Tag: 126492

HENDERSON, Nev. — The Las Vegas Raiders open 2022 NFL training camp Wednesday at the Intermountain Healthcare Performance Center. Here’s a closer look at a few storylines:

The most compelling position battle: Let’s look at the right side of the offensive line, particularly right tackle. Because if the Raiders are going to run it back with the same O-line that contributed to Derek Carr getting sacked 40 times in 2021, with the right side being the weak link, this is ground zero. Alex Leatherwood, last year’s first-round pick, started the season at RT, moved to right guard in Week 5 but was seeing time on the outside in OTAs and minicamp. If Denzelle Good is healthy enough to reclaim his RG spot after going down with a torn left ACL in the season opener, that should solidify things.

And that’s not counting swing tackle Brandon Parker or Jermaine Eluemunor, who has played both spots and is already familiar with new coach Josh McDaniels’ system from his time with the New England Patriots. Seventh-rounder Thayer Munford and UDFA Bamidele Olaseni could also get looks at right tackle while third-rounder Dylan Parham seems slotted for left guard.

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The player with the most to prove: We should just rename this the Derek Carr Award. Every year Carr endures the slings and arrows of so many rumors and reports of him being on the trade block and yet, he remains. What’s different now, though, is aside from the aforementioned offensive line, Carr has the most dynamic weapons at his disposal, not only in personnel but in scheme and playcalling. Plus, the Raiders went all in by bringing his college bestie, the best receiver in the league in Davante Adams, in a trade with the Green Bay Packers. No more excuses? Yeah, something like that.

But didn’t Carr just sign a three-year, $121.5 million extension? Indeed, but per the terms of the deal, the Raiders are under no obligation to pay him anything after this season and would eat just $5.6 million in dead money should they choose to move on. Plus, Carr’s Total QBR has tumbled every time he’s had a change in playcallers. Stop us if you’ve heard this before, but this is truly a make-of-break season for Carr, who, as noted before, has everything he could ask for … unless that O-line breaks again.

The biggest question: Yeah, staying on the Carr angle here, but so much has been made of the connection he has with Adams from their college days together. And while they have worked out together as pros in the offseason, they were last teammates in (checks notes) 2013. So how fresh, exactly, is the chemistry between the erstwhile Fresno State Bulldogs, and how long will it take to reconnect in a game situation? Adams has definitely benefited from playing with a Hall of Fame quarterback in Aaron Rodgers. But while Carr has had the likes of Amari Cooper, Michael Crabtree, Hunter Renfrow and Darren Waller to throw the ball to with the Raiders, Adams is on another level.

However long, or short, it takes for Adams and Carr to get in sync will go a long way in determining the type of on-field success they have in Las Vegas. Because remember, Carr finds a target and stays with him, from Waller and his 107 receptions in 2020 to Renfrow and his 103 catches last season. Adams has averaged 119 catches the past two seasons.

Most impactful offseason addition: Non-Davante Adams division? Chandler Jones. Sure, the Raiders essentially swapped Yannick Ngakoue, who is five years younger, for Jones, who is polishing a Canton-worthy resume. Jones’ 107.5 sacks and 33 forced fumbles are the most in the NFL over the last 10 years and while five of his 10.5 sacks last year came in the season opener, there is enough left in the 32-year-old’s tank that he will still command respect and double-teams.

And that frees up opportunities for his bookend edge rusher Maxx Crosby, a rising star who was last year’s Pro Bowl Defensive MVP. Now, Jones is not in Las Vegas merely to be a decoy; he was signed to bring veteran leadership as well as wreck shop on his own. And at 6-foot-5, 265 pounds, Jones also has three inches and 19 pounds on Ngakoue, who led the Raiders with 10 sacks in 2021.

