Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
The Oakland Raiders held a scripted scrimmage on Saturday, just hours before Ray Guy was to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The team was back in pads, but it was not a ‘live’ scrimmage. There was contact, just no tackling anyone to the ground, as has been the plan. The Raiders will not do any live tackling against each other at camp, per Dennis Allen. Coach Allen said the scrimmage got sloppy at times, but overall he thought it was a success. The players had family day after practice and a day off on Sunday. They get back at it Monday, with a walk thru in the morning and practice at 3pm.
INJURIES
The Raiders got a ton of guys back on the field. Back at practice on Saturday was Justin Tuck, Antonio Smith, Greg Little, Juron Criner, and back for his first practice of camp, fresh off the NFI list, was big Stacy McGee. Unfortunately Sio Moore sat out Saturday’s practice with a rib injury. The other five missing practice were two hamstrings, Kaluka Maiava, Marshall McFadden and three PUP lists, DJ Haden, Usama Young and Lucas Nix. No official word yet on DJ Haden’s progress, but JBB Staff writer Shane Schilperoort was in Napa Friday and said DJ was walking without a limp or discomfort. Such a bummer that Usama is still on the shelf after hurting his quad completing the conditioning test.
SCRIMMAGE SUMMARY
The offense and defense traded big plays on Saturday in front of family and friends, plus as many of the Raider Season Ticket Holders they could pack into their Napa practice field. Schaub had an interception dropped by Woodson and saw Rivera not break up an interception by Miles Burris. Juron Criner had a nice leaping grab over a defender. TJ Carrie continues to impress. Ausberry and Rivera both had an up and down day, as they battle for the starting TE gig, which many believe is currently Audberry’s to lose. DMC was finishing rushes with his shoulder in the defenders, something we all like to see, but then also cringe, expecting any one of those to result in an injury. This team is handling their business. Everyone who has been to or a part of the 2014 Training Camp, can see and feel the positive difference in this team. You can call it whatever you want, but I call it a good start. The Raiders open up their preseason slate on Friday against Minnesota.