Oakland Raiders Training Camp Report
By Blu Spikes
Jul 30, 2013; Napa, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Tyler Wilson (8) throws a pass at training camp at Napa Valley Marriott. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Most of us have been to camp. An excursion that your parents thought was going to be a good time. A brand new learning experience about living in a tent, building fires, and roasting s’mores. Meeting new people, and improving on your social skills. Yes, we all remember how fun that was!
Which bring us to our topic of today: the 2013 NFL training camp specifically “The Oakland Raider version of Camp Allen”
The Raiders’ camp is much like the above mentioned camps. It’s an unknown for all rookies, and players that have not been to Napa Valley. There are renewed friendships, and there are dreams that the Raiders are looking to fulfill.
It’s about becoming a cohesive team, a brotherhood if you may. Who will pay the price and go the extra mile? How will the starters, role player, a starter, a back up. Who can the team trust in crunch time? Who will get it done?
It’s learning about yourself and your limitations. It’s about discovering that you can get up one more time than you get knocked down and never saying never.
The Raiders have to use this camp for some hard line decisions that will affect them not only now but later in the season. Who do you keep and who do you trade or cut?
After the minicamp in Alameda, Calif on June 13th, head coach Dennis Allen made the following comment: “We got a lot of change, a lot of turnover on this football team, and the thing I’ve been the most pleased with is the mindset of this team,” Allen said. “I know there’s a lot of experts out there that might think differently, but I like this football team.” This is a big step and one that will enhance Allen’s coaching ability and decision making.
Everything at camp boils down to good and bad, the ying and the yang, peanut butter to my jelly. At one time 13 players were injured at camp; it’s a part of playing in the NFL. You improvise, adapt, and overcome. It not a big thing right now. It will be later.
Players are working on team scheme, being a team and trying to make the team. So, what are the positives and negatives?
Good Thing:
Things are happening in camp, as the Raiders signed five-time Pro Bowl offensive lineman Andre Gurode. He last played with Baltimore in 2011. That is a positive step in the right direction to assist the offensive line.
Bad Thing:
The NFL has suspended Raiders wide receiver Andre Holmes without pay for violating the NFL policy on performance-enhancing drugs.
Good Thing:
The battle for Raiders’ quarterback job is heating up. Matt Flynn has impressed with his accuracy and understanding of the team’s playbook.
Good Thing:
Terrelle Pryor has stepped up to the plate making better decisions, improving his accuracy and decision making.
Bad Thing:
A quarterback controversy is not what the Raiders front office wants or needs.
Good Thing:
The Raiders have the two best return men on the planet in Cribbs and Ford.
Bad Thing:
One return man has just returned from an injury, and now we will wait and see whether they can dominate again.
Good Thing:
D.J. Hayden is on the field and doing well.
Bad Thing:
As of August 1st Menelik Watson has not practiced due to an undisclosed injury suffered just before training camp. Coach Allen stated that the ailment isn’t season-threatening, but the missed time threatens his ability to make an immediate impact.
Good Thing:
The Raiders don’t have to play a game tomorrow.
Good Thing:
Allen said, “We’re going to be a mentally tough football team.”
Good Thing:
The Raiders re-signed Sebastian Janikowski.
The good is outweighing the bad. Players are playing, coaches are coaching, and a cohesive unit is being formed. The Raiders still have questions to answer, spots to fill on the roster and time to prepare for that first game. However, training camp has been another positive step for Reggie’s Raiders.
What do you think is good and bad for the Raiders? Join in the conversation by commenting.