New FSM Feature: Observations From Raiders Mini-Camp

New FSM Feature: Observations From Raiders Mini-Camp

Franchise Sports Media

 

“We try not to measure things in the offseason because it’s really – every day is an opportunity to build on something.” – Josh McDaniels

 

New Las Vegas Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels is just getting started. With this week’s minicamp coming to a close, the Raiders new look to improve as an organization and as a team. First, however, the Raiders needed a new voice, some stability, and a new way.

Enter McDaniels, who not only was selective about which teams he interviewed with but also is looking to show he is a new and improved version of himself as a head coach. The former New England Patriots offensive coordinator and Denver Broncos head coach has a plan laid out for his new team.

“I can’t say enough about our players and what they’ve done. Like I said last week, they’re really responsible for the culture. We try to set a standard of what we’re looking for, but they’re the ones that go out there and do it,” McDaniels told the media. “They’re here every day, they’re here real early, they’re working their butts off doing everything that can to help themselves improve and help the team improve along the way.”

“We try not to measure things in the offseason because it’s really – every day is an opportunity to build on something. We know the terminology, we know the verbiage, we know what our assignments are supposed to be, but I think right now what we’re working toward is consistency and performance,” McDaniels said when asked about how minicamp and OTAs were going so far. “It’s not the physical part of it yet but trying to go out there, and if that’s your assignment, can you do it right once and then twice and then 15 times and then for an entire practice. We’ve had some good plays and some not-so-good plays, and that’s normal for this time of the year.”

One thing is for sure; Josh McDaniels is hell-bent on making sure his Raiders teams are disciplined. On more than one occasion, McDaniels stopped the practice and made the unit who made the mental mistake run a lap or even start doing pushups. So if you expect to see a ton of offsides, late hits, or boneheaded mistakes, don’t expect it. And if you think this will be the team to get away with it like in years past, you will be gravely mistaken.

“I would say they were probably just as responsible for that and wanting to do that because it wasn’t a good period. They know that. I’m not going to be out there cracking a whip on that. I mean, if we’re not doing the right things in a football game, there’s going to be some consequences. And usually, they’re negative,” McDaniels told reporters. “So, I think they understand the whole the concept of that. We don’t play well, we don’t practice well. ultimately that’s going to lead to bad results. So, weren’t having a very good period. It was very sloppy, lack of communication, lacks in detail. And so, just try to get it back, and I thought they rallied a little bit as practice went on, did a better job of communicating and kind of righted themselves offensively, and sometimes that stuff can happen.”

 

You build the team from the inside out, and the Raiders need a couple of young players to step up this year.

 

The Raiders’ offensive line has looked much improved, starting with their new offensive line coach, Carmen Bricillo. The Raiders’ offensive line coach learned from renowned New England Patriots offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia, who may be the best ever to coach that position group, and a lot has rubbed off on Bricillo.

One crucial aspect is he likes his guys to have versatility up and down the offensive line. One of those players is rookie offensive lineman Dylan Parham, who can play guard and even center.

“He’s been really good. You had asked the question before about evaluating guys, and I mean Dylan is definitely one of those guys that I think is important for a striker to be smart, tough, and athletic enough. I mean, it starts with intelligence,” Bricillo observed. “He will play in various positions, right-back, left-back, center to point guard, point guard to tackle, whatever. You have to be smart to be able to do that. Difficult, because it is not an easy job and it is thankless. I mean, it is what it is. And then just do the athletic part. I mean, I’d like to think I’m smart and tough, but I’m definitely not athletic enough to play. But we asked Dylan to do a lot of things, and, like all guys, they keep trying to get better every day.”

Alex Leatherwood was the Raiders’ (surprise) 17th overall selection in the 2020 draft. He was selected to take on the mantle at right tackle, which he did for four games, before being moved inside to guard. The University of Alabama product wasn’t the prospect of the plug-and-play type that the team had expected. However, Leatherwood has worked predominantly with the tackles during minicamp and OTAs. All is not lost, according to Bricillo.

