–Head coach Jon Gruden fessed up Wednesday that he had a favorite Raiders rookie – first-year kicker Daniel Carlson, the team’s fifth kicker since January. He was unceremoniously severed by the Vikings, who drafted him in the fifth round and weren’t fond of his 1 for 4 career start on field goals, including 0 for 3 in a tie against the Packers.
So, Carlson languished in free agency for five weeks. With the Raiders he has made all 18 extra points and 15 of 16 field goals. He attained the minimum kicks needed to qualify for the team’s single-season record for field-goal percentage. Sebastian Janikowski set the mark at 91.2 percent (31 of 34) in 2012. Carlson is at 93.8 percent going into the Chiefs game.
“He’s my favorite player,” Gruden said.
“For a while there, you don’t know your kicker’s name,” Gruden added in a snide reference to the several quick exits by kickers this year. “I know this guy’s name. He’s really making a name for himself. Long-range field goals, different climates, wet ball, high snap, low snap, on the road, cold weather, he has done it all for us.”
–Veteran offensive tackle Donald Penn was not activated from injured reserve Wednesday, meaning he won’t play Sunday. Gruden said Penn might heal up and have a better shot next year, but by starting two rookies all year that doesn’t look like it is the Raiders’ plan.
BY THE NUMBERS – 325 — The number of passes quarterback Derek Carr has thrown since his last interception.
