Corey Liuget is working his way north.
After six seasons with the then-San Diego Chargers, followed by two more with the team once they relocated to Los Angeles, the veteran defensive tackle signed with the Oakland Raiders Sunday, just a few days before their preseason finale against the Seattle Seahawks.
"Not at all," said Liuget with a chuckle when asked if he thought he'd ever end up as a Raider. "I didn't plan on leaving that place – it's kind of paradise down in San Diego – but now I'm here."
And although it might take a little while for Liuget to get accustomed to his new colors – and his new number – the University of Illinois product is already feeling comfortable with what he'll be asked to do in Paul Guenther's scheme.
"I fit perfect," Liuget explained. "It's a one-gap, penetrating defense, which is what I love, and for me, that's my style of defense, and that's what we had down with the Chargers the past couple years, so I'm just super excited to be in it now."
"Well, we are a one-gap, 4-3 defense," added Head Coach Jon Gruden. "Last year, when we came here, we were struggling to put the pieces together being a 3-4 team for a few years. Liuget is a legitimate 3-technique and can also be a penetrator as a nose. He can play heavy on the center in your sub packages, three-down alignments. He's smart. I think he's got 25 career sacks, so he gives us another veteran player with inside pass rush ability. He can bat down passes, play with a motor. We are thrilled to have him. We are going to try and get him in great shape to get him ready as soon as possible."
That said, Liuget's arrival in Silver and Black – particularly considering the timing – will not be without its challenges.
"The challenge is really just getting to know the audibles and the checks," he explained. "That's the toughest part, and understanding that when you have a play, there's a chance it may change."
Regardless of any learning curve that Liuget will have to deal with in Northern California, with eight years of NFL experience under his belt, the 29 year old is now the most experienced defensive tackle on the Raiders roster.
And although his career in Silver and Black is still in its infancy, that experience automatically gives Liuget room to speak to a group of defensive tackles that are still on the front nine of their pro careers.
"That's the thing that we have to continue to do, just push the pocket," Liuget said. "When it's third down, passing situation, we have to go and understand when it's a pass down, and that's one thing I want to bring to this front and to this defense too, just understanding the pass rush and how to get off that ball and get the quarterback."
Coach Gruden, Liuget, and the rest of the Raiders wrap up the 2019 preseason Thursday night in Seattle against the Seahawks, and while it remains to be seen whether or not No. 51 suits up, he'll be ready if his number is called.
"I'm not sure, that's up to Coach Gruden," Liuget said when discussing his possible activity Thursday night. "I'm here. Whatever he tells me to do. If he wants me out there, I'll go out there."
The Raiders end the week in Alameda, Calif. with a day of practice in preparation for their preseason matchup with the Seattle Seahawks.
Raiders Head Coach Jon Gruden on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders tackle Trent Brown (77) and wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders tackle David Sharpe (72) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders guard Richie Incognito (64) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders defensive backs coach Jim O'Neil and linebacker Vontaze Burfict (55) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins (90) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders tackle Denzelle Good (69) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders linebacker Marquel Lee (52) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders wide receiver Keelan Doss (89) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders safety Jordan Richards (39) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders wide receiver Tyrell Williams (16) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders wide receiver/return specialist Dwayne Harris (17) and safety Dallin Leavitt (32) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders quarterback Nathan Peterman (3) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders tight end Luke Willson (82) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders guard/center Cameron Hunt (62) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders quarterback Mike Glennon (7) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders running back James Butler (36) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders linebacker Kyle Wilber (58) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders linebacker Brandon Marshall (54) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders linebacker Vontaze Burfict (55) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders linebacker Bryson Allen-Wlliams (48) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders defensive tackle Corey Liuget (51) and the defensive linemen on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders cornerback Keisean Nixon (38) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders cornerback Gareon Conley (21) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders safety Curtis Riley (35) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders safety Karl Joseph (42) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders cornerback Nick Nelson (23) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders linebacker Nicholas Morrow (50) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders cornerback Makinton Dorleant (43) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders defensive end Josh Mauro (97) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders linebacker Te'von Coney (56) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders defensive end Clelin Ferrell (96) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders defensive end Quinton Bell (95) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders safety Erik Harris (25) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders cornerback Joshua Holsey (44) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders defensive end Benson Mayowa (91) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders safety Lamarcus Joyner (29) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders defensive tackle Maurice Hurst (73) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders punter A.J. Cole (6) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders cornerback Daryl Worley (20) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders defensive tackle P.J. Hall (92) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders wide receiver Keon Hatcher (14) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders wide receiver Rico Gafford (10) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders wide receiver Marcell Ateman (88) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders punter A.J. Cole (6) and kicker Daniel Carlson (8) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders defensive tackle Corey Liuget (51) and wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders tackle Trent Brown (77) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders center Rodney Hudson (61) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders tackle Brandon Parker (75) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders defensive tackle Maurice Hurst (73) and guard Jonathan Cooper (70) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders linebacker/defensive end James Cowser (49) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders defensive tackle Gabe Wright (57) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders tackle Tyler Roemer (76) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders guard Lester Cotton Sr. (67) and defensive tackle P.J. Hall (92) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders tight end Derek Carrier (85) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders running back Jalen Richard (30) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders wide receiver Ryan Grant (19) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) and safety Karl Joseph (42) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) and running back DeAndré Washington (33) on the field for a preseason practice.
