Raiders Training Camp: Defense continues to dominate in first practice with pads

COSTA MESA, Calif. — Antonio Pierce set the tone for the fifth day of Raiders training camp before practice even began, as Tuesday marked the first day of practice with pads and full contact.

Pierce was asked what he was expecting during practice and he gave a simple response, “Bang-bang, a lot of clattering, a lot of chatter. Guys are excited, it’s about time…7-on-7 is over, it’s time for real football.”

Quarterback Competition

Pierce gave an update on the quarterback competition saying that things were “status quo,” and he wanted to see someone seperate themselves.

Neither Aidan O’Connell and Gardner Minshew were able to separate themselves from the other during practice Tuesday.

The Raiders primarily focused on the run game during practice, but even when both quarterbacks were given opportunities to throw, neither one was able to get ahead.

“I think our guys are doing a good job, both quarterbacks, of really embracing [competition], but again I’m just going to go back to it, somebody has to separate from the other.”

While the competition is happening behind him, Dylan Parham compared the quarterback competition to when he goes against the defense.

“They’re working their tails off,” said. “They’re pushing each other, they make each other better as well, just like me and Maxx [Crosby].”

Offensive Line vs Defensive Line

The Raiders began the day with the offensive line going against the defensive line, and Pierce predicted the offensive unit would be more motivated partly due to the defense having the upper-hand throughout camp, but also because former Raiders offensive lineman Richie Incognito spoke to the team Monday night.

“It was pretty intense, whatever you think he said, he said,” Pierce said.

Once again though, the Raiders defense got the best of the offense.

Christian Wilkins and Maxx Crosby were very vocal during team sessions, after the offensive line was called for a false start Wilkins could be heard shouting “C’mon O, I’m trying to practice!” While Crosby kept shouting “Don’t get nervous now!” 

Adam Butler had himself a productive day going against the Raiders interior linemen and was not shy about letting them know about it. 

While the defense has continued to be the stronger unit, players on that side of the ball know that the trash talk can bring the best out of the offense.

“As a defense.. we definetly talk a lot of smack-talk so it gets to them and they try to bring it back to us. I love it. We’re making each other better,” Divine Deablo said.

Working on the run game

The Raiders spent most of practice Tuesday working on the run game, where the offensive line did show flashes of what it can do as well as the running backs themselves. 

The offensive line was very excited to ‘get even’ with the defense, if only for a few plays.

“You got Maxx over there, chirping his butt off of course, you got Christian [Wilkins], you got [Butler], you got everyone chirping their tails off, now it’s our turn to chirp too because when we get a big run, now what?,” Thayer Munford said afterwards.

Dylan Laube and Zamir White broke off a few runs during the 11-on-11 sessions. Brock Bowers also received a handoff on an end-around, which surprised many on the defense.

Some players on defense might’ve looked a little rusty when defending the run, but Deablo said it’s partly because they haven’t defended it in half a year.

“If you think about it, we haven’t defended the run since January when we played the Broncos so it’s good to get out here and focus on the run,” Deablo said.

Injury Updates

Munford had a minor injury to his left hand during practice but he said the injury wasn’t anything out of the ordinary and he’ll “be fine.”

While the offense had ups and downs during practice Tuesday, Jackson Powers-Johnson and Kolton Miller missed practice once again.  Jalen Guyton also missed practice and remains on the PUP list.