Raiders training camp: Competition intensifies in final practice without pads

COSTA MESA, Calif. — It’s the start of a new week, but the fourth day of Raiders training camp saw many recurring themes from the week prior. 

There was a lot of chatter during 11-on-11 sessions between the Raiders offense and defense as Monday marked the final practice of training camp before pads get put on. 

Maxx Crosby and the rest of the Raiders defense will look to keep the upper-hand, but Offensive Coordinator Luke Getsy is looking forward to being able to go full-speed.

“Now we’re starting to play the game and there’s not this, hold-up because you’re trying to protect your teammates, you get to go play,” Getsy said. 

Michael Mayer believes going against a quality defense helps the offense that much more.

“When you have pads on, it benefits us tremendously, it’s one of the best defenses we’re going to see all year long. Having [Maxx] Crosby flying around, Malcolm [Koonce], Divine [Diablo], [Robert Spillane], Tyree [Wilson], it’s a really, really fast defense,” Mayer said.

”It’s fun to go against, but it’s really, really hard to go against.”

Defensive dominance

Crosby dominated practice Monday, finding himself in the backfield quite often during 11-on-11 sessions.

Neither quarterback has really been able to seperate themselves, partly due to the constant pressure by the defense. 

For example, Gardner Minshew made a long completion to Tre Tucker during 11-on-11, but the play was immediately negated because Crosby put both his hands on Minshew before the throw, meaning it likely would’ve been a sack.

“In camp, your main goal is to beat the people across from you, whether it’s your teammates or another team,” Nate Hobbs said.

Hobbs had a productive day Monday, as he had three pass deflections during 11-on-11, but he and the rest of the defense are not satisfied with the results.

“We don’t need that, I don’t need that. I dropped a pick across the middle and that’s a game changing play not only for me, but for us as a team. We’re not happy with flexing pass breakups, I know I speak for the defense when I say that.”

Surprises at RB and QB

Rookie running back Dylan Laube has had a productive camp, he broke off a couple of nice runs during 11-on-11.

Before practice Getsy spoke very highly of Laube, highlighting the 2024 sixth round pick’s feel for the game, “spatial awareness” and “quick understanding of the offense.”

Head coach Antonio Pierce told reporters Friday how excited he is to see what Laube can do when the pads come on.

”He surprises you with his speed, he’s really good with the ball after the catch, even when he’s running the football. He’s going to be a difficult matchup I would say, it’s already showed up in practice, it’ll be better when we get the pads on.”

While all eyes are on the battle for the starting quarterback position between Aidan O’Connell and Gardner Minshew, but Anthony Brown, who has mostly taken snaps as the third string QB, has had a productive camp thus far. 

During an 11-on-11 session, Brown had a nice completion to Jeff Foreman along the sideline.

Jack Jones at Kicker?

Since NFL implied new rules for kickoffs for the upcoming season, the Raiders have been experimenting with different players kicking the ball off the tee.

Jack Jones, Tommy Eichenberg Luke Masterson and Phalen Sanford have each took turns booting the ball off the tee. 

Jones had multiple kicks with a decent amount of distance and air-time, which could be something to keep an eye on.

Injury updates / Roster moves

Cornerback Brandon Facyson and wide receiver Tulu Griffin did not suit up for practice Monday, as Griffin missed his second consecutive practice. Defensive tackle John Jenkins did not suit up for practice Monday and has not practiced yet.

Offensive linemen Kolton Miller and Jackson Powers-Johnson and wide receiver Jalen Guyton remain on the Physically Unable to Perform list. 

Following practice Monday, the Raiders waived LB Darien Butler due to a failed physical and signed WR Terrell Bynum, who spent time with the Chargers last season and joined but was waived by the Colts in May.