2012 Training Camp Report: Day 2

Originally published on SBReport.net on Aug. 1, 2012

The Raiders continued their training camp with an afternoon practice on Tuesday afternoon at their practice facility in Napa, Calif. 

The team spent the majority of the time participating in positional drills with occasional 11-on-11 drills.

Under watch of quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo, starting quarterback Carson Palmer and the rest of the quarterbacks spent a lot of time working on their footwork. After spending time on drop backs and getting the ball out quickly, the quarterbacks spent time working on rolling out, a key piece of new offensive coordinator Greg Knapp's offense. 

Palmer has looked very comfortable when rolling out in Knapp's offense thus far. Although it has been just two days into camp, Palmer has been able to demonstrate his ability to roll out and still put his pass right on target. On numerous occasions, even in the team 11=on-11 drills, Palmer has been able to hit his receivers hands.

Terrelle Pryor bounced back and had a much better practice than yesterday. He looked more confident in the pocket and seemed to trust his arm as opposed to trying to aim the ball as he did yesterday. 

While much speculation has been made about who the starting right tackle will be heading into this season, Khalif Barnes remained in the starting position with second-year Joseph Barksdale primarily serving as the second-team left tackle. Should Barnes falter, it is likely that Barksdale will get a look.

Running back Darren McFadden continued to prove that he is not hindered by the foot injury he suffered from last season. McFadden once again looked very quick and hitting the hole hard with shifty cuts to evade defenders. He was also utilized multiple times by being split out wide as a receiver, burning whoever was guarding him down the sideline. 

Backup running backs Taiwan Jones and Mike Goodson once again showed glimpses of why it appears the Raiders front office has chosen to proceed with the backs on the roster. Jones once again showed off that break-away speed he has on rushes to the outside as well as with receptions from the backfield. Goodson has also continued to show surprising speed and great hands and ability to catch the ball. On one play, Goodson was forced to make a leaping catch when Pryor's pass was a bit high. Although Goodson did leave practice with a hamstring injury and is considered day-to-day.

Wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey continues to catch the ball with his hands and has only dropped one ball to my count, and that ball was thrown behind him. He seems to be building on his solid performance last season. The same can be said about Denarius Moore, who seems to be able to haul in any catch that touches his hands. Moore has shown great ability to get the ball in his hands and then look to make an explosive play down field.

Tight end Brandon Myers once again had a solid day as he looks to create separation for the starting job over David Ausberry and Richard Gordon. Myers even made free safety Michael Huff look foolish on a route across the middle, beating him by a couple of yards for the easy reception. Myers looks to be the Raiders best all-around tight end, but Ausberry had a very physical practice and is a solid receiver option. Gordon was having a good practice until he went down with a hip flexor. 

Cornerback DeMarcus Van Dyke had another solid practice, following his practice Monday in which he came within millimeters of picking off Carson Palmer twice. Van Dyke shadowed Heyward-Bey step for step on multiple plays and is taking advantage of starting corner Ron Bartell being out with a hamstring injury. 

Safety Mike Mitchell was all over the field today and appears ready to get the pads on. Mitchell picked off Palmer towards the end of practice while screaming and attempting to bring it back for a touchdown. 

The Raiders return to practice Wednesday morning, the first practice of theirs to put pads on. Check back on SBReport.net for exclusive coverage live from Napa, Calif. 

Ron Bartell (hamstring), Shane Lechler (knee), Aaron Curry (knee), and Travis Ivey (conditioning) remain injured and are considered day-to-day.

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