Aparte del duo de Jordy Nelson y Amari Cooper, el grupo de receptores solo ha visto la contribución de unos cuantos, pero Gruden quiere más. Martavis Bryant tiene todas las cualidades para ser una amenaza en la ofensiva, segun comentó Gruden, pero las migrañas han propiciado que no participe en varios días de practica. Bryant no ha sido el único jugador en perder días de practica. Su compañero Seth Roberts tampoco ha podido participar en las practicas desde hace poco más de una semana.
"Seth Roberts ha estado inactivo desde hace nueve o diez días," dijo Gruden el lunes. "Martavis ha estado día a día. Ha sido difícil. Creo que alguien tiene que hilar cuatro o cinco buenas practicas seguidas y demostrar sus habilidades. Hacer algunas jugadas, con y sin el balón."
Mientras que Cooper, Nelson y Bryant se supone que tienen su lugar seguro en el equipo, la competencia detrás de ello ha sido interesante. Griff Whalen y Ryan Switzer tienen habilidades similares, son elusivos, tienen el tamaño y la velocidad. Whalen y Switzer han atrapado un pase de anotación cada uno en lo que va de la pretemporada y ambos han demostrado su aportación en los equipos especiales.
"Un par de ellos son nuevos y están peleando por un lugar," dijo Derek Carr en relación a la competencia que hay en el grupo de receptores. "Un par de ellos han estado lesionados. Por ello creo que todos estamos ansiosos de ver que sucede. Creo que todos están recuperados. Ya veremos. Creo que mentalmente y fisicamente están listos. Espero que en el partido podamos evaluarlos porque obvimente es importante. Cuando tienes jugadores como Martavis [Bryant] o [Amari Cooper] Coop o Jordy [Nelson] en los extremos y tienes ha Jared [Cook] como ala cerrada, esperas que alguien tenga un buen duelo del otro lado en el slot o donde sea que se formen. Tenemos que definir eso y será divertido."
Carr expuso un buen punto; entre el trio de Nelson, Cooper y Bryant, los Raiders podrán propiciar duelos irregulares durante la temporada y quien sea que termine con ese puesto en el equipo se verá muy beneficiado. La atención que atraerá el trio principal dará la oportunidad a otro receptor, ya sea Jared Cook y quien juegue en el slot.
"La manera en la que está planeado es que todos puedan jugar en cualquier lugar," añadió Carr. "De esa manera Gruden se lo facilita al mariscal. Si ves esto a diferencia de esto otro, busca esto. Y todos tienen que saber que hacer. Sabes donde está el duelo y como ya dije, creo que para Gruden es como entrenar un robot. Construye el sistema de manera tal que todos los jugadores tienen que aprender todo al respecto."
Sorpresivamente el receptor lider de la pretemporada de los Raiders es el corredor Jalen Richard quien ha acumulado 70 yarda en dos partidos y el siguiente jugador con mas yardas es el ala cerrada Paul Butler con 59 yardas.
El equipo tendrá que hacer su recorte final de jugadores el 1 de septiembre, por lo que todavía hay tiempo para que los receptores impresionen a los entrenadores.
Lo titulares jugarán más tiempo en contra de los Packers que en los primeros dos partidos de la pretemporada, sin embargo, aquellos jugadores que están en limbo también tendrán oportunidad de demostrar su talento.
Este viernes los Raiders serán anfitriones de los Green Bay Packers en el Coliseo de Oakland a las 7:30 p.m. PDT. en lo que será el tercer partido de la pretemporada 2018.
Players return to the practice field at Raiders HQ in preparation for their third preseason matchup with the Green Bay Packers.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Tuesday, August 21, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders offensive coordinator Greg Olson and center Rodney Hudson (61) on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Tuesday, August 21, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Martavis Bryant (12) and linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) on the field for a preseason practice, Tuesday, August 21, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Jordy Nelson (82) on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Tuesday, August 21, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders linebackers James Cowser (47) and Marquel Lee (55) on the field for a preseason practice, Tuesday, August 21, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Martavis Bryant (12) on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Tuesday, August 21, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders offensive guard Denver Kirland (79), offensive guard Kelechi Osemele (70), and offensive guard Gabe Jackson (66) on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Tuesday, August 21, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders offensive tackle Kolton Miller (77) and offensive lineman Oday Aboushi (60) on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Tuesday, August 21, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Griff Whalen (13) on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Tuesday, August 21, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders offensive guard Gabe Jackson (66) on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Tuesday, August 21, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Marcell Ateman (88) and offensive coordinator Greg Olson on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Tuesday, August 21, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders players and coaches on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Tuesday, August 21, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Marquel Lee (55) and tight end Pharaoh Brown (81) on the field for a preseason practice, Tuesday, August 21, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders safety Quincy Mauger (43) and safety Marcus Gilchrist (31) on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Tuesday, August 21, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Kyle Wilber (58) on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Tuesday, August 21, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Tuesday, August 21, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Nicholas Morrow (50) on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Tuesday, August 21, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders defensive end James Cowser (47) on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Tuesday, August 21, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Marquel Lee (55) on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Tuesday, August 21, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Frostee Rucker (98) on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Tuesday, August 21, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders tight end Derek Carrier (85) on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Tuesday, August 21, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders fullback Ryan Yurachek (44) on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Tuesday, August 21, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders tight end Lee Smith (86) on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Tuesday, August 21, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders safety Marcus Gilchrist (31) on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Tuesday, August 21, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders defensive end Arden Key (99) on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Tuesday, August 21, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Shilique Calhoun (91) and defensive end Fadol Brown (95) on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Tuesday, August 21, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders head coach Jon Gruden on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Tuesday, August 21, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Kyle Wilber (58) on the field for a preseason practice, Tuesday, August 21, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders tight end Jared Cook (87) on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Tuesday, August 21, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Justin Ellis (78) on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Tuesday, August 21, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Gabe Wright (74) on the field for a preseason practice, Tuesday, August 21, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders fullback Keith Smith (41) on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Tuesday, August 21, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders running back Doug Martin (28) on the field for a preseason practice, Tuesday, August 21, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Tuesday, August 21, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders safety Erik Harris (25) and wide receiver Marcell Ateman (88) on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Tuesday, August 21, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Azeem Victor (57) and tight end Pharaoh Brown (81) on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Tuesday, August 21, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Emmanuel Lamur (54) on the field for a preseason practice, Tuesday, August 21, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Shilique Calhoun (91) and offensive tackle Kolton Miller (77) on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Tuesday, August 21, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Keon Hatcher (14) and cornerback Raysean Pringle (43) on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Tuesday, August 21, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders running back Doug Martin (28) on the field for a preseason practice, Tuesday, August 21, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders cornerback Daryl Worley (36) on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Tuesday, August 21, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders running back Chris Warren III (34) on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Tuesday, August 21, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Jason Cabinda (46) on the field for a preseason practice, Tuesday, August 21, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders defensive end Mario Edwards Jr. (97) and offensive guard Denver Kirland (79) on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Tuesday, August 21, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Connor Cook (18) and running back Chris Warren III (34) on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Tuesday, August 21, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders long snapper Andrew DePaola (48), punter Johnny Townsend (5), and kicker Mike Nugent (6) on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Tuesday, August 21, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders long snapper Andrew DePaola (48) and punter Johnny Townsend (5) on the field for a preseason practice, Tuesday, August 21, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Gabe Wright (74) on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Tuesday, August 21, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders quarterback EJ Manuel (3) on the field for a preseason practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Tuesday, August 21, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders players and coaches on the field for a preseason practice at The Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Tuesday, August 21, 2018, in Alameda, California.
