RAIDER NATION Season THREAD:

Four Raiders ranked in PFF top 50 rookies
By Tyler Green  @TylerGreenSB on Sep 24 2014, 5:03p 44

For the first time in a while, the Raiders finally appear to have had a great draft. Through three games of the NFL season, the Raiders have four rookies that rank in the top 50 rookies according to Pro Football Focus (membership required).

Khalil Mack (#2 overall, #1 linebacker)

Mack has had an awesome start to the season totaling 19 total tackles along with multiple quarterback hits and pressures. He has been the most impressive player on the Raiders defense. Mack also has the third best overall rating among 3-4 outside linebackers. At this point, he is leading the race for Defensive Rookie of the Year with Anthony Barr and Kyle Fuller close behind.

Derek Carr (#27 overall, #1 quarterback)

Even without a consistent receiving core and virtually no running game, Carr has managed to improve every week. This last game against the Patriots, he did a great job of stepping up in the pocket when pressure came from the outside. Carr also did a better job of pushing the ball downfield and led the Raiders to a game tying touchdown drive that was ultimately called back for a holding penalty on Gabe Jackson. He showed a lot of confidence and was not afraid to target star cornerback Darrelle Revis.

The second round pick has completed 68 passes (63%) for 588 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions (one which was not his fault).

Gabe Jackson (#34 overall, #5 guard)

Gabe Jackson had a great preseason which was one of the reasons the Raiders gave him the starting nod at left guard. His first two weeks of the regular season were awesome as he exploded off the line and did a nice job protecting Derek Carr.

But Jackson struggled last week against the Patriots giving up multiple run stuffs and a tipped pass. The icing on the cake came when Jackson was called for a holding call that negated Darren McFadden's touchdown and ended up being the difference between a loss and overtime.

Justin Ellis (#36 overall, #2 defensive tackle)

Ellis had a slow start week one against the Vikings with only one tackle. But he has picked it up since contributing five tackles and a run stuff the past two weeks coming off the bench. "Jelly" has made his presence clear up the middle and has been forced to fight off double teams because of his size. With Pat Sims and Antonio Smith in the twilight of their careers, Ellis could find himself starting next season.

To view the full rankings, visit Pro Football Focus if you have a membership.
 
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Four Raiders ranked in PFF top 50 rookies
By Tyler Green  @TylerGreenSB on Sep 24 2014, 5:03p 44

For the first time in a while, the Raiders finally appear to have had a great draft. Through three games of the NFL season, the Raiders have four rookies that rank in the top 50 rookies according to Pro Football Focus (membership required).

Khalil Mack (#2 overall, #1 linebacker)

Mack has had an awesome start to the season totaling 19 total tackles along with multiple quarterback hits and pressures. He has been the most impressive player on the Raiders defense. Mack also has the third best overall rating among 3-4 outside linebackers. At this point, he is leading the race for Defensive Rookie of the Year with Anthony Barr and Kyle Fuller close behind.

Derek Carr (#27 overall, #1 quarterback)

Even without a consistent receiving core and virtually no running game, Carr has managed to improve every week. This last game against the Patriots, he did a great job of stepping up in the pocket when pressure came from the outside. Carr also did a better job of pushing the ball downfield and led the Raiders to a game tying touchdown drive that was ultimately called back for a holding penalty on Gabe Jackson. He showed a lot of confidence and was not afraid to target star cornerback Darrelle Revis.

The second round pick has completed 68 passes (63%) for 588 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions (one which was not his fault).

Gabe Jackson (#34 overall, #5 guard)

Gabe Jackson had a great preseason which was one of the reasons the Raiders gave him the starting nod at left guard. His first two weeks of the regular season were awesome as he exploded off the line and did a nice job protecting Derek Carr.

But Jackson struggled last week against the Patriots giving up multiple run stuffs and a tipped pass. The icing on the cake came when Jackson was called for a holding call that negated Darren McFadden's touchdown and ended up being the difference between a loss and overtime.

Justin Ellis (#36 overall, #2 defensive tackle)

Ellis had a slow start week one against the Vikings with only one tackle. But he has picked it up since contributing five tackles and a run stuff the past two weeks coming off the bench. "Jelly" has made his presence clear up the middle and has been forced to fight off double teams because of his size. With Pat Sims and Antonio Smith in the twilight of their careers, Ellis could find himself starting next season.

