David Amerson to Live up to Contract with Oakland Raiders

Jan 3, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Oakland Raiders cornerback David Amerson (29) runs in for a touchdown after an interception against the Kansas City Chiefs in the first half at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Oakland Raiders cornerback David Amerson (29) runs in for a touchdown after an interception against the Kansas City Chiefs in the first half at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 20, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders cornerback David Amerson (29) intercepts a pass intended for Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jeff Janis (83) during the fourth quarter at O.co Coliseum. The Green Bay Packers defeated the Oakland Raiders 30-20. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders cornerback David Amerson (29) intercepts a pass intended for Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jeff Janis (83) during the fourth quarter at O.co Coliseum. The Green Bay Packers defeated the Oakland Raiders 30-20. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

Fit in Oakland

McKenzie knows he has a solid corner in Amerson and isn’t worried his time in Washington. He jumped at the chance to claim Amerson because he fits the Raiders bump-and-run scheme. Amerson was a potential star when in  man-to-man with Mike Shanahan as head coach.

But with Jay Gruden as head coach the Redskins became a zone team and Amerson faltered. Gruden knew Amerson had talent but didn’t fit his scheme, telling reporters last September, “He might be a great player somewhere else in the next year or so,”

It didn’t even take that long for Amerson to make Gruden right, balling out that season. Talent plus scheme fit equals production, which is why zone-corner Josh Norman is now with the Redskins. And Amerson expressed his fit with the Raiders to Jerry McDonald of Inside the Oakland Raiders.

He said, “Our scheme last year was, `You know what we’re in, so beat it,’ type stuff. “It really made you go out and play fast and just really play football. I got there and barely knew the plays. We’re breaking the huddle and I’m asking guys, `What coverage is this?’ But I was able to compete and play fast football.”

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