MODS PLEASE LOCK

[raider5]

 

[The_Isomotion31]

Patiently waiting for Khalil Mack news.

 

[Kingof402]

Bryant suspension looming..... this team this city can't catch a damn break man. Let's hope it's a error and all is good. We need him. Amari especially needs him

 

[Johnny_Cakes]

Pre-snap action, impressive rookie defensive linemen and more from Raiders minicamp

By Ted Nguyen 7h ago

3

In minicamp, teams are still in the formative stages. This is especially true of the Raiders, who are learning offensive and defensive systems. What we saw after watching three days of minicamp was far from a finished product, but there was a lot to learn about the general direction of the team in its last work before training camp.

Pre-snap procedures
One thing quite clear from OTAs and minicamp is that the pre-snap phase of the game is a huge focus in Jon Gruden’s offense. Shifts and motions are a given — there is one on nearly every snap. Pre-snap movement is just intertwined in West Coast philosophy.

What is interesting is how much focus there is on audibles, pre-snap adjustments, and the gamesmanship that goes with it. Even when the quarterbacks are just taking snaps before practice, they rehearse audibles and dummy calls. It’s clearly a theme and could be tough on defenses, but it could also be tough on young offensive players.

Gruden said he has been impressed with how first-round pick Kolton Miller has handled all of it.

“What we are doing with him right now, with all the audibles, all the check-with-me’s, all the different speeds that we’re playing with, it’s taxing on a young guy,” Gruden said of the tackle. “He’s done a hell of a job for us.”

Gruden seems happy with how Derek Carr and the rest of the offensive players are absorbing his pre-snap system, but they’ve likely only touched the tip of the iceberg. I believe it’ll be a big part of how Gruden wants to gain an advantage over defenses, similar to what Sean McVay — his former assistant in Tampa Bay — did with the Rams last year.

Raiders offensive coordinator Greg Olson was McVay’s quarterback coach last year, helping run the No. 1 scoring offense in the league.

The Rams often hurried up to the line of scrimmage so that McVay could see how the defense lined up to make a more informed play call. He could do this as long as he got the call in quickly — before the play clock winds down to 15, which is when the quarterback’s helmet communication shuts down. If defenses tried to disguise their defense before the play clock hit 15, the Rams had an answer for that as well.

Bruce Arians, who faced McVay’s offense twice last year as the Cardinals coach said, “When they just go up there and then don’t snap it right away, you say, well, we’ll hold our disguise … and then they snap it (quickly), and you’d better be able to play defense out of your disguise. I think it’s really smart coaching.”

I believe the Raiders are working so hard on audibles and pre-snap communication so Carr can implement a similar system. Carr is more experienced than Rams quarterback Jared Goff, so not only can he get an audible from Gruden before the headset turns off, he can call his own audible if the defense shifts into another defense.

Rookie defensive line impresses
The Raiders drafted three high-risk/high-reward pass rushers in P.J. Hall, Arden Key and Mo Hurst in this year’s draft. Though Hall, who is coming from a small school (Sam Houston State), is a bit of project, Hurst and Key were considered to be first-round talents. Hurst has a heart issue and Key had some off-field problems — however, when they are healthy and on the field, it’s very evident that these guys have some talent.

“When you’ve been in it long enough, you kind of know, even in shorts, what it’s supposed to look like and I think both those young guys are really coming along,” defensive coordinator Paul Guenther said last week. “We got three guys out of this draft that will really help us.”

In the first day of minicamp, all three of the rookies were part of the second-team line and had reps against the starting offense (without Donald Penn). The defense has the advantage in unpadded practices and they were producing a lot of pressure and making life uncomfortable for the Raiders quarterbacks.

Aside from rushing the passer, Hurst also made an extremely impressive mental play by sniffing out a screen, hugging the running back, and forcing Carr to throw the ball in the dirt.

All-Pro guard Kelechi Osemele had some high praise for Hurst after practice on Wednesday.

“Mo is looking really good, man,” Osemele said. “I’m really impressed with him. We definitely got a steal with him.”

Hurst will be battling with Mario Edwards Jr. for the starting defensive tackle spot next to Justin Ellis. Eddie Vanderdoes has to get healthy after tearing his ACL in the season finale last year before he can seriously get into this competition.

Key has also really flashed in camp. His speed and explosiveness off the edge are noticeable. Though Key won’t really be a contender for a starting position early in the season, if he continues to keep his head on straight he could make an impact as a pass rush specialist.

