Raiders need more from Amari Cooper this week

“I’m blocking somebody, he started falling”, Penn said. Specifically with Cooper, the inability to get the rookie speedster in favorable match-ups and utilize his explosive open field running, has resulted in diminishing numbers for the stand-out rookie. But the coach knows they need to get him better. He throws his body around, he’s not afraid, he can make plays, ” Caldwell said, “Unfortunately, he got the one interception taken away from him, which was a very, very good play in terms of recognition and body position.

Raiders coach Jack Del Rio doesn’t want his players thinking about that, however. He also dropped two which adds up to eight for the season. “You have to be able to move the chains, possess the ball and give yourself opportunities to run the plays”.

“If we’re playing in my backyard, then that’s a catch, but I know how the league is going to call it”, Del Rio said. “It really makes you focus”.

After beating a very good Oakland Raiders team this past Sunday, the Lions find themselves on a bit of a mini winning streak going into a very favorable part of their schedule.

The narrative in the locker room has changed somewhat following the three consecutive losses. “The roles that they’ve played are pretty significant for us, ” Caldwell said, “They’ve been able to get in there when we feel that they can best kind of fit within the structure of our defense and we package a lot of stuff and a lot of different people”. “Hes been playing more lately, obviously, with Josh (Wilson) getting hurt and hes probably right on pace to where you think he should be.

The Raiders are no longer in the thick of a playoff race, now on the outskirts of a large, tight pack questing for a wild card berth.

Of their final five opponents – Oakland plays Kansas City twice – only two have winning records. “And it doesn’t really faze me or get under my skin, it just keeps me honest and humble”.

First, let me say that – If you’re trying to come back and win a game – having a holding penalty in the end zone, is not the way to go about it; Furthermore, if you’re in a 3rd down and 13, don’t throw a 9 yard completion – because that’s not going to get you a first down!

Given their loss to 3-7 Detroit last week, however, the Raiders can’t take anything for granted. It wasn’t until Carr and offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave started spreading the offensive load around that the Raiders offense started to flourish. The problems they’ve had – on both sides of the ball – are self-inflicted and, he said, correctable. “We have to do a better job of making sure that we get our top playmakers involved”.

“I don’t worry about it but you always have to keep an eye on it”, Carr said. “We go to work every day no matter what and prepare to win games”. It was a similar role to that played by fellow rookie linebacker Neiron Ball earlier this season.

Receiver Calvin Johnson (ankle), defensive tackle Caraun Reid (ankle), cornerback Darius Slay (neck), defensive tackle Gabe Wright (ankle) and safety Don Carey (back) were listed as limited participants on Tuesday’s practice report.