Before he was scoring two unexpected touchdowns against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, Cody White had already made an impact for the Las Vegas Raiders on special teams. His chasedown tackle on a kick return that saved a touchdown earned him the praise of his coaches and teammates.
The practice squad call-up knows it’s that kind of effort required to not only make the roster, but also be a part of what has been the best special teams units in the NFL so far this season.
“When we’re out there, we know it’s one of the biggest plays of the game,” White said. “We’re not like offense or defense where you get three downs or a whole drive to make something happen. It’s one chance. So we go out there with that mentality and that effort every time, and it’s showing on the field.”
It’s also showing up on the scoreboard. The Raiders rank No. 1 in expected points added on special teams through two games, a major factor in their surprising 2-0 start.
A couple of long kickoff returns and Matt Gay’s 59-yard field goal at the end of the first half are major factors in the calculation. The Raiders have undoubtedly put a lot of attention on special teams, and it is having an impact.
“It’s one-third of the game, so you pride yourself on every play you get,” Gay said. “You don’t get a redo. So to be able to go out and perform and have it recognized and have an organization that takes it seriously means a lot. It’s cool to be recognized as part of it.”
Between Gay and AJ Cole, one of the league’s best punters, the Raiders have done a good job controlling field position after kicks.
“We have 10 guys going down there hunting and making big plays,” Gay said of the kick coverage. “I just try to put the ball down there somewhere where guys can go run and hit. It helps to have guys with the right mindset.”
White and running back Dylan Laube are two of those guys.
“I’ve always been taught that special teams is a third of the game,” Laube said. “It’s just as important as offense or defense, and it’s such a crucial play every time you’re out there. It’s just not talked about as much. But it’s always been a passion of mine.”
Despite the early success, the group is not satisfied.
“I think we just see ourselves as still improving, in all facets,” coach Klint Kubiak said. “So, there’s plenty of improvement to be made. (Our special teams coaches) do a great job in getting guys ready to play, and they’ve got to do it again this week.”
The special teams were particularly impactful down the stretch against the Chargers. The Raiders forced the Chargers to start inside their own 25 on three straight possessions in a close game in the second half, twice on punts and once on a kickoff. None of those three drives resulted in points for the Chargers.
“I think overall our effort of play is (why we have been successful),” Laube said. “You watch the film and you can just see it show up every play. It comes from our coaches preparing us every day to just, ‘Go, go, go’ and be super aggressive in everything we do. I think we’re just playing super free right now.”
That freedom shows up in big moments like when special teams coach Joe DeCamillis gave Gay the go-ahead to try the switch kick he had worked on during training camp during the season opener against the Dolphins. Gay approached the ball in his traditional manner only to flip his hips and kickoff left footed. The Raiders covered the kick effectively, but it was nearly ideal if it could have bounced away from the returner instead of skipping toward him.
It’s something they will likely try again, but the Raiders don’t even need tricks. They have just been solid in their first season under DeCamillis.
The Raiders were 30th in the league in EPA per play on special teams, so this start marks a significant improvement.
Laube was a big part of the group last year as he played 48 percent of special teams snaps, but that has seen an uptick to 81 percent this season.
He already has a tackle in coverage and four kickoff returns for 130 yards, including a 50-yard burst in the opener.
“Every time you’re out there,” he said, “you’re just trying to make a positive impact.”
Contact Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AdamHillLVRJ on X.
