With the 2021 season upon us, the Las Vegas Raiders officially reported for training camp at the Intermountain Healthcare Performance Center. A long-awaited arrival of new faces, returning players, and sky-high expectations have Sin City buzzing.
The time is now for the Raiders to make the playoffs. With so much work to do before the season opener against Baltimore, the Raiders have their work cut out for them as they prepare for the grind of an NFL season.
Here’s the latest from Raiders training camp so far, Ramble On!
Players arrive…
The Raiders are here. This year’s players are eager to get to work in pursuit of a playoff berth.
Standout left tackle Kolton Miller arrives:
Welcome back, @kolton_miller 😄 pic.twitter.com/aDCXBxGZIK
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) July 27, 2021
The Raider faithful has patiently waited for the start of training camp.
It’s starting here in Las Vegas as @Raiders report to training camp. pic.twitter.com/myypW6G289
— Vincent Bonsignore (@VinnyBonsignore) July 27, 2021
The rest of the roster would follow. The Raiders reported full attendance for training camp, according to head coach Jon Gruden. He also noted that all players made weight. An important distinction thanks to last season’s Trent Brown debacle.
School is back in session 🎒 pic.twitter.com/MiQm9I9oz8
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) July 27, 2021
Jon Gruden speaks
Gruden spoke yesterday from Henderson on the new NFL season. For the first time in over a year, the press pool was on location to field questions about the upcoming season.
Gruden came through with some interesting nuggets about the roster and the future of the Raiders.
Speaking on quarterback Derek Carr:
‘Derek knows what he’s all about and what kind of quarterback he is. … He’s a heck of a guy. He’s a really mentally tough guy. And he’s a really good quarterback that’s really starting to play great for us.‘
Tight end Darren Waller got love from Gruden as well:
‘He’s a complete player. He can block, pass protect. I’ve never been around a guy that is that unselfish, that talented and that versatile and that complete. We got to continue to build around him.‘
The much-maligned Raiders secondary, which is now under the leadership of Gus Bradley, got a confidence boost from Gruden. Gruden talked about Bradley’s infectious leadership, his mark on the team, and his pattern of practice. Big things could be in store for the defense in 2021.
Gruden said he'll "be very upset" if his young secondary isn't "worth the price of admission."
Said Damon Arnette "is a big part of us moving forward. He's as good a corner talent-wise as we have on this team."— Vic Tafur (@VicTafur) July 27, 2021
What’s going on with Damon Arnette?
Even with this vote of confidence, Gruden noted that the safety position was not solved. There are a few guys who can contribute but there will need to be a standout in the unit for the defense to really take off. It’s not just the safety spot that needs some figuring out according to Gruden:
‘…we drafted Arnette in the first round. He was an opening day starter, so he’s a big part of us moving forward… He also had concussion injuries, so he was an incomplete performer for us last year, but he’s as good a corner as we have talent-wise on this team.‘
Gruden noted that Arnette “is an opening day starter for us“.
Gruden on COVID-19 vaccination status:
Jon Gruden says entire coaching staff and all but four or five players are vaccinated. #Raiders
— Vic Tafur (@VicTafur) July 27, 2021
Unfortunately, bad news on the injury front regarding rookie Divine Deablo:
Rookie LB Divine Deablo "tweaked his knee" per Jon Gruden who says he'll be back in the next couple weeks. He's currently on PUP.
— Levi Damien (@LeviDamien) July 27, 2021
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*Top Photo: Chase Steven/Las Vegas Review-Journal