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2018 Oakland Raiders Training Camp: From A-Z

By Brad Weiss

ALAMEDA, CA - JANUARY 09: Oakland Raiders new head coach Jon Gruden (L) and Raiders owner Mark Davis pose for a photograph during a news conference at Oakland Raiders headquarters on January 9, 2018 in Alameda, California. Jon Gruden has returned to the Oakland Raiders after leaving the team in 2001. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
ALAMEDA, CA - JANUARY 09: Oakland Raiders new head coach Jon Gruden (L) and Raiders owner Mark Davis pose for a photograph during a news conference at Oakland Raiders headquarters on January 9, 2018 in Alameda, California. Jon Gruden has returned to the Oakland Raiders after leaving the team in 2001. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 03: Anfernee Jennings #33 of the Alabama Crimson Tide tackles Johnny Townsend #19 of the Florida Gators in the second quarter during the SEC Championship game at the Georgia Dome on December 3, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 03: Anfernee Jennings #33 of the Alabama Crimson Tide tackles Johnny Townsend #19 of the Florida Gators in the second quarter during the SEC Championship game at the Georgia Dome on December 3, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Townsend replaces Marquette King

One of the biggest characters on the Raiders roster over the last few seasons has been a player who only plays special teams. That man is Marquette King, who while he is a very talented punter, did rub people the wrong way during his time in Oakland.

With the new coaching staff taking over, King was deemed expendable, as he was released after heading over to the facility to meet the new coaches. With King out of the way, the team knew they needed to add a punter, which they did in the sixth round of the 2018 NFL Draft.

The Raiders new punter is Johnny Townsend, who was one of the best punters in college football during his time with the Florida Gators. He led the NCAA in punting average last season, possessing an incredible strong leg, and he should make Raiders fans forget King sooner than later.

King is now punting for the Denver Broncos, so he basically has burned his bridges when it comes to Raider Nation. His act was getting tired for some, and while Townsend may not be a Pro Bowl player right away, he is a quality player, and should do a nice job giving the Raiders good field position in 2018.

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