Raiders' Andre Holmes coming up big

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In recent weeks, the Raiders have shown more faith in allowing receivers Andre Holmes and Rod Streater to fight with defensive backs for 50-50 passes.

That's good news for Holmes, a 6-foot-4 undrafted third-year player with his fourth team who finally had a breakthrough game against Dallas on Thursday.

"I use my strengths a lot more than I did three years ago," said Holmes, who surpassed his career totals for yards and catches with seven for 136 yards in the 31-24 loss. "Playing bigger and making sure I come down with those 50-50 balls. When I was a rookie, it was more like a 20-80 ball."

Streater, also an undrafted player, was asked if he and Holmes still line up with something to prove.

"Always," the second-year player said. "When you don't get drafted, that pushes you back but it also gives you that edge. You want to work harder and you always feel like you have something to prove. With Andre, it was the perfect situation going against the Cowboys."

Besides Streater, the Raiders had five other undrafted players in their lineup Thursday: Guard Mike Brisiel, tight end Jeron Mastrud, quarterback Matt McGloin and fullback Marcel Reece all started and Holmes lined up at receiver for 84 percent of the plays.

Holmes caught all four targets from McGloin aimed between 10 and 19 yards for 67 yards, according to Pro Football Focus, and one deep grab (on four targets) for 24 yards.

Oakland receiver Andre Holmes topped his career totals with seven catches for 136 yards against Dallas on Thursday. Oakland receiver Andre Holmes topped his career totals with seven catches for 136 yards against Dallas on Thursday. Photo: Brandon Wade, Associated Press Photo: Brandon Wade, Associated Press Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close Raiders' Andre Holmes coming up big 1 / 3 Back to Gallery

The Cowboys, who signed Holmes in 2011, had him active for seven games in 2012 and then waived and signed him again, were impressed.

"We liked Andre," Dallas head coach Jason Garrett said. "You know, we had him here for a couple of years. ... He is a big, strong guy and can make those kinds of plays. He has good length and he has good ball skills."

Holmes, who was claimed off waivers from New England in May, has taken advantage of his opportunity with the Raiders. Denarius Moore has missed two games with a shoulder injury and fourth-year veteran Jacoby Ford has been ineffective and is basically counting the days until he is a free agent after the season.

Holmes said there is a building "trust factor" and "comfort level with the quarterbacks" and McGloin has tapped into that the past two games (Holmes had two catches for 32 yards against Tennessee on Nov. 24).

"He's a good player," McGloin said. "He works hard. He goes about his business day in and day out. ... He's definitely a guy I look for to try to get the ball to. He does good things when he gets the ball in his hands."

He has good timing as well, with his biggest day coming on national television on Thanksgiving. No one missed the tall receiver from tiny Hillsdale College.

"It's sweet to see him do it on the big stage," said Jared Veldheer, the Raiders' tackle who is a fellow Hillsdale man and president of the Andre Holmes fan club. "He was killing guys in Division II."

Holmes has another year on his contract with Oakland, and hopes to show in the final four games that he is a building block for the 4-8 club.

"He might not be the fastest guy but if you put the ball in his area, he is going to come down with it," Streater said. "Very impressive."