With the 2017 NFL season quickly approaching, players and coaches will be ramping up their efforts as they prepare to hit the field for real in-game action. There has been plenty of buzz around camps about players impressing their coaches and teammates and it should hopefully translate into an exciting season.
The Oakland Raiders have fully invested in their offense by providing Derek Carr with more weapons on the field. Jared Cook shores up the team’s tight end position and figures to play a key role up front or down field for the Raiders. In an interview with SiriusXM NFL Radio, Cook had high praise for his new quarterback:
"He's the youngest QB with the most potential I've ever seen & he gets it"
– @JaredCook89 on new teammate @derekcarrqb #RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/VR8RMxCMGE
— SiriusXM NFL Radio (@SiriusXMNFL) August 1, 2017
Carr’s MVP-caliber 2016 NFL campaign turned heads around the league and it appears that Cook has been impressed seeing it up close in camp. The veteran tight end adds another facet to an already devastating offense with his ability to catch the long ball or line up as a blocker, giving Carr a useful tool to utilize each week. Wide receivers Amari Cooper, Michael Crabtree, and newly acquired Cordarrelle Patterson should benefit from Cook’s presence and the it would not be surprising to see the Raiders win games by pointing up points in a hurry.
The excitement is overflowing out of Oakland’s training camp and should continue well into the 2017 NFL season. Players like Cook have the opportunity to help the Raiders get back to the postseason and hopefully end their Super Bowl drought. With momentum heading into the year, expect the silver and black to be one of the most electrifying teams in the NFL.