Gabe Jackson
- CBSSports.com’s Pete Prisco ranked the most underrated player on each team.
- Jackson earned the recognition for the Raiders.
- Prisco wrote that he gives the Raiders a nice guard tandem with Kelechi Osemele.
My Take: I’ve said this since the Raiders drafted Jackson. He should transition to the right side well this year.
Jack Del Rio
The Raiders head coach released a statement on the death of his former head coach.
“Dennis Green created an outstanding environment for his players and I was privileged to spend four great years under his guidance in Minnesota,” said Del Rio via SB Nation. “He was a real trailblazer and his impact on the game continues to live through the many successful coaches that he mentored. One of his phrases, or ‘Denny-isms’ as we call them, is ‘We’re going to plan our work and work our plan.’ I still use that ‘Denny-ism’ today. Coach Green is going to be missed dearly by everyone that was lucky enough to know him.”
Del Rio was the starting middle linebacker at Green’s first head coaching job with the Vikings.
He spent four years playing for Green in Minnesota.
My Take: During a time when there was not a lot of black coaches, Dennis Green was for reals a trailblazer. Even know, there is a misrepresentation of black head coaches in football at the NFL and NCAA levels. More importantly, Green went way before his time. RIP.
Wide Receivers
CSN Bay Area’s Scott Bair dove into the Raiders receiver position.
- He cites that Amari Cooper lead the league with 18 dropped passes. Drops were not an issue in training camp, according to Bair.
- Andre Holmes was also the No. 4 receiver, as his offensive snaps dropped. Bair writes that he should find a role in special teams coverage and provide injury protection.
- Bair lists Joes Hansley, Max McCaffrey and Johnny Holton as receivers who stood out in the offseason program. He suggests that one of them could end up as the fifth receiver behind Cooper, Michael Crabtree, Seth Roberts, and Holmes.
My Take: I think Bair hit it on the nail. Doubt the Raiders would add a veteran to the position. They seem set at the position with nothing to add.
Tight Ends
Bair also dove into the tight end position this week.
- He says that Walford flashed real potential last season, and he needs to build on last year’s effort to become a legitimate threat in the middle of the field. Bair also cites that injuries have impeded his process.
- Mychal Rivera suffered some trade rumors this offseason. Bair writes that he was phased out last season. However, he still brings injury protection.
- Gabe Holmes also has potential, acording to Bair. Bair says the 2015 undrafted free agent could push for the No. 3 roster spot.
Ricky Williams
Willams saw a Raiders game on TV, when he was retired at age 27. At that point, Williams wanted to return to the league by changing his name and joining the Raiders, according to NFL.com.
My Take: This story is definitely worth a read. Light read which will give you a nice laugh.
David Amerson
The Raiders corner who was cut by the Redskins 10 months ago got a four-year contract extension worth $38 million, with $17.5 million in guarantees.
My Take: I’m always happy to see a player get money. Amerson proved himself as a starting corner last year. Now, he will have to continue proving himself. He should see more targets playing opposite Sean Smith. Plus, Amerson has all that guaranteed money to live up to.
