The Oakland Raiders have wrapped up minicamp and left impressed with what they saw out of the 2015 roster. The Raiders have expectations on them this season with Derek Carr entering his sophomore season and Amari Cooper taking over as the leading wide receiver. With all of the offseason additions, the Raiders are pushing competition in positions and the offense will be under the spotlight come training camp.
According to Bill Williamson of ESPN.com, head coach Jack Del Rio continues to push competition entering training camp. There is not a battle for the starting quarterback or No.1 wide receiver, but every other position is not set in stone. Del Rio is hoping that idea fuels players to improve in coming months which in return mean more production on the field.
"It's been hard to find a position that doesn't have great competition going on in it, so that part is exciting this time of year," Del Rio said, via ESPN.com. "I think that's what makes this time of year exciting as a coach, when you sought to create a competitive situation and you have that. I think that'll be good for us going into camp."
One of the more interesting battles taking place is the spot for the No.1 running back. After saying goodbye to Darren McFadden and Maurice Jones-Drew in the offseason, Latavius Murray was considered the top back until Roy Helu and Trent Richardson arrived. Del Rio told the media that he is not ready to name a top guy as all three players have looked impressive so far in practices. Murray is making it clear that his priority is to be the starter.
"I'd like to think that I am a complete back, as far as knowing my assignments and protections and being a running back that can catch the ball out of the backfield," Murray said. "I think the little things I can be better at, like techniques. Other than that, I feel I can do those things. I know my assignments. I know who to block. Again, I think I can be a threat out of the backfield. As long as I am just getting better every day and improving in all areas, I think I'll be just fine."
Cooper along with Michael Crabtree are expected to be the top two receivers on the team. The question for the starting tight end is a little more up in the air. Mychal Rivera was the starter for the past two seasons, but the additions of Clive Walford and Gabe Holmes make that slightly more uncertain. The Raiders wanted position battles and that is exactly what they are getting.
