The Raiders are banking a lot on David Amerson.
The cornerback is set as a starter alongside free-agent pickup Sean Smith. In this week’s mandatory full-squad minicamp that concluded Thursday, Amerson and Smith looked like a formidable duo and the Raiders are eager to see what they can do in 2016.
But are the Raiders’ high hopes justified?
Amerson, 24, will be entering his fourth season in the NFL. Drafted by Washington in the second round from North Carolina State, Amerson didn’t live up to expectations. He was burned often, lost his starting job and eventually was released after two games of the 2015 season.
Once the Raiders picked him up, however, he was a different player. The more playing time he received, the better he performed. By the end of the season, he was the Raiders’ best corner.
Now the question is, will Amerson in 2016 be the player he was in 2015, or will he revert to his 2013-2014 form?
Based on reports from minicamp, it appears Amerson has picked up where he left off last season and is taking nothing for granted. He told Levi Damien of SB Nation that he’s focusing on fundamentals and putting physical pressure on wide receivers at the line of scrimmage, something defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. believes in.
Sports
“I can definitely be a more physical guy at the line of scrimmage,” Amerson said. “I’m pretty decent but I know I can get better. At DB it’s so detailed. Just all the little things.”
He also says he’s been talking constantly with Smith, trying to learn more about the position. Smith has been impressed by his partner.
“He’s one of the most athletic people I’ve ever met,” Smith told Damien.
He’s also driven. After the final session of minicamp Thursday, Amerson said he has no plans to take it easy over the roughly month break before the start of training camp.
“Don’t think it’s time to chill or relax,” he told Eddie Paskal of the team’s website. “You want to get in that mindset of going now, because once it gets here, it’s like, boom, boom, boom, boom – you’re in the season.”
