Las Vegas Raiders Training Camp started with a half week of practice on Wednesday, July 24. The quarterback battle is well underway, the defense hasn’t missed a step, and the skill positions on both sides are making plays. So, here are the top storylines so far now that the pads have come on in week two at Raiders Training Camp.
Top Raiders Storylines So Far
Who Didn’t Participate Yet?
Offensive linemen Jackson Powers-Johnson and Kolton Miller, wide receiver Jalen Guyton, and linebacker Darien Butler are on the PUP list. Also, cornerback Brandon Facyson, defensive tackle John Jenkins, and wide receiver Tulu Griffin didn’t practice on Monday, July 29th. The absence of Powers-Johnson and Miller is probably the most significant as they expect to be key starters on a dominant offensive line. Miller is expected to return in a couple of weeks from his offseason shoulder surgery for the season.
Luckily, General Manager Tom Telesco expects Powers-Johnson to return sooner rather than later. So far, those starting Training Camp on the sidelines are all expected to be back in time to prepare for the season.
Iron Sharpens Iron
As mentioned earlier, the Raiders’ defense didn’t miss a beat and has picked up right where it left off at the end of last season. They’ve been causing problems for the offense so far putting pressure on the quarterbacks and defensive skill positions are making plays around the field. As of the last day of non-padded practice, the safety room has gotten three interceptions in seven-on-seven drills. Including one by rookie seventh-round pick Trey Taylor. He turned heads during camp on and off the field going viral with the fan-made Patrick Mahomes-themed Kermit The Frog doll earlier in camp.
All jokes aside, the Raiders defense has shown they are on the way to becoming great. Hopefully leading up to the regular season the offense can get better from training against such tough opposition. Wide receiver Jakobi Meyers is among the players making big plays against this tough defense. The quarterbacks are being held to the highest standard as they’ve struggled thus far and neither quarterback is playing the other out of the job. Not to mention, the defensive line is terrorizing the offensive line that is deprived of two key players. We’ll see soon enough if the old adage is true that iron sharpens iron since this Raiders defense is looking razor-sharp so far against a dull offense.
Stand out Performers
The aforementioned Trey Taylor and Jakobi Meyers are among the players standing out so far at training camp. Taylor caught an interception in 7 on 7’s Day 4 and Meyers was the star of Day 3 at camp where he caught a couple of touchdowns and was giving star cornerback Jack Jones a hard time. Maxx Crosby was terrorizing Thayer Munford who’s been thrust into the starting right tackle role. Crosby’s dominance is no surprise of course, but hopefully, Munford can learn from going against one of the league’s best defensive linemen. Defensive tackle Byron Young is filling in for starter John Jenkins and is doing a better job than his disappointing rookie campaign would suggest.
Rookie first-round pick Brock Bowers is making plays and proving the hype around him in college was well-earned. He’s been seen lining up all over the field, catching balls over the middle, swing routes, and constantly getting separation in one-on-ones against Linebackers. Bowers is looking to be a steal as predicted on draft night if this translates into the regular season. Fellow rookie Dylan Laube is also getting praise from offensive coordinator Luke Getsy during his latest presser. The all-around Runningback Laube is making a name for himself in the offensive backfield and returning on special teams. Getsy credits Laube in having a natural feel for the game at the next level and head coach Antonio Pierce even sees a lot of value in his ability to be a dangerous “third down back”.
The Quarterback Struggle
While the Raiders’ two best options at quarterback don’t look terrible, they aren’t outplaying each other as they both struggle against this tough defense. The defensive line has been putting pressure on the quarterbacks even without the pads on, while the defensive secondary is playing great. Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell have been rotating with the first team throughout training camp both not standing out over their competitor. Though, some think O’Connell is outplaying Minshew. If the quarterbacks continue to struggle when the pads come on, the preseason games are likely going to be large factors in who gets the starting spot. The good news is whoever wins the starting job going against this Raiders defense will be the right choice since there aren’t many teams out there with a defense better than the Raiders as of now.
First Full Speed Contact Practice
Day Five of Training Camp for the Raiders featured the first full-speed padded practice. Since they have come on the offensive line has started to look better, especially on the right side. Right tackle Thayer Munford and right guard Dylan Parham are taking the first team snaps at their respective positions as of the first padded practice. The offensive linemen tend to look a bit better once the pads come on, which they did, but the Raiders’ defensive line is not making it easy on them. During run drills, the defensive line was consistently getting the better of both offensive guards Parham and Cody Whitehair. One of the silver linings from the run game is rookie Dylan Laube. Once the pads came on he continued to make plays as head coach Antonio Pierce predicted. Laube even received first-team reps as the third down Runningback, which is no surprise given his ability to catch and run the ball. Overall the defense is still getting the better of offense which is a trend that is likely here to stay until the season starts.
The pads have come on in week two of Training Camp and the true nature of this Raiders football team should reveal itself too. It’s been promising so far aside from the uneventful struggle of a quarterback battle with position groups and rookies standing out on both sides of the ball.
Main Image: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
