AFC Notes: Browns, Chargers, Raiders

Browns

Even if the Browns don’t translate the offseason buzz from hype into wins, the injection of so many stars in such a short period of time is rare for NFL teams. Browns LB Joe Schobert is not one of those stars despite a Pro Bowl appearance to his name, but that’s fine with him. 

“I just want to do my job in the defense,” Schobert said via the team website’s Nick Shook. “My goal I set every year is to get 100 tackles and affect the game in a positive way. And if I can do that, things are going to align where they are and life will be good if you just do your job.”

Schobert is a firm believer the hype surrounding the Browns is real, however. 

“If everybody stays healthy and can play all 16 games this year until the playoffs,” Schobert said, “we’re going to be a darn good team with a darn good defense that a lot of teams are going to have to take notice of and prepare for.”

Chargers

Chargers CB Michael Davis didn’t make the team in 2017 as an undrafted free agent out of BYU, landing instead on the practice squad. Two years later, Davis has earned one of the starting outside cornerback spots on the Chargers’ defense. 

“It’s a big deal for me,” Davis said via Andrew Campa of the Glendale News-Press. “It means I’ve been grinding. It means I’ve been working hard and my hard work is paying off.”

Raiders

Raiders HC Jon Gruden the team was in “constant contact” with WR Antonio Brown during his helmet grievance and the receiver’s had access to their meetings and films sessions. 

“We have been in constant contact with him,” Gruden said, via Scott Bair of NBC Sports. “With modern technology … I know I don’t believe in all of it, but I do believe in iPads and sharing information. He has been all over it. He has had access to our meetings. He has had access to our film and cut-ups, and he has taken advantage of it.”

Gruden said that Brown, WR Tyrell Williams, and TE Darren Waller allows them to throw more “50-50 balls” downfield. 

“When you have Antonio Brown and Tyrell Williams, you have to commit yourself to throwing (50-50 balls). Same with Darren Waller,” Gruden said, via Bair. “We have to throw the ball down the field. Whether it’s incomplete or it’s a catch, or we can always challenge pass interference as well. It’s going to be a very subjective call this year.”

Gruden added that their offense wants to be “more aggressive” and believes they will be able to “take more shots” this season. 

“We’re trying to be more aggressive. The better your receivers are, the more aggressive you are. The better your line is, the more vertical shots you can call. We think we’re better on the line. We think we’re better outside. That being said, we’re going to take more shots. I hope.”

Regarding Raiders G Gabe Jackson‘s rehab from an MCL injury, Gruden said his recovery is “going well” but is unsure of when he will be fully recovered or whether they will place him on injured reserve. 

“He’s doing good,” Gruden said, via Bair. “I see him walking around, which is a great sign. Rehab is going well. I don’t know when he’s going to be ready. I don’t even know if we are going to put him on IR, honestly, but his progress has been good. We’ll see where we are after the Seahawks game (on Thursday night) and make that final determination.”

Gruden said that Raiders’ backup QB Nathan Peterman is completing “75 percent” of his passes in practice and is improving overall as a quarterback. 

“I’m afraid to bring up Peterman’s name with the media today. Look at it yourself He’s hitting 75 percent of his passes,” said Gruden, via Jerry McDonald of Bay Area News Group. “The ones that are incomplete are dropped. He runs, he passes, he’s making audibles, he’s getting better, he’s getting some confidence. He’s in the mix. I like him. I know other people that do too.”

• Gruden says the Raiders have been in contact with several teams regarding possible trades: “We’ve been talking to a lot of teams, a lot of teams have been talking to us about roster changes. There’s a lot that goes into that right now.”
• Raiders’ DT Corey Liuget‘s deal is for one year and $1 million, all fully guaranteed. (Adam Caplan)
• Liuget received a $930,000 base salary and $70,000 signing bonus.