Vegas selected WR Henry Ruggs III despite limited production at Alabama, looking right past a bevy of wideouts with prototypical NFL physiques. Though he possessed elite speed, Ruggs’ diminutive frame caused concern for some. Was Ruggs NFL ready?

After one week, it appears Ruggs III can help the Raiders win now. He set up Las Vegas’ first score of the day with a 45-yard catch and nearly scored the six points himself.

Sure, the ball was a bit underthrown by quarterback Derek Carr, but the two are just starting to build rapport. Most importantly, running back Josh Jacobs cashed in shortly thereafter, giving the Raiders a 7-3 lead.

Coach Jon Gruden made a point to involve his first-round pick to start the game, even using the rookie on a fake end-around run on the offense’s first play.

“Obviously [Henry] Ruggs III came up with a couple big plays,” Gruden told reporters after the game, a 34-30 win over the Panthers. “We targeted him early. He left the game with a knee. We hope it’s not severe. He was able to finish.”

Ruggs injured his left knee on a reception attempt in the second quarter. He returned to the game but didn’t make any more big plays. But Ruggs did show toughness and the ability to fight injury, two vital components for an NFL player.

Early returns are good as far as Ruggs’ availability going forward, according to The Raiders Wire’s own Levi Damien.

Overall, Ruggs paced the Raiders wide receivers with three catches for 55 yards, and he added 11 yards rushing on two carries. His impact was impossible to ignore during his debut, however, and early on, it looks as though he has what it takes to help propel Gruden’s offense to another level.

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Raiders PK Daniel Carlson has career day in win vs. Panthers

The Raiders won a shootout in Carolina, and their kicker was perfect on the day with a career-long boot.

The Raiders won a shootout in Carolina, 34 to 30, in a game with seven lead changes and plenty of excitement, including the debut of Henry Ruggs III and a three-touchdown performance from Josh Jacobs.

Kicker Daniel Carlson did his part, as well. He was perfect on his four PAT attempts and hit a 54-yard field goal, good for a career-high. That kick came at a key time, in the third quarter after a three-and-out by the Panthers.

Carlson’s boot helped erase a big mistake from quarterback Derek Carr, who was called for intentional grounding on the drive. After that play from Carr, Las Vegas faced a 3rd and 21, but the QB found running back Jalen Richard for a short reception and nice a run after the catch, setting up Carlson’s boot.

This is a fantastic start to the season for Carlson. He struggled last year after a stellar rookie campaign for the Raiders. From the looks of the defense so far, points will be at a premium, and Carlson only increased coach Jon Gruden’s faith in his field-goal unit after Week 1.

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The great unknown: Raiders’ defense about to be tested for the first time vs. Panthers

In a year without a preseason, the Raiders know a lot more about their offense than their rebuilt defense.

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In a year with no preseason, it’s a good time for NFL teams to be familiar with their personnel. For the Las Vegas Raiders, the offense is a known quantity, save for their rookie wide receivers.

The offense moved the football last season with an assortment of different wideouts, however, and none possessed the potential of Henry Ruggs III and Byran Edwards, which bodes well for this year’s situation. But I digress.

This year’s Raiders defense, as opposed to the offense, is more of an unknown entering Week 1. Defensive coordinator Paul Guenther has two new starters at linebacker, a rookie cornerback, a key addition on the defensive line and a second-year safety with much to prove in Johnathan Abram.

Further complicating matters, Guenther has no film of the Panthers, whom the Raiders will face on Sunday.

Perhaps the most striking change to the defense is the linebacking unit. After struggling at that position for years, the Raiders struck early in free agency in signing Cory Littleton, a former Pro Bowler who excels in pass coverage. Las Vegas also signed Nick Kwiatkoski to patrol the middle.

Littleton, who played for the Rams a season ago and enters his fifth year in the NFL, said the defense isn’t a finished product, but the key is limiting mistakes and outlasting the other team.

“I most certainly expect us not to be perfect, but what game ever is a perfect game?” he said to reporters on Wednesday. “All you got to do is try to limit the mistakes that you do have and make less mistakes than the other team.”

As for the secondary, the new look starts with cornerback Damon Arnette. The rookie first-round pick will start on the outside, opposite second-year CB Trayvon Mullen. Each will be tested relentlessly by opponents until they prove they can keep up, especially Arnette.

