7/27/22: News, Notes, & Quotes from Raiders first padded practice, owner Mark Davis watches

Jul 27, 2022

Today was the day where we can actually evaluate player performance. Guys running around in shorts isn’t going to cut it. Put the pads on and then formulate your analysis. For the Las Vegas Raiders, it was their first padded practice as training camp continued week two…

Ryan Sakamoto @BEASTwriter

90+ degrees🔥 and still going strong as only the strong survive from @Raiders first padded practice. #BEASTwriter | #DarksideofBEASTwriter | #RaiderNation

Raiders secondary

All eyes on the Raiders secondary. That was my mission going into today’s first padded practice. How are these young DBs learning their pre-snap splits?

Do they play with proper leverage?
Do they display patient feet while staying square at LOS
Do they refuse to open hips up too early
Do they stay on hip of receiver downfield in slightly trail mode while maintaining leverage advantage.

These are all fundamentals. It’s hard for anyone to notice them or point them out--if you don’t know what to look for.

FS Tre’von Moehrig shines

My PFWA rookie 1st-team selection continues to impress me on many levels.

Strong cadence in backpedal
Doesn’t take false steps
Displays range to play all cover-shells
Displays oily hips to turn-and-run
Wins leverage game (inside/outside)

Today, he did a tremendous job in 1-on-1 drills vs TE Darren Waller. The second-year player displayed sound fundamentals--winning early in the down as Waller tried to win 1/2 man game--attacking Moehrig’s leverage (moving defender one way) before making his break. A simple double-move if you will.

It didn’t work. Moehrig stayed square while keeping that strong backpedal cadence before breaking on the ball once Waller made his move.

I said to myself: “Wow”

I caught up with Moehrig last week. If you missed my question you can watch it on my YouTube channel below. (Be sure to subscribe for more exclusive silver & black coverage)

Too early to call Moehrig a Pro Bowl talent? Not me. I’m taking my shot and slapping that label on him, as he’s the real deal! BEAST approved!

SS Johnathan Abram struggles in 1-on-1 drills

To say that four-year veteran SS Johnathan Abram is shining is concerning. He’s not. He’s a huge liability in pass coverage and continues to be one step behind the play. To make matters worse, he doesn’t possess any range or makeup speed to recover once initially beat early in the down.

In today’s practice, Abram was routinely beat time and time again but did have a nice PBU toward the middle of practice. Still, not much has changed since running my grades on the 2019 1st-round pick. A huge liability in pass coverage but brings the hammer in run-support. Simply put, a traditional box safety with little movements skills in space.

Notes

OLB Clellin Ferrell leaves practice with undisclosed injury
OLB Darian Butler delivers violent blow to RB Brittain Brown
ILB Divine Deablo gets coached up by Coach Pierce in stack-and-shed
WR Hunter Renfrow continues to put on 1-on-1 clinic
QB Derek Carr to WR Davante Adams deep downfield along left sideline was a bread basket catch type of play (in stride)
Owner Mark Davis comes out to play, dressed like a boss