“I think this is a testament to him and what he is. I would say just like the rest of the guys, it’s just a matter of getting to know him, them getting to know me,” Bricillo said. “I mean, it’s definitely a part of it. So in that sense, we’re all working together. But I know, like the rest of the guys, he’s a hard worker. He cares. He has a high standard for himself, just like the other guys, and that’s a good thing.”

 

Davante Adams brings a different tone to the team.

 

When the Raiders traded for Davante Adams, they knew the type of production he would bring on the field. But it is apparent early on that he is also impacting the locker room and the practice field. The way Adams goes about his business from drill to drill or runs his routes in team periods or one-on-ones is like a conductor directing a symphony.

Each release, step, and movement Adams makes has a purpose and is just as important as the next. If he makes a mistake, he stays after practice to correct it, demanding perfection from himself when no one is watching.

Inside the locker room, Adams is a player that brings accountability and post-season experience to the Raiders. He has made big plays in big games against the NFL’s best defensive backs. His teammates know this, and he has already assumed a leadership role in the locker room, which is a great sign of respect.

“It means a lot, man. Honestly, it puts a smile on my face, and it’s something that I mentioned when I’m talking to my loved ones back home that are like, ‘What’s it been like?’ That’s one of the first things I talk about. I’m like, ‘Man, the respect that I got when I walked in the building from the players,’ Adams told reporters during his minicamp press conference. “For sure, I pay attention to the players because sometimes competition comes in the wideout room, and it potentially can take away from some opportunities for other people. And to see the way that they’ve kind of embraced me being here and using me as a resource and just enjoying the company too, it’s been a great feeling.” 

Adams also talked about the type of offense the Raiders will have with him, Hunter Renfrow, and Darren Waller on the field together.

“I mean, this offense has as a ton of potential. We got players all over that have made plays and have done a great job and been doing it for a long time now. But the potential is nothing until you put the work in, and we still got a long way to go. So, we’re climbing right now, doing all the right things and learning a new scheme and all of that,” Adams said. “But it don’t really matter until you go out there and really put it together. Darren (Waller) is a hell of an athlete. We talked about Hunter. We got Josh (Jacobs). We got a lot of running backs too. I’m excited to see what Ameer (Abdullah) does. A lot of guys that can go make plays and give this this offense the potential to explode, but it ain’t going to happen because we just standing out there. So, we got to keep stacking the days and put the work in.” 

 

It’s the beginning, and there still is a long way to go, but it seems the Raiders have bought into McDaniels.

 

“I can’t say enough about our players and what they’ve done. Like I said last week, they’re really responsible for the culture. We try to set a standard of what we’re looking for, but they’re the ones that go out there and do it,” McDaniels said. “They’re here every day, they’re here real early, they’re working their butts off doing everything that can to help themselves improve and help the team improve along the way.”

The players have taken to McDaniels and the new “Raider Way.” They are excited to get to work and continue to stack bricks for what they hope is the beginning of something special.

“You drive in here at 6 a.m.? I’m not s—ting you when I tell you more than half these cars are already here,” said McDaniels. “If I come in at 6, I’m like the 75th person in the building. If I come in at 5, I’m probably the 15th person. And that’s what I’m saying. We wanted that to be the case.”

“But also giving people an opportunity,” McDaniels added. “Bill [Belichick] gave us the opportunity to be ourselves, and to be independent thinkers and to have our own opinion, and he didn’t micromanage that. And that’s one of the best things that I’ve paid attention to the last decade of my life, watching him do it and then feeling like, That’s how you have to do it. … Our Way is Let’s try to do it the best way, and it might not be what we know.”

 

The Raiders have one more round of OTAs June 13th and 14th before they start their first training camp under Josh McDaniels in July.

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-Joe Arrigo– Franchise Sports Media