Business as usual as camp nears end
Team has been able to minimize distractions
The Raiders’ first day back at practice Tuesday since their preseason opener went off without a hitch.
Coach Jack Del Rio was pleased with the effort and execution, and Marshawn Lynch remained quiet about his decision to sit for the national anthem, which probably comes as a relief to management attempting to keep the focus on getting ready for the regular-season opener in Tennessee on Sept. 10.
Three things we learned:
1. THE RAIDERS CAN KEEP A LID ON THINGS >> Del Rio didn’t elaborate on his comments from Saturday night, and the Raiders didn’t make either quarterback Derek Carr or defensive end Khalil Mack available to the media to get their thoughts as team leaders on Lynch’s sit-down.
Del Rio said he wasn’t planning on talking to the team as a whole
about letting him know of any potential protest beforehand.
“I think I was pretty clear,” Del Rio said. “If there are any questions I’m always (an) open door, but I lean on our leadership council, I lean on our veterans. I think our squad understands how I feel about it and I don’t feel a need to go further.”
Tight end Jared Cook, however, gave Lynch his full support.
“I’m proud of him. I think it’s awesome that he did it,” Cook told a group of reporters. “Everybody has a voice, especially with what happened in Charlottesville the night before. I think it’s important for men in our profession to step up and speak on unnecessary situations we find ourselves in as young minorities a lot of times.”
Cook, as a member of the St. Louis Rams, was part of a group of players who staged a “hands up, don’t shoot” gesture made during pregame introductions before a 52-0 win over the Raiders in 2014.
At the time, there was rioting in nearby Ferguson after the fatal shooting of Michael Brown, an 18-yearold African-American, by a white police officer.
Asked if he planned any form of protest, Cook said, “I have in the past. As far as the future I don’t know. I feel uneasy about the situation that’s going on in this country and have been for awhile, so as far as it determines my future moves, I’m not sure.”
Cook said Lynch had not discussed his sitdown and said, “I don’t know what he wanted to do by it, but guys like Colin Kaepernick have become my favorite football player because of it.”
Something the Raiders may not realize is if Lynch were indeed to speak up, it would only enhance his standing within the locker room rather than detract from it.
That was the case with Kaepernick and the 49ers, with teammates naming the quarterback their most inspirational player at season’s end. 2. AMARI COOPER IS FINE >> The starting wide receiver had missed six of seven practices and didn’t play against Arizona, but any problems with an undisclosed injury (it’s a knee) appeared to be minor.
Cooper was back at it Tuesday, catching a handful of passes, including a one-handed grab during a drill and a touchdown on a post pattern from Carr from better than 50 yards for a touchdown over Antonio Hamilton.
Cooper and Michael Crabtree both had strong days for the amount of reps they took, although they were often subbed for reserves KJ Brent and Jaydon Mickens.
Safety Obi Melifonwu got back on the field for warmups and a few drills but did little else, and guard/center Jon Feliciano participated in his first full-on practice after being sidelined with a knee injury during organized team activities.
Cornerback Gareon Conley, who in an Instagram post said he had begun running, remained a spectator.
Injuries to guard Dallas Kirkland and safety Keith McGill appear to be more long term. Kirkland had to be helped from the field after a lower leg injury against Arizona, and McGill was spotted on a medical scooter with one foot in a boot.
Del Rio said both would be out the remainder of training camp — which is two days — but will likely be out much longer. 3. NO LINEUP SHAKE-UPS >> There appeared to be no jostling of the coaches’ depth chart based on the Arizona game.
Linebacker Marquel Lee continued to work with the first team after a rough game, and cornerback Sean Smith, who had worked mostly as a dime back against tight ends, got his usual amount of work.
Smith, however, did break up one pass intended for Crabtree in the end zone. Del Rio deflected a question directed at Smith’s struggles and if he had lost confidence.
“I think guys just come out and compete and do the best they can and that’s what we’re looking for,” Del Rio said.
Although the stated plan at the beginning of camp was to alternate EJ Manuel and Connor Cook with the second and third teams, the backup job up to now has belonged exclusively to Manuel.
Cory James, who had a solid game against Arizona, continues to hold off free agent acquisition Jelani Jenkins at weak side linebacker.
• Manuel continued to do his best work passing to the middle of the field and struggled with some throws to the boundaries.
• Running back Elijah Hood practiced after sitting out for the Arizona game.
“It was just a matter of being smart with him,” Del Rio said. “We had pushed him through the week and it just felt it was wise to get him closer to full speed this week.”