Raiders report to 1st day of training camp
This week’s schedule
All practices at Intermountain Healthcare Performance Center, unless noted:
Wednesday — Practice 7:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m
Thursday — Practice 7:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m
Friday — Practice 7:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m
Saturday — Practice 7:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m
Sunday — Off
Quote of the day
Jon Gruden: “We were 8-8 (last year). I think that’s the best of the worst. The worst of the best. We had some good moments. We proved we could compete in the AFC West. We’re a couple plays away from being really good in the AFC West. We proved we can compete on the road. I’m hoping that I can somehow find a way to help our team compete better in our Allegiant Stadium here because it is a spectacular place. … We’ve got a long way to go. And we’re confident that we’re getting better.”
Play of the day
There wasn’t one Tuesday. Check again after the Raiders begin practicing on Wednesday.
Looking ahead
The Raiders will employ a new-look defensive line and secondary in 2021 — along with a revamped offensive line that includes rookie right tackle Alex Leatherwood and third-year center Andre James, among others.
“It’s been a big topic, our offensive line. Never want to lose good players,” Gruden said, subtly acknowledging the departures of Raiders stalwarts Rodney Hudson, Gabe Jackson and Trent Brown. “We lost some good players and the salary cap went down this year for the first time, I believe, ever. There were some financial decisions we had to make.”
Gruden called James an “emerging” player and spoke to the importance of signing left tackle Kolton Miller to a contract extension: “You see some of these young left tackles, what they’ve extended their contracts for, it’s astonshing. It’s big money.”
Fun fodder
Raiders second-year wideout Henry Ruggs is the second-fastest receiver in the NFL, according to EA Sports, anyways. Ruggs received a 98 speed rating in the Madden NFL 22 video game, second to only Chiefs star Tyreek Hill, who garnered a 99, which is the best possible rating.
Marquise Brown (Baltimore Ravens), Mecole Hardman (Kansas City Chiefs), Jaylen Waddle (Miami Dolphins) and Anthony Schwartz (Cleveland Browns) all have the third-fastest speed rating at 97.
Fellow Las Vegas wide receiver Rico Gafford received a 96 to earn a place in the top 10.
