Oakland Raiders: Eddie Vanderdoes ready for training camp after injury?
After tearing his left ACL in Week 17 of the previous season, defensive tackle Eddie Vanderdoes’ agent expects him to be ready for training camp.
Perhaps it’s pure optimism, but Eddie Vanderdoes‘ agent, Jeremy Newberry, expects the Oakland Raiders defensive tackle to recover in time for training camp. He tore his left ACL for the second time in Week 17 of the previous season.
“He should be ready to go,” Newberry said, per Las Vegas Review-Journal reporter Michael Gehlken.
Defensive coordinator Paul Guenther comes over from the Cincinnati Bengals where he dialed up interior pressure with defensive tackle Geno Atkins. The Bengals also selected Andrew Billings in the fourth round of the 2016 draft. He flashed as a pass-rusher in his junior year at Baylor and started seven games in 2017.
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Guenther will mix and match personnel up front, but expect P.J. Hall and Maurice Hurst to see the field for significant work.
Both flashed the ability to take down the quarterback on the collegiate level. Vanderdoes didn’t show that quality at UCLA or during his rookie season. Nonetheless, there’s potential in that area to go with his run-sopping capabilities.
The Raiders have ample depth across the defensive line. The interior group won’t heavily depend on one player pressuring the pocket or stopping the ground attack. There’s no reason to rush Vanderdoes back to action if he’s not 100 percent on the practice field.
Looking forward, Vanderdoes will likely fit into a backup role behind Justin Ellis, who’s primarily a run-stopper. He can also line up alongside the fifth-year pro on early downs.
Considering the second-year defensive tackle suffered the injury in the 2017 season finale against the Los Angeles Chargers, a seven-month turnaround seems like a miraculous recovery. It shouldn’t surprise anyone if the coaching staff allows Vanderdoes to work on the sideline before going full throttle against top-tier offensive linemen.
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As witnessed in a fight between offensive tackle Brandon Parker and defensive end Fadol Brown, practices can reach an intense level. It’s not something head coach Jon Gruden wants to see, but it’s a byproduct of competition.
Regardless if Vanderdoes returns ready to take the field, he’s not on the roster bubble. However, quick starts for Hall and Hurst could chip into his reps during the preseason and regular season.