The Oakland Raiders training camp has transitioned more into the kind of routine that you'll find during the regular season and that is because this is a game week. The Raiders spent the day working on game specific situations like the no-huddle, red zone and goalline drills.
Nick Miller is apparently out. I have no idea for how long. Hue Jackson is not big on disclosing such things. It is going to be worth watching because he is really the only one on the roster with punt returning experience. Jacoby Ford is currently listed as the backup punt returner, but he is out with a broken hand. Denarius Moore is third, and this is the one area in training camp where he has struggled. I think we will get a first-hand opportunity to see how he does in a real game on Thursday. I expect Shaun Bodiford will get a chance to return a punt or two as well.
Jump over for more notes and pictures. The pics come to us from Raiders.com. The notes are from information via the notes of Jerry McDonald and Steve Corkran.
- Michael Bush sounds like he is ready to run past, around and through defenders. He reportedly looked even better on Tuesday than he did on Monday. It is pretty clear that Michael Bush kept himself in great shape during the lockout. Here is what Bush had to say:
- "You just got to want to do good. You just don;t want to come out here and have you guys kill me in the media, so you’ve got to stay in shape and also let your team know that you’ve been working, even though you’ve been sitting out. When it’s time to come and play, we all got to have one common goal, and that’s to win games or get to the championship or the playoffs. So, you’ve got to let them know your ready, too."
- It was just a week ago that the Raiders lost Zach Miller, and things looked bleak at the TE position for the Raiders. Flash forward a week, and things look much better. The Raiders added Kevin Boss and he has wasted no time doing his thing in practice.
Kevin Brock is probably a long shot to make the roster, but he has had a solid camp.
And the best bit of promising news out of Tuesday's practice was the rookie TE David Ausberry had a spectacular day. Check out this tasty one-handed grab:
WR David Hagan needs one of the punt returners to look solid in Nick Miller's absence because he is probably fighting him for a roster spot. He is having a solid camp.
Camp sensation Denarius Moore continues to impress. He had one drop on Tuesday, but he had a few great plays.
Sterling Moore continues to make plays at camp. He is definitely going to be one to watch in the preseason games. He is going to have to make plays in the peseason if he wants to make this team.
- Jacoby Ford and Darren McFadden have not returned to practice, but they are running sprints. They both should be all systems go for the season opener on Monday Night Football vs. Denver. While it would be nice to get Ford some reps in his new role as a focal point of the offense, I am fine with McFadden saving the wear on his body and letting him explode in Week One.
- The passing game continues to make strides. While that is great news for the offense, it is not the best news for the secondary.