Raiders Training Camp Report: Good, Bad, and Nearly Very Ugly

HENDERSON, Nev.—The Las Vegas Raiders are back at work today here at the team headquarters as they ramp up for their final preseason game of the year in Arizona against the Cardinals.

Our latest episode of the Las Vegas Raiders Insider podcast takes you inside today's practice as we dissect the good, bad, and the very ugly.

Las Vegas Raiders S Isaiah Pola-Mao | Darrell Craig Harris, On SI

You can watch the entire podcast below:

Pete Carroll has handled his first offseason and training camp like a maestro on Broadway, conducting the entire roster to a masterful tone.

His uncanny ability to relate to people, motivate, yet still speak truth is awe-inspiring. Pete Carroll talked about the state of the Raiders, and we have a partial transcript for you below.

Las Vegas Raiders Devin White, Pete Carroll | Darrell Craig Harris, On SI

Head Coach Pete Carroll

Q: You mentioned yesterday that Jackson Powers-Johnson remains in a competition at right guard. Curious your thoughts of his performance last night, but also with Alex Cappa missing about a week now or so in a couple of games, are you getting to that crunch time where you've got to get him out on the field to give him a fair chance to also compete for this job?

Coach Carroll: "Well, we can't do any more than his injury allows, so we've got to wait it out. We’ve got a couple good weeks here, and I know he's feeling way better, but when he gets his chances, we know he's going to have to make the most of them. JPJ [Jackson Powers-Johnson] is getting more comfortable, he continues to be really physical at the spot and he's a strong and powerful guy so he's making progress.

Jordan [Meredith] is really holding on to his spot, I really like him playing there for us. I think it just helps everybody and that's a real positive aspect if your front cover and your center can really communicate, be consistent and be on point all the time. But as soon as Alex is ready to go, he'll be battling again and get jumped back in there. But I don't know when that's going to be."

Las Vegas Raiders CB Darien Porter | Darrell Craig Harris, On SI

Q: I thought Darien Porter Jr. had a really, really impressive rep coverage last night. Anybody that saw that at Iowa State knows that he's capable of that and knows what he can do on special teams. But I guess I was just curious your thoughts on that play. And then also, if he does have a very large role on defense, are you still comfortable with him playing a large role in special teams too?

Coach Carroll: "Yes, for sure, he has to play on teams and all of our DBs have to be involved there. He is really technique-solid, man. He's really picked up on the things that we've asked and emphasized and he looks sweet for his first time around. He just needs more plays, he just needs to be out there and making more hits and tackles and finishing plays off; few and far between for the corners, and you've got to be ready when the moment rises. But he's been really solid now, and I've been really impressed.

What's happened is Kyu Blu [Kelly] really, really made the push now, he's really come on, and he's done a really nice job. Played well again yesterday, and he's aggressive and comfortable and is making things happen. So, he's just making it a great competition for guys. D-Cam [Decamerion Richardson] did a nice job again, played good, solid football. Corners are doing fine, and we just need more opportunities for playmaking. We play a lot of zone, ball's getting inside a lot, Niners threw the football a lot, so those guys weren't able to be as involved. But [Eric] Stokes, he's doing a good job, I really like the development of these guys, and they're going to get better as we move forward."

Las Vegas Raiders RB Ashton Jeanty | Darrell Craig Harris, On SI

Q: As you approach the final preseason game, how many legitimate spots are open going into that last game on your 53-man?

Coach Carroll: "I mean, I don't know the number of that to tell you, but there's no reason to declare anything in a hurry. Let's take in all the information that we can and that gives the guys the best chance to keep battling. And as they battle, they push the guys that are ahead, and we just get better in that. So, we won't make any decisions this week about what's final at all. We're looking at it though. We have a big meeting coming up this afternoon that will take in everything, all the input up to this point.

And then we'll go into this final week with a real thought of guys having to get their opportunities and show what they can do, and hopefully they'll be able to do that. I'm rooting for everybody. I'm cheerleading for everybody that's got a shot here in the end. I want to make sure that we give them a legitimate chance to show that. So, this is an interesting game, because some guys have solidified their positions and others haven't, and so we'll just work our way through it and keep the competition theme going."

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