The Oakland Raiders continue to evolve on offense as they work out who will be in the starting lineup with quarterback Derek Carr. Looking to give Carr the best offensive weapons to work with, the Raiders signed Michael Crabtree and drafted Amari Cooper to be the top two receiving threats on the field. The competition is high for that third spot as Rod Streater makes his season debut to add to the mix.
The Raiders got their former No.1 receiver back on the field after he missed the first 11 practices with an undisclosed illness. Streater missed the final 13 games of last season after breaking his foot just one season after leading the team in yards. Since his absence, the Raiders have completely overhauled the position group and Streater is no longer guaranteed a starting spot for Oakland. Now that he is healthy, the wide receiver must put in a lot of work to see time on the field.
"It's exciting," Streater said, via the Contra Costa Times. "It's pushing me harder to come back. It's exciting to see them work hard in this offense and be successful. It's just a good group of receivers. I was in there working hard with the quarterbacks, trying to learn the plays and not missing a step. I was out here trying to get mental reps. It wasn't like I missed a step. It's just the conditioning part of the game I have to get used to again.''
The receiving core is going to be a strength for Oakland. Both Crabtree and Cooper looked strong in their debuts for the Raiders while Andre Holmes, Streater and tight end Clive Walford make up the likely remaining starters for the team. The biggest question that still remains is in the run game. With a battle for the starting job up for grabs, certain players did not help themselves in the preseason.
Trent Richardson's debut for the Raiders could have gone better. The running back's highlight reel will show he failed to see a huge hole in the offensive line and instead ran right into a tackle. Latavius Murray led the team with six carries for 35 yards while Michael Dyer added 11 yards to the mix. According to Gregg Rosenthal of ESPN, Richardson is on the bubble to make the team this season. His preseason debut did not help his case as he really needs to show a lot if the running back intends to remain in Oakland.