Guenther says games are won or lost in practice, and he likes what he’s seen from the young CB duo, so he isn’t nervous about the big reveal on Sunday. “It’s a player’s day. It’s a player’s game,” he said. “I have the utmost confidence in both guys. They’ve showed well, very well out here for the training camp. So, I’m excited to see them play.”

Abram isn’t a rookie like Arnette, but he played in just one game last year, injuring his shoulder after delivering a hit Week 1 against Denver. Himself a former first-round pick, he has much to prove, starting with avoiding another catastrophic injury without losing his edge.

Up front, Las Vegas is leaning heavily on former Cowboys defensive tackle Maliek Collins to unlock the potential of Guenther’s group. Joining the team as a free agent, Collins was labeled as a key to the Raiders defense by coach Jon Gruden, and he was named team co-captain of the club.

Though his career, which is entering its fifth year, is on the rise, Collins has yet to have a true breakout campaign. According to Guenther, the time is now for Collins. “He’s been voted a captain here for a reason,” Guenther said. “He’s a guy that’s a coach on the field, he’s a very good player.” 

The Raiders will need as much on-field communication as possible. Defensive coordinator Paul Guenther said it’s the first time he’s had to prepare for an NFL offense without any film to look at. Plus, Las Vegas faces All-Pro running back, Christian McCaffrey

“You really just have to follow your rules of the defense,” Guenther said. “We have to follow our rules, play sound, play with sound eyes, rush the quarterback. I’m harping to our guys: play aggressive, don’t be worried about making mistakes and make sure we’re tackling good.” 

Added Littleton, “Know where our help is. There is going to be a lot of situations where I‘ll have outside leverage on a back, hoping that I have somebody working across the middle of the field that’s going to protect me. And that’s what we do as a defense, protect our brothers.”

Abram is more comfortable directing traffic pre-snap, which should also help the defense stay on the same page and protect each other. But there will almost assuredly be a learning curve for the Raiders defense.

Sunday is just the start for this group, however. If they’re to set a foundation for greatness, they must bond quickly through solid effort, win or lose. “Right now, where we are, we’re not perfect but we’re really something special,” said Littleton. “I can see it, and I expect us to show that.”

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Jon Gruden ‘confident’ Raiders’ top rookies are ready for their first NFL action

No preseason, no problem. Coach Jon Gruden is confident his top rookies will perform against the Panthers.

In the weeks leading up to the Raiders’ initial campaign in Las Vegas — which coincides with the third year of a roster rebuild — there was something missing. Something big.

There were no preseason games. Not a reduced stretch of games, as some have called for, but none whatsoever.

Every NFL team had the same situation, due to the spread of COVID-19, but it was a particularly bad blow for the Raiders. Much of the young roster needs more seasoning, especially the rookies.

But this year, they must find their form quickly because these games count, starting this weekend against the Panthers. Coach Jon Gruden is confident his young roster is prepared.

“We’ve done all we can to get them ready,” Gruden told reporters on Wednesday. “We’re confident in these young people. That’s why we brought them here.”

Gruden mentioned that in 2018, his first year back with the Raiders, he started two rookie offensive tackles in Kolton Miller and Brandon Parker. Last season, Las Vegas relied on two rookies in the backfield with Josh Jacobs and Alec Ingold. Rookie wide receiver Hunter Renfrow started in the slot.

“We’re rebuilding the team. Now we’re starting to see the products of our labor,” Gruden said. “And we’re hoping that [Damon] Arnette and [Henry] Ruggs and [Bryan] Edwards are up to the challenge because Carolina is going to challenge them.”

Defensive back Damon Arnette and wide receivers Henry Ruggs III and Bryan Edwards are listed as rookie starters on the Raiders’ initial depth chart. Arnette and Ruggs III are both first-round picks, and Edwards is the next highest-drafted rookie on the team.

How they respond to their first NFL action could reveal a lot about their skill, and of their character.

They’re bound to make mistakes they could have made in the preseason and will have to persevere with live bullets flying. Any miscue by Arnette is likely to be extremely visible, as well, due to his position.

But Gruden is confident. And why wouldn’t he be? It’s year three of his run as coach, and many roster pieces are in place. He and general manager Mike Mayock have targeted tough, competitive players, just the type that can fight through rough patches.

Now, it’s up to these three rookies to embrace the challenge and thrive in Las Vegas, along with the rest of the youthful roster and their veteran leadership.

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