Rounding Up Latest Oakland Raiders Pre-Training Camp Buzz

Oakland Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch returned to the NFL and instantly became a public fixture.

On the practice field, he showed quickness and agility. He's also raw during his press conferences but warm to his teammates and the community. Beast Mode took the spotlight on a surging squad and exponentially increased the shine.

Aside from Lynch's homecoming, there's pressure on a Raiders team that's dealt with few expectations in the recent past. The front office made quarterback Derek Carr the highest-paid player in the league. More casual fans may know guard Gabe Jackson after his massive extension. 

The Raiders won't sneak up on anyone this year. They're expected to win games, crush a couple of opponents and challenge the AFC's elite squads. With notable changes and additions to the coaching staff on both sides of the ball, it's worth tracking new schemes implented on the practice field and the corresponding results.

As usual, there's consistent news and updates on the inflated rosters before the team begins to trim down to the final 53 leading up to the 2017 season. What's buzzing around the Raiders camp before the players return to the practice field in unison on July 29 in Napa, California?

No Further News on Gareon Conley

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On May 1, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport relayed a message from cornerback Gareon Conley's lawyer, Kevin Spellacy, stating his client's case would reach resolve in six to eight weeks.

More than 10 weeks later, there's no word on Conley's case, which doesn't suggest good or bad news. However, it puts the front office in a precarious situation. Before inking the Ohio State product to a rookie deal with a signing bonus, it's best to wait for an answer or more information on the review, per Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio.

The Raiders have two to three three weeks before training camp, which gives ample time to move forward regardless of the review outcome.

Nonetheless, for Conley, it's nerve-wracking with a pending case hanging above his head. The league can't penalize the first-round pick for a potential offense committed before the draft, but social outrage would bring harsh criticism on the franchise as a whole.

Conley should expect to take snaps in the slot and on the perimeter during the preseason. First and foremost, he's counting on gaining clearance for his reputation.

Defense Will Use More Disguises

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After a mandatory minicamp practice, safety Karl Joseph subtly admitted the defense lined up in basic schemes during the previous year.

When asked about disguising looks, the second-year safety talked about the unit's vast improvement over the offseason with defensive assistant John Pagano joining the coaching staff.

"Yeah, that's something we got pretty comfortable with at this OTA and minicamp," Joseph said when asked about disguises. "I think we got a lot better than we were last year already. We still got a lot of work to do, but I think we're moving in the right direction right now as far as that."

According to Joseph's comments, defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. didn't exactly force offenses to adjust or decipher complex pre-snap coverages. The Raiders will attempt to deceive more often and in better fashion for the upcoming season. It's an encouraging sign for a defense ranked No. 20 in points allowed and No. 26 in yards surrendered in 2016. 

Pagano could help save Norton's job or eventually take his position completely. However, it's important to monitor how the secondary responds to a new voice giving direction.

Neiron Ball Waived

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Though short-lived, linebacker Neiron Ball flashed minimal potential in six games during his rookie campaign. He entered the 2015 draft with major question marks on his durability.

Ball underwent microfracture and brain surgery during his collegiate years at Florida, per NFL Media's Lance Zierlein, but he showed enough skill and versatility for an opportunity to claim a roster spot in Oakland. Unfortunately, a knee injury ended his 2015 campaign, and he missed the entire 2016 season for an undisclosed reason.

After the draft, general manager Reggie McKenzie said Ball would compete for a roster spot through camp. Nearly three months later, the team waived him with a non-football injury designation. Obviously, Raiders brass didn't like what they saw in his progress and decided to cut ties. What could've been for the 24-year-old linebacker remains a mystery.

As a fifth-round pick, Ball's inability to stay healthy doesn't reflect poorly on McKenzie. He's taken plenty of chances on players coming into the league with durability or injury concerns. However, it's unfortunate he missed on a position that desperately needs talent.

Tyrell Adams on the Training Camp Radar

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There's also positive news at the weak-side linebacker spot. Through organized team activities and mandatory minicamp, Tyrell Adams has covered the field and consistently swatted Carr's passes in multiple practices.

San Francisco Chronicle reporter Vic Tafur and Silver and Black Pride's Levi Damien made note of the linebacker's pass coverage against the starting offense. 

At the moment, it's realistically Adams and veteran Jelani Jenkins competing for the weak-side linebacker spot. The former Miami Dolphin didn't fully participate in early practice sessions, which allowed the second-year pro to take over first-team snaps and show his coverage skills. Though impressive, training camp and the preseason will provide more clarity at the position. 

Without the pads, it's good to see a Raider linebacker reach in and break up potential completions when defending the short pass attack.

Oakland certainly needs athleticism and quickness on the back end of its front seven to hold dual-threat running backs within the division to the bare minimum in receiving yards.

Jihad Ward Undergoes 'Minor' Foot Surgery

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Rapoport described defensive lineman Jihad Ward's surgery as "minor" but gave a tentative mid-August date for his return. It's too early to sound the alarm bells, but the 2016 second-rounder came into the league as a raw prospect and his inexperience showed through 16 games.

Ward kicked off his rookie season as a starter and finished as a reserve. He needs every rep during the offseason to sharpen his skills. Upon his return, he'll compete for snaps alongside Denico Autry, Darius Latham, Eddie Vanderdoes and Treyvon Hester.

The Raiders have several options and rotation permutations for the defensive line. The coaching staff hoped to see Ward improve during his sophomore season, but the unit's overall progression doesn't fall on his shoulders.

Mario Edwards Jr. ranks as the team's top interior defensive lineman, and Autry has consistently pressured the quarterback over the last two years with six sacks in that time span.

According to Tafur, Hester made an early positive impression. Due to competition for snaps across the defensive line, Ward could see a limited rep count once he's healthy enough to step back on to the field.

Derek Carr Leaves Impression on Calvin Johnson

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Carr gained another admirer in a short time frame. Calvin Johnson attended Raiders practices in May as a guest tied to offensive coordinator Todd Downing, who spent the 2009-13 seasons with the Detroit Lions as an offensive quality and quarterbacks coach.

During a press conference at the Italian Bowl, a reporter asked Johnson who he would like to play with on the field. He listed three names: Brett Favre, Aaron Rodgers and Derek Carr. You can fast forward to the 14-minute mark where he answers the question.

When asked about a return, Johnson said, "it's not happening," per Detroit Free Press reporter Dave Birkett. However, a certain running back on the Raiders roster also said, "I'm done. I'm not playing football anymore," during a 60 Minutes Sports interview.

Lynch's situation differs because he returned to play for his city, but it's no secret retired players have an itch to come back soon after they hang the cleats up. 

In 2012, Johnson signed a $132 million deal that extended through the 2019 season. Despite an early retirement, Detroit still owns his player rights, which means a trade deal would enable him to play for another team. The Raiders brought Beast Mode out of retirement, why not take a shot at Megatron on a reconstructed deal?

A roster with Beast Mode and Megatron looks unfair on paper and reads like a football fantasy, but what's the harm in inquiring about Johnson? The Raiders certainly don't need him with a talented wide receiver corps, but his fondness for Carr next to one Hall of Famer and a future Hall of Famer should cause your mind to wonder—what if?