Head Coach Jon Gruden and General Manager Mike Mayock met with the media yesterday to talk about the upcoming season. The questions mainly centered on how the young players’ development has progressed thus far. Here are a few points that stood out from the interview.
Derek Carr is Gruden’s guy
After an offseason full of reports about possible trades or replacements being drafted, there really is no surprise that Derek Carr will continue to be the starter. He should eclipse his career high of 4,049 passing yards this season, assuming he stays healthy, given the upgrades to both the wide receiver group as well as the offensive line. The added protection as well as the new weapons should but to bed any questions surrounding the sixth-year quarterbacks’ talent or ability to lead a winner.
Fans will love Johnathan Abram
The Raiders 27th overall selection may have been the least recognizable at the time, but could end up being the most popular. There isn’t a single negative word out there about safety Jonathan Abram as the guy is “full go” all of the time. He may be the only player that can not only keep up with, but exceed Gruden’s own energetic personality. Every rookie has a lot to learn and aspects of their game they can improve, but Abram has more than the required desire and determination to make it happen.
Iron sharpens Iron
Wide receiver Antonio Brown’s acquisition will make the offense better but it will also have a tremendous impact on the Raiders defense, especially their young secondary. When you throw in receivers like Tyrell Williams and rookie Hunter Renfro, it starts to look like the defense will arguably have tougher matchups in practice than they will in most games. For a young player like cornerback Gareon Conley, that challenge should take his impressive skill set to yet another level. It has been a while since the Raiders boasted a top flight defense and hopefully these additions will accelerate the growth of the young players and they can finally put one together this year.
Rookies putting in work
Speaking of the young defensive guys, the rookies have been ahead of the curve when it comes to picking up the system. Cornerback Trayvon Mullen was snagged in the second round and at about 6’2″, 200 pounds, is an intruiging prospect. There are other options in the secondary if it takes Mullen time to work his way into the lineup.
The rookie defensive ends, on the other hand, have to be feeling the pressure. EDGE Clelin Ferrell will be starting on one side of the defensive line, after being taken 4th overall, and someone will have to claim the starting role on the opposite end. With any luck a clear starter will emerge as camp continues.
The start of training camp signals the return of the NFL season and we can finally get a glimpse of what the 2019 Oakland Raiders will look like. With their first pre-season game a short 14 days away, the young guys will be battling it out for playing time and to prove they can be counted on. So far, it sounds like the young guys are at least off to a good start.
Twitter: @ChrisReed_NFL
(Video and Photo credit: Raiders.com)
The off-season “reports” were all “speculative journalism”. You know…bullpucky. It was insulting to read.