ALAMEDA https://www.raiderslockerroom.com/authentic-derek-carr-jersey , Calif. (AP) — Oakland Raiders cornerback Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie abruptly retired Tuesday, two days after not playing a single snap on defense for the second time this season.The two-time Pro Bowl defensive back made the announcement on social media , not long after notifying team officials of his decision to call it quits after seven games with the Raiders.“Just a shocker to see him gone because he was a great teammate and a great player for us,” cornerback Rashaan Melvin said. “He showed us how to cherish the game and approach it the right way. He’s always dancing, always rapping, always singing. Just showing his personality no matter what, through the ups and downs.”Rodgers-Cromartie’s retirement came hours before the NFL trade deadline, during which the Raiders were surprisingly quiet.Oakland had been one of the busiest teams over the past two months, acquiring three first-round picks in deals that sent pass-rush specialist Khalil Mack to the Chicago Bears days before the season opener and wide receiver Amari Cooper to the Dallas Cowboys last week.There had been speculation the Raiders might be willing to make additional deals but the deadline passed without one. Outside of Rodgers-Cromartie retiring and the team activating James Cowser from the practice squad, Oakland made no other roster moves.“We know who we have going forward and it’s on us to go out there and execute and play well and try and stick around,” quarterback Derek Carr said. “You want to make sure that you’re around, what’s the plan Derek Carr Jersey White , all those things. I think that was on a lot of guys’ minds. Just knowing that that’s almost over with and we’re just playing ball, it’s nice for our guys.”The 16th-overall pick in 2008, Rodgers-Cromartie played for five teams during his 11-year career. He earned Pro Bowl honors in 2009 with the Arizona Cardinals and again in 2015 with the New York Giants.The 32-year-old was signed by the Raiders just before the regular season to add experience to a secondary that was in the midst of an overhaul.Rodgers-Cromartie was on the field for 20 defensive plays in Week 1 but had been playing mostly on special teams since then. He did not play on defense during Sunday’s 42-28 loss to the Indianapolis Colts but took 22 snaps on special teams.Rodgers-Cromartie is the second NFL cornerback to retire since the start of the season. Vontae Davis of the Buffalo Bills stunned his teammates when he announced his decision at halftime of their Week 2 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.“When something like that happens, I’d rather it happen that way than halftime of a game,” Carr said. “I understand what he’s doing, I understand why. Coach addressed it with us and he said, ‘Text him, everyone show him love, congratulate him on a great career.’ There’s no hard feelings at all.” In what turned into a shoot-out of a 4th quarter, Derek Carr hooked up with Jalen Richard on several important plays that set up a game-winning touchdown pass. In my opponent breakdown published last week, one of the keys to victory was testing the Detroit linebackers in coverage, namely by using the running backs in the passing game.This came to fruition at a crucial moment for the Raiders offense Antonio Brown Raiders Jersey , who took the field with the score tied up with 5:16 remaining in regulation. The opening play of the game-winning drive started with a bang in the form of a 31-yard pass to Jalen Richard up the seam. Lets take a look at exactly what went into this play.4 verticalsThe “4 verticals” play is a staple in just about every modern offensive playbook. From West Coast to Air-Raid schemes, this concept is used to stretch the defense vertically and take advantage of mismatches, regardless of if the defense is in man or zone coverage.The Raiders line up with two tight ends on the left side of the field, with Richard off-set on the same side. Darek Carrier runs his vertical up the left side-line. Darren Waller runs his vertical across the field to the opposite hash. This leaves Jalen Richard to run the seam out of the backfield, a route that has become increasingly used in the NFL due to how difficult it can be to cover, especially for a linebacker. Formation shift and pre-snap indicatorsThe key to this play’s success, however, occurred pre-snap. Carr gets the offense to shift from their original formation. The safety running back-and-forth across the defensive backfield is a pre-snap indicator that the defense is in man coverage. This lets Carr know who to target.Had the safety stood still, this alignment would suggest a Cover 3 look, meaning Richard’s route would have been covered by a DB, while Waller would be left to work the middle of the field against linebackers. The formation shift and defense showing their hand is a huge part of why this play worked.Beautiful pass from CarrRichard is covered by a linebacker — and not a coverage linebacker either. The speedy back is a mismatch for the majority of NFL linebackers, and especially Christian Jones Womens Bo Jackson Jersey , who at 6-foot-3 and 250 pounds is more of an edge-setting rush linebacker.Pro Football Focus has graded Jones as one of the worst linebackers in coverage this year. The scouting report this week likely showed similar issues against the pass and Carr is wise to trust his receiver to come down with this ball.Now, lets get to this throw. First, Carr has to duck down low to gain control of an errant shotgun snap. When he sees the back of the linebacker’s helmet, he knows he can throw this ball without having to get his feet set. In the midst of interior pressure coming at him, Carr lofts this ball over the top of the coverage and it lands directly in Richard’s hands. The ball placement is so on point that he doesn’t even have to adjust, catching the ball in stride.Big league play, big league throw by Carr. If the Raiders offense can continue hitting backs on deep routes out of the backfield, defenses will have a huge challenge stopping this aerial attack when coupled with a punishing ground game.