I'm sure the Mall of America is a madhouse during the holiday season, but the amount of people roaming the catwalks today has got to give that time period a run for its money.
The Super Bowl – and everything it entails – has officially arrived in Minneapolis, and although we're still a few days out from the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles taking the field, things are approaching a fever pitch here in the Bold North.
It seems like everyone from the NFL is here in Minnesota, including our old friend, running back Maurice Jones-Drew who spent some time talking with Raiders.com about not just the addition of Quarterbacks Coach Brian Callahan – who he played with at De La Salle High School – but his evaluation of the Raiders roster as a whole.
"You need linebackers, and I know NaVorro Bowman is there, and he did a really good job last year, but you need some younger, more athletic guys, in this league now with all the passing and things like that," explained Jones-Drew. "You have to attack the defensive side early. Tight end is another position you want to look for, because in Gruden's offense, tight ends touch the ball at least 35 percent of the time, so you need a guy that you can rely on that can block, as well as catch the ball out of the backfield."
Over the last few days we've spent a lot of time talking about the offensive side of the football for the Silver and Black, and for good reason.
Jon Gruden is known as an offensive savant, and after joining forces with Derek Carr, there's understandably a lot of excitement surrounding the Raiders offense in 2018.
That being said, we had to give the defensive guys some love, and who better to talk defense with than former NFL safety Solomon Wilcots.
During his conversation with Raiders.com, Wilcots talked about the addition of Defensive Coordinator Paul Guenther to the Raiders coaching staff, as well as the current state of the AFC West.
Today was also an exciting day in Minnesota, as halftime performer Justin Timberlake held his pre-Super Bowl press conference in downtown Minneapolis.
It was, shall we say, an interesting, media session for the pop star.
Other notable people spotted at Radio Row today:
-Television personality Adam Richman
-Buffalo Bills linebacker Lorenzo Alexander
-Hall of Fame running back Emmit Smith
-NFL analyst – and former Philadelphia Eagle – Ron Jaworski
-Hall of Fame quarterback Terry Bradshaw
-Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly
-Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes II
-Former NFL player Terrell Owens
-Former Raider Usama Young
