2012 Training Camp Report: Day 4

Originally published on SBReport.net on Aug. 4, 2012

The Oakland Raiders put the pads on and hit the practice field in Napa again, but this time in front of about 1,000 members of the Raider Nation in attendance. 

Starting quarterback Carson Palmer once again put on a show by hitting his targets, whether on the move or staying in the pocket. Although it still needs some work, Palmer seems to be developing a nice chemistry with his receivers. Palmer has been putting the ball where it needs to be much of training camp and Friday was no exception. Palmer did throw one pick on the day though, something he will need to cutback on this season for the Raiders to be successful.

Palmer made the play of the day when he found wide receiver Jacoby Ford for a deep ball down the left sideline. Ford beat cornerback Shawntae Spencer and safety Matt Giordano was late to help, allowing Palmer to drop the ball perfectly into Ford's hands.

Undrafted rookie wide receiver Rod Streater has been making a name for himself in an attempt to earn the Raiders fifth wide receiver roster spot. Streater once again made tough catches in traffic, including a sliding catch on a ball thrown low in traffic. 

Fifth-round draft pick Juron Criner had his biggest day of training camp so far. Criner's play of the day came late in practice when third-string quarterback Terrelle Pryor rolled out left and threw to Criner on a crossing route. With the ball virtually on his shoelaces, Criner plucked the ball off the "ground" and turned and took the ball up the sideline for a sizable gain. Criner had been quiet much of camp after standing out during offseason workouts. 

Second-year wide receiver Denarius Moore returned to practice after missing Wednesday as a "precautionary measure" and showed the fans what made him a standout during last year's training camp. Moore appeared to be at 100 percent, running at full speed and not afraid to leap for the ball.

Backup running backs Taiwan Jones and Mike Goodson continued to validate the Raiders decision to not bring in any additional running backs. Jones once again bounced the ball outside nicely and was able to show fans his breakaway speed. Goodson seemed to be hitting the hole even harder with fans in attendance, at one point taking out cornerback Shawntae Spencer after lowering his shoulder through a hole. 

Middle linebacker continued his resurgence under head coach Dennis Allen. McClain seemed to always be around the ball on Friday, even shedding off a blocker to meet Goodson in a hole with a loud smack at one point with Goodson catching the bulk of the hit.

Second-year cornerback DeMarcus Van Dyke remains the defensive star of training camp thus far. Van Dyke has been taking advantage of the injury to cornerback Ron Bartell with strong play this offseason. While staying all over wide receiver Darrius Heywrd-Bey for much of the day again, Van Dyke came up with an interception that he took back for a touchdown to a roar from the fans in attendance.