Las Vegas Raiders

Perry Riley Makes a Huge Difference in His Debut

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Perry Riley, one heck of an inside linebacker, didn’t have a job until just last Wednesday. Then the Oakland Raiders called him and he turned out to be just what the team needed.

The Oakland Raiders made a good move when they picked up free agent linebacker Perry Riley. I said just that when in a previously written article but didn’t know how soon he would ball. Of course, we love it when players make us right.

But we really love it when players make us right sooner than we realized they could. In his debut as a Raider, Riley was a difference-maker in the team’s 34-31 victory over the San Diego Chargers. We can already see how he completes the defense.

Riley had seven tackles, forced a fumble and was pretty good in coverage. That forced fumble kept the Chargers from taking advantage of an interception by quarterback Derek Carr. In a game won by only three points, you can say that Riley made a huge difference.

In the first four games, the Raiders gave up 134 yards per game and 5.4 yards per carry. With Riley inside that box on Sunday, they gave up only 72 yards and 3.8 yards per carry. And to think that Riley doesn’t even know the defense yet.

Cory James was the team’s MIKE Sunday but once Riley learns the defense, he will take the position. Raiders fans will see the team’s issue with opposing tight ends alleviated as well. I know it doesn’t look like it but the Raiders defense is on the way up.

And Riley completes it!

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