5 things we learned Thursday at Raiders HQ, including Waller’s gratitude
ALAMEDA — Less than a year after the Raiders signed Darren Waller off the practice squad of the Baltimore Ravens, they made him one of the highest paid tight ends in the NFL in terms of average salary.
“It’s surreal to me,” Waller said Thursday a day after signing a contract extension which will take him through the 2023 season. “Last year I was sitting in that same room signing that contract from Baltimore. It was like, `I just don’t want to mess this up.’ It’s incredible, like a new chapter.”
Contract details were not available, but the NFL Network reported it is worth $9 million per season.
The only tight ends currently making $9 million or more in terms of average salary are Jimmy Graham of Green Bay ($10 million), Travis Kelce of Kansas City ($9,368,400), Jordan Reed of Washington ($9,350,000) and Kyle Rudolph of Minnesota ($9,025,000).
Waller is making $720,000 this season and was scheduled for restricted free agency, meaning he still would have been under the Raiders’ control. But when coach Jon Gruden said last week “I don’t know if there’s a better tight end in football” it was apparently more than hyperbole.
A sixth-round draft pick out of Georgia Tech, Waller is a recovering addict who served a season-long suspension in 2017. He has been open about his struggles with alcohol and drugs, believing his story can help others. Waller conceded having a contract which takes him into the future is difficult to process in conjunction with the one-day-at-a-time approach that has helped to save his career, as well as his life.
“Things that are too far down the road will give me a little anxiety, but I know there are people here that will help me reach that point and make great things happen along the way,” Waller said. “I’m not doing it by myself and the team expressed that ever since the first day I walked in the door.”
Signed on Nov. 26 of last season, Waller met with the player engagement department as well as line coach Tom Cable (he has a family member in recovery) before ever looking at a playbook.
After catching six passes for 75 yards in four games last season, the Raiders saw enough in Waller to let Jared Cook go in free agency without making an offer. Cook caught 68 passes for 896 yards. It’s been a breakout year for Waller, who has 37 receptions for 359 yards.
Waller said the Raiders initiated contact with his agent after returning from London.
“It just shows I can contribute to a team and be somebody that’s reliable, that can be counted on,” Waller said. “That wasn’t the case before, so I take pride in doing that. and everything else and foremost and just be a part of the family. That’s what it’s all about for me.”
NO TRENT BROWN OR TYRELL WILLIAMS
The Raiders have yet to put their projected starting offensive line on the field and there’s no guarantee it will happen Sunday against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field.
Although right guard Gabe Jackson practiced in a padded workout and is on schedule to start, according to offensive coordinator Greg Olson, Trent Brown missed practice again with a calf injury. The hope is Jackson and Brown will team up to give the Raiders’ perhaps the most powerful right side of the line in the NFL.
The Raiders practice again Friday and will give an official injury designation at that time. Heading into Week 3, Brown did not practice Wednesday and Thursday but was able to practice Friday and played against the Vikings.
Wide receiver Tyrell Williams (heel) also missed practice, and it’s conceivable he’ll miss his second straight game with plantar fasciitis.
Green Bay, meanwhile, has some issues of its own at receiver.
Wide receivers Davante Adams (toe), Marquez Valdes-Scantling (ankle-knee) and Geronimo Allison (concussion-chest) did not practice and neither did tight ends Graham (ankle) and Bobby Tonyan (hip).
THE GROWTH OF MADD MAXX
Defensive end Maxx Crosby is coming off his most extensive playing time against Chicago, playing 55 of 56 defensive snaps and recording his first sack. He also played well in Indianapolis, forcing a fumble.
“It was awesome, just a long road from playing 15, 20 snaps and getting a lot more last game,” Crosby said. “I had to adapt at first, but I had a blast out there and we got the win.”
Guenther likes what he’s seen of Crosby’s progress.
“I think he’s gotten a lot better in both the run and the pass rush,” Guenther said. “I think he’s a high-energy guy. He’s getting better every week and he can do a lot of different things for us, so he’s an exciting guy to have.”
The Raiders will be without Arden Key (knee) against Green Bay but first-round draft pick Clelin Ferrell returns after missing the Bears game with concussion symptoms.
HURST AWAITS WORD
Defensive tackle Maurice Hurst, who got a dubious roughing the passer call against Chicago’s Chase Daniel that brought with it a fine of $21,056, is awaiting word of his appeal.
Hurst still isn’t sure why the penalty was called and doesn’t completely understand the rule.
“I’m trying to figure out what I could have done different,” Hurst said. “I’ve seen a number of hits that have been exactly the same and it seems there is no consistency in the call. I don’t know how to differently tackle a quarterback and bring him down without falling on him and rolling off. I don’t know what else to do.”
Compounding the confusion is that Hurst said he was told he actually did “pull off,” but he got the penalty and the fine anyway.
With a salary of $570,000, Hurst is paid $33,529 per game so the fine is a significant chunk of change.
However, the NFL at times takes into account the size of the fine considering how much the player is making. Crosby received a fine with the same dollar amount earlier this season and said Thursday his was significantly reduced.
“It was a win,” he said.
COURTING THE SMITH BROTHERS
Preston Smith and Za’Darius Smith aren’t brothers, although that’s what they’re called in Green Bay as outside linebackers who arrived in free agency to bolster the pass rush. They’ve already combined for 13 sacks. Preston Smith, who played for Washington last season, has seven, and Za’Darius, who came from Baltimore, has six.
The Raiders, who were on the lookout for pass rushers, coveted both men, according to Olson.
“As an organization last year, we thought they were two of the better pass rushers in the league,” Olson said. “We studied them. We liked what they brought and certainly they’re living up to their billing. Tremendous athletes, good length and size. I’m sure Green Bay is glad they got them.”
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