Oakland Raiders: Rounding Up Latest Buzz from Training Camp

Oakland Raiders training camp ramped up the intensity on Monday and Tuesday with padded practices. The coaches caught a glimpse at the players hitting each other at full speed and saw some toughness—an essential ingredient for success in the NFL.

NBCS Bay Area reporters Scott Bair and Fallon Smith Christopher recapped Tuesday's practice and relayed word that wide receiver Amari Cooper and linebacker Bruce Irvin have minor injuries.

Irvin has yet to practice since the team arrived in Napa, California, and remains on the non-football injury list. Cooper took some bumps and bruises during Monday's practice.

As the coaching staff molds the roster for the upcoming season, there's plenty of buzz to go around after four practices.

Who looks impressive in the early going? Is it time to consider a rookie as the front-runner for a starting inside linebacker position? Which young defensive back may provide a significant boost to the secondary?

Reggie McKenzie Encourages Donald Penn to Join Camp

Eric Risberg/Associated Press

General manager Reggie McKenzie made a clear statement about left tackle Donald Penn's holdout on Monday, per Bair.

"I want him in camp," McKenzie said. "He has a deal. I want him in camp. We don't talk contracts unless a guy's here."

The Raiders executive isn't implying that Penn doesn't deserve a new contract, but he'd like Penn to report to camp in order to iron out the dispute. The team could fine the 34-year-old tackle up to $40,000 but hasn't resorted to enforcing the penalty, per San Francisco Chronicle reporter Vic Tafur.

At the moment, it's not a sour situation between Penn and management. There's enough time for both sides to come to the table and hash out financial differences before the team plays meaningful games. More than likely, the 11th-year veteran will eventually report, plead his case and rejoin his teammates with a new contract.

The Raiders can't afford to utilize a rookie or right tackle Marshall Newhouse on the left—that would expose quarterback Derek Carr to constant pressure. Expect Penn to report within a week or two and return to the field in time for the important Week 3 preseason game when starters take the most snaps.

Gareon Conley Avoids Charges, Dealing with Shin Splints

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A grand jury in Cuyahoga County came to a No Bill decision on cornerback Gareon Conley's sexual assault case, per Prosecutor Michael C. O'Malley via NFL.com.

"After a thorough investigation by the Cleveland Police Department, the facts and circumstances surrounding the allegations of sexual assault against Gareon Conley were presented to a Cuyahoga County Grand Jury," O'Malley said in the statement. "The Grand Jury returned a No Bill on all possible charges."

The decision clears Conley's name and allows him to move forward with his mind focused on football. When speaking to the local media, McKenzie expressed vindication for his decision to select the Ohio State product at No. 24 in the 2017 draft. For the most part, he seemed relieved for the 22-year-old in terms of his public reputation.

In April, Conley came off the board behind three cornerbacks, Marshon Lattimore, Marlon Humphrey and Adoree' Jackson, but the Raiders defensive back has the skills to develop into the best at his position within the rookie class. However, he's currently sidelined with shin splints, per Bair.

Marquel Lee Taking First-Team Reps

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After Tuesday's practice, head coach Jack Del Rio praised rookie linebacker Marquel Lee in a media press conference for his recent performances on the practice field.

"It really doesn't matter once you get here how you got here," Del Rio said. "Whether he's a high pick or a lower pick, he's got a spot here at camp, he's got an opportunity to show us what he's all about. I think he's been pretty solid to start camp."

The Raiders head coach didn't place Lee in the pole position for the starting role, but he realistically talked about the rookie's opportunity to earn the spot. In fact, Del Rio still believes the team didn't address the linebacker position like other weak spots on the roster. 

"You work to put a football team together and I think, in a strong way, we've addressed a lot of different positions. We really haven't had attacked that one the same way. That's not to say we won't. It's just you can only do so much each year and that's just the way it's worked out. We've got a collection of young guys right now that are eager. They're learning, they're developing and we're going to work with these guys and we'll find out." 

The Raiders don't have a choice but to allow the inexperienced players to make mistakes and learn with the starters. Ben Heeney, the most experienced inside linebacker among the bunch, suffered an injury while away from the team, which may cost him a roster spot in September. Cory James has shifted over to the weak side to complement Lee with the starters.

The fifth-rounder struggled with pass coverage against tight ends, per Tafur, but it's still too early to heavily criticize his faults. He'll likely remain with the first team through the preseason. Though, if the Wake Forest product doesn't show enough during exhibition play, expect a veteran to join the roster late August.

Tight Ends Will Take on Larger Roles in Passing Offense

Eric Risberg/Associated Press

Through camp, the quarterbacks have focused on including the tight ends in the passing offense, per Bair.

"Tight ends had a strong day on Tuesday. Jared Cook made an excellent catch in traffic and withstood a strong shoulder from Karl Joseph. Lee Smith also had a touchdown catch from EJ Manuel, after which Derek Carr charged 80 yards downfield to congratulate him. It’s clear from those moments and many others that tight ends will be a bigger part of the offense than years past."

Offensive coordinator Todd Downing's offense will feature more targets to the big athletic pass-catchers in the intermediate passing attack and down the seam. The Raiders picked up tight end Jared Cook via free agency, and the added competition may light a fire under Clive Walford, who's finally healthy during training camp.

Gabe Holmes looked impressive during the 2016 preseason. Despite suffering a devastating knee injury in 2014, undrafted rookie Pharaoh Brown still possesses the ability to pull down completions and break a tackle after the catch.

The Raiders signal-callers will have a talented tight end group to target in the preseason. It's a position that should upgrade the overall offense.

Prepare to See a More Aggressive Karl Joseph

Ben Margot/Associated Press

The Raiders 2017 first-round pick will miss time with an injury, but their top selection from the previous season may take a significant leap with a healthy offseason underway.

Safety Karl Joseph couldn't hit the ground running during his rookie year. He needed time to recover from a torn ACL. Then, to his own admission, he played timid on the field due to his injury. Now, he's practicing with more aggression, living up to the Hitman nickname earned during his collegiate days at West Virginia.

Defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. has certainly noticed the second-year safety develop into an all-around talent with some spark in his practice habits. 

"Yeah, I think if you watch him, you see Karl making checks," Norton said. "He's disguising. He's blitzing. He's covering. He's hitting. I saw a couple times today he used his shoulder, put his body on people. He's explosive. Everything you saw early in his career and the reason why he's here. He's got all of that."

Joseph brings a tone-setting quality with his toughness and coverage ability on the back end. Despite second-guessing his body and dealing with a toe injury during his rookie campaign, he still ranked as the second-most efficient tackler among safeties in the league, per Pro Football Focus. He's primed for a breakout season.

EJ Manuel Looks Impressive

Eric Risberg/Associated Press

Don't assume Connor Cook's familiarity in the Raiders offense automatically puts him in the primary backup quarterback position behind Carr. Newcomer EJ Manuel came to Napa with a purpose to compete.

After Sunday's practice, Downing talked about his expectations for Manuel as he adjusts to the system in place.

"As he gets more and more comfortable with our system, he's able to use his footwork, the proper technique, the proper drops, the proper eye placement on zone defenders to help him be more confident in where he's going with the football," Downing said. "We anticipate EJ continuing the growing trend that we've seen."

Manuel brings more overall experience to the position, but Cook had a taste of postseason football—something neither of the two quarterbacks on the depth chart has on their NFL resumes.

The former Buffalo Bills quarterback has connected with wideout Cordarrelle Patterson, his camp roommate, several times on the practice field. A close competition for the No. 2 spot will replace quarterback Matt McGloin's stellar exhibition play this summer.