The Raiders have put their loss to the New York Jets in the rear-view mirror, and the team officially began their on-field preparation today for their home opener against the Houston Texans.
Derek Carr and the Raiders were back on the practice field, and after missing time dealing with a knee injury, Chimdi Chekwa was back participating in a limited capacity.
Following practice, Head Coach Dennis Allen addressed the media and spoke about his team's next challenge coming on Sunday.
"We're excited about the opportunity – we've got the Houston Texans coming in here," said Coach Allen. "It's a good football team. When you watch their team, defensively, I think they're outstanding. I think they're very fast throughout their defense."
He continued on to discuss how the Houston coaching staff utilizes their defensive playmaker J.J. Watt.
"J.J. Watt is obviously one of the best players in the National Football League, so he's a guy that we've got to contend with and we've got to understand where he's going to be," said Coach Allen. "They do a good job moving him around, putting him in some different spots."
Heading into his second professional start, QB Derek Carr talked after practice about what he learned from the game against the Jets.
"That I can do this," he said when asked about what he took away from Sunday. "It was nice to be out there, but learning about myself, I feel there's a lot to get better at, but I felt confident and what the coaches are telling me and what the teammates that we have here, that as long as we continue to grow we'll be able to do some good things."
While last week didn't go like the Silver and Black had planned, second-year tackle Menelik Watson was happy with the work the team put in today and is looking forward to playing in front of Raider Nation once again.
"Practice was good today," he said. "We have a great opportunity to come home now in front of this crowd and give them something to cheer about, and go out there and knock about the Texans."
The Raiders will be back on the practice field tomorrow, and after practice, in addition to Head Coach Dennis Allen, both Offensive Coordinator Greg Olson and Defensive Coordinator Jason Tarver will have their weekly press conferences.
Make sure to return Raiders.com for photos from the practice field and reaction from the locker room.
