Jared Cook's career night made the difference in Raiders' weight loss

OAKLAND – The Raiders head coach, Jon Gruden, has kept his rotations largely hidden, leaving several question marks on the use of some Raiders. Monday night, losing 33-13 to the Los Angeles Rams, and clarity on how some Raiders fit in the grid and in the diagram.

This was especially true for security, where the four players in the 53-player roster were touted for their game over the summer. Marcus Gilchrist has always had a starting point. Reggie Nelson made the other choice in the first round of 2016, Karl Joseph, who did not play defensive play until Gilchrist was injured late. Erik Harris has never seen the field in defense.

The Rams kept the Raiders in sub-packs for most of the night, meaning cornerback Leon Hall rarely left the field. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, took the time to release the series of Gareon Conley and Rashaan Melvin. Rodgers-Cromartie has been effective on the Pro Football Focus analytics site, with a pass on as many targets. He was scored for a long term call.

[BAIR: Raiders Week 1 Report Card]

Brandin Cooks received Conley twice for 53 meters, but the Raiders corner did not allow another reception. Melvin managed to catch 30 yards on four targets, but was beaten on a deep shot and was lucky that the ball was overturned.

Defensive linemen have come a long way in this game and will continue to do so, even with Bruce Irvin. He played the most each year last year, but played only half of the slaps Monday night. He had a big bag in the third place, by PFF, but was silent outside of that.

The PFF also said the five pressures generated by the Raiders were the worst score of the NFL. Arden Key had two pressures, but missed some opportunities in what Jon Gruden said was a disappointing start.

Here is a complete list of instant counts for the Raiders of Monday night's loss to the Rams:

Offense

Total number of offensive shots: 74
Quarterback – Derek Carr 74
Go Back – Jalen Richard 37, Marshawn Lynch 27, Doug Martin 10, Keith Smith 7
Wide Receiver – Jordy Nelson 72, Amari Cooper 69, Seth Roberts 47
Close end – Jared Cook 67, Derek Carrier 25, Lee Smith 9
Offensive Line – Donald Penn 74, Gabe Jackson 74, Kolton Miller 74, Rodney Hudson 74, Kelechi Osemele 74

Defense

Total number of defensive shots: 63
Defensive Line – Justin Ellis 45, Maurice Hurst 42, Frostee Rucker 41, P.J. Hall 32, Arden Key 32, Bruce Irvin 31, Fadol Brown 17, Shilique Calhoun 12,
Linebacker – Tahir Whitehead 63, Derrick Johnson 39, Marquel Lee 24, Emmanuel Lamur 1
Back Defensive – Reggie Nelson 63, Leon Room 62, Gareon Conley 57, Marcus Gilchrist 56, Rashaan Melvin 49, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie 20, Karl Joseph 7

Special teams

Total number of special teams played: 30
Marquel Lee 26, Kyle Wilber 26, Erik Harris 26, Nicholas Morrow 26, Carrier 18, K Smith 18, Morrow 18, Hatcher 16, Harris 15, L Smith 15, Calhoun 14, Joseph 14, Gilchrist 13, Rodgers-Cromartie . 11, Irvin 9, Whitehead 9, Melvin 9, Johnny Townsend 8, Mike Nugent 8, Hall 7, Key 7, Ellis 7, Rucker 6, Jon Feliciano 4, Penn 4, Jackson 4, Miller 4, Hudson 3, Richard 3, Hall 3, Conley 2, Andrew DePaola 2, Nelson 1, Hurst 1, Johnson 1, Brown 1, Lamur 1