Originally published on SBReport.net on May 11, 2013
The Oakland Raiders kickoff their offseason workouts with a rookie mini-camp this weekend. Head coach Dennis Allen will get his first good look at his drafted and un-drafted rookies throughout the mini-camp started Friday and ends Sunday. Other first-year eligible players may also attend the practices. The Raiders have 10 draft picks attending camp along with 14 un-drafted free agents that they signed shortly after the draft. The camp not only allows the coaching staff their first look, but also local media, who has only had the opportunity to speak with draft picks over the phone shortly after they were selected. Though we only get a brief period of Saturday to watch practice and then some time to speak with the attendees, many observations can still be made from the brief viewing window. Not only is it the first viewing of the newcomers, but it also gives us the first insight at any potential camp battles that may take place this offseason. With a team with so many holes and so much turnover, there are plenty of opportunities for the rookies to make an impression on this year's squad. Reggie McKenzie and Allen have preached competition over and over, suggesting that the best man at each position wins. Though we won't be able to see any of the team drills with the window given, it will be interesting to see each of the players with their individual drills. Still, these individual drills will provide some insight as to what kind of players the Raiders received. They exhibit the players' instincts, ball-handling abilities, quickness and much more. It will be interesting to watch these new players develop and if they can supplant any veteran starters at their position. Which veteran cornerback will D.J. Hayden be able to displace? Will Menelik Watson be able to sure up his technique and take Khalif Barnes' starting right tackle spot? Another good battle to take place will be at the wide receiver position where the Raiders lack Darrius Heyward-Bey and have brought in some interesting rookie names via free agency after the draft. Can Conner Vernon out of Duke make the team and serve as the Raiders' version of Wes Welker with those reliable hands? Where will running back Latavius Murray end up in the depth chart with his speed and ability to catch the ball out of the backfield? Will tight ends Nick Kasa and Mychal Rivera be able to take incumbent tight ends Richard Gordon and David Ausberry's jobs? All of these questions are set to be answered this weekend and Silver & Black Report will be an Alameda Saturday to watch the story unfold.
0 Comments
Originally published on SBReport.net on May 9, 2013 Reports have surfaced that the Raiders brought in former Cleveland Browns wide receiver and kick return specialist Josh Cribbs on Monday. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, Cribbs apparently passed a physical exam with his knee after receiving arthroscopic knee surgery during the offseason, prompting the Raiders front office to go as far as offering him a contract. The 29-year-old veteran receiver had to have surgery after a torn meniscus suffered during the 2012 season. The three-time Pro Bowler currently is tied for the NFL record for most career kickoff return touchdowns with eight, though he has not recorded one for the last three seasons. Even without returning one all the way, Cribbs had six 40+ yard returns and 65 20+ returns over the last two years. He averaged 27.4 yards per return last season. The Raiders could use a boost in their return game as they struggled after return man Jacoby Ford went down with a lisfranc injury in preseason. The Raiders scrambled to find a new kickoff returner, using a total of five other players at the position and averaging just 22.3 yards a return. Cribbs also handled punt return duties for the Browns and averaged 12.0 yards per return on 38 returns last season. The Raiders averaged not even half of that, at 5.1 yards per return on 34 attempts. Cribbs did not have much of an impact at wide receiver last season, hauling in just seven receptions for 63 yards. His biggest year at receiver came in 2011 when he caught 41 passes for 518 yards and four touchdowns. Though he isn't an elite receiver, he certainly is an elite return man when healthy. His experience would prove to be valuable in the Raiders locker room. That, along with the ability to spell Ford of returning duties could be reasons for Reggie McKenzie to offer Cribbs a deal. The Raiders need Ford to stay healthy with the departure of Darrius Heyward-Bey and reducing the amount of hits he takes on the field could help. Raider Nation and the Raiders will have to wait to see if they land Cribbs as Rapoport reports that he is still scheduled to visit three more teams after receiving the Raiders' offer. Originally published on SBReport.net on May 1, 2013
Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie has announced that the team has re-signed long snapper Nick Guess on Wednesday. Guess originally signed to the Raiders practice squad last season on Sept. 12 before being signed to the active roster on Sept. 15. The 6-foot-2, 250-pound long snapper was only on the roster for one game and was inactive before being waived by the team two days later. The non-drafted free agent originally entered the NFL last year after signing with the San Diego Chargers after playing all four seasons at the University of Tennessee. Guess earned Academic All-SEC honors three times during his stint with the Vols. Guess was originally signed by the Raiders after Pro Bowl long snapper Jon Condo went down with a head injury that forced him to leave the game week 1 against the Chargers. The Raiders' punt game stumbled mightily after Condo left in the second quarter against San Diego. Backup middle linebacker Travis Goethel tried to step in and take care of long snapping duties but had a punt blocked and one-hopped another snap that punter Shane Lechler could not handle. The Chargers went on to win 22-14. Though it isn't the most glamorous position on the field, head coach Dennis Allen appears to have learned his lesson and wants to have a backup long snapper nearby in case the same situation should arise. |
Archives
May 2014
Categories
All
|