Three key questions the Raiders look to answer in training camp
With the off season program in the rear view mirror, the next step in the long journey to the NFL regular season for the Oakland Raiders is training camp. We will get our first glimpses of the entire defensive and offensive units together running the playbook. Players and coaches will be able to see their schemes unfold in real time and make necessary changes prior to the start of the regular season. Fans will get to see their incoming rookies and free agents in actual scheme and game time scenarios.
Mini camps are often used as a familiarization period where new players can acquaint themselves with the facility and get a little conditioning in. Most drills are run against air and done at half speed, making it hard to gauge the fluidity of offenses and defenses. It is hard to pinpoint deficiencies with certain units since everyone looks good in drills. Here are a few questions that training camp can answer a bit better than mini camps were able to do.
Who will earn the backup quarterback role?
Cook was selected in the 4th round of the Draft where some think less talented were taken before him. He comes into camp with some character concerns surrounding his leadership and ability to be a team player. Some even questioned the role that Cook’s father, Chris, had in the reason Cook fell out of grace with teams. Whatever the reason Cook fell, the fact remains that his on field talent is NFL worthy. His senior year saw him obtain the Johnny Unitas award and throw for over 3100 yards and 24 touchdowns against only 7 picks.
Stacked against fan favorite Matt McGloin, Cook has the edge in credentials and big game experience. Cook also has the edge in the eye test standing at 6’4 and 217 lbs with plus arm strength and a quick release. McGloin is 3 inches shorter with average arm strength and accuracy issues. Cook tends to overpower his throws on short routes whereas McGloin makes a more accurate throw on these occasions.
Cook was said to have a great mini camp, but again this was run against air. In training camp we will see which quarterback cements the backup role. The Raiders will most likely carry 3 quarterbacks into the season so both Cook and McGloin have the chance to make the team, but only one will dress on Sundays. Can Cook become more than just a trade chip and takeover the backup role?
Who will comprise the defensive front 7?
The Raiders front seven last season was more like a defensive rotating door. Khalil Mack was the undisputed bright spot on a sparsely talented defense. Mack accounted for 15 of the team’s 38 sacks. The second most sacks on the team belonged to Malcolm Smith with four. Mario Edwards was a revelation, but was lost late in the season due to a neck injury.
There was also a complete lack of ability to guard opposing tight ends. The team struggled mightily in this area and showed promise when Neiron Ball was moved into the starting lineup, but then he also went down with an injury to his knee and saw him miss the final 10 weeks of the season. Reggie McKenzie says Ball is “doing everything” and is expected to be ready to roll for the upcoming season. Ben Heeney seized the starting reigns from veteran Curtis Lofton mid season and showed promise so it is expected he is the front runner in the middle of the defense.
The off season saw Oakland upgrade on the outside of the front seven with Bruce Irvin and resigning of Aldon Smith. The middle still has some question marks. Oakland added Cory James from Colorado State in the 6th round where most scouts had him pegged as an UDFA. Malcolm Smith has the ability to moved inside as well. Personally I am waiting to how DE\OLB James Cowser makes a name for himself on the defense. Cowser has a high motor and can make plays. The knock on him is the lack of ability to keep his feet settled and attack. The biggest training camp story in this area will be the MLB position and who is grouped together on the outside with Mack.
Who will line up at right tackle and how will Gabe Jackson respond to right guard?
When Oakland signed the biggest free agent lineman this year, most wondered if Kelechi Osemele could play right guard or right tackle. At the beginning of training camp it was decided that it would be Jackson who moved to RG and Osemele would assume his natural position at LG. Jackson has shown he can be effective at either guard position and should have no issue with the side switching. Jackson has the footwork and natural talent to be a brick wall wherever he lines up.
Donald Penn was resigned in the offseason and will reprise his role protecting Derek Carr’s blindside. Rodney Hudson will again anchor the offensive line at the center position. The one question mark here will be who steps up and takes the RT spot.
Austin Howard was the starter for much of last season when Menelik Watson went down with injury. Watson has recovered from his torn Achilles tendon and will battle Howard for the starting spot. For those who are wondering if rookie Vadal Alexander can also challenge for the RT spot, most NFL scouts have him cemented as a guard due to slow feet and inability to sustain a block. Matt McCants lined up at RT last year as well, but only figures to be a backup to the winner out of Howard and Watson. There are multiple players who can play several positions along the offensive line so there will be some mixing and matching at first. It will be interesting to see how Watson overcomes his injury history and if Howard can improve on a lackluster campaign.
The Oakland Raiders will begin training camp with the rookies reporting to Napa on July 24th and the veterans to follow on July 28th.
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