Oakland Raiders: Notes And Observations From The Preseason

Aug 14, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders receiver Michael Crabtree (15) carries the ball against the St. Louis Rams in a preseason NFL football game at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Air Attack Is Explosive – Still Needs Work

We’ve seen glimpses and flashes of just how explosive this Oakland air attack can be over the course of the exhibition season. There was Carr’s 40 yard bomb to rookie wideout Amari Cooper against the Minnesota Vikings, to another bomb to Seth Roberts in the same game – a ball he should have caught.

Carr is looking like a solid passer and with a solid arsenal of weapons around him, looks poised to make a big jump in 2015. But like the running game, the passing game still needs a lot of work.

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While the Raiders’ receivers haven’t been exceptionally stellar – yet – throughout the offseason, they’ve been very good. They’ve had a couple of drops – Roberts’ drop against the Vikings and a Rod Streater drop against the Seahawks immediately come to mind. But by ad large, the Raiders’ receivers have been a lot more sure handed than they’ve were last season.

With the cutdown deadline looming, the Raiders will have some tough decisions to make. Already gone are Austin Willis, Kenbrell Thompkins, and Carr’s former Fresno State teammate Josh Harper. But with more receivers still on the roster than they’ll likely keep, the Raiders have to decide who the odd man out will be.

Roberts has been a surprise as he’s come on over the last few weeks. Brice Butler has been solid throughout the exhibition season – though he was solid over the 2014 exhibition season as well and then completely disappeared once the games started to count. And Andre Holmes, last season’s leading receiver is out for a few more weeks with an injury. Kris Durham is also in the mix, but has to be considered a longshot to make the 53 man roster.

Streater is – or should be – a lock to be Oakland’s third receiver behind Cooper and veteran Michael Crabtree. Beyond that though, at this point, it’s anybody’s guess.

But it’s a good problem for the Raiders to have. Their passing game is deep, fast, and talented. They have home run ability on every play. And they all seem to have a good chemistry with Carr already.

But it is a passing game that is still very much a work in progress. They still have some work to do. But once this unit gets on the same page and irons out all the wrinkles, this is going to be one fierce passing attack with the potential to be one of the best in the league.

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