Raiders training camp – Page 2

Raiders to hold joint training camp practices with 49ers

Raiders and 49ers to hold joint practices prior to preseason matchup

It won’t be long before Jimmy Garoppolo gets to see his old teammates again. As the Athletic is reporting the Raiders and 49ers will be holding joint practices with Garoppolo’s old club prior to a preseason meeting this year.

Holding a joint practice with their old Bay Area rivals is cool and all, but you’d think they’d have had to good sense to hold said joint practice actually *in* the Bay Area. You know, where there is still a strong contingent of Raiders fans and the weather is much cooler?

So, of course, they are holding it in Las Vegas where temp hits triple digits by 9am in August. Presumably for the same reason they invited the Patriots to town last year. That being to show off their new digs.

No date has been announced yet for these joint practices or the preseason game.

And don’t expect to see Garoppolo against his old mates in the preseason game if he’s the starter. If last year with Derek Carr was any indication, those matchups will occur in the joint practices only.

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Raiders rookie FS Trevon Moehrig impresses Derek Carr: ‘This guy can actually cover’

The Las Vegas Raiders were delighted to select college football’s 2020 Jim Thorpe Award winner, safety Trevon Moehrig, in the second round of this year’s draft. But now that he’s on the field battling for a starting spot at Raiders training camp, how special can Moehrig become?

That question will be answered in the months and years to come. But Moehrig is healthy — a back injury caused him to slide to the 43rd selection in the draft — and he’s already made an impression on the leader of the Raiders, quarterback Derek Carr.

Moehrig played superb defense against starting slot receiver Hunter Renfrow during one-on-one drills at Wednesday’s practice, which is very unusual for a rookie safety, or any safety, for that matter. The play left Carr in awe and asking for more.

“This guy can actually cover, so it’s impressive,” Carr said of Moehrig, according to The Athletic’s Vic Tafur. “Especially Hunter, that guy doesn’t get covered. God bless Moehrig the next day we go out there and he has to cover Hunter. He doesn’t like to get covered twice.”

Moehrig hasn’t had to face the wrath of Renfrow just yet, thanks to a day off for the Raiders on Thursday. But as Carr went on praising Moehrig, he had a simple request: make life difficult for Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes, too.

“A safety on a slot receiver, that should be a mismatch … but he lined up and accepted that challenge and made the play,” Carr said. “Like that’s in the back of the end zone and I tried to put it out there, and he said, ‘No, not this time.’ And that excites me as a quarterback because I want him to do that to (Patrick) Mahomes.”

While Moehrig is officially a work in progress, it’s clear that Carr already expects a lot from the former TCU star. At 6-foot-2 and 202 pounds with evident coverage skills, Carr is likely correct to have high expectations, as are the Raiders. Moehrig didn’t get immediate snaps with the first unit, but he’s worked his way in there already with time to spare before camp closes.

On a defense that must improve mightily in 2021, despite youth and uncertainty at numerous positions, Moehrig, with his apparent versatility, could be a player that helps bring it all together. It will be fascinating to watch him develop, and so far, he’s clearly made quite the impression in Henderson.

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Derek Carr says Raiders TE Darren Waller is the ‘most unselfish superstar’

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Raiders coach Jon Gruden loves his skill-position players on offense. He’s stuffed the Las Vegas roster with versatile weapons, all of whom need the football in their hands.

But there’s only one football, of course. They’ll have to share. Quarterback Derek Carr says that the entire group — from the speedy Henry Ruggs III to fullback Alec Ingold — are as unselfish as they are skilled. And the most unselfish of them all is the No. 1 target for Carr this season, tight end Darren Waller.

“Darren Waller is the most unselfish superstar I’ve ever been around,” Carr said during media availability on Wednesday. “Very excited about that for the other guys because he doesn’t demand anything. He’s going to run the route full speed regardless, whether he’s a clear-out or getting the ball.”

Football is perhaps the ultimate team sport, but it’s not a given that the best player on the team will have his teammates in mind as Waller does. That’s an enormous benefit for the Raiders, on top of Waller’s immense talent.

Carr went on to say that Waller wants his teammates to have big days on the gridiron; in the end, it all benefits the Raiders. “Because the next game, they have to account for that and he’s going to be open,” Carr said.

