QB Derek Carr was a full participant in today's mini-camp practice. Photo by Tony Gonzales/Raiders.com.

The Oakland Raiders took the field on a warm sunny Tuesday for Day 1 of their mandatory three-day mini-camp at the team's Alameda, Calif., facility. Due to the facility upgrades and construction, the route to the field is much different this week. After a brisk walk, here is what I saw today…

QB Derek Carr was a full participant in today's mini-camp. His throwing improved throughout the session and he routinely threw tight spirals with zip. He does need to do some timing and rapport work with his receivers.

Play of the Day

WR Andre Holmes, who apparently now folds for easy storage, contorted his body and adjusted to an underthrown ball and made a nice fingertip grab at the top of the blades of grass along the left sideline. This catch drew oohs, ahs, whoops and hollers from his teammates.

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• I am five inches taller and 15 pounds heavier than Trindon Holliday. That's where the comparison ends. He is infinitely faster and quicker. Holliday's speed and quickness are evident from the moment you see him move.

• Running back George Atkinson III did not participate and WR Brice Butler participated in individual drills.

• Wide receiver Kenbrell Thompkins didn't get the memo on helmets and shorts as he wore his game pants to practice. Maybe he is just ready for the season to start.

• Running backs coach Bernie Parmalee stressed precision as the running backs ran their pass patterns. Definitely a coaching technique to keep an eye on.

• Rookie WR Amari Cooper gets visibly upset when he doesn't catch a pass cleanly. He's very much a perfectionist when it comes to his craft.

• RB Latavius Murray, in case you missed his 90-yard touchdown run against the Kansas City Chiefs last season, is deceptively fast for a man his size.

• The session was spirited as we've come to expect under Head Coach Jack Del Rio, but a play by undrafted free agent rookie running back Michael Dyer got the entire team fired up and the volume level rose significantly.

• Center Rodney Hudson is an imposing figure in the middle of the Raiders offensive line. Large man. I am looking forward to seeing Hudson in game action and performing all the functions of an NFL center.

• Punter Marquette King, who for some reason doesn't wear a red specialists jersey, is in regular season form.

• The tight ends are fast and athletic. I've written about their size, but their speed and athleticism were on display today.

• Wide receiver Rod Streater, coming off a season ending foot injury in Week 3 of last season, looks smooth and fluid running routes and catching.

• Kicker Giorgio Tavecchio doesn't miss. The kicker took reps from the left and right hash at various distances and did not miss a field goal.

Tomorrow, I'll bring you a closer look at what's going on with the defense.