FS Charles Woodson during 2013 Organized Team Activities. Photo by Tony Gonzales
The Oakland Raiders begin Organized Team Activities (OTAs) Tuesday morning. It is the first of three weeks of OTAs followed by a mandatory mini-camp.
OTAs are the first offseason opportunity for the players to don helmets and for the offense to face off with the defense. OTAs are non-contact sessions, but the team can conduct 7-on-7, 9-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills.
Things to Watch:
1) This is the rookies' first opportunity to line up across from veterans. LB Khalil Mack and G Gabe Jackson will be interesting to watch as they face veterans on each side of the line.
2) QB Matt Schaub will work with his receivers against veteran corners and safeties.
3) SS Tyvon Branch hasn't played against an offense since his injury in Week 2 of the regular season. Look for the veteran to get his football legs back during the OTAs.
4) CB DJ Hayden dealt with various setbacks his rookie season. The first week of OTAs marks his first football since November of 2013.
5) Wide receiver competition – newly acquired veteran WR Greg Little will look to gel with the offense, WRs James Jones, Rod Streater, Denarius Moore, and Andre Holmes have an opportunity to find chemistry with Schaub and the other quarterbacks, and the undrafted rookie free agents get one of their first real opportunities to put together good film.
6) RBs Darren McFadden and Maurice Jones-Drew get the chance to show what they can bring to 2014.
Raiders.com will have you covered with tweets from the field, press conference video and transcripts, photo galleries and more.
