Raiderstation

Rookies report to TC on July 23. All others on July 28. Below are dates open to the public.

powski wrote: Mon Jul 27, 2026 8:56 am Bech is someone I have some hope for but my crystal ball is totally clouded.
Hes isnt straight line fast, but he's agile enough, not slow over shorter distances, and his RAS score was fairly high. He has decent hands and route running ability. And a good blocker, physical and good at contested catch.
But until he steps up at this level none of that matters. Last year was a bad spot but he wasnt impressive (or that bad either) in his limited playing time.
I still hope but don't believe it till I see it. It would suck if our round 2 pick is a total bust.

I don't have any read on him other than hope. I know a lot of people have picked up on him having this breakthrough, but to me that could be any one of our WR's or none of them. A lot of our rookie class wasn't able to either be showcased or pop on their own and I don't put a ton of blame on them, first they're rookies and then they were put in that offensive offense.

SkullCrusher wrote: Mon Jul 27, 2026 8:52 am If they were to focus on this I think they can be in that second tier which everyone else was but one season of the Pats. If it proved to be a success perhaps they can grow into that magical year the Pats had.

Yeah, I'm trying hard to curb my enthusiasm because we've had so many years of covering my eyes and just "hoping" things will get better...but this year really seems to have a different feel.

Our win total, though it should certainly be better, still isn't a big deal this year for me. I just wanna see an uptick in the running game, passing game, and much better tackling from our D. If those things all happen this year, I think we will have definitely turned the corner of where we wanna be.

raidersince63 wrote: Mon Jul 27, 2026 9:02 am Yeah, I'm trying hard to curb my enthusiasm because we've had so many years of covering my eyes and just "hoping" things will get better...but this year really seems to have a different feel.

Our win total, though it should certainly better, still isn't a big deal this year for me. I just wanna see even an uptick in the running game, passing game, and much better tackling from our D. If those things all happen this year, I think we will have definitely turned the corner of where we wanna be.

Goal from best to least best:
-Win the SB
-Make the playoffs and have a meaningful run
-Make the playoffs
-After that technically imo the best season this young team could have is to be very competitive to the point everyone can see the future looks good but at the same time lose a lot of games for whatever odd reason. We could use another year of great draft positioning.
-Just miss the playoffs
-So, so mid-grade team
-Below mid and look questionable
-Look like a complete mess of a team
-Coach quits mid-year. Conspiracy Theory is born for the next 50 years the Rat was behind it and has last laugh.

SkullCrusher wrote: Mon Jul 27, 2026 9:07 am Goal from best to least best:
-Win the SB
-Make the playoffs and have a meaningful run
-Make the playoffs
-After that technically imo the best season this young team could have is to be very competitive to the point everyone can see the future looks good but at the same time lose a lot of games for whatever odd reason. We could use another year of great draft positioning.
-Just miss the playoffs
-So, so mid-grade team
-Below mid and look questionable
-Look like a complete mess of a team
-Coach quits mid-year

lol...that's huge swing ! "From the penthouse to the outhouse." Hell, I'd be happy with a room at the "Motel 6".

All we need to find out by the end of the season is if Mendoza is for real or not (RECORD BE DAMNED). The Pats (I am throwing up in my mouth saying this) did it perfectly. Once they knew Maye was for real in year one, they spent well in their following off season. This catapulted them the following season and got them into the playoffs (zero to hero). We will be in good cap shape next year and are in better shape that the Pats were for Maye's rookie season. The Pats were 4-13 in both the year before Drake as well as his rookie season.

Excerpt from the article in the link:

The Raiders drafted Keyron Crawford with the 67th overall pick just a few months ago. The former Arkansas State standout broke out in his sophomore season with 44 tackles, 8.5 TFL, and 5.5 sacks in just his third season playing football. Crawford has always been an exceptional athlete, he’s shown an explosive first step, quick fluid hips, and a large display of both horizontal & lateral explosiveness. The former standout basketball player, Crawford only started playing football in his senior season at Briarcrest Christian high school where he logged 78 tackles, 21 TFL, and 14 sacks. As a result, Crawford has been an exceptionally raw prospect, though he’s shown signs of development even over the last three months in the NFL.

Content of video:

"Raiders training camp begins this week, and before the first practice gets underway, Jesse Merrick breaks down everything you need to know heading into one of the most important camps in recent franchise history.

With Klint Kubiak taking over, Fernando Mendoza beginning his rookie season, and major battles taking shape across the roster, this is the foundation for what the 2026 Raiders could become.

Position battles to watch
Kirk Cousins vs. Fernando Mendoza
Why the offensive line could define the season
Ashton Jeanty and the new rushing attack
Which receivers need to step up
How Brock Bowers fits into Klint Kubiak's offense
The biggest questions on defense
Which young defensive backs could emerge
Underrated players to keep an eye on throughout camp

Training camp is where jobs are won, the depth chart takes shape, and the identity of this football team is built. Jesse shares the position groups, players, and storylines he'll be watching most closely over the coming weeks."

RI RAIDER wrote: Mon Jul 27, 2026 9:15 am All we need to find out by the end of the season is if Mendoza is for real or not (RECORD BE DAMNED). The Pats (I am throwing up in my mouth saying this) did it perfectly. Once they knew Maye was for real in year one, they spent well in their following off season. This catapulted them the following season and got them into the playoffs (zero to hero). We will be in good cap shape next year and are in better shape that the Pats were for Maye's rookie season. The Pats were 4-13 in both the year before Drake as well as his rookie season.

You're not going to find that out after one year. Not even a full year.

DeathStar24 wrote: Mon Jul 27, 2026 11:01 am You're not going to find that out after one year. Not even a full year.

Please explain why. If it happened to the Pats, why not us? Please do not say because we signed Cousins.

powski wrote: Mon Jul 27, 2026 8:56 am Bech is someone I have some hope for but my crystal ball is totally clouded.
Hes isnt straight line fast, but he's agile enough, not slow over shorter distances, and his RAS score was fairly high. He has decent hands and route running ability. And a good blocker, physical and good at contested catch.
But until he steps up at this level none of that matters. Last year was a bad spot but he wasnt impressive (or that bad either) in his limited playing time.
I still hope but don't believe it till I see it. It would suck if our round 2 pick is a total bust.

I think a bit too much h is being made about his rookie season. For whatever reason we had a seemingly 40yr old Lockett starting over him plus, plenty of wrs take a yr or two to adjusted to the NFL. Not saying he's going to succeed but let's see what he can do in a competent system/coaching and some real playing time. For whatever reason, some players are given a mulligan for last year, he's not getting one. Idk why some do & some don't

RI RAIDER wrote: Mon Jul 27, 2026 11:08 am Please explain why. If it happened to the Pats, why not us? Please do not say because we signed Cousins.

No QB is a finished product after a few games. There is way too much room for growth.

DeathStar24 wrote: Mon Jul 27, 2026 11:27 am No QB is a finished product after a few games. There is way too much room for growth.

Never said that. Just like Drake Maye, you want to know if your QB is real or not. Every QB grows just like every player as time goes on.