John Locher / AP
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr stretches during training camp Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2020, in Henderson.
Friday, Aug. 21, 2020 | 2 a.m.
After a week of padded training-camp sessions at their sparkling new facility in Henderson, the Raiders will move to the big stage today, when the team is set to practice at Allegiant Stadium for the first time.
Today’s practice will take on added importance because the Raiders will scrimmage, and in the absence of preseason games this year, this will be a key opportunity to evaluate players in terms of the depth chart and the back of the roster.
The scrimmage won’t be open to fans, but media will be present and there will be some key storylines to monitor when the offense and defense square off:
Quarterback play
By all accounts, Derek Carr has been the team’s best quarterback to this point in camp, and by a fair margin. And that’s the way it should be — Carr is heading into his seventh year, and with 94 starts under his belt he should be miles ahead of newcomer Marcus Mariota and career backup Nathan Peterman.
Carr can further solidify his job by showing that command of the offense today against a live defense. A high-percentage, no-turnover showing with a splash play (or two) would be a solid day’s work for Carr.
Secondary point of view
In the last week, rookie cornerback Damon Arnette has drawn praise on social media for his ability to run with speedster Henry Ruggs as well as his overall technique. Is it possible the Raiders didn’t overreach by taking him so early in the draft? Today’s scrimmage can help him make that case.
Aside from Arnette, the performance of the secondary as a whole will be vital in 2020. The defensive backfield has to operate as a unit, and newcomer Amik Robertson and virtual rookie Johnathan Abram can also use the live-action reps to solidify their roles.
Defensive line pressure
The Raiders brought in defensive line coach Rod Marinelli because of his long track record of being able to get his guys to pressure the quarterback. That’s big for second-year defensive end Clelin Ferrell, who generated almost no pressure as a rookie and is now on the clock in Year 2.
Marinelli’s presence could also take Maliek Collins’ game to a new level. Collins posted elite advanced stats last year in Dallas under Marinell, and Jon Gruden has gushed about his ability to collapse the pocket as a 3-technique defensive tackle. Can Ferrell and Collins win some matchups today against one of the league’s best offensive lines?
Can the young guys get open?
We know about the tools that Henry Ruggs and Bryan Edwards possess, as Ruggs was the fastest skill player in the draft and Edwards has drawn lofty comparisons due to his size and physical profile. But, to put it simply, can they get open?
All the talent in the world is meaningless if it doesn’t translate to getting open, and the Raiders need guys who can get away from defensive backs. Can Ruggs and Edwards create separation and do it consistently, so that Carr can throw to them in rhythm and with confidence? Early returns from camp have been promising, and today’s scrimmage will give them a platform to do it against a facsimile of a real defense.
First look at Allegiant Stadium
This is Las Vegas’ stadium. We paid for it, and following in the footsteps of Strip neighbor T-Mobile Arena, it has a lot to live up to as the new kid on the pro-sports block.
Early indications are that Allegiant lives up to the hype as one of the world’s most advanced sports venues, and though a practice won’t come with all the bells and whistles of an NFL game day, it will still be interesting to get a close look at the home of Las Vegas’ newest franchise.
Stand-in for preseason
Fringe players won’t get four preseason games to show what they can do this year, so live drills and scrimmages take on monumental importance for guys who are hoping to prove themselves worthy of a roster spot.
That includes players like former UNLV star Javin White, who has turned heads in camp but could really use game action to make his case. For White, a linebacker, making a play today could be the difference between making the team (or the practice squad) as an undrafted free agent or finding himself on the outside looking in on cut-down day.
Mike Grimala can be reached at 702-948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Mike on Twitter at twitter.com/mikegrimala.
