Raiders snap count: Aldon, Amerson fully integrated

Share

CHICAGO – Aldon Smith has understandably taken some time to integrate into the Raiders defense. He was signed two days before the regular-season opener and playing right away as a situational pass rusher.

Fast forward three more games. Smith is no longer a part-time player. His snap count has increased each week, and took 91 percent of the Raiders’ 77 defensive snaps during Sunday’s loss to the Chicago Bears.

He made productive use of his time, with six tackles, a sack, another tackle for a loss and a quarterback hit. He was stout against the run, involved in several plays run his way. Teams generally run from Khalil Mack, but that prospect is more difficult with Smith on the other side.

He seems comfortable as a stand-up edge rusher in the base defense. He drops to the line in the sub packages, and has played well from both spots.

Smith isn’t the only Raiders starter who wasn’t with the team this preseason. Cornerback David Amerson moved into the lineup after being claimed off waivers from Washington a few weeks ago. He started opposite DJ Hayden with TJ Carrie now at safety and played 75 snaps, a sum only less than linebacker Malcolm Smith, who never left the field on defense.

[BAIR: Top 5 takeaways from Raiders' Week 4 loss to Bears]

Amerson had seven tackles, a forced fumble and a pass defensed that could’ve ended up a crucial interception.

Amerson, who was released by Washington roughly two years after being selected in the second round from North Carolina State and struggled preventing the big play, hasn’t been bad in Oakland. According to Pro Football Focus, Amerson allowed five receptions on eight targets for 44 yards, with an average of 5.5 yards per reception.

Smith’s role will continue, and it’s certainly possible that Amerson’s snap count remains high. The Raiders like his size, speed and athleticism over some other healthy options, and he has played well thus far in the scheme.

Also, receiver Rod Streater was active for the first time this season but did not play a snap. He is out of a four-man rotation at receiver. Amari Cooper doesn’t leave the field, and Michael Crabtree is the No. 2 with Seth Roberts as a primary option in the slot.

Let’s take a comprehensive look at Raiders playing time on offense, defense and special teams:

OFFENSE
58 – OT Donald Penn, OG J’Marcus Webb, OT Austin Howard, OG Gabe Jackson, C Rodney Hudson, QB Derek Carr
57 – WR Amari Cooper
41 – TE Lee Smith
39 – RB Latavius Murray
29 – WR Seth Roberts, WR Michael Crabtree
23 – TE Mychal Rivera
22 – WR Andre Holmes
19 – TE Clive Walford
13 – RB Roy Helu
11 – FB Marcel Reece
7 – FB Jamize Olawale

DEFENSE
77 – LB Malcolm Smith
75 – CB David Amerson, S Charles Woodson
73 – CB DJ Hayden
70 – LB Aldon Smith
64 – LB Curtis Lofton
63 – LB Khalil Mack
54 – S Larry Asante
50 – DE Justin Tuck
45 – CB Neiko Thorpe
43 – Denico Autry
35 – DT Dan Williams
26 -- DL Mario Edwards
25 – DT Stacy McGee
22 – S TJ Carrie
20 – LB Ray-Ray Armstrong
3 – CB Dexter McDonald
1 – LB Neiron Ball, S Keenan Lambert

SPECIAL TEAMS
24 – Lorenzo Alexander
21 – Larry Asante
19 – Jamize Olawale, Neiron Ball
17 – Andre Holmes, Ray-Ray Armstrong
16 – Keenan Lambert
14 – Marcel Reece, Neiko Thorpe, Taylor Mays
10 – Lee Smith, Roy Helu, Tony Bergstrom
9 – Dexter McDonald, Jon Condo, Sebastian Janikowski, Marquette King
7 – DJ Hayden
5 – Khalil Mack, Justin Tuck, Dan Williams, Stacy McGee
4 – Donald Penn, J’Marcus Webb, Austin Howard, Gabe Jackson, Mychal Rivera, Curtis Lofton, Khalif Barnes
3 – David Amerson, Denico Autry, TJ Carrie
2 – Mario Edwards
1 – Amari Cooper

Contact Us