Wide Receiver Cordarrelle Patterson
The Oakland Raiders were back on the field Wednesday afternoon for their second day of Mandatory Mini-Camp.
The Offseason Workout Program wraps up Thursday, but here are five observations from the Silver and Black's Wednesday session.
1. Jared Cook Got His Work In
General Manager Reggie McKenzie made a few splashes this offseason on the offensive side of the ball, perhaps most noticeably with the addition of running back Marshawn Lynch.
While "Beast Mode" may be the newest playmaker at the forefront of the minds of Raiders fans, don't sleep on tight end Jared Cook.
Cook has quietly gone about his business since signing with the team in free agency, and over the past two days, Wednesday in particular, the former Green Bay Packer has looked confident on the field, running strong routes, and showing that he'll be another dynamic weapon for quarterback Derek Carr once the team reports to training camp late next month.
In fact, in addition to the normal work Cook got during the two-and-a-half hour session, No. 87 also spent some one-on-one time with tight ends coach Bobby Johnson working on fighting through coverage to catch passes in tight situations.
2. "DC" goes deep
Derek Carr said during his Tuesday press conference that in 2017 he's hoping to connect on more deep passes with Amari Cooper.
Well, Wednesday, Carr proved true to his word, going deep with precision, spreading the wealth to a variety of receivers, not just "Coop."
On what turned out to be one of Carr's more impressive throws of the afternoon, No. 4 dropped back, and proceeded to drop a dime to wide receiver Seth Roberts who hauled it in, putting a nice move on the cornerback in the process, than scurrying down the right sideline to the open field.
There's likely not a throw on the football field that Carr can't make, and personally, I'll be excited to see if he indeed airs out a little bit more in 2017.
With Marshawn Lynch and Co., taking up residence in the Raiders backfield, Carr will no doubt have the chances to do just that.
3. Shalom Luani Makes Reservations For Six
Rookie safety Shalom Luani has been heralded for his big-hitting ability since the Raiders selected him in the seventh round (No. 221 overall) of this year's NFL Draft, but Wednesday afternoon the former Washington State Cougar showed that he's more than just at thumper in the secondary.
During one of the day's team sessions, Luani made a nice read on a pass, jumped the route, and then galloped towards the end zone after hauling in the pass for what would have been a pick-six in a game situation.
Luani recorded 19 interceptions during his 25 games as a Cougar, so he no doubt has a nose for the football, and he's one of the rookies I'm really excited to see once the pads come on at training camp.
If nothing else, today was a good day at the office for No. 26.
4. Cordarrelle Patterson: Not Just A Return Guy
Throughout the first four years of his career, wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson has been thought of primarily as an asset in the return game.
That's no shot at the former Tennessee Volunteer either, since entering the league in 2013 he's shown to be one of the most dangerous returners in the NFL – his two Pro Bowl selections are proof of just that.
However, by trade, Patterson is a wide receiver, paid to catch the football, and Wednesday he showed that he is indeed adept at doing just that, as he connected with both Carr and quarterback EJ Manuel on a variety of passes throughout the afternoon.
Ask the explosive wideout though, and he's willing to do whatever he needs to do to help the Silver and Black win games on Sundays.
"It's whatever they want me to do," said Patterson. "I'm a guy, you tell me to do something, I'm going to go learn it. Doesn't matter if it's the quarterback position, I want to learn something, whatever the coaches feel like I need to play I'm going to go in and learn it, and do my best at it so I can be out on the football field."
5. Oakland Athletics Pitcher Kendall Graveman Visits
Oakland A's starting pitcher Kendall Graveman is currently on the disabled list nursing a shoulder injury, and with his squad on the road, he spent his Wednesday afternoon watching his adopted favorite team, the Oakland Raiders, go to work.
Originally from Alabama, Graveman attended Mississippi State with current Raiders lineman Gabe Jackson, and is also friendly with linebackers coach Sal Sunseri, who invited him out to watch the Silver and Black's on-field session.
"Growing up in Alabama, I had no NFL team, so being out here in the Bay Area, I kind of took ahold of the Raiders," Graveman said. "I enjoy watching them. It's a good squad, had a good year last year, and am expecting big things this year."
As far as his favorite Raiders, he landed on four: Jackson, wide receiver Amari Cooper, quarterback Derek Carr, and running back Marshawn Lynch.
Not a bad list Kendall, not a bad list at all.
