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'You can't help but to smile': The energy was high for Raiders' first training camp practice

The pads haven't come on yet, a tackle hasn't been made, there are a lot of questions still surrounding this football team – but all that will come in due time. For now, camp is in session for the 2024 Las Vegas Raiders.

Wednesday was the first training camp practice for the Silver and Black, seemingly elated to get back on the field together at Jack Hammett Sports Complex in Costa Mesa, California.

Antonio Pierce said Tuesday he wants his team to "have fun, be physical, enjoy doing it and doing it with one another." Everything seemed to go according to plan during the first practice.

"Getting to go out and play really calms the nerves, kind of puts you at home," Aidan O'Connell said. "Good to get on the field, realize we're still just playing football. I'm still just trying to do the best I can."

"We're away from a lot we're familiar with, spending a lot of time together," the quarterback added. "During the offseason you don't see guys a lot, obviously guys will go their separate ways. So, it's good to get back together and spend some time."

While the Raiders have brought back a lot of key players from their 2023 squad, notable addition Gardner Minshew II is excited to join the mix.

"Building trust, I think that's the big thing we're trying to do right now," Minshew said. "It's been a blast. I love the guys, I love the energy, we've got some great leaders on the team and a lot of expectations. You can't help but to smile out here. I'm just cheesing the whole time. It feels so good, so nice, the sun's shining. Couldn't ask for more right now."

The first days of training camp are always fun with everyone getting back on the field, but make no mistake about it, the work is being put in too. The competition will ramp up as players fighting to earn their spot on the team.

Maxx Crosby still remembers striving to make the roster as a fourth-round pick from Eastern Michigan at his first training camp in 2019. Fast forward six seasons, he's emerged into one the premier edge rushers in the league and the face of the Raiders defense.

Now seeing his young teammates come into camp, he preaches the same principals to them that have propelled him to the next level.

"I tell every single young guy or every guy coming up ... it doesn't stop," Crosby said. "Your energy can't be inconsistent. You can't be up sometimes, down sometimes. You can't operate like that. In this league, there's going to be ups and downs and things like that, but your attitude's got to be consistent across the board and that's what allows you to be free and play at your best."

The Las Vegas Raiders hit the field for the first day of 2024 Training Camp practice.

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