Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
It’s been two weeks since the Raiders reported to Napa and took their conditioning test to start the 2014 Training Camp. Today the Raiders didn’t don the pads as they got in their last practice before their preseason opener against the Vikings. They will have a walk thru Thursday morning then board a plane to Minnesota. Coach Allen, like the Raider Nation, is eager to see this team take the field and see what we got.
INJURIES
Left Guard Lamar Mady turned an ankle on Tuesday and did not practice on Wednesday. Usama Young, Neiko Thorpe, Keith McGill and Kaluka Maiava were see working on the side with a trainer. Ausberry had surgery Wednesday as planned. All players who started practice, finished.
OFFENSE
No interceptions from Schaub. He connected on a beauty of a bomb with Mychal Rivera. Greg Little had a nice grab in traffic. DMC continues to be the best training camp runner in Raiders history. Only one more day and we get to see this unit in action. Finally.
DEFENSE
All eyes will be on Khalil Mack come Friday vs. the Vikings. Everyone on his team has nothing but praise for him. But he is not into patting his own back or tooting his own horn. He is a football player and wants to show you how good he is, not tell you. Coach Allen said that Chimdi Chekwa has played himself onto the nickel package and that TJ Carrie will also get plenty of work vs. the Vikings.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The final full practice before Friday’s game seemed like a good session for both the Offense and Defense. Head Coach Dennis Allen says everyone healthy will get some snaps on Friday. Marcel Reese and Nick Roach both said on their blogs how the practice was productive and everyone on the team is getting geeked for Friday. I’ve been pleased with the work to date by the team. As everyone else, I’m curious to see how that translates to game action.