Skinny post
A big part of the modern West Coast offense run by McVay and Kyle Shanahan is the play-action shot play to a speedster running a skinny post.

It can be run out of multiple formations, but the key elements are a hard play action by the quarterback and a speedster running deep down the middle of the defense. In LA, McVay had Sammy Watkins to run the post, while Shanahan had Marquise Goodwin to run it for the 49ers. Presumably, Gruden will run a very similar offense and use a similar concept.

Pending a possible suspension, Martavis Bryant seems to be pegged to take that role with the Raiders. He got behind the defense on multiple occasions in camp. If Bryant is suspended to start the season, the Raiders could have Amari Cooper take this role, but he doesn’t have Bryant’s blazing straight-line speed.

Though Carr had a strong camp and threw some dimes, he struggled to connect on this route. He is adept at throwing bullets on intermediate posts, but he missed on the deep post more than a few times. The Raiders didn’t ask him to make a lot of these kinds of throws in the past, but when he did he seemed to put too much air underneath the ball or struggle with proper placement. This is a throw that he and his receivers have to work on before training camp.

Rising players
It’s early — really early. But rising players have to begin their ascent somewhere. Here are a couple of players that caught my eye at camp:

WR/KR Ryan Switzer: I liked Switzer as a prospect a lot coming out of North Carolina last year. I was surprised he didn’t produce more with the Cowboys, but they have Cole Beasley, who plays the same position. After not getting many reps during OTAs, Switzer got a lot of work during minicamp with the first team playing in the slot.

His route-running ability and quickness were on full display and he consistently got open. On the second day of camp, Carr hit him for a touchdown on what looked like a juke route, which is an option route, down the middle of the defense. Switzer broke inside, got to his landmark, gave a shoulder-fake back outside, before sprinting inside. He lost the defense, caught the ball in stride, and burst towards the end zone.

When Gruden was asked who stood out at camp, the first name he brought up was Switzer. Though Switzer didn’t get a lot of opportunities with the Cowboys, it looks like he’s going to be in a much better situation to carve out a role offensively especially with the attention that Cooper and Jordy Nelson will get on the outside.

“That’s what makes that middle of the field so deadly is when you’ve got outside receivers that could put pressure on not just corners but safeties,” Switzer said. “That leaves me to deal with nickels and linebackers. … I think it’ll be special for me here.”

OT David Sharpe: Sharpe was stuck in no-man’s land during OTAs and camp. He’s rotating in and out with Miller on the first and second teams at left tackle while Penn is still recovering from his foot injury. Sharpe doesn’t have a shot to start over Penn, and Miller is the left tackle of the future.

It’s hard to evaluate offensive linemen without any pads on, but Sharpe has flashed. On a pass set during camp, he pancaked defensive end Tank Carradine. Carradine tried to speed rush him, but Sharpe hit him with a perfectly placed strike with both hands and drove him to the ground.

Again, we’ll be able to tell a lot more about Sharpe and the rest of the young offensive linemen when the pads come on in training camp, but offensive line coach Tom Cable said he likes what he has seen from Sharpe so far.

Cable talked about how Sharpe had some struggles with learning how to be “uncomfortable” and admitted that Sharpe has to lose some weight, but spoke very highly about his potential.

“I’m really excited about David Sharpe,” Cable said Thursday. “You look at this guy and think, ‘My god, there’s a right tackle that might play in the league for 10 years if he ever captures it.'”

Cable is actually the second coach I’ve heard give Sharpe high praise. The other coach thought that Sharpe had Pro Bowl potential at left tackle if he kept maturing. What’s interesting is that Cable spoke about Sharpe as a right tackle even though Sharpe has primarily been getting reps on the left side.

With the right tackle position being such a big question mark for the Raiders right now, putting Sharpe in the competition there could pay dividends. If Penn is healthy for training camp, that might just be what happens.

— Reported from Alameda

 

[ThePeoplesChamp_]

This could be a top 5 offense this year. Everything I’ve been hearing has been all positive.



Ended up with season tickets this year. Section 126 this year

 

[mr jordan04]

What did Bryant do to warrant a suspension?

 

[The_Isomotion31]

What did Bryant do to warrant a suspension?

Sign the contract.... LOL. I'm not too sure myself.

 

[raider5]

breathing that Oakland air got him

 

[Johnny_Cakes]

Raiders Film Room: Principles and lessons from Jon Gruden’s 1998 playbook

By Ted Nguyen Jul 5, 2018

5

During the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine, Raiders coach Jon Gruden was asked about how he would use analytics. He said — with a tinge of humor — “I am trying to throw the game back to 1998.” Little did he know how much that quip would be taken out of context for next couple of months.

