The Las Vegas Raiders have been rather busy this offseason despite all the restrictions that have been placed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Raiders are in the midst of ushering in a new era at Allegiant Stadium in the 2020 NFL season following the relocation. As a result, it is safe to say their situation is a unique one compared to the precautions that other teams have started to take.
The offseason is usually a time for new players to get accustomed to the system laid out by teams. Fortunately, it appears the Raiders have already gotten a head start.
Newly-signed safety Jeff Heath said during an appearance on SiriusXMNFL that the team plans on sending players iPads that included customized offseason programs:
Interesting comment from new raiders safety Jeff Heath – said the team will be sending iPads to players with video cut-ups with in-person offseason programs currently on hold. I imagine other clubs will be following suit as well.
Teams have relied on one another to find ways to better navigate through the current outbreak in order to help smoothen the process. This is certainly an interesting approach by the Raiders and it seems they will not be the only ones that plan on doing this in order to keep their players on track.
Although a timetable for a return to normal activity has yet to be set, it is clear that the team is still trying to do whatever it can to prepare its players for the 2020 NFL season.
Heath is among the notable new signings that Las Vegas poached from the Dallas Cowboys in free agency after reportedly agreeing to a two-year deal worth up to $8 million. He now joins fellow teammates tight end Jason Witten and defensive tackle Maliek Collins for the move this offseason.
Heath joined the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent prior to the 2013 campaign and eventually etched out an integral role for himself in the secondary. While he enjoyed modest production during the 2019 NFL season with 63 tackles and seven pass defenses, the veteran’s experience should still help to serve as a stabilizing factor for this talented, young secondary.
Of course, this process will be much easier for veterans to sift through given their familiarity with life in the NFL. The Raiders may find a bigger challenge when it comes to assessing an offseason program for their new arrivals in the 2020 NFL Draft.
