‘I thought he did a good job against two really good rushers’ David Sharpe receives high praise from head coach

David Sharpe’s time with the Raiders has not always been smooth sailing. The former fourth-round draft pick in 2017, was a part of the last draft class under the Jack Del Rio and Reggie McKenzie regime. With the trade of Gareon Conley on Monday, Sharpe remains one of two men (Marquel Lee) selected in that 2017 class that remains with the Raiders.

What’s interesting is that Sharpe may not actually count to that total. In September of 2018, with Jon Gruden now calling the shots, Sharpe was waived by the team. Shortly after that, Sharpe was signed by the Texans to their practice squad and soon promoted to the active roster in late September.

After a stint that lasted one month on the Texans’ active roster, he was again waived and looking for work. Interestingly enough, two months after being waived by the Raiders, he was claimed by the team that drafted him.

Fast forward 11 months and the coach that waived him, is now praising him for a job well done.

“He handled his assignments extremely well,” said Gruden of Sharpe’s performance against the Packers. “All you heard about was the Smith brothers. I think he did a good job against two really good rushers. They both tried him. They brought some pressures. I thought he handled himself extremely well.”

With starting right tackle, Trent Brown down for the game, David Sharpe was the next man up in favor of second-year man Brandon Parker. Only his third career start in four seasons, it was a great opportunity for Sharpe to prove his worth to his coach.

Despite some early technique issues that led to two holding penalties, one that nullified a Darren Waller touchdown, Sharpe made the necessary adjustments and ended the game without allowing a sack.

“I think he has a better feel for the offense,” Gruden continued. “He’s in better shape than he was a year ago, and it shows. His experience shows.”

As of Monday, coach Gruden said that Brown “has a better than 50/50 chance” and called him questionable to play this week against the Texans. If he isn’t active, the Raiders should feel confident with Sharpe as his replacement.