Critics used that quote as proof that the game had passed Gruden by and that his methods and offense would be archaic. But if you’ve listened to him on broadcasts or watched Gruden’s “QB Camp” on ESPN throughout the years, it’s clear that, as much as possible, he has been taking in everything that he’s been learning about the latest trends in offense strategy.

I’d imagine that his new offense will be a hybrid of the West Coast offense that he ran and spread principles that he studied throughout the years. Presumably, Gruden’s playbook has evolved into something totally different from the one he had in 1998.

However, there are principles taught to him by mentors like Bill Walsh or developed during his time in the league that will always be part of his coaching DNA. For more insight on some of the concepts and philosophies that he’ll likely bring with him into 2018 and he which ones he might not, I looked into his playbook from 1998, which you can easily find with a Google search.

Multiple formations
Why does Gruden like veteran players? Because he’s a high-volume offensive coordinator. He’s not a coach who will dumb things down for his players to learn or play faster. He wants to put pressure on defenses to adjust and he wants players who can handle the volume of formations, shifts, motions, and concepts that he wants to implement.

The last line in this section tells you how Gruden wants to use formations. His idea of mental warfare is to “attack” defenses by not allowing them to comfortably line up against the same or similar formations play after play. It’ll be up to the players to study and learn the volume that Gruden wants to install in Year 1.

On the final day of minicamp, the Raiders had a walkthrough that he used as a “quiz” day. So far, he seems pleased with how much of the offense that the team has picked up.

Shifts
A shift is when multiple players change positions to alter the formation before the snap. They have to get set and cannot be in motion when the ball is snapped. Here are Gruden’s rules for shifts.

Shifts are part of every offense, but they were and will be a huge emphasis for Gruden. In another part of his playbook, he wrote, “We want our backs to shift on every play when they are in a 2 (tw0) back set.” Going back and watching the film from that season, the Raiders didn’t shift every time they were in a two-back set, but they used a shift or motion on every single play.

This is a stark difference from the Raiders offense the last few years. Even when Bill Musgrave was calling plays, they didn’t use a lot of motions or shifts because they were focused on tempo.

This was an extreme example of how Gruden used shifts to create an advantage. On the play, he had receivers Tim Brown and James Jett in the backfield. Both shifted towards the right of the formation, which captured the attention of the defense.

Tight end Rickey Dudley and fullback Jon Ritchie shifted to the left and outflanked the defense for an easy completion on fourth-and-3.

The Raiders used a lot of pre-snap movement in minicamp, so expect this part of the Raiders offense to carry on in 2018.

Wide receivers on the move
Before Jerry Rice signed with the Raiders, in 2001 Brown was unquestionably the Raiders’ top target. To keep defenses from being able to key on Brown and double him, Gruden motioned Brown a lot. By keeping Brown on the move, defenses had to constantly adjust how they would play him.

Here is the diagram of the play from Gruden’s playbook:

It’s a simple play-action concept with the Z receiver (Brown) running a deep cross. The only difference is that the diagram didn’t include Brown motioning across the formation.

The diagram also has the deep post as the No. 1 option, but quarterback Rich Gannon didn’t even look at the deep post. This wasn’t uncommon for teams running the West Coast offense because the deep post was just used as a clear-out route for the crosser. However, in recent years, there has been a much bigger emphasis on hitting the deep post on play-action concepts.

In the last couple of years, Kyle Shanahan and Sean McVay have made a living on hitting the deep post on play-action shot plays.

This season, Amari Cooper could be the Z receiver in motion running the crosser and Martavis Bryant or Jordy Nelson could run the deep post.

Running backs in the passing game
Utilizing running backs in the passing game isn’t a revolutionary idea. However, not every team does it creatively, effectively and consistently. Merely throwing screens or checkdowns to running backs doesn’t take full advantage the athletic mismatch that running backs have over linebackers.

Walsh’s offense helped Roger Craig become the first 1,000-1,000 running back — gaining 1,000 rushing and also 1,000 receiving yards in the same season. Charlie Garner had 962 yards rushing and 941 yards receiving under Bill Callahan (using Gruden’s system, aften Gruden left the team for Tampa Bay) in 2002 with the Raiders.

