This isn’t the first time he’s done so. But it’s the first time it cost the Raiders dearly. That was the ballad of Las Vegas Raiders safety Johnathan Abram on Sunday night. In a back-and-forth game, with the visiting Kansas City Chiefs and quarterback Patrick Mahomes orchestrating the team down the field, while trailing 31-28,
Quick Slants: Abram’s aggressiveness bites Raiders hard
I like Abram’s aggressiveness. If he doesn’t move up to contain Mahomes, then Mahomes likely runs into the end zone. To me, it was a no-win situation. That’s why a mobile QB is so dangerous. I would have thought that Guenther would of had a spy on Mahomes like he did in Game 5.
Amazing how the absence of Ferrell has made some fans fonder of him. He may not be the pass rusher we all wanted with a top-5 pick, but he does defend against the run pretty well, including setting the edge.
Derek was dialed in, but I wish he wouldn’t waste timeouts early in halves. Seems to me that he takes the entire play clock time to make his read and if he sees something that he doesn’t like, he calls a time out because he has no time to change the play at the line of scrimmage. A minor quibble compared to my complaints of Derek’s play in the past. Finally, in year 7, everything is coming together and Derek is playing at a level many of us fans expected of him and knew he could attain.
Agree on all points.
Would add only one thing. in a slug fest like this, when defense can’t stop the opposition, even the slightest errors on the offense make you lose the game. Case in point – inside 10 yards Gruden’s play-calling has been problematic all season long, particularly his consistency in not going for 4th-and-1.
Ferrell can set the edge, so Raiders definitely missed him. However, he’s not the pass rusher they need. Arden Key is doing nothing. No wonder they signed Vic Beasley and checking out Takk McKinley.
Nelson Agholor tried to make those catches. They weren’t easy so I hesitate to say they were “drops.” Ruggs HAS to get more touches.
Abram continues to make bone headed plays and lack of discipline is costing them (last week, his penalty nullified Renfrows’ punt return for TD). Vs Chiefs, a 15 yard penalty is called against him. I’m not impressed with him.
I agree with Michelle. The missing factor, from the start was Ferrell. In game 5, Ferrell’s presence freed up Arden Key to be the spy, and he did so brilliantly!
As for Abram’s aggressiveness, I like it. He was truly in no-man’s-land on that scoring play, having to defend two players simultaneously. That’s a no win unless the QB makes an errant throw.
I’m looking forward to the season tie-breaker in the playoffs.
Wow. What a game. We went toe to toe with the best team in the NFL and fell but one or two plays short. Got to feel good about that, because we know we haven’t hit our ceiling. Gruden and Mayock have built a dominant machine that no team wants a piece of. When was the last time we could say that? Yes the defense is our Achilles heel, and a big one that will likely prove to be our ultimate demise this season. But we’ve taken a huge leap and now have a glimpse of what a Gruden offense can be…and it’s fun! It’s smash mouth, try-to-stop-us, run-it-down-your-throat football with big play excitement over the top. Thrilling! He’s turning Carr into an elite QB; has brought in a plethora of offensive weapons, and built a dominant O-line. If this is old school 90’s football, then count me in! Now just go fix that defense…oh, and don’t be kicking field goals on 4th and 1 against the Chiefs!
Abrams brings big hits but little else right now. He is basically a rookie this year and he plays like it.
So undisciplined. Blowing responsibilities, overrunning plays, missing tackles, taking stupid penalties, starting skirmishes and chirping like a clown when he has done absolutely nothing in the league so far. Abrams was like the 12th man for the opponent each week.
They better talk to him and if that doesn’t work then bench him. On one hand you don’t want him to stop being aggressive but he has to stop being reckless and undisciplined.
Abram has played a whopping 10 games. He’s the type of Alpha dog you want on defense. Coaches have to balance channeling that energy without stifling it. It’ll happen. Have to live with the growing pains as these young stars learn the ropes and mature. Patience with Abram, Ruggs and others will yield something special, just like we’re now seeing with Miller and Parker.
Couldn’t agree more.