Rounding Up Latest Oakland Raiders Offseason Buzz

The Oakland Raiders can't expect to roll into the upcoming year and reach the postseason on past merit. The team made acquisitions that will have a significant impact on weekly outcomes. The players must work hard to pick up the changes in a competitive division. One loss could mean the difference between a home playoff game and missing January football. 

For starters, the coaching staff will have two prominent new voices guiding the players in the film room and on the sidelines.

Todd Downing will take over as the offensive coordinator after serving two seasons as Derek Carr's quarterback coach. John Pagano spent 15 years with the Los Angeles Chargers in various defensive assistant positions. Now, he's expected to tie up the loose ends within the Raiders defense.

What have the players done over the offseason to improve for the upcoming year? Why are the Washington Redskins and Raiders likely watching each other's quarterback contract negotiations? Which players have made their presence felt in May and June?

We'll delve into the buzzing topics surrounding the Raiders offseason.

Derek Carr vs. Kirk Cousins in Highest-Paid Quarterback Showdown?

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When it comes to quarterback play, casual spectators look forward to seeing Tom Brady and Matt Ryan in Week 7. Aaron Rodgers and Ben Roethlisberger will have an offensive duel in Week 12. How about Kirk Cousins and Carr in a Week 3 matchup between the highest-paid signal-callers in the league?

According to ESPN.com's Adam Schefter, the Washington Redskins have gained traction in their negotiations with Cousins, who signed a franchise tag worth $23.9 million, per Spotrac. General manager Reggie McKenzie talked about extending Carr's deal sometime after the draft. 

The agents for both quarterbacks will be monitoring contracts talks with a massive payday in mind for their clients. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport said the Raiders quarterback could make $25 million per year. With that figure, Washington will have to follow along based on market value. The same logic works in reverse if Cousins signs a long-term deal before Carr.

In terms of yearly salary, Week 3 could feature the two highest-paid football players in the league.

An Aggressive Amari Cooper

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Amari Cooper isn't going to morph into a fiery Dez Bryant, but he's noticeably bigger in stature and more aggressive at practice. He's not involved in physical fights on the field, but there's a go-get-it attitude with the football up in the air. Carr explained it as "that dog" coming out of the soft-spoken receiver after practice on Tuesday:

"That dog in him is coming out. That thing you saw at Alabama where he’d just take games over. Not to say that he hasn’t because he has, but I think it’s not just becoming a thing of, ‘What game is it going to be?’ It’s becoming a thing of, ‘That’s who he is.’ (Defensive backs) better know that he’s really taking it serious, that he’s trying to go attack them this year. He’s not going to let them come to him this year."

Think back to Cooper's first game as a Raider in 2015 against the Cincinnati Bengals. Fair or not, cornerback Adam Jones roughed him up and shoved his head into the ground. The label as a soft receiver lingered for a bit.

On top of his reserved nature, the Alabama product has faded in the second halves of his first two years in the league. Finally, despite seeing 130 more targets than Seth Roberts over the past two seasons, Cooper only has one more touchdown catch (11) than the former undrafted free agent.

Cooper doesn't have to come out and become the bad-boy type or start roughing up defensive backs, but it's imperative that he puts some trepidation in defenders' minds with his skill. Already refined in technique, the third-year wideout could use added bulk and an aggressive demeanor to become a bigger threat in the red zone.

Ken Norton and John Pagano Working Together

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When the Raiders added Pagano to the coaching staff, many wondered how the addition would affect Ken Norton. According to the Raiders defensive coordinator, things aren't very different:

"Well, nothing changes for me. Obviously, Pagano is a guy [who] has a lot of experience. Obviously, right now, his role is to help us on the back end and our communication and really shore up what's going on, to make sure we stay on top. To make sure we're all talking about the same things every week about them throwing the ball deep on us." 

Norton didn't seem particularly happy to answer questions about Pagano or past defensive issues. However, his job as a coordinator looks safe at the moment with the new assistant focusing on the secondary. 

Keep in mind, Norton only coached linebackers at the University of Southern California and with the Seattle Seahawks. Pagano served as the Chargers defensive coordinator for five seasons. He's coming in with more experience with handling an entire defense. 

The Raiders subtly took a little off Norton's plate to assign Pagano a problem area on the back end. Schematically, expect the secondary to show different looks in the upcoming season, especially with rookies Gareon Conley and Obi Melifonwu in the mix.

Sean Smith Aims for Better Second Impression

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According to Pro Football Focus, cornerback Sean Smith allowed seven touchdowns and a 744 yards in coverage this season. The 29-year-old defensive back will set a higher standard for himself in the upcoming season, per Las Vegas Review-Journal reporter Michael Gehlken:

"With careers of seven-, eight-plus (years), there is always going to be that one year that everyone looks at like, 'Oh, man. Did he lose it? What’s going on?' The coaches have said I'm flying around. I've got speed still. I feel great. That one year doesn't define me. I know I'm way better than that. And I know what people are used to (from me), and I get it. Everyone wants the Sean of old. No problem. … Two-one is back."

With Conley on the roster, Smith and David Amerson will feel a push at their positions. The incumbent starters have the size and physical style to win at the beginning of routes with a tight press, but the rookie possesses the speed to cover quicker wideouts in stride. 

Don't expect a breakout in interceptions for Smith; he's never recorded more than two in a singe season. Nonetheless, after undergoing offseason shoulder surgery, the ninth-year pro should be able to limit touchdowns passes sailing over his head.

Treyvon Hester Taking Advantage of Absences and Injuries

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Due to academic obligations, third-round pick Eddie Vanderdoes won't join the team until training camp, per Gehlken. On Tuesday, defensive lineman Jihad Ward missed practice, which allowed seventh-rounder, Treyvon Hester, to take first-team reps, per Silver and Black Pride writer Levi Damien.

Head coach Jack Del Rio praised Hester for his ability to push the pocket on the inside and wants to see his efforts continue through training camp.

"For all the big guys, it's more about what we do when we get the pads on," Del Rio said. "But he looks like he's got a natural ability to rush inside, interior push, look forward to seeing that with pads."

Last year, Ward dominated training camp, but it didn't translate to the field during the regular season. We're far away from calling Hester a late-round gem, but he's on his way to earning a spot in the defensive line rotation.

Tyrell Adams Pushing for Inside Linebacker Role

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Despite practicing with the first-team throughout the offseason, many have ignored linebacker Tyrell Adams up to this point. The Raiders signed Jelani Jenkins during free agency, but he's taken a backseat to the second-year pro, per NBCS Bay Area reporter Scott Bair.

Adams took Neiron Ball's jersey number (58), and he may have a spot at linebacker in the upcoming season. Oakland isn't particularly strong at the position, which gives the second-year pro a legitimate opportunity to earn a sizeable role as the weak-side linebacker on the inside.

Jenkins, the fifth-year veteran, still has plenty of time to compete for snaps, but Adams' involvement with the starters puts him on the radar as a player to watch late July through the preseason.

Del Rio encourages competition. Veteran status and experience won't factor into deciding the starting inside linebackers. The team saw several undrafted rookies play significant roles during the previous season. In his second year, Adams could become the latest non-descript player to develop into a consistent contributor. 

All advanced statistics provided by Pro Football Focus.