Raiders notes: It’s been a notable last couple of days for the Las Vegas Raiders. Their leader and star quarterback recently spoke and had some interesting comments. ESPN, for their part, has Las Vegas taking a defensive tackle next April. In some positive news, a rising star within the Raiders organization is garnering attention.
Raiders notes: Derek Carr said what?
Speaking to the media regarding the American Century celebrity golf tournament, Carr dropped some tidbits regarding his team. Essentially, No. 4 believes that the Raiders are flying under the radar or as he put it, “no one is talking about us.” On top of that, Carr said that this team has “a chip on its shoulder.”
It’s an interesting observation from Carr, to say the least. Being a player inside the locker room, it’s possible he’s blocking out all the noise. That’s certainly a good thing, but obviously, Carr doesn’t watch much of the NFL Network or ESPN. If he did, he’d know that the Raiders are quickly becoming everyone’s darlings. Who can blame them following the huge offseason that has preceded the Silver and Black? Bringing in Davante Adams and Chandler Jones has shed a spotlight on the Raiders, and whether Carr is saying it publicly or not, expectations are high following a playoff appearance in 2021.
The Raiders revisit Clemson in a recent NFL mock draft
One of the glaring holes that the Raiders have yet to address is at defensive tackle. The outside is set for the defensive line thanks to having two of the best pass rushers in Maxx Crosby and Chandler Jones. Nevertheless, the interior remains a weakness. That’s mostly due to the fact that none of the team’s interior linemen brings enough pass rush. ESPN’s Matt Miller has one possible solution in Clemson’s Bryan Bresee.
“Bresee is returning from a torn left ACL suffered last September, but the flashes he has shown and his pedigree as a former top recruit should have scouts excited. He had four sacks and a forced fumble as a freshman in 2020. A return to form could push Bresee all the way into the top 10, though he has to prove he can return to his stellar level of play.”
Before the Raiders can get to next April’s NFL Draft, they’ll be banking on Vernon Butler, Bilal Nichols, and Andrew Billings. Unless one of the current defensive tackles has a significant impact, the position will likely remain a major need next season.
The prodigal son returns to the Silver and Black
Marcel Reece was one of the key contributors on a Raiders team that struggled mightily during his playing career. Having played for the Raiders from 2009 through 2015, the team never came close to a playoff appearance in that time. A period commonly known as the “dark age.” However, Reece’s contributions are well-respected among fans and the organization itself. The three-time Pro Bowler has been an advisor to owner Mark Davis since 2020.
In an offseason that’s been marred by controversy and scandal with regard to a New York Times expose, Reece has been a positive note. He was promoted to senior vice president and chief of staff for the Raiders. Furthermore, Reece was recently spotlighted in a piece by The Athletic where he was named one of the NFL’s top executives under the age of 40. Reece has been an ambassador for the brand for quite some time now, and the future certainly looks bright for him. As he continues to rise through the ranks and gain more power, are we looking at the next team president?
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*Top Photo: Jeff Bottari/Associated Press