Cornerback TJ Carrie
A season ago, Lorenzo Alexander found himself suiting up in the Silver and Black serving as a member of the special teams unit, but wasn't utilized very much elsewhere.
In 2016, the 10-year veteran has made an about-face and is having a career season as an outside linebacker for the Buffalo Bills. No longer just a member of the special teams unit, Alexander is having an outpouring of production in his new found role.
The 33-year old has already set career-highs in sacks (10), forced fumbles (3), and passes defensed (3) this season, and is on pace to surpass his highest total tackles record. Alexander has played for five different teams and although the location, schemes, players, and coaches around him have changed one thing remains consistent, his work ethic.
The Oakland-native only spent one season with the Raiders, but it was long enough for him to leave a lasting impression on his former teammates.
"Energy, pure energy and experience. Veteran savvy, he has a lot of ability, a hard worker and he knows what he's doing out there," said TJ Carrie when asked what Alexander contributes to a team. "He's not one of those guys that's going to slack off when he's tired, he's still going to give you 110 [percent]. He's going to give you everything he has every play."
Carrie isn't the only player who has high praise for Alexander, quarterback Derek Carr has expressed on Wednesday that he still remains in contact with him and stated he "isn't surprised at all" with Alexander's recent success.
In 2012, while he was a member of the Redskins, the former Cal-product made his only trip to the Pro Bowl, but it's safe to say he's putting together a Pro Bowl-worthy resume this season and could return.
"I'm pretty sure they've seen that too in their scheme and they've utilized his abilities for their scheme, but when you have that hard work, and that drive, and that energy it can overcome anything else," added Carrie. "He's so sound in what he does, that consistently he's going to continue to do what he does."
Come Sunday, it'll be fun to watch Alexander take the field against his former team and showcase his talent. The Silver and Black will host the Bills at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, kickoff begins at 1:05 a.m. PT.
Injury Report:
Cornerback – David Amerson – Knee – Limited
Linebacker – Shilique Calhoun – Knee – Did not participate
Quarterback – Derek Carr – Right Finger – Full
Wide Receiver – Michael Crabtree – Ankle – Limited
Cornerback – DJ Hayden – Hamstring – Did not participate
Center – Rodney Hudson – Knee – Limited
Defensive Tackle – Darius Latham – Ankle – Did not participate
Defensive Tackle – Stacy McGee – Ankle – Did not participate
Running Back – Latavius Murray – Ankle – Limited
Guard/Tackle – Kelechi Osemele – Knee – Limited
Linebacker – Perry Riley, Jr. – Hamstring – Limited
Linebacker – Malcolm Smith – Hamstring – Limited
**Notables:
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-Khalil Mack was named AFC Player of the Month Thursday morning after going on a tear for four sacks, a pick-sick, forced fumble, and fumble recovery in the last three games. The third-year defensive end is making a strong case for this year's Defensive Player of the Year and doesn't appear to be slowing down.
-The Oakland Raiders signed defensive lineman Demetrius Cherry to the practice squad and participated in his first practice back with the team since being waived on October 4th.
Quotable:
When asked at his media presser Thursday afternoon if he's shocked by Mack's production, Raiders defensive coordinator Ken Norton, Jr., stated he's not phased.
"Not at all. Khalil is never surprising. The kid is amazing. He's fast. He's strong. He's that basketball player that fills out the stat sheet. Everybody just sees the stats, or the sacks I should say, but he's in meetings early. He's a leader. He's a guy that the young guys can really lean on to teach. He's always improving. He practices hard. He's the player that everyone loves to coach."
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