Bold prediction: The Raiders will return to the postseason for a second season in a row. Wait, shouldn’t a team that survived last season’s travails, made upgrades all over the roster, as well as in scheme and playcalling, be a lock to return to the Super Bowl tournament? If so, the truly hot take would be to predict Las Vegas would fall short, no? Well … the flip side shows so many unknowns and resulting questions in a division that saw every team make significant upgrades that picking Las Vegas to be in the playoffs for consecutive seasons for the first time since 2000-02 seems to be the bolder way to go. At least, before training camp.

HENDERSON, Nev. — It’s not often a team that just played in the postseason undergoes a massive rehaul, from front office philosophy to on-the-field playcalling. Yet, here are the Las Vegas Raiders, implementing a certain Patriot Way via the arrivals of coach Josh McDaniels and general manager Dave Ziegler in January from New England.

As such, McDaniels and Ziegler are trying to put a shine on the outfit that endured the Jon Gruden/Henry Ruggs III/Damon Arnette controversies and a 1-5 midseason stretch to win four straight games at the end of the season to finish 10-7 and force their way into the playoffs for just the second time since 2002. Talent on the offensive side of the ball already exists, so not much finagling had to happen, but the new regime was able to swing a trade for the best receiver in the game to make the No. 11 overall offense a threat to be a top-five unit.

The last time the Raiders brought in a new coach, Gruden took a wrecking ball to the roster. The new regime, at least for now, seems to have taken a polishing rag to the roster. And, as owner Mark Davis said, it’s not a reset so much as taking a next step.

Breaking down the offense and judging whether the units within are better, worse or the same is an exercise in patience — hurrying up to wait and see if McDaniels truly learned from his last painful experience as a head coach with the Denver Broncos in 2009-10. Already with the reputation of an elite playcaller — especially in the red zone, an Achilles’ heel for the Raiders of late — McDaniels has the pieces in place (the No. 6 passing attack in the NFL, the No. 18-ranked scoring team) to, yes, take that next step.

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Additions: Chase Garbers (rookie free agent), Nick Mullens (Cleveland Browns), Jarrett Stidham (New England Patriots)

Losses: Marcus Mariota (Atlanta Falcons), Nathan Peterman (Chicago Bears)

Returners: Derek Carr

Better, worse or the same? Better … with a caveat

Of course, a million times of course, the Raiders’ QB situation should be better with the additions of the best receiver in the game in Davante Adams and an elite playcaller in McDaniels. But keep this in mind — not only is Carr learning an entirely new offense, the QB room is almost also entirely new with Mariota gone.

Plus, Carr’s QBR dropped precipitously the last two times he changed playcallers, going from 56.1 in 2016 under Bill Musgrave to 50.5 in 2017 under Todd Downing to 46.5 in 2018 under Jon Gruden. Carr’s QBR last year with Gruden and then Greg Olson taking over upon Gruden’s resignation? Try 52.4, a year after a career-best 64.3.

Running backs

Additions: Ameer Abdullah (Carolina Panthers), Brandon Bolden (Patriots), Zamir White (fourth-round draft pick), Brittain Brown (seventh-round draft pick), Jakob Johnson (Patriots)

Losses: Peyton Barber (free agent), Jalen Richard (free agent), Alec Ingold (Miami Dolphins), Trey Ragas (free agent), Sutton Smith (free agent)

Returners: Kenyan Drake, Josh Jacobs

Better, worse or the same? Better

Given the amount of front-line talent and depth added to Jacobs, who has averaged more than 1,000 yards rushing a year in his three seasons, and Drake, who was coming into his own in the offense before a broken right ankle ended his season in Week 13, the No. 28-ranked rushing attack in the NFL has to be better, right?

Bolden knows the offense and was not brought in to simply be a mentor. Using a fourth-round pick on White should portend the future at the position, especially since Jacobs did not have his fifth-year option picked up by the new regime. In any event there are power backs (Jacobs and White), pass-catching backs (Bolden and Drake) and short-yardage backs (Johnson) in this group, so McDaniels has a variety from which to pick and play.

