DeMarcus Van Dyke can only lament giving up big play to Cardinals Fitzgerald

DeMarcus Van Dyke received quite the "welcome to the NFL" moment in the Raiders' exhibition opener Thursday.

The Raiders' rookie cornerback found himself lined up against All-Pro wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, who promptly did what he does so often — make a spectacular catch against coverage.

Van Dyke was in good position to defend the pass, only to have Fitzgerald make an acrobatic play on the ball for a 43-yard gain.

After the Raiders lost to the Cardinals, 24-18, at O.co Coliseum, Van Dyke was thinking he could have done more. He was one of many Raiders who have things to work on.

For Van Dyke, it was the big play he didn't make.

"I should have come away with an interception," Van Dyke said. "That was my fault. I didn't attack the ball."

On a conference call with reporters Friday, Raiders coach Hue Jackson said Van Dyke had nothing to be ashamed about, a sentiment he said he relayed to the rookie.

"I've seen that man (Fitzgerald) catch that ball on a lot of great cornerbacks," Jackson said. "But the thing that was most impressive was the next opportunity that he had to cover him. They threw another deep ball and he was right with him stride for stride, and there was an opportunity there for him to make a good play on the ball. So I was impressed with this guy. He's not afraid. I think he wants to compete."

Chances are Van Dyke will be needed this season. The Raiders lack experience behind starting cornerbacks Stanford Routt and Chris Johnson.

Van Dyke figures to get picked on more than once this season. But he knows there won't be many matchups tougher than his first.

"It was pretty exciting," Van Dyke said of going against Fitzgerald. "It was kind of shocking, but it's football now. I play football in the NFL and he plays in the NFL."



(csnbayarea.com)