Answering Your Las Vegas Raiders Questions, Emails

HENDERSON, Nev.--The Las Vegas Raiders are in the midst of training camp, and today, we answer some of the questions and emails from Raider Nation.

The defense has been a weakness for the Raiders for many years. I have been reading that the culture on the Raiders' defense is changing for the better for the first time in a long time. Can you elaborate on this? Who is leading the change? What has changed? Do you expect to see good things this year? --Mike, Ohio

I have a long-for article coming next week on this specific issue. It is a long answer so please stay tuned; it is entitled: Raiders General Manager Ziegler: Architect, Visionary.

Hondo, I keep hearing Youtubers talk about all the scenarios about what could happen with Josh Jacobs. What are your thoughts? --Calvin B.

I am not sure, I am at practice and traveling wherever the team goes. What I know is that I reported months ago that I didn’t expect a long-term deal to get done. I reported MONTHS ago that the Raiders would use the franchise tag. I reported MONTHS ago that the total expectation with no worry is that he will report for game one. There aren’t scenarios if he is going to show up.

I would caution you not to get sucked in on drama. Any drama should not surround Josh’s return. I have told you exactly what would happen throughout.

Hondo, I saw someone saying that Byron Young is the new Brittain Brown. Any thoughts? --Kelly M.

Laughable.

Hondo, I know you don’t want to give your opinion, and when you do, you say it is opinion. Do you know if Brian Hoyer or Aidan O’Connell, in the team’s eyes, is the second-string quarterback? --Ben N.

Brian Hoyer is the Las Vegas Raiders' second-string quarterback this morning.

Hondo, you have repeatedly reported that Josh Jacobs will be back for game one. Do you know when he needs to be back and ready or how the team should handle it? --F.P.

I think it is time for the Raiders to play hardball. Josh will be there for game one, but this isn’t about being there.

They won’t play hardball now, but they need to set a date and say you must be back by this time to be ready. If he doesn’t show up, make it clear he will not play. Even though Josh is going to be in great shape and a great guy, being in shape is not being in football shape.

Jacobs is getting terrible advice, and when this is over, I will have a lot more to say.

Josh doesn’t want to show up and get hurt because he doesn’t have time to get in football shape. His best interest now is to be ready for game one and show the world what he can do for a second year.

The issue is not whether he will be in Denver but whether he will be in top shape and ready to continue what he did last year.

As the market has evolved, the franchise tag of OVER $10 million for one year is fair when you look at what other top-backs got.

Hondo, you said that if Jimmy Garoppolo stays healthy for all 17 games you think the Raiders would win nine. After seeing training camp, do you still feel that way? --Jerry R.

I will be discussing it this next week. Stay tuned.

Hondo, what did you think of Jimmy Garoppolo having to play at Los Angeles to keep his job with Aidan O’Connell playing so well? --Bernard B.

I think that is preposterous and absurd, and not accurate.

Hondo, I am a big Raider fan here in Florida. I read today that the Miami Dolphins wanted Josh Jacobs. Any truth? Would the Raiders trade him? --D. Rhodes

I was told that, “Josh is not available.”

If you have a Las Vegas Raiders question you would like answered, please email us at SpartanNationMail@yahoo.com and put Raiders Q/A in the subject line.

The Silver and Black return to preseason action when they play the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 26, at 8 p.m. EDT/5 p.m. PDT.

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