Three days before the Raiders toppled the Denver Broncos and assumed first place by themselves in the AFC West, defensive back DJ Hayden sat in front of his locker, a black bucket hat pulled slightly forward atop his head.
The topic was Oakland’s defense and Hayden was adamant the unit was getting better. It might not show up in the stats, Hayden insisted, but the improvement was definitely there.
The fifth-year cornerback might as well have been talking about himself.
While the Raiders do indeed appear to be making strides on defense following a less-than-spectacular start, Hayden also seems to have his career moving in the right direction after an up-and-down past.
With cornerback Sean Smith nursing a shoulder injury that knocked him out of the game on the first series against Tampa Bay and kept him sidelined during the win over Denver, the Raiders have been relying on Hayden to fill the void.
So far, he’s been up to the task.
The 12th overall pick in the 2013 draft, Hayden allowed just two completions against the Bucs, and although one of them went for a touchdown, the two catches totaled just 18 yards.
Hayden, who has stood out this season for his improved open-field tackling, had another strong game the following week against the Broncos when he was part of a secondary that didn’t allow a single Denver wide receiver to tally more than 56 yards in receptions.
Small steps considering Hayden’s shaky past but it’s been a definite improvement nonetheless.
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âWe have to be a much more detailed football team'
Like so many Raiders fans, coach Jon Gruden found himself searching for answers after the Raidersâ second-half collapse that cost the team a spot in the expanded playoffs.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
Starting Tackle Kolton Miller is entering the final year of his rookie contract.
Wanted: Defensive coordinator
The Raiders didnât wait long to begin their search for a new defensive coordinator, and itâs becoming clear that Jon Gruden has already narrowed his list down.
Raiders' good, bad, ugly
Raidersâ good, bad, ugly
NEWS & NOTES
The Raiders had one of the easier schedules in 2020 and got only eight wins to show for it. Things wonât get any easier in 2021, either.
Looking back at 2020 season
The 2020 season will absolutely be remembered for being one of the strangest and most disappointing in franchise history.
Gruden feeling the heat?
âI know there is a big bullâs-eye on my chest, certainly. If the people want to use that as an incentive, then so be it. I worked for Al Davis in 1998. That was pressure. I was 34 years old. Iâve dealt with pressure before. I donât really feel pressure. I love the excitement and thrill of competing, and I canât worry about things I canât control in that regard. I know people will want to step on me and beat me, and that is just the way this league is.â
From the SILVERANDBLACK.com Message Boards
S&BI continually scans the message boards across Raider Nation to see what Raider fans are talking about now that the 2020 season has ended for the Raiders. We chose some of the better posts and present them here.
Checklist for 2021
Now that the 2020 season has been put to rest for Las Vegas, the Raiders have shifted their focus to what figures to be a busy offseason as they prepare for 2021.
AFC WEST ROUNDUP
The Chargers fired coach Anthony Lynn after four seasons.