The Oakland Raiders offseason has largely been focused on improving their defense. Bringing in the likes of Lamarcus Joyner and Clelin Ferrell will certainly improve it, but one other player may also have a huge impact.
After tearing his quadricep last November, Corey Liuget is back playing football. Liuget spent eight seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers and believed he would spend the rest of his career there.
However, that belief was drastically changed after the Chargers declined to pickup Liuget’s option in February. After spending the whole summer without a team, Liuget signed with the Raiders on Sunday.
According to Scott Blair of NBC Sports Bay Area, Liuget has been training all summer and is healthy and ready to go:
“It was just me and the trainer going at it, working hard in a warehouse for four hours a day,” Liuget said. “Then I would rehab after that, to make sure I was in position to go when the time came. For the last nine weeks, it has been pretty much hell for me.”
Liuget feels like he is back in his best form after a summer of rehab. Last season he was only able to play in six games due to a suspension and then, of course, his injury.
It will be interesting what kind of role he assumes with the Raiders. With only one preseason game left, it would not be surprising to see Liuget get some action to adjust to the team.
Despite his lack of playing time over the last year, Liuget believes he will be able to fit right into the Raiders defensive scheme:
“I fit perfectly into this scheme,” Liuget said. “It’s a one-gap, penetrating defense. That’s what I love. That’s my style of defense. That’s what we had with the Chargers the past couple years, so I’m super excited to be in it.”
One point of interest will be what kind of advice Liuget may be able to offer Ferrell. Ferrell is of a similar build and will be sharing the line with Liuget.
Liuget has had a solid career thus far, appearing in 108 games. He has totaled 24 sacks, 208 solo tackles and five forced fumbles. Although he is currently listed in the Raiders “other” category on the depth chart, do not be surprised if Liuget picks up a more significant role.