Tight Ends

Additions: Cole Fotheringham (undrafted rookie), Jacob Hollister (Jacksonville Jaguars), Jesper Horsted (Bears)

Losses: Derek Carrier (free agent), Daniel Helm (free agent)

Returners: Darren Waller, Foster Moreau, Nick Bowers

Better, worse or the same? Same

While rumors were flying that Waller, who is in line for a contract extension, was in line to be traded, the former Pro Bowler was instead watching old tape of Rob Gronkowski doing his thing in McDaniels’ offense to better prepare himself for a similar role. And if Waller can stay healthy — he missed six games with knee and back issues — he will be the perfect complement to Adams, who will take the top off of defenses, and Pro Bowler Hunter Renfrow, who will work underneath from the slot.

But Waller, who set a franchise record with 107 catches in 2020, had just 55 last season and you have to wonder if his production goes down again with the addition of Adams, the emergence of Renfrow and Carr’s ever-growing trust in Moreau. Especially with said extension in play.

Receivers

Additions: Davante Adams (Green Bay Packers), Keelan Cole (New York Jets), Justin Hall (rookie free agent), Mack Hollins (Dolphins), Demarcus Robinson (Kansas City Chiefs), Jordan Veasy (Houston Texans)

Losses: Bryan Edwards (Falcons), Zay Jones (Jaguars), DeSean Jackson (free agent), Henry Ruggs III (released)

Returners: Hunter Renfrow, Dillon Stoner, DJ Turner, Tyron Johnson

Better, worse or the same? Better

Adding the best receiver in the NFL who, I don’t know if you’ve heard this yet but, also happens to be the college bestie of the QB? Yeah, the Raiders receiver room is the best it has been since Carr entered the NFL in 2014. Adams has averaged 108 catches for 1,328 yards and 12 TDs the last four years. Him joining Waller and Renfrow gives the Raiders one of the most feared pass-catching trios in the league. Period.

The additions of Hollins and Robinson provide some versatility and special teams opportunities, but it all revolves around Adams and how quickly he and Carr can reignite their chemistry without upsetting the vibe already set with Waller and Renfrow. Tim Brown and Jerry Rice 2.0? Pump the brakes a bit there, but this is the best WR room since the two Hall of Famers wore Silver and Black at the turn of the century.

Offensive line

Additions: Dylan Parham (third-round draft pick), Thayer Munford (seventh-round draft pick), Alex Bars (Bears), Bamidele Olaseni (rookie free agent), Tyrone Wheatley Jr. (Bears), Jordan Meredith (no team in 2021)

Losses: Richie Incognito (free agent), Nick Martin (free agent), Jeremiah Poutasi (free agent),

Returners: Kolton Miller, John Simpson, Andre James, Alex Leatherwood, Denzelle Good, Brandon Parker, Lester Cotton Sr., Jermaine Eluemunor, Hroniss Grasu, Jackson Barton

Better, worse or the same? Same

Are the Raiders really going to run it back with the same O-line that contributed to Carr being sacked 40 times in 2021, the second-most of his career? On the surface, it looks like it. But the two keys could be Good, who was lost for the season with a torn ACL in his left knee in the opener last year, regaining his form and, thus, his position at right guard, and Leatherwood, last year’s first-round pick, regaining his right tackle spot after being relegated to right guard in Week 5.

The fact the new regime selected an interior lineman (Parham) with its first pick spoke volumes. A summer O-line prediction, then — LT Miller, LG Parham, C James, RG Good, RT Leatherwood, with Parker the swing tackle. Not sexy, but workable. Unless it collapses — again — and serves as another built-in excuse.

Coming soon: Defense

HENDERSON, Nev. — Hunter Renfrow is coming off a 103-catch season for the Las Vegas Raiders. Darren Waller caught a franchise-record 107 passes two years ago. And Davante Adams, acquired in a blockbuster trade with the Green Bay Packers in March, has at least 111 receptions in three of the past four years.

A good problem for Raiders quarterback Derek Carr to have this season? Perhaps. But are there enough balls to go around to keep everyone happy?

Renfrow nodded, before speaking of Waller and Adams.