Garner didn’t just get all those receiving yards as checkdown options. There were plays in Gruden’s playbook that had the back as part of the primary or second read and even as a deep “alert” option such as this one:

On this play, the back is supposed to motion towards the outside before running a deep route as the alert option. An alert option is typically a deep route that the quarterback can throw if he likes what he sees based on how the defense lines up pre-snap. The quarterback can also take a quick glance at the alert route after the snap to see if he likes what he sees.

In the diagrammed play, the quarterback would probably be looking for man coverage and an ideal matchup with the running back to throw the alert.

the scissors concept out the backfield he pulled in the divisional rounds last year is one of the favorite calls by him pic.twitter.com/DMSHgme1fK

— charles mcdonald (lakers 0-0) (@FourVerts) December 11, 2017

Here, Shanahan used a similar concept with the Falcons in 2016 with the running back going on a corner route from the backfield. The cornerback to the left didn’t expect a deep route from the backfield and followed the receiver inside, which left the back wide open for a touchdown.

Jalen Richard or DeAndre Washington could really create a niche in this offense if either shows Gruden that he can run routes and catch passes with consistency in training camp. If the Raiders can find a true receiving threat out of the backfield, it’ll add another dimension to this offense.

Audibles
The biggest philosophical change that Gruden has made over the years involves his views on how to use audibles.

Below are his 1998 procedures and rules with audibles:

Under point No. 5, Gruden states, “Philosophy is NOT to audible unless necessary.” The Raiders didn’t audible much when Gruden was calling plays and Gannon was under center (after Gannon arrived in 1999). Gannon only did so when it was necessary as the system dictates.

If this year’s OTAs and minicamp were any indications of what the Raiders want to do this coming season, audibles are going to be a huge part of how the Raiders want to attack defenses. During the Raiders’ first OTA, Gruden proudly noted, “We changed plays like 30 times today,”.

Having the ability to call a big part of the offense from the line of scrimmage and getting into the most advantageous play based on the pre-snap alignment of the defense will be a big part of how the Raiders will attack defenses in 2018.

Coaches like Shanahan and McVay have made innovations to the West Coast offense, but they still adhere to the principles that Gruden included in his 1998 playbook, which were passed on to him by Walsh. So it’s not necessarily a bad thing that Gruden wants to “throw the game back to 1998.” Shanahan and McVay’s recent success with the Falcons, ********, 49ers, and Rams are proof that these principles are still effective in today’s NFL.

 

[ThePeoplesChamp_]

Thanks for posting this

 

[Kingof402]

Sounds like Bowman will be back with us. I think we need him. It will be nice to finally have some depth in the LB core. We are filling alot of our gaping holes on the roster. We should be very competitive at the very least this year

 

[raider5]

Sounds like Bowman will be back with us. I think we need him. It will be nice to finally have some depth in the LB core. We are filling alot of our gaping holes on the roster. We should be very competitive at the very least this year

Where you see that at?

 

[Kingof402]

A few bloggers. Nobody all that credible but seems all arrows are pointing that way

 

[Kingof402]

Their saying once Mack gets his later this week or so to look for bowman to be signed right after.

 

[ThePeoplesChamp_]

They need to Pay Khalil already.

 

[Kingof402]

Mack will get his before camp. he and Carr are the franchise we have no choice but to throw him the bag

 

[ThePeoplesChamp_]

Greg Papa out and Brent Musburger in

 

[raider5]

Greg Papa out and Brent Musburger in

Is that official for this year or after they go to Vegas?

Edit: I didn’t even process the second half of what you said. Brent Musburger?! Forreal?! He’s like 100 years old

 

[ThePeoplesChamp_]

http://awfulannouncing.com/local-ne...th.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

 

[willie mcfly22]

Dawg WTF?! Papa out?! What kinda dumb ish is that?? SMH...really can’t wait to see what Papa gonna say about it...

 

[sohi 23]

Papa not doing the games is a crime. But to replace him with Musberger?!?! That's just not right

 

[albooboo]

It was rumored in May that Papa would be interested in becoming the 49ers announcer. After the Raiders move to Vegas.

 

[ThePeoplesChamp_]

Wow I’m really disappointed

 

[willie mcfly22]

It’s gonna b really hard to rep this team when they leave. Mark really don’t care...

 

[njavier03]

It’s gonna b really hard to rep this team when they leave. Mark really don’t care...

naw bro, i'll always be a Raider fan. we've been trash for so long, it can't get much worse. i care about the players and the jersey. idgaf about Mark's degenerate ***. bringing Gruden back got me feeling nostalgic.