Much of Waller’s attitude likely comes from the path he’s taken to superstardom. A former practice squad player for the Ravens, he’s found his way off the field after struggling with addiction. Now, his talent is so evident, it’s unlikely that he’ll run many clear routes in 2021.

The Raiders are simply lucky to have Waller on the squad. Where would Gruden and Carr be without him? That he’s unselfish and can set an example in Gruden’s versatile offense only sweetens the deal. And as humble as Waller is, everyone affiliated with the NFL knows he’ll get the football a lot this season. At this point, it’s just what’s best for the team.

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Raiders’ Tanner Muse ‘getting a good look’ at OLB due to his speed, athleticism

When the Raiders had three picks in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft, general manager Mike Mayock said that if he did his job correctly, each selection could yield a starting player.

Mayock likely wished he hadn’t said that after the Raiders abruptly traded one of those picks, wide receiver Lynn Bowden Jr., before Bowden played a snap for Las Vegas.

Another 2020 third-rounder, WR Bryan Edwards, is indeed slated to start in 2021, as he was last season. But Edwards has much to prove after catching just 11 passes in 12 games as a rookie.

The third of Mayock’s potential starters from last year’s draft is linebacker Tanner Muse. A safety while at Clemson, the Raiders converted him to LB and placed him on injured reserve with a toe injury last season. But now, with new defensive coordinator Gus Bradley taking the helm, Muse is getting a shot at starting in the Raiders’ 4-3 “base” defense, according to multiple reports and confirmed by coach Jon Gruden.

“[Muse] hasn’t won that spot yet,” Gruden said during media availability on Tuesday. “He’s getting a good look. His speed and athleticism are what we think is conducive to that position, the [OLB] position. So, he’s doing some good things. We aren’t in enough base to really see him yet, but that will continue to emerge as the next couple weeks unfold.”

While this isn’t a glowing review of Muse’s camp thus far, any positive sign from him is noteworthy at this point. He struggled mightily at training camp last season.

And as Gruden said, the Raiders haven’t played much 4-3 yet. Plus, Bradley is expected to use his nickel defense as his base alignment during the regular season, deploying just two linebackers, likely to be a mixture of Nicholas Morrow, Nick Kwiatkoski and Cory Littleton.

But Muse owns a 4.41-second time in the 40-yard dash. That’s surely part of what made Mayock pull the trigger in the third round, and it’s caught Gruden’s eye in Henderson thus far. With Bradley’s simpler scheme, as opposed to last year’s Raiders, Muse can potentially step in sooner than expected.

If Muse wins the first-team spot at a position that rarely sees the field, does that count as one of the starters Mayock daydreamed about before the 2020 draft? Hard to say. But it’s easy to realize that the Raiders’ draft picks have to start producing, and Muse has emerged out of nowhere to become a player to watch.

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Raiders WR Bryan Edwards letting his personality shine at training camp

After a disappointing, injury-riddled rookie season, Raiders wide receiver Bryan Edwards isn’t letting the pressure to perform during his sophomore campaign bring him down.

And the pressure is real. He’s still running with the first unit at Raiders training camp, despite the presence of veteran wideouts John Brown and Zay Jones. Edwards owns elite size and athleticism, however, at 6-foot-3 and 212 pounds. At his full potential, Edwards simply offers a skill set that might be unique to the Las Vegas roster.

But can Edwards find his groove in 2021? According to tight end Darren Waller, Edwards is playing free and loose on the practice field, which can only help. Waller said that both Edwards and fellow second-year WR Henry Ruggs III are continuing to become more confident, and Edwards is letting his personality shine in Henderson.

“Just him out there, being free,” Waller said of Edwards during media availability on Saturday. “Not worrying about injury or anything like that. He’s just having fun. You can see his personality showing up. He’s being goofy out there, having fun, just being loose.”

That’s positive news for the Raiders. If you’re going to play like yourself, you’ve got to be yourself. It’s a process for every young player, and Waller sees both Edwards and Ruggs continuing on their path as starters for coach Jon Gruden, despite underwhelming production as rookies.