“Two very, very unselfish guys that … put the team before themselves,” Renfrow said. “That’s got to be a focus for all of us — that team success is far superior to individual success.

“It doesn’t matter if we have 50 catches this season apiece, as long as we’re winning. That’s the ultimate goal. That’s all that matters. And I think if we have that mentality, then it’s pretty easy to go and do.”

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Easy for Renfrow to say, right? After all, he joined Carr and defensive end Maxx Crosby in signing multi-year contract extensions this offseason, while Adams inked a massive deal with Las Vegas (to be fair, Renfrow did make that statement before being extended).

Conspicuous by his absence from the list, though, is Waller, a top-3 tight end in the league who is paid far below market value and, yes, is also hoping for an extension. It’s just … he’s not about to make a scene yet, or a stink about it.

“I just focus on enjoying while I’m here, whether I’m here 10 years or who knows how long,” Waller said. “My agent’s job is to do that stuff and I just focus on the football part. Because if you don’t focus on football and your mind’s elsewhere …”

Waller wandered a bit.

“You’ve got to be locked in as a professional,” he continued. “So I try to be a professional every day.”

And therein lies the rub.

Because Waller, who turns 30 two days after the Raiders open the season at the Los Angeles Chargers, could potentially see his production dip with the ascent of Renfrow in the slot and the addition of Adams on the outside. And if it does, that could have a negative effect on negotiations, should an extension not be completed before the season.

Especially on the heels of knee and back injuries that limited Waller to 11 games, 55 catches and two TDs last season (he had a combined 197 catches, on 262 targets, for 2,341 yards and 12 TDs in 2019 and 2020, when he was named to the Pro Bowl).

Catch-22, much?

Consider: Waller’s four-year, $29.8 million extension in 2019 makes him just the 17^th-highest paid tight end in the NFL in terms of AAV. And no money is guaranteed for 2022 or 2023.

More salt? The Cleveland Browns recently gave unproven David Njoku a four-year deal worth up to $56.75 million, and the San Francisco 49ers‘ George Kittle, who has a tight end-high AAV of $15 million, has exceeded 85 receptions once in five seasons.

Maybe that’s why, when asked about Adams joining him, Renfrow and Carr in coach Josh McDaniels’ offense, Waller was pragmatic.

He referenced the Miami Heat‘s “Big Three,” when LeBron James and Chris Bosh joined Dwyane Wade in 2010.

“The first year, it may not have clicked like the way they wanted it to because it takes chemistry,” Waller said, referencing the Heat falling to the Dallas Mavericks in the 2011 NBA Finals. “It works great on ‘Madden’ and ‘2K,’ but guys got to accept roles and, ‘OK, this is the situation I do best in,’ and then just bring a certain level of unselfishness to the table. And know that everything we do is about the time.”

Side note: Waller has been represented since last September by James’ agency, Klutch Sports Group.

“As guys, we’ve accomplished individual things on our own,” Waller said, “and now it’s, you know, maybe sacrifice that a little bit to help the collective achieve what they want to achieve.”

All of which sounds good to McDaniels.

“Darren, he’s done everything we’ve asked him to do, and more,” McDaniels said. “He’s obviously a good player. We love having him here. It’s really a pleasure to coach the guy. He comes with a great attitude and mindset every day. Works really hard. Here early, stays late, does extra, takes care of his body. Does a lot of the things that you would want any player to do, and obviously he’s been productive with his opportunity. So, love having him here and looking forward to coaching him.”

Plus, he’s had Waller watching tape of former New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski to show Waller what should be in store for him in McDaniels’ scheme.

As Waller, who endured trade rumors this spring, put it, the tape should be called Gronk Running Wild.

“Up the seams, over routes, short passes and blowing through people, fade passes on the outside,” Waller said. “He’s lining up everywhere and doing everything, really.

“It’s exciting to see a lot of ways I’ll be used. It’s a challenging system, but I love a good challenge. I think it’s bringing the best out of us.”

But will it force the Raiders to bring out the check book, again?