To view the full rankings, visit Pro Football Focus if you have a membership.
Who's #1?
 
Sio likely out again. Ausberry looking good at practice we might actually see him on the field (has he played a regular season game ever?).
 
#1 I would say is Fuller or Benjamin.Justin should get more time if Antonio and Woodley don't start producing. Ausberry has played but not much.
 
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 Reece: Dun-dunn-nun's?! 
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Raiders' Khalil Mack keeps expectations on the rise

By Jerry McDonald


LONDON -- A month ago, there was concern over Khalil Mack.

He wasn't a natural pass rusher. Disappeared for stretches at a time. Played too stiff.

Mack, the Raiders rookie strongside linebacker and the No. 5 pick in the draft, had fallen victim to great expectations.

When the Raiders face the Miami Dolphins on Sunday at Wembley Stadium, the pendulum has swung back the other way. After putting his talent on display in a 16-9 loss to the New England Patriots, Mack is suddenly once again a player to be watched, a star in the making.

That's the way it works in a world of instant gratification.

Mack, fortunately for the Raiders, buys into none of it. He's been counseled by Charles Woodson and Justin Tuck, but they were telling Mack only what he already believed to be true.

"You can't really go off of other people's expectations of you," Mack said Friday as the Raiders wrapped up practice at Pennyhill Park. "You've got to really do what you can and do what you're here to do -- and that's play football."

The stat sheet says Mack is the Raiders' sixth leading tackler with 18 stops and he awaits his first NFL sack, but the stats don't tell the story. Mack relentlessly pressured Tom Brady against New England, abusing veteran left tackle Nate Solder in the process.

"He's a good player, a young guy and an incredible talent," Solder said.

The website Football Outsiders broke down Mack after the Patriots game and determined "there may not be a better rookie" and had film clips as evidence.
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Raiders defensive coordinator Jason Tarver, not a big fan of some of the outside services that evaluate performance, would in this instance agree.

"Khalil Mack shed everybody. He was outstanding. He was all over the field," Tarver said. "You can look and say he doesn't have a sack, but that guy is all over the place right now. He's hitting the heck out of quarterbacks, and go ahead and run to his side. That would be great."

During the preseason, the Raiders utilized Mack all over the defense, with the plan of refining what he did best and narrowing his responsibilities. Instead, Mack's aptitude and eagerness to learn has allowed Tarver and coach Dennis Allen move him about the defense.

"Is he a linebacker in a 3-4 scheme? Is he a defensive end in a four-down scheme? Is he playing off the ball? Is he to the left or the right?" Miami coach Joe Philbin said. "You see the burst. He can chase down plays outside the numbers. He moves really well. You can see some of the pass rush skill. He's good."

One of Mack's appealing traits is that he resists being typecast as a pass rusher or being pigeonholed into a specialized role. General manager Reggie McKenzie considers Mack a "football player," a simplistic term he considers to be the ultimate compliment.

"I knew (having different roles) would be challenging at first, but that's what the game of football is," Mack said. "I've accepted the challenge and it's started to pay off a little bit."

Allen was partially responsible for big expectations when he compared Mack to Von Miller, a former No. 2 overall draft pick and one-time AFC defensive player of the year.

Allen bristled when it was suggested Mack wasn't doing enough in the preseason and the first two games of the season and remains convinced the Raiders have an impact player.

"I've seen a lot of good plays out of him, and I see a lot of things every day," Allen said. "Whether it's in practice or the games, you see an ability level where you know at some point he's really going to take off. I thought I saw signs of that last week, and hopefully we'll see more of that this week."

Mack, who had never been to California until he arrived as a first-round draft pick, is on now on his first trip to London.

"It's been a great experience, something I'll never forget," Mack said. "I didn't really get to see the city much because of the focus I have for this game. I want to be able to give it my best shot."

Running back Maurice Jones-Drew had full participation in practice, is listed as probable and will work behind Darren McFadden as the lead running back after two weeks of practice and two games.

Linebacker Miles Burris was limited and questionable but expected to start at middle linebacker with Kaluka Maiava on the weakside in place of the injured Sio Moore.

Safety Brandian Ross is expected to be active and play a role against the Dolphins, the team that waived him Tuesday.

The Raiders left Pennyhill Park in the town of Bagshot after practice for a hotel in central London. They'll have a walk-through practice at Wembley Stadium on Saturday.
 
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