Raiders Opinion: Training Camp Brings Intrigue

     While last season’s preseason was cut short, 2021 will benefit the Las Vegas Raiders. The team should enjoy a  have a full-length training camp. Since the pandemic, the Raiders ave added an impressive amount of youth and new faces to their organization. Defensive coordinator Gus Bradley arrived was also brought innd he might be the individual most worthy of utilizing a normal training camp. He could serve as the most important piece of the puzzle.

The Gus Bus

    After all, Bradley must undo  the errors made by Paul Guenther, but also building up this defense in any way he sees fit. With youth and fresh faces overflowing the Raiders roster, the 2021 preseason will be the most important preseason in recent Raiders history.

Fine Detail

 Although preseason camps fail to give fans all or many of the answers they may seek, these camps can give us insight on smaller details, like players getting into shape or working on new routes/skills. For example, this preseason is the first chance fans will get at witnessing the new and improved Henry Ruggs, who now checks in at over 200 pounds. Ruggs’ speed surfaced the moment he was drafted, but now his weight.

Settle Down

  While roster spots are won and lost during the preseason, it remains early to get worked up about certain players. One player to monitor for the long haul is Clelin Ferrell. Since his arrival, Ferrell struggled at his defensive end position, and 2021 is shaping up to be fairly similar. With Maxx Crosby and Yannick Ngakoue dominating headlines and blocking drills, Ferrell’s career path remains murky. Again, this will not occur within a week. However, keep this in mind as the preseason progresses.

Facts Matter

  However, one report to take as truth tend to be player reports. For example, Yannick Ngakoue saw something in Alex Leatherwood. To some, that appears as smoke, but Ngakoue knows linemen. Plus,  a compliment from a high-tier defensive end matters. Coaches, on the other hand, play things a bit closer to the chest or create smokescreens. The preseason remains an incredibly fun and interesting time. Yet, this can also turn equally stressful if all reports and videos are not taken with a grain of salt.