Oakland Raiders offensive linemen Rodney Hudson and Kelechi Osemele feel Jon Gruden’s tenacity will bring out the best in the team next season.
The week of practice leading into the 2018 Pro Bowl has been very good for the Oakland Raiders participating in the glorified exhibition. Offensive linemen Rodney Hudson and Kelechi Osemele seem to be enjoying themselves, but they can’t wait to get back to work for new head coach Jon Gruden. They can sense a different energy level out of the guy. It’s Friday and this is the Black Hole Roll Call.
Though the Raiders offensive line is the most talented part of the team, it has been paid handsomely and looked sluggish at times. If Hudson and Osemele are all-in on Gruden, then that means good things for the Silver and Black in 2018.
Another Raider that is benefiting from being in Orlando this week is quarterback Derek Carr. It was a down year for him, but he gets to work with other great receivers in the AFC. This should boost his confidence heading into next season. One guy he has supposedly taken a liking to is soon-to-be free agent of the Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jarvis Landry.
Here is some of the best news you might have missed on the Raiders from Thursday.
Kelechi Osemele, Rodney Hudson impressed with Jon Gruden’s energy, detail – Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com
It’s all about energy with Gruden. Hudson and Osemele are two of the best players on the Raiders. Both admitted that the team wasn’t always up to snuff in terms of enthusiasm last year. They feel the Gruden’s amped-up personality will make a huge difference for the team next fall.
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Report: Raiders to make re-signing NaVorro Bowman a ‘priority’ – Jeff Smith of 247 Sports
We better believe that the Raiders will prioritize bringing back inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman in free agency. He might be on the back-nine of his NFL career, but Oakland needs an on-field teacher like Bowman to help rectify the defense in 2018. Re-upping with him is a no-brainer.
Pro Bowl Wide Receivers Offer High Praise For Derek Carr – Kyle Martin of Raiders.com
Across the league, many knew that Carr was better than what he showed in 2018. He was clearly hurt the whole time and had to play on a poorly coached football team. By getting to Orlando, it reminds other great players how good he is and that he does belong with the best in the game today.
Next: Raiders 2018 NFL Draft: 5 mid-round RBs to target
Raiders mailbag: What to make of the Carr-Landry bromance, plus advice for Cooper and mock-draft enthusiasts – Vic Tafur of The Athletic
Carr and Landry could be teammates next season. Oakland may look to move on from wide receiver Michael Crabtree this offseason. Though he’ll be expensive, Landry could look really good in Silver and Black playing opposite of Amari Cooper with the Raiders for years to come.