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ALAMEDA – Today, Gareon Conley is well positioned, taking advantage of the routine of an NFL player. The days are packed with meetings, gym work, practice and physical maintenance.
Note that "detoxification" was not in the sentence above.
It's a good thing and a relatively new thing for the back of the Raiders. We are all aware of the injury history of the first round of 2017, from the tibia injury that robbed his rookie year of the hip issue that deprived him of his training camp.
Conley is healthy, feels good and focuses on the routine: meetings, weight, practice, recovery. This cycle has been repeated since August 13, when his hip was cleared for practice.
He is now ready for his first regular season game since the third week of last year, which starts Monday against the Los Angeles Rams.
"I have not played for a long time, and it will be really good to be out there," Conley said. "I feel good and I succeed all these exercises without worrying about my injury. I can just go out and play.
Playing on a long period of practice promotes development, which the very talented Ohio State has never known as a rookie.
"When you're out, you have to step up your mental game and watch more movies," Conley said. "But just going back to the field, having more hands-on experience with the guys, really helped me. I have the impression of having taken two steps forward.
This is a good thing for Raiders fans who die to see Conley in action. He made appearances against the New York Jets and Washington last year, but bowed to get out after the fact and never came back. Now, he is ready and ready for his debut in 2018, and the Raiders' staff can see him growing up in the system.
"He has a better understanding of the ins and outs of the system, the adjustments, the coverage adjustments, the other things we do," said Raiders defensive coordinator Paul Guenther. "Then he is progressing well."
To practice well is one thing. Playing well is another and it's the next step. The coaches want to see him play physically and attack well. This test will be against a team of Rams with tons of speed, with Brandin Cooks, Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp in the scheme.
"They make a lot of clusters and stacks, and speed up guys like they liked that stuff," Conley said. "You have to worry about covering that and being always on your game. Always expect the ball to come to you no matter what. It should be a good challenge. I look forward to it.
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