On the road to Training Camp, the Raiders are holding mandatory minicamp this week.
The Silver and Black have been diligent during minicamp of getting the team acclimated with each other and the new defensive scheme that Gus Bradley has brought in. With there being no in-person offseason last year, the Raiders haven't had any time to waste at Intermountain Healthcare Performance Center in Henderson. The Raiders have even moved up the time of minicamp to earlier in the morning to combat the Las Vegas summer heat – which was a high of 117 degrees Wednesday.
The following coaches and players have addressed the media during minicamp this week:
Coach Gruden's first impressions of Raiders 2021 first-round pick Alex Leatherwood:
"He's very smart, very athletic. He's long. He's a talented player, that's why we took him. We had him ranked high on our board. We're glad he fell to us. We were glad he was there for us. Smart guy, very athletic. He has a lot of experience. We're counting on him being our starting right tackle."
Gus Bradley on adjusting to Las Vegas' summer weather:
"My son and I, we were out this weekend, and I was like, 'I think I'm starting to get used to it.' But I don't know if you ever get used to it. Out on the practice field, you feel a little bit of it. But it's great, I think the way Coach Gruden has set this up, our practices. I mean we were commenting on that the other day. Here we are in a meeting, we're watching the tape and it's 9:45 in the morning. That doesn't happen very often, so I think it's best to keep the guys fresh to practice early in the morning like we're doing."
Derek Carr on his budding relationship with his new receiver John Brown:
"Awesome person, great teammate. Reminds me a lot of Nelson [Agholor]. Very fast, very smart, works hard. But he's a great person just like Nelly. I think that they are very similar players. So sad to lose Nelly – love him and wish him the best. Love the guy so much, but happy to get Smoke here. Love that guy. Great relationship with him already."
Josh Jacobs on areas of his game he's been working on this offseason:
"Coming into the offseason, the main things I've been working on were balance work, core work, burst. Things like that just to try to take my game to the next level. Out here in practice today I was running some receiver routes, just trying to do everything I can to help this team."
Bryan Edwards' mentality going into his sophomore season:
"I mean last year is last year. I can't change that. I had some injuries and things like that. My main focus this year is just being the best person I can be for this team and trying to stay healthy and make as many plays as I can."
Yannick Ngakoue on what role he wants to play in the Raiders defense:
"I just want to be the motor to this defense, the motor to the defensive line. Maxx and myself are both identifying ourselves as the guys that need to put this team on our back as far as the defensive side of the ball. Guys will follow as it goes, you just have to set that standard from here on out. That's what's going to happen. Other years don't matter anymore. It's a whole new era."
View the best photos from the Raiders' second day of 2021 minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) on the field for Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Willie Snead IV (17) on the field for Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver John Brown (15) on the field for Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Bryan Edwards (89) on the field for Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Willie Snead IV (17) on the field for Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Caleb Scott (10) on the field for Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Dillon Stoner (16) on the field for Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders fullback Alec Ingold (45) on the field for Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) on the field for Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders offensive lineman Alex Leatherwood (70) on the field for Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Kendal Vickers (93) on the field for Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (11) on the field for Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Solomon Thomas (92) and defensive tackle Darius Stills (79) on the field for Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Yannick Ngakoue (91) on the field for Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) on the field for Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Damon Arnette (20) on the field for Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Darius Philon (96) on the field for Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Yannick Ngakoue (91) on the field for Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Rasul Douglas (38) on the field for Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Nevin Lawson (26) on the field for Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Kenyan Drake (23) on the field for Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Jon Gruden on the field for Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders players and coaches on the field for Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Jon Gruden on the field for Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Yannick Ngakoue (91) on the field for Mandatory Minicamp.
The Las Vegas Raiders huddle on the field for Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Trey Quinn (14) and cornerback Rasul Douglas (38) on the field for Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Keelan Doss (18) on the field for Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Nick Bowers (82) on the field for Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Rasul Douglas (38) on the field for Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) and on the field for Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) on the field for Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Jalen Richard (30) on the field for Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver John Brown (15) on the field for Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Casey Hayward Jr. (29) on the field for Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Tre'von Moehrig (25) on the field for Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Nate Hobbs (39) on the field for Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver John Brown (15) on the field for Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Javin White (53) on the field for Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) on the field for Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Niles Scott (78) on the field for Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) and running back Kenyan Drake on the field for Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson (97) on the field for Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) and running back Kenyan Drake on the field for Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Yannick Ngakoue (91) on the field for Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Gerri Green (52) on the field for Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Yannick Ngakoue (91) on the field for Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) on the field for Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Theo Riddick (35) on the field for Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Jon Gruden on the field for Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Richie Incognito (64) on the field for Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Derek Carrier (85) on the field for Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) on the field for Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (11) on the field for Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) on the field for Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Trey Ragas (36) on the field for Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Gerri Green (52) on the field for Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) on the field for Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Yannick Ngakoue (91) on the field for Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) on the field for Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Yannick Ngakoue (91) on the field for Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Garrett Groshek (46) on the field for Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders fullback Alec Ingold (45) on the field for Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Solomon Thomas (92) on the field for Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Nathan Peterman (3) on the field for Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Nick Bowers (82) on the field for Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Dominik Eberle (5) and punter AJ Cole (6) on the field for Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) and Head Coach Jon Gruden on the field for Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) on the field for Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Kenyan Drake (23) on the field for Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) on the field for Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) on the field for Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (11) on the field for Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Keisean Nixon (22) on the field for Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (11) on the field for Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) on the field for Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) and wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (11) on the field for Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) on the field for Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson (97) on the field for Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) on the field for Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Zay Jones (7) and wide receiver Bryan Edwards (89) on the field for Mandatory Minicamp.
