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Training Camp Notebook 8/21: Raiders wrap their last practice of camp

It's been a good ride and some long days as training camp comes to a close of the Raiders.

The Silver and Black concluded their last practice on Wednesday before their preseason finale against the San Francisco 49ers. Friday will be the last time the team plays in front of a home crowd at Allegiant Stadium until Week 3 of the regular season but more importantly, the game will give a few young players one last chance to earn a role for the upcoming year.

While it was the last practice, a sense of urgency was still present on the field. Here are a few key takeaways from Wednesday night at the Raiders practice facility.

Notes and Observations from Day 15 of Practice

Offense

  • On the first play of team period during red zone drills, Gardner Minshew II made a great read to Davante Adams for a touchdown. The quarterback stepped up in the pocket as it collapsed, finding No. 17 breaking open off a zig route. On the following play, Minshew found Jakobi Meyers for another touchdown on a screen. "Splitting the reps, that's over with now," Antonio Pierce said before practice. "It's Gardner's show and he needs to be a leader and understand what we're lacking right now, and what we're lacking is not playing together throughout the camp like most teams that have a starter from day one. There's a lot of work to go there. He's taking some great steps forward."
  • UDFA quarterback Carter Bradley from South Alabama saw a lot of reps as Pierce announced Bradley will start in the preseason finale. "I think he's done a good job of growing," Pierce said. "Like all rookies, you have your ups and downs. And I think when you have a quarterback battle, there's not a lot of reps there. So, there weren't a lot of opportunities for him, but he'll have a good chance to show off in two nights."
  • The play of the day from my point of view was a dime in the corner of the end zone from Aidan O'Connell to Zach Gentry. O'Connell threw up a fade to the 6-foot-8 tight end, letting him go up and get it over two defenders. Gentry made several grabs Wednesday night in one of his best days of camp.

Defense

  • During red zone drills, Jakorian Bennett showed off his recovery speed by making a great pass deflection to hype up his defense. The second-year cornerback is pushing to earn the starting outside cornerback job across from Jack Jones.
  • Amari Gainer played with great energy, chasing down screens and finding ways to be in the right spot all throughout practice. The UDFA out of North Carolina could see a lot of reps Friday night after two impressive games this preseason. "Amari did a really good job. He's a physical, pretty-looking linebacker, man," said Pierce. "He can run and he just needs more reps at linebacker. He's played all over the place in college. Once he gets his feet settled, playing off the linebacker, he'll give himself a chance."
  • A young man who showed up off the line of scrimmage was Matthew Butler. He seemingly created pressure from the inside on the majority of his reps. Going into his third season with the Raiders, he's another player expected to see a lot of burn against the 49ers in hopes of earning a role on the 53-man roster. "[H]e got nicked up a little bit in the spring, he came back and had a hell of a training camp, and he's still fighting his way on," Pierce said. "He'll have a great opportunity on Friday night to prove himself. But the amount of work that he's put in the offseason, he was here from February all the way until the end. He didn't leave. You can see it in his body, he just needs more reps and development. But everything you ask him to do, he does."

Special Teams

  • After 16 training camp practices, I'd like to give my special teams MVP to DJ Turner. He plays with an intensity that spreads not only as a returner, but as a gunner in kick and punt coverage. While the receiver is hoping to see more snaps on offense this season, he's certainly made a name for himself with his contributions in the kicking game.

Quote of the day

We talked about it. Our theme this week was finishing. Antonio Pierce

Head inside Allegiant Stadium for the Raiders' second open 2024 Training Camp practice.

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