Programming note: For comprehensive Raiders coverage from Napa, tune in to SportsNet Central tonight at 6, 10:30 and midnight on Comcast SportsNet Bay Area.
NAPA –- Getting an interview with rookie cornerback TJ Carrie requires patience.
The Concord De La Salle High grad spends significant time after practice working on his craft. He’s almost always the last one on the field, and prior to Saturday’s scripted scrimmage, he was on the field before several coaches even showed up.
Carrie is committed to making an immediate impact, and knows hard work is the means to that end.
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“You’re never going to make it in this league if you do what everyone else is doing,” Carrie said.
The hard work is already paying off. The seventh-round pick from the University of Ohio has impressed at every stage, from the offseason program on forward.
“Every time you look up,” head coach Dennis Allen said back in June, “that guy seems to be making a play.”
Carrie made quite a few again during Saturday’s scripted scrimmage. He made two athletic pass breakups and operated well in full-contact punt return drills.
He’s smooth on special teams, and has shown good positioning on defense. He consistently runs with the second team, and could end up as the No. 4 cornerback and the reserve slot corner if he continues to play like he did Saturday.
Some other notes from Raiders camp:
-- The Raiders never played live football, but they came close during a scripted scrimmage on Saturday. They hit hard but didn’t tackle during the two-hour session, which largely consisted of situational football.
“It was as important from a mental perspective as it was to go through the physical aspect of it all,” Allen said. “It got a little sloppy at times but, overall, it was a good day.”
-- Running back Darren McFadden initiated the biggest hit of the day, when he ran straight at rookie Keith McGill, who was waiting for him at the goal line. McFadden drove McGill back into the end zone.
Taiwan Jones had the best kickoff return of the day, breaking left through a hole for a big gain eventually stopped by the speedy Rahsaan Vaughn.
-- Quarterback Matt Schaub threw his fourth interception in the last three practices. The ball was intended for tight end Mychal Rivera, but linebacker Miles Burris was in position to intercept it. Schaub rebounded a few plays later, when he found Rivera in the end with Burris trailing behind.
-- Cornerback Keith McGill, who has looked better in recent days, intercepted fourth-stringer Trent Edwards.
-- Defensive tackle Stacy McGee practiced for the first time this camp. He was previously on the non-football injury list with a thumb injury.
-- Linebacker Sio Moore sat out with a rib injury, but Allen did not consider it serious.
-- Center Stefen Wisniewski got some work as a backup long snapper, and struggled some in that role. He sent a few high, one that led to a would-be block from Justin Cole.
Participation report:
Returned to practice: DE Justin Tuck (groin), DT Antonio Smith (groin), WR Juron Criner (hamstring), WR Greg Little (hamstring), DT Stacy McGee (thumb)
Did not practice: LB Sio Moore (ribs), LB Kaluka Maiava (hamstring), S Shelton Johnson (hamstring), LB Marshall McFadden (hip)
Physically unable to perform: DJ Hayden (foot), G Lucas Nix (knee), S Usama Young (quad)
