Oakland Raiders: 5 Of The Team’s Biggest X-Factors In 2015
By Kevin Saito
Dec 28, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Oakland Raiders outside linebacker Ray-Ray Armstrong (57) and strong safety Brandian Ross (29) tackle Denver Broncos running back C.J. Anderson (22) in the second quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Picked up mid-season in 2014, Ray Ray Armstrong wasn’t terrible, but he wasn’t particularly great, either. He did the best he could with what he had, which given that he was a midseason pick up and not overly familiar with the Raiders’ playbook, wasn’t a whole bunch.
Over eleven total games, with three starts, Armstrong recorded just 14 tackles, one forced fumble, and one pass defensed for the Raiders last season.
More from Golden Gate Sports
- Raiders: Rookie stock report following Week 3 performance
- 49ers sign new long snapper amidst a flurry of roster moves
- Oakland Athletics win Game 2 of Wild Card round with late-inning drama
- 49ers: George Kittle and Deebo Samuel cleared to return to practice
- 49ers expected to place DE Dee Ford on injured reserve
But with an entire offseason with the Raiders under his belt, and a full immersion into the Jack Del Rio system, Armstrong is beginning to flourish. He’s most certainly caught the attention of the Raiders’ coaching staff, and that attention has them projecting big things for the third year pro.
Of Armstrong, Del Rio recently said:
“Every time you come into a new season, new opportunities for guys and certainly with a new staff, there are opportunities for guys to reinvent themselves. A guy like Ray-Ray has really had a productive offseason. As a staff, we’re really excited about where he’s tracking.. From a linebacking corps standpoint, it’s great to see a couple of guys that are here that we think we can develop and help them play at a higher level, and we need that. We’re going to need to bring a few guys along that were here before and help them hopefully play at an even higher level.”
With standout Sio Moore expected to miss all of training camp, and possibly the start of the season as he continues to recover from “major” surgery on his hip, the Raiders may be relying on Armstrong more than they anticipated.
But if he continues tracking the way he has been through the first couple rounds of OTA’s, they’ll be in good shape until Moore is able to get back on the field.
Next: An Underrated Signing