And just like that, the Oakland Raiders are on to the Detroit Lions.
After their off-day Sunday, the Silver and Black were back on the field Monday morning, but following the day's three-hour, on-field session, Head Coach Jon Gruden and his staff began to look ahead to Tuesday and Wednesday's joint practices with the Lions.
The Raiders haven't held joint practices in training camp since 2014, when the team headed to Southern California for a few days of work with the Dallas Cowboys, but that trend will be bucked when Matt Patricia, Matthew Stafford and Co., descend upon the team's Napa Valley Training Complex tomorrow.
So, as complicated as a regular training camp practice is, does that preparation ratchet up to another level with an additional 90 players, and a complete coaching staff in the mix?
"Well, [Detroit Lions Head Coach] Matt Patricia and I have talked, and we'll talk again tonight, and we'll meet them and their coordinators tonight, and we'll just make sure we'll on all on the same page," said Coach Gruden following Monday's practice. "There's an etiquette and a professionalism that we want to have, number one. We don't want a bunch of screaming, and yelling, and brawling out here. We want to have good, solid, fundamental football, teaching moments, see a different opponent, block some different looks, and get better, and that's the number one thing."
And while there may be a different feel, and obviously, vastly different personnel during Tuesday and Wednesday's practices, you should expect to see a lot of familiar situations from what we've grown accustomed to over the past two weeks.
"You will see similar periods," Coach Gruden acknowledged. "You'll see a two-minute drill. You'll some see third down work. You'll see moving the ball, working on substitutions. You'll see some live goal line; it'll be exciting, but hopefully our players – I know they will – will maintain good professionalism, and we'll get something out of it."
The Raiders have been at training camp for nearly two weeks, and while that time has flown by, Gruden has been pleased by what he's seen from his group.
"We had really good padded sessions last week," Gruden said. "I think we had four in a row that were really good. Players were coming off their day off, and getting their minds back in it. Look at the Lions a little bit this evening, and they'll be rolling in here tomorrow morning, it'll be fun."
Following the pair of joint practices, the Raiders and Lions will open the preseason against one another Friday, August 10, at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Don't look now, but after that, the Silver and Black have just four more practices in Napa before breaking camp, and heading back to 1220 Harbor Bay Parkway.
Injury Report:
No additions or subtractions to the Active/Physically Unable to Perform list, but after being hopeful that Gabe Jackson and Erik Harris would return to the field Monday, Coach Gruden revealed after practice that unfortunately was not the case.
However, he didn't seem overly concerned about either of them missing an extended period of time.
Other Raiders who didn't suit up for Monday's session include: Brandon Parker, Karl Joseph, Gareon Conley, Tevin Mitchell, Marcus Gilchrist, and Karl Joseph.
Notable:
-Prior to the start of Monday's session, the team announced they had signed cornerback Raysean Pringle. The Oakland native – who's wearing No. 43 for the Silver and Black – took the field for his first practice as a Raider, and actually did some nice things, registering a pair of pass breakups during his time in pads… Coach Gruden has stressed the competition at the cornerback position, so let's see what he can do throughout the preseason.
-Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsome was in the house Monday morning to watch practice; just the latest celebrity to take in a Raiders' practice with Jon Gruden back at the helm.
-We all know Martavis Bryant is a speedster, and he showed off those wheels during Monday's practice, effectively leaving a defensive back in the dust during a one-on-one period.
-I think the play of the day goes to Derek Carr, as No. 4 fired an absolutely gorgeous pass to Keon Hatcher, placing the ball where only his guy could get it. Carr seems like he's good for one or two of these "wow" moments per practice, and this play was definitely one that caught my attention.
-Not to be forgotten, Connor Cook showed off his arm a little as well on Monday, firing a strike to Dwayne Harris, who made an impressive slide to haul in the pass.
-Rookie kicker Eddy Piñeiro had another solid day at the office Monday, connecting on five of his six field goal attempts during his allotted field goal period.
-As has been the case recently, the Silver and Black took their pads off with about 40 minutes left in practice, going through the final periods of the day without them.
Quotable:
"I thought we have to do a lot better job, personally. I wasn't happy with that. The defense jumped offsides twice. Pre-snap penalties make me sick, they really do. I'm sick now. I don't feel like eating." -Head Coach Jon Gruden discussing the team's pre-snap penalties during Monday's practice.
The Lighter Side:
The German media outlet ProSieben was in attendance for Monday's practice, decked out in traditional lederhosen as well, and following the day's work, their reporters interviewed James Cowser and Shilique Calhoun.
The gentleman conducting the interview had long, blonde very similar to Cowser, prompting No. 47 to take note and show some solidarity with his blonde, German look-alike.
Good vibes abounded.
Up Next:
Like we said above, the Raiders will practice with the Detroit Lions the next two days, before conducting a Thursday walk thru ahead of Friday's preseason opener.
After that, the Silver and Black will return to Napa for four training camp practices before breaking camp on Thursday, August 16.
