Quarterback Derek Carr
Tuesday afternoon, after three-and-a-half weeks, two dozen practices, and countless reps, the Oakland Raiders said goodbye to their Napa Valley Training Complex for the year, officially concluding Training Camp 2016.
While the work is far from over – the team still has almost a month before it opens the regular season in New Orleans – the grind of training camp is now in the rearview mirror, and it's a grind that each year takes a toll on the entirety of the roster.
"I'll say this, camp is always a grind," said quarterback Derek Carr. "Camp, no matter what, is always a grind. Obviously the two-a-days are different. It's a walk-through and those kinds of things, but it's always a grind physically, and mentally, emotionally as we have all seen with everybody. That's always going to happen."
The Raiders quarterback was also quick to note how much fun he has at camp, and while building comfort and camaraderie through hard work is great, training camp is all about growing as a team, and that's precisely what Carr saw from his teammates on both sides of the ball over the past month.
"Even when the defense would make a play on me, it sucks and I was mad and all that but at the end of the day, we talked about this, I was like, 'It's nice to see that,'" Carr said. "Because they're that good. They're that talented. They cover that well or have a good blitz and those things. This camp was a lot of fun to see our team grow. It really was."
The end of training camp also means that the players will now return to their respective homes, and get back to their families. Since the onset of camp, much has been made about Carr being training camp roommates with wide receiver Amari Cooper, and while they won't be rooming together now that camp is over, Carr joked that 'Coop' is always welcome at the Carr household.
"I'm going to miss 'Coop,' Carr said. "Coop' can come to the house any day he wants. We have an extra bedroom. He can come stay with us. Yeah, he can come stay whenever he wants. That's always an invite."
Notables:
-With the team slated to fly to Green Bay tomorrow, Head Coach Jack Del Rio elected to hold Tuesday's practice in just shells, keeping the team out of full pads for its final practice of Training Camp 2016.
-After missing Monday's practice, linebacker Neiron Ball returned to work Tuesday; however, tight end Gabe Holmes and running back Jalen Richard were unable to participate in the day's session.
-The Silver and Black waived offensive lineman Torian White Monday afternoon, and Tuesday morning it was announced that the team had signed tight end Jake McGee. The former University of Florida Gator was on the field Tuesday, officially participating in his first practice as a Raider.
-Cornerback TJ Carrie kept the positive momentum of his Training Camp 2016 going Tuesday, tallying an impressive pass defensed on a ball intended for wide receiver Michael Crabtree during one of the team's 11-on-11 sessions.
-You don't get to look like as strong as Khalil Mack on accident. Tuesday afternoon, during a defensive rotation where he wasn't on the field, the imposing defensive end spent a few moments knocking out pushups – not as a punishment, just as a little extra conditioning.
-Cornerback Sean Smith ended his first training camp as a Raider on a high note with an interception. During a red zone period, Smith leapt up and secured an errant pass, running it back to the other end zone for a would-be touchdown.
-Wide receiver Johnny Holton also showed off a little athleticism Tuesday afternoon, hauling in a pass from quarterback Matt McGloin after slipping and already being on the ground. It was a nice bit of work from the undrafted rookie out of Cincinnati.
Tweets Of The Day:
