The Las Vegas Raiders began their OTA sessions this week and new head coach Klint Kubiak spoke to the media on Wednesday.
As expected, veteran addition Kirk C0usins was working with the first-team offense Wednesday. Fernando Mendoza, the No. 1 overall draft pick, was working mostly with rookies, which is expected.
Expect Mendoza’s time with the veterans to increase, perhaps in the June mandatory minicamp and certainly in training camp. Kubiak said he has no timeline set for naming a starting quarterback, but he noted training camp will be vital.
As he always has been, Kubiak was complimentary of Mendoza and his work ethic. He said the Heisman Trophy winner “is as advertised.”
Meanwhile, Kubiak delivered an doozy of a quote on super start tight end Brock Bowers, calling him a “football robot from heaven.” I’ve been around coaches talking about players for many year and that is one hell of a quote.
It’s going to be so fun watching Kubiak designed plays for Bowers.
In other Raiders’ OTA news based on reports from the session:
- Rookie cornerback Jermod McCoy was participating in more drills than he was doing at the rookie minicamp two weeks ago. Kubiak said McCoy “is progressing nicely” and the team has a plan to get him prepared for training camp. So, at the moment, things look good for him trying to play this season.
- The Raiders’ offensive line Wednesday was Kolton Miller (left tackle), Spencer Burford (left guard), Tyler Linderbaum (center), Jackson Powers-Johnson (right guard) and DJ Glaze (right tackle). This makes sense in May, but there will be competitions everywhere but left tackle and center with young players Trey Zuhn, Caleb Rogers and Charles Grant all in the mix as well. Zuhn, who is expected to compete at guard, was at right tackle Wednesday. Kubiak said Zuhn was drafted to play multiple positions.
- Taron Johnson was not present. He reportedly is sitting out the voluntary sessions because he wants a contract adjustment.
- The Raiders have not been practicing with their helmet shield. Kubiak said the team will earn the shield as a whole when its ready.
- As expected, star defensive end Maxx Crosby will present but not participating. He is expected to be ready to practice during training camp and Kubiak said he wouldn’t be surprised if Crosby was ahead of schedule.
- Free-agent addition Nakobe Dean wasn’t seen by reporters Wednesday. The reason was unknown. According to reports, in addition to Johnson and Dean, the other players who were not seen Wednesday were kicker Matt Gay defensive tackle Benito Jones and wide receiver Jalen Nailor. The Athletic reported that Dean and Nailor’s absence were family related.
- Linebacker Tommy Eichenberg was working on the side Wednesday.
- Kubiak said the team is not coaching accountability or effort with the rookies because general manager John Spytek and his staff did a good job of getting people.