The Las Vegas Raiders will kick off a three-day minicamp this week before they are off for the rest of the summer. The minicamp will not have any tackling or full contact, but is expected to be more of a teaching period than anything else.
But there are still some things we can learn from these practices, such as who is lining up where, who is healthy, etc. Minicamp will also be the first time we get an extended look at new defensive coordinator Gus Bradly, the former head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars.
In ESPN’s recent minicamp preview, writer Paul Guiterrez explained why the addition of Bradley is the most exciting and interesting part of minicamp this offseason:
“Defense, defense, defense. Not much can be told when the guys are in shorts and helmets, right? But Gus Bradley was brought in to fix a defense that cost Las Vegas dearly in late losses to the Chiefs, Chargers and Dolphins last year, costing the Raiders a shot at the playoffs. Bradley was the architect of the Legion of Boom in Seattle. Will he make Las Vegas’ secondary go boom or bust in the desert? Minicamp should give a preview.”
The Raiders know they don’t have the talent yet to be a top-tier defense, but that is just fine. They don’t need a top-end defense to be competitive. If Bradley can get his unit to play at an average level, that should be enough for this team to get into the playoffs given how good the offense was last season.
The addition of Bradley, along with several new defensive starters, should be the center of attention during minicamp. Be sure to continue to follow and read the Raiders Wire for all the latest news and notes out of camp.
