Will two once-promising Raiders prospects get the opportunity to call Las Vegas home? Or will they engage in one more training camp in Napa and not see the bright lights in Sin City? Arden Key and Nicholas Morrow will have to decide that. The defensive end and linebacker, respectively, need to plot a course to
Arden Key, Nicholas Morrow: Contributors to afterthoughts
I don’t see Key making the team. He hasn’t shown much. Just not explosive. If you’re not explosive and light in the britches, you aren’t going to last.
Morrow is ok. He’s a good back up to Littleton and Kwiatkoski and a spot starter, as needed.
Agreed on Key, he is right on the cusp: it’s a brutal competition for roster spots – Crosby came in last year and over achieved, Ferrell has shown more than Key and Nassib has a far greater proven record of taking the QB down. Key looks lightweight by comparison but Marinelli may just be able to coach him to make the best of his last chance… if we don’t go with an experienced edge rusher in the final roster shake ups!
Morrow has been OK and having better line backers around him, a line with more depth and a potentially hugely improved secondary may give him the chance to really step up at SLB: unlike with Key, there isn’t much in front of him.
The other really vulnerable player in the front 7 appears to be PJ Hall – the Maliek Collins addition really puts the pressure on. I think this will be one of our best off-season acquisitions. Good player who knows his coach and how to succeed.
Great read. Love the euphemisms.
Maybe a half second gained from better coverage talent in the secondary will be just what Key needs to unlock the sack drawer.
Key: “so close and yet so far” Is he another Gruden draft “miss?” Probably, but man he tantalizes a fan with his “potential.” He sure looks like he can get to the QB . . . and, then, sadly, the QB escapes from his clutches. Maybe he learned his lesson from last year? Maybe this weird off season makes the coaching staff keep him because they don’t have any clear replacement options?