LOS ANGELES – Raiders defensive coordinator Paul Guenther would prefer to have two three-down cornerbacks on the outside.
He has used a rotation to this point, trying to find ideal candidates for his job post. Rashaan Melvin and Gareon Conley got the first crack, but Daryl Worley is a real threat to Conley's starting spot.
Worley returned from suspension on Sunday in a 26-10 loss to the L.A. Chargers at StubHub Center and played well. He also played a lot.
Worley was involved in 49 snaps. Conley played just 13, and struggled some when he was active. Last year's first-round pick is a solid cover man but struggles some as a tackler and exuding the physicality coaches prefer in their cornerbacks.
"It's great to have [Worley] back and see where he is," head coach Jon Gruden said. "He had a good week of practice. He did make some plays today, some physical plays. We've got a lot of moving parts on this football team through the first five weeks in all three phases - the kicker, the punter, the long snapper, the offensive line, the defensive line and at corner. It's good to have him back. He's a guy that could potentially stabilize us at that position."
There's another transition taking place at the middle linebacker spot. Marquel Lee was the starter in the base defense, with Derrick Johnson assuming responsibility in sub packages. Those roles are less certain now, with Lee taking most every play on the inside.
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Lee played 46 snaps, to Johnson's 18. Is that a sign that Johnson has fallen out of favor, or has Lee emerged as a better player in coverage?
Also, Amari Cooper played 50 snaps and was targeted once. That's not a good ratio.
Offense
Total offensive snaps: 52
Quarterback – Derek Carr 52
Running back – Jalen Richard 26, Marshawn Lynch 21, Keith Smith 6 Doug Martin 6
Wide receiver – Amari Cooper 50, Jordy Nelson 47, Seth Roberts 28, Martavis Bryant 13
Tight end – Jared Cook 47, Derek Carrier 8, Lee Smith 7
Offensive line – Brandon Parker 52, Jon Feliciano 52, Gabe Jackson 52, Rodney Hudson 52, Kolton Miller 52
Defense
Total defensive snaps: 64
Defensive line – Arden Key 49, Johnathan Hankins 44, Maurice Hurst 35, Fadol Brown 34, Bruce Irvin 33, PJ Hall 26, Clinton McDonald 22, Frostee Rucker 16
Linebacker – Tahir Whitehead 64 Marquel Lee 48, Emmanuel Lamur 25, Derrick Johnson 18, Nick Morrow 2
Defensive back – Marcus Gilchrist 57, Daryl Worley 49, Reggie Nelson 42, Rashaan Melvin 40, Leon Hall39, Erik Harris 26, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie 19, Gareon Conley 13
Special teams
Lee 22, Harris 22, Kyle Wilber 21, Rodgers-Cromartie 21, Carrier 17, K. Smith 16, Dwayne Harris 16, L. Smith 13, Gilchrist 9, Lamur 8, Johnny Townsend 7, Trent Seig 7, Martin 6, Whitehead 6, Key, Hankins 6, Irvin 6, McDonald 6, Matt McCrante 6, Richard 4, Miller 3, Parker 3, Feliciano 3, Jackson 3, Jonathan Murray 3, TJ Clemmings 3, Hudson 1, Worley 1, Conley