Oakland Raiders: News and Notes from Training Camp
The Oakland Raiders have wrapped up their first 3 days of practice in preparation for the 2012 season at their training camp facility in beautiful Napa Valley. Two days of padless practices followed by a day of full pads and full contact. These players haven’t strapped on their pads in months, so you can imagine how eager they were to finally be able to get some contact in. Here are some notes from each of the first three days.
Day 1, Monday: Darren McFadden looks impressive, Jacoby Ford puts a scare into Raider Nation
It has been over 9 months since Darren McFadden went down with what would later be described as a “Lisfranc injury.” Since then we’ve heard positive reports, including his full participation in mini-camp back in June. Monday, though, was the start of full on training camp. Not only did McFadden look healthy, he looked sharp and as fast as ever. As a matter of fact, Dennis Allen’s first reaction when asked how McFadden looked in practice was “fast.” And that is nothing but good news for Raider fans everywhere.
Getting those emotions over to the opposite end of the spectrum, those tuning in to the live tweets from the beat writers were in for quite a scare. First there was a mention that Jacoby Ford had slipped while trying to make a cut and was down. A barrage of tweets followed with writers describing a scene that seemed to only have a bad outcome as a possibility. After a few minutes with the trainer working on him, and after starting to make his way towards the locker room, Ford turned back and went back on to the field as if nothing had happened. Apparently the jolt and the awkwardness of the fall was simply a shock to his system. “I was scared more than anything, but I finished practice fine.” Ford said after practice.
Day 1 Standouts: McFadden, Rod Streater, Marcel Reece, Demarcus Van Dyke, Mike Mitchell
Missed Practice: Aaron Curry (knee), Shane Lechler (knee), Ron Bartell (hamstring), Travis Ivey (conditioning)
Day 2, Tuesday: Defense makes plays, slower pace overall on hot day
The second day of practice had a late start (2:40pm local time). It seems that the fast pace of the previous day, and the anticipation of an early morning practice the next day in full pads took it’s toll. It wasn’t so much that they were dogging it, it just seemed to be a bit more reserved.
This made for a better showing by the defense. Although there were some unforced errors by the offense by way of dropped passes (Richard Gordon and Taiwan Jones to name two), most of the miscues were due to good plays by the defense. Rolando McClain was in good position on one play breaking up a pass WR Denarius Moore. Travis Goethel, Matt Shaughnessy, and Lamarr Houston made their way into the offensive backfield on both running and passing plays. You also had Demarcus Van Dyke and Mike Mitchell making plays on receivers in the defensive backfield including a late interception for a touchdown by Mitchell.
The offense did have it’s moments, as padless practices seem to favor it over defense. All in all though, it was not what you want to see if you’re an offensive player. The defense can pat themselves on the back and get ready for the day they’ve been waiting for. The first day in pads.
Day 2 Standouts: Marcel Reece, Jacoby Ford, Houston, Van Dyke, Mitchell
Missed Practice: Aaron Curry (knee), Shane Lechler (knee), Ron Bartell (hamstring), Travis Ivey (conditioning)
Left Practice Early: Richard Gordon (hip), Mike Goodson (hamstring)
Day 3, Wednesday: First practice in pads, Demarcus Van Dyke continues to impress, first fight out of the way
With projected starter Ron Bartell sidelined with a sore hamstring, Demarcus Van Dyke has taken full advantage of his opportunity to work with the first team defense. He has been a standout performer in each of the first two days, breaking up passes all over the field. Wednesday was no exception as he went stride for stride with Darrius Heyward-Bey on one play breaking up the pass, and putting a good hit on Mike Goodson on another. Three very good days at camp for DVD.
As expected, the first scuffle of training camp came on the first day of live hitting. The combatants were Tyvon Branch and rookie Thomas Mayo. There were punches thrown before it went to the ground game with a bit of wrestling before the players were finally separated. By all accounts, Branch got the better of Mayo but not overwhelmingly. A split decision at best.
One other player that has been a standout performer in each of the first two days of camp is Marcel Reece. He is showing just how much of a matchup nightmare he is going to be for opposing defenses this year. He has been hauling in short and mid range passes from Carson Palmer with regularity, and turning them into long gains.
The hardest hit of the day? It wasn’t Mike Mitchell or Rolando McClain. It was Darren McFadden. He took a handoff and did what he does best. He made a cut, and ran upfield. When he saw that rookie linebacker Miles Burris was closing on him, he turned straight towards him and plowed right through the former Aztec before continuing up the field. Not exactly the NFL welcoming committee that Burris had hoped for.
Day 3 Standouts: McFadden, Reece, Mike Goodson, Van Dyke, Matt Shaughnessy, Jack Crawford
Missed Practice: Denarius Moore (hamstring), Richard Gordon (hip), Aaron Curry (knee), Shane Lechler (knee), Ron Bartell (hamstring), Travis Ivey (conditioning)
With the first three days in the rear view mirror and a day off to recover, it looks like the Raiders as a whole can call training camp a success so far. Players are getting acclimated to the new offensive and defensive schemes, they are getting themselves into football shape (except for Travis Ivey it seems), and are ready to take on the world. Dennis Allen is “pleased with the progress” so far, and that’s all you can ask for.
Penalties reared their ugly head towards the end of practice, but the coach dismissed them saying they may have been more a product of fatigue than anything else.
One name that you have not heard much from during training camp is Juron Criner. He was a star during OTA’s and in mini camp, but has failed to make any kind of splash thus far in camp. It’s not to say he hasn’t made any plays, but certainly not with the frequency and excitement of those made just a few weeks ago.
There is still a very long way to go in camp, and a lot of things can happen between now and the start of the season, but things seem to be on a steady course for now. Getting players healthy and getting everybody up to speed on the new systems will be of primary importance.
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Great news so far about D-Mac and I like the reports about DVD at CB. I think that this kid has all the skills and talent to be a Great CB…all he needs is the chance and the desire.
Question: Anybody know where I can get a Jersey that has the Raiders’ logo on Each Sleeve, like you see them in camp?
The only one that I have found is a Red #2 JaMarcus Russell one. I’m not real thrilled about wearing a jersey from this guy…what a Complete Bust and Joke this guy was!!
Anyway, just thought I’d ask.
Looking forward to Nice Season…and to win the AFC West despite all the so-called “experts” comments.
We have an Offense that can put up 30+ points Every Game…IF they stay healthy!
Cut down on Dumb Penalties and we are right there!
I think HC Allen will instill that much-needed Discipline — especially on the Defensive Side and OC Knapp has a lot of weapons to use!!