The Raiders’ 2019 campaign finally began Saturday, with the first practice of training camp in Napa. It’s year No. 2 of the Jon Gruden era, and the pressure to improve on last season’s 4-12 record will only increase from here on out.
It’s a make-or-break season for quarterback Derek Carr, with Gruden and general manager Mike Mayock openly looking for the next great NFL QB and Carr’s contract becoming increasingly team-friendly.
The talent has increased around Carr, but only time will tell if it’s good enough to sniff a playoff birth or better. In any event, the team has to grow as a group with extra cameras on the field since HBO’s “Hard Knocks” features Oakland this year.
But for now, the vibes on the field are positive. And so are my takeaways after spending Saturday in Napa Valley, starting with Carr.
Derek Carr looks sharp
Carr looked focused all day long and was on target with nearly all his throws. He was without big free-agent signing, wide receiver Antonio Brown, but that didn’ stop him from showing off his great throwing arm all morning long.
Perhaps more important, however, was how confidently Carr carried himself. The perception in many corners of the league is that Carr could be mentally stronger. But he was in charge on Day 1 of camp.
In one such moment during team drills, Carr looked to WR Keelan Doss during a pre-snap adjustment. Carr’s expression and mannerisms suggested Doss relax. He apparently did. Carr dropped back and quickly fired a back-shoulder throw to Doss, which was completed despite blanket coverage from CB Daryl Worley.
Tyrell Williams, Hunter Renfrow shine
Antonio Brown wasn’t practicing while on the non-football injury list, but his fellow wide receivers picked up the slack.
Free-agent acquisition Tyrell Williams looks to be building chemistry with Carr, as is rookie slot receiver, Hunter Renfrow. Williams had his best moments during the team session of practice, while Renfrow impressed during 7-on-7 drills.
Williams figures to play a prominent role this season. He’s already a proven deep threat in the NFL, but he appears more versatile than that. The Raiders are hoping Renfrow can be the answer in the slot, and he did nothing to dampen those expectations Saturday.
Richie Incognito speaks to the media
In a surprise appearance, guard Richie Incognito spoke the to assembled media Saturday.
He appeared calm, composed and ready to get his career back on track. He sat out last season and said he wasn’t sure if he’d ever play football again. But Incognito got coach Gruden’s phone number from his agent and used it often, according to Incognito.
The comments were his first on the record since the Raiders signed him to start at left guard. He has a history of mental illness and will miss the first two games of the season because of a misdemeanor charge stemming from an incident at a funeral home.
But he addressed questions about his past with ease. He also said he wants to be a team leader, and perhaps help some younger lineman, such as offensive tackle Kolton Miller, play with more of an edge.
Kolton Miller’s second year starts well
If the Raiders are to make any progress in Gruden’s second year as coach, offensive tackle Kolton Miller simply has to improve. He barely provided resistance at times during his rookie campaign a year ago, and no offensive tackle allowed more sacks than Miller’s 16.
Saturday’s practice was without pads, which can be a difficult situation for an offensive lineman — there’s no power run game to help keep the defensive line off-guard. But Miller didn’t embarrass himself, going against speedy rookie defensive end, Quinton Bell and No. 1 draft choice, DE Clelin Ferrell.
It’s important that Miller build confidence, and he did that on Saturday. It’s just one day, however, and Miller’s play must keep trending positive.
Clelin Ferrell’s motor runs fast
Well before practice began, rookie defensive end Clelin Ferrell was in a three-point stance near the weight-lifting area of the camp, firing off and using his pass-rush moves against air, grunting with effort all the way.
His effort was high all day, and that’s big for the Raiders. Oakland had an amazingly low 13 team sacks last season, it’s imperative Ferrell disrupt opposing offenses in 2019.
To make such an impact in his first year as a pro, it will take every ounce of effort Ferrell has. He appears prepared to exhaust himself in the name of bringing a pass-rush to Oakland.
And through it all, coach Jon Gruden was in rare form as well, barking away at his quarterbacks during drills with the wide receivers, even mimicking the defense on one occasion.
The extra cameras from Hard Knocks didn’t seem to bother anyone, either and Carr said as much, claiming he’s having fun with the process.
The trick will be to keep the good times rolling. With plentiful new players and a difficult schedule, the challenge is daunting. But this group of Raiders appears ready to give the NFL their absolute best shot in 2019.