“I see those guys stepping in and doing great things,” Waller said. “Rookie years always come with some sort of challenge, some sort of adversity, and you’ve just gotta take it and keep moving on; it’s a process.”

With Edwards’ skill-set and Ruggs’ elite speed, the Raiders’ young wideouts have all the potential in the world to become a dynamite one-two combo for Gruden and quarterback Derek Carr. But that’s all it is at this point: potential.

Thus far, they’re not wilting in the Las Vegas heat. It’s early, however, and the pressure will only become more intense. If Edwards — and Ruggs, too — can continue to grow in confidence during training camp, perhaps we’ll see his personality shine when the games count for real in the regular season.

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Raiders QB Derek Carr excited about ‘stickier’ coverage by Las Vegas cornerbacks

Cornerback was a position of need for the Raiders this offseason, and they missed out in free agency. Not to worry, says QB Derek Carr.

The Raiders replenished their defense at every level this offseason, via the draft and free agency, though not all went according to plan.

General manager Mike Mayock attempted to land a big free-agent prize at cornerback but missed out on Byron Jones, who ended up signing with the Dolphins. The Raiders also reportedly signed CB Eli Apple to a bargain contract, but the deal fell through.

But not to worry. Mayock and coach Jon Gruden turned to the draft to fill the need, selecting Damon Arnette in the first round. He’s been lining up with the starting unit, along with second-year CB, Trayvon Mullen, and quarterback Derek Carr is impressed.

“I’m really excited about our corners,” Carr said from training camp on Tuesday. “The coverage is stickier. They are doing some good things, so very excited.”

It’s just an early impression from practice, but Carr’s comment is still encouraging for the Las Vegas defense. Though cornerback was a priority in the offseason, the Raiders’ group is young and mostly unproven, even behind their current starters.

Rounding out the depth chart are second-year prospects Isaiah Johnson and Keisean Nixon, along with rookie Amik Robertson. The Raiders did sign one veteran in free agency in Prince Amukamara, and he could step into a starting role if needed. Returning veteran Nevin Lawson also figures to be in the mix.

But it’s best for the Raiders if Arnette and Mullen can hold on to their starting spots. The two represent large investments in the draft and could potentially patrol the corners for years to come. According to team leader, Derek Carr, so far, so good.

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Raiders TE Darren Waller impressed with ‘fearless’ rookie CB Damon Arnette

The Raiders used a first-round draft pick in a dire area of need, and so far, TE Darren Waller likes what he sees from CB Damon Arnette.

The Raiders’ offense generates a lot of conversation, with coach Jon Gruden, quarterback Derek Carr and the unit’s young playmakers leading the way.

But it’s clear that if Las Vegas is to improve on its 2019 campaign, the defense must improve mightily. And the Raiders are depending on youth on that side of the ball, as well.

Gruden and general manager Mike Mayock selected cornerback Damon Arnette in the first round of the 2020 draft, causing some pundits to claim the Raiders received poor value from the pick. Arnette was too slow, and he wasn’t even the No. 1 CB at his alma mater, Ohio State, in 2019.

Gruden and Mayock cited Arnette’s toughness and willingness to tackle, and they also claimed he was faster than his 4.56-second time in the 40-yard dash.

The returns are early, but at least one prominent Raider agrees. Tight end Darren Waller was impressed with Arnette’s speed and attitude after team exercises at training camp on Friday, along with the overall speed of the defense.

“Yeah, without a doubt they look faster,” Waller said during his post-practice media session. “We had guys up there, I mean Damon Arnette is fearless on the outside as far as press coverage. He’ll line up against anybody.”

Waller also mentioned that second-year CB, Trayvon Mullen, carries that same confidence and athleticism.

The Raiders’ young cornerbacks have to hold up against the opposition for the 2020 season to be a productive one. Gruden already has an idea of what Mullen can do, but they’ve yet to see Arnette in a padded practice. So far, so good, however, judging from Waller’s comments.

Arnette’s attitude should help him realized his potential, and the Raiders’ brass has a lot riding on his selection. As the second of two first-round picks received in Khalil Mack trade, he’s a vital piece, at a vital position. If he can earn a starting spot this season, it will mean a lot to a rebuilding defense trying to find its way.

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