This offseason has been a big one for the Las Vegas Raiders as not only did they complete the move to the desert, but they also added a number of talented players to the organization in hopes of returning to the postseason for the first time since 2016.
Unfortunately due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic though, the Raiders have had limit work on the field, as well as no preseason, to prepare for their Week 1 matchup against the Carolina Panthers.
With so many new players in the organization, that can make it tough for them to pick up the playbook, although Foster Moreau has been impressed with the young players’ ability to do so.
The Raiders did have a pair of scrimmages at Allegiant Stadium over the last couple of weeks for the starters to get some game-like action and the coaching staff to get a look at the young players.
Raiders head coach Jon Gruden believes those were beneficial for the players and the coaching staff leading up to the season, via Raiders.com:
“This will be a big tape for us to get back to the office and study,” Gruden said regarding today’s practice at Allegiant Stadium. “A lot of situations covered today. We put some backup players with the starters. We put some starters in with the second group to see how they’d react. But to answer your question, this is a time where everything is winding down, so we’re going to have to meet as a staff and make some tough decisions. It’s been a very competitive camp.”
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the league increased practice squads from 10 to 16 players this season. Gruden believes that will be important for the Raiders this season and also important for him and his staff in their evaluations:
“I think it will be important,” Gruden said. “Obviously, as a contingency plan, if God forbid, we do get another case of that COVID in our building. But it helps practices. You have to service each other. You have to emulate the opponent, and to have a number of players that can help us do that will certainly help in our preparation and, like I said, it will also give us a contingency plan if we’re stricken with a bad case of the virus.”
Adding depth was a huge priority of the Raiders’ this offseason, and that could end up being huge for them as they try to navigate this weird season.
