The Raiders kicked off their offseason program this week, with the players returning to the Alameda, Calif., practice facility to officially begin preparing for the 2015 campaign.
The Silver and Black began Phase I of the program, with activities limited to strength and conditioning and physical rehabilitation only.
Head Strength and Conditioning Coach Joe Gomes and his staff have been hard at work the past few days, getting their first chance to work with the Raiders players and implement their strength and nutrition program leading up to the 2015 season.
It's been a busy week here at 1220 Harbor Bay Parkway, so here's what you may have missed from the week that was.
Welcome Back
The Silver and Black re-signed 10 free agents, including restricted free agents WR Rod Streater and P Marquette King.
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"The things that they want to do are things that I'm good at." - QB Derek Carr |
Derek Wants To Go Fast
Derek Carr addressed the media Monday for the first time since the conclusion of the regular season, and the second-year quarterback spoke on a range of topics including his excitement to begin playing in new offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave's up-tempo offense.
"It's something that I'm comfortable doing," said Carr when asked about playing up-tempo. "The things that they want to do are things that I'm good at, and that's really cool."
When Ken Norton, Jr. Speaks, People Listen
"You can sense it as a player that he's [Defensive Coordinator Ken Norton, Jr.] excited and he is a competitor. You almost can feel that intensity that you can feel on the defense when you're out there and it's fourth down and you have a guy out there like that.
Khalil Mack also spoke to the media earlier this week, and in addition to addressing the importance of being able to go through a full offseason program, he spoke about the presence of Defensive Coordinator Ken Norton, Jr.
Football Is Fun
It wasn't all business during Monday's press conferences, as Derek Carr surprised Mack during his media session and posed the question of who was faster between the pair.
The (Preseason) Schedule Is Announced!
The Silver and Black will open up against the St. Louis Rams and also have match-ups with the Minnesota Vikings, Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks on the schedule.
Welcome To The Big Leagues, Sarah Thomas
The NFL made history Wednesday, announcing the hiring of Sarah Thomas, the first full-time female official in league history.
Thomas is part of a nine-person rookie class of officials for 2015.
Art Powell Passes Away
Raider Nation lost a member this week as former Raiders WR Art Powell passed away. Powell spent four seasons with the Silver and Black and is the 8th leading receiver in team history with 254 catches for 4,491 yards and 50 TD catches.
After Powell's passing, former players, members of the media and members of Raider Nation shared memories of the former wide out.
