Young CB Steps Up & Carroll’s ‘ComPETE’ Energy Takes Over

PLAY OF THE DAY: KYU BLU KELLY

Third year corner Kyu Blu Kelly took advantage of a big opportunity on Tuesday. While trading reps with Darien Porter on the first team defense he came down with the play of the day at Raiders practice. Kelly jumped in front of Ketron Jackson Jr. and climbed the latter to pick off a sideline pass from Aidan O’Connell.

In the two practices we’ve seen this week it’s clear the coaching staff is mixing more guys in with the ones, giving them opportunities to show what they can do, and for Kyu Blu, that pick couldn’t have come at a better time after a day of work with the ones.

Over the last two weeks the battle for the starting cornerback spot opposite of Eric Stokes had been dominated by Darien Porter and Decamerion Richardson, but the staff flung Kelly into the mix on Tuesday and he definitely left them with something to think about.

Now, do I think he claims that starting spot? With all due respect to Kyu, I do not. I think this staff really likes what they have in Darien Porter and so far he’s looked up to the task. Cornerback is a position many fans worried about heading into camp. If guys like Kyu Blu Kelly, and others, can continue to make plays like that, it could go a long way in helping sure up the depth for this group going forward and make things interesting in that battle to be the first corner off the bench.

EDMUNDS ENTERS THE CHAT

Newly signed safety Terrell Edmunds made his practice debut with his new team on Tuesday, taking reps with the second team defense. We dove into his fit, and what he brings to the table in Monday’s newsletter:

It was his first day so it will take him some time to get acclimated and thrust himself into that competition for the high safety spot in the big nickel package Patrick Graham really seems to like, but on Tuesday he hinted he could be in play in some dime packages too.

Joining a team three weeks into camp is never easy but Edmonds is entering his eight year in the league and knows what it takes to get up to speed quickly.

We dove into Terrell’s arrival and the ongoing competition at safety in our latest podcast. So for more on that check that episode out on YouTube:

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ComPETE, THE RAIDERS’ NEW MANTRA

At the start of practice on Tuesday, Pete Carroll ran down the sidelines to where all of us in the media were watching practice and proceeded to fist bump everyone and say, “Hey, we need some good pub today!” It was a funny moment, and one of many light-hearted interactions between Pete and all of us so far. That’s just who the guy is. Pete HATES talking about his age, but it’s hard not to marvel at the energy he brings to work every day at 73 years old.

That storyline has gotten a lot of hype and press since Pete arrived in Las Vegas and I get that it may feel played out to some, but for those of us who are in the building every day, it’s easy to see just how real that is. And it’s injected a new life and attitude into the team that I haven’t seen in my six-plus years covering the Raiders.

You don’t have to listen to me though, instead here’s Collin Johnson’s take on what Pete brings to the table every day. It’s an interesting peek behind the curtain of the day-to-day vibe around the team with Pete at the helm:

Will all that translate to more wins this season? We’ll have to wait and see but if you’re asking me, things just feel different than they have in the past over at Raiders HQ, so take that for what it’s worth.

OBSERVATIONS FROM PRACTICE

• Kyu Blu Kelly may have had the play of the day, but Devin White was the player of the day. He picked off a pair of passes and was really flying around out there. He’s been a streaky guy, when he’s on, everyone notices him. Its rare he makes just one big play, he usually always strings them together and on those days I leave thinking he’s getting closer to returning to his old form, or at least some semblance of it. I’ll be keeping a close eye on how he defends the run on Saturday against the 49ers though, that area needs to improve.

• JPJ update: He was a full participant in practice after dressing out but sitting out most of practice on Sunday with what Pete described as sore ribs, because he got punched in the ribs at some point. He worked exclusively with the ones at right guard on Tuesday.

• Alex Cappa missed his third straight practice as he recovers from a rib issue of his own. It will be interesting to see if the battle at right guard continues between him and Jackson once he’s healthy again, whenever that may be.

• Adam Butler returned to practice after missing a few days dealing with a family matter. Upon his return they rotated a ton of guys along the defensive line. We even saw a five-man front that included Maxx Crosby. Adam Butler, Thomas Booker IV, Jonah Laulu, and Malcolm Koonce. Tonka Hemingway also continued to get some reps with the first team defense, too.

• During their tackling circuit I saw the Raiders defenders working wrap up tackling drills against their teammates. They always work tackling when they have the pads on but I don’t recall them doing this exact drill. They were actually wrapping up and hitting a sort of gator roll after the fact. Could it be that I’ve missed it over the weeks? Definitely. Could it be a new emphasis or way of working wrap up tackling after the preseason opener? Also, yes.

• I know I’ve talked about Tre Tucker a lot lately, but he keeps giving me reason to. He again put the quickness and twitchy route running on display in 1-on-1s and was giving the Raiders CBs fits. The whole group of us media members watching just marveled at the fact of how much more confident and comfortable he’s looked all camp long.

• Towards the end of practice Cam Miller dropped a DIME to Carter Runyon (I think it was Runyon) on a corner route. He placed it perfectly between two defenders. It really was a hell of a throw. He’s been good for one of those every couple of days. I’m impressed with his growth so far as the Raiders’ number three QB.

• After a big night in the preseason opener Dylan Laube started to get some reps with the twos on Tuesday. It’s going to be a real tough decision between him, Chris Collier, and Sincere McCormick for one of those last RB spots on the active roster. Those three guys I mentioned are pretty active on special teams so I’ve also started to wonder recently if Raheem Mostert is safe? I’m convinced he is, but it’s still a question worth asking.

WHAT’S NEXT?

The Raiders are back at practice today, so that means we’ll be back in the studio with another post practice pod for you.

So keep an eye out for the next episode of the Silver & Black Sports Network Podcast this afternoon for more takeaways and analysis from practice.

Catch ya next time,