ALAMEDA, Calif. -- Mario Edwards was clearly better in his second NFL preseason game than he was in his first.

In the preseason opener against St. Louis, the Oakland Raiders' second-round pick from Florida State seemed to struggle. He was much more active in the second game, at Minnesota.

The reason? Comfort.

"I knew what to expect," Edwards said.

Edwards said the speed of an NFL practice is equal of the speed of a college and an NFL game is 10 times faster than both. Edwards recalled one of his first plays against the Rams. He said he was taking his second step and the Rams' center was already meeting him.

"I just learned how to play faster," Edwards said. "That's what you have to do."

It must be working. Oakland coach Jack Del Rio had high praise for Edwards, who is expected to play significantly in the regular season.

"I think he's progressing very nicely," Del Rio said. "He had a much-improved week of practice, a much-improved outing in the game and definitely trending the way we want to see it go. Again, just want to see more, want to see continued effort and energy the way he provided it last week."