RAIDERS LOOK TO THE FUTURE

September 20, 2013

By  Scary Barry Rodriguez

Alameda , Oakland Raider's practice facility , Wednesday  September 18, 2013 - Somewhat worse for the wear the Scary one woke up , tossed on some clothes and headed out to catch a practice at the Oakland Raider's headquarters in Alameda on a hot Wednesday morning.

Coming from Daly City I had to cross the new span of the Bay Bridge. The drive went by in a blur and I hardly glanced at the new structure. I was intent on checking out the Raiders, their new Head coach and all the different players . Only fourteen players remained from last year's squad !

After briefly being lost I took the time to reacquaint myself with the Alameda facility. The last time I set foot in it had been the date of the last press conference of late owner Al Davis. His ghost inhabited every room , office and the field !Now , it is a time of changes for the Oakland Raiders, with a new GM Reggie Mckenzie and new Head coach Dennis Allen.

While I was waiting for the practice to begin it became apparent to me that I had over dressed for the blistering heat. Of course I neglected to bring  fluids with me and as a result I was boiling. Then right at 11:15 am the practice began. I primarily watched quarterbacks Terrelle Pryor and Matt Flynn alternate sides throwing to Denarius Moore, Brice Butler and Jocoby Ford. I took some still photos and wilted under the blazing sun ! I had the chance to chat with some of the press folks I knew then practice ended.

It was difficult to wait in the Press room due the heat but it couldn't be helped. At 1:10 pm , coach Dennis Allen entered the room and stood behind the podium. The usual questions were asked about big upcoming game against the Denver Broncos on Monday Night football , September 23rd. Coach Allen played it close to the vest and didn't give away any secrets or display much personality. Its not his job ! For the regular media press folks on the Raider beat it was ho hum business .

Then a big lanky young man dressed in black and wearing a ball cap strode in. Terrelle Pryor sat down and assumed a relaxed posture. He has a palpable charisma about himself. He was at ease yet easily avoided the trap of some questions posed to him. He deflected credit for himself " hes got ten other men out there with him " or avoided commenting on the obvious difficulty of playing the Payton Manning led Broncos by having to " focus in on what your assignments are ".

There is a real possibility that Pryor will succeed . Then what ? Across the bay, in a relatively short time Colin Kaepernick has tasted success. The expectations from the organization and fans is sky high ! In less than a full year as a starter he has been put on the national radar screen. Is Pryor smooth enough to handle fame when it comes ?

I put these thoughts aside and went into the Raider's locker room. The vibe is different when its not after a game. Its a little more relaxed. For most of this year's roster nothing is written in stone. They 're not cocky or arrogant unlike another local team I don't need to mention.

For me the story is not in the statistics but in human side of the equation . I spoke with Guard Antoine McClain. He is a big good humored fellow. In the trenches he has deal with the Vince Wilfords, J.J  Watts type of rushers, every top linebacker and every changing defensive scheme. Its not a glamor position. Its only his second NFL season and he has to perform to stay. Most every Raider player is a veteran from another team on a one year contract or one of the few hold overs , who could be waived at any time.
Next I talked to Taiwan Jones , a third year player , who was switched from running back to cornerback. Taiwan struck me as a quiet young man. He stated that he was playing on special teams for now  and learning the defensive schemes. Jones is considered athletic enough and fast enough to be a good NFL cornerback . Taiwan , like many of his fellow players is not looking far down the rode , just focusing on staying on the team. He was born in San Francisco and moved around during his childhood.

Rookie tight end Nick Kasa is third on the depth chart behind Mychal Rivera and Jeron Mastrud. He now working on special teams and trying to work his way onto the offense. He is also trying to fit in. Like all the others, the journey to the NFL is a big step but only the first step. Staying is the difficult part now. Like all entertainers , whether an actor or a rocker , your only as good as your last performance. Nick is looking for a chance to perform.

The Raiders are in a rebuild mode . The present roster is being shaped to fit the new system brought in by a new GM and Head coach. Even though the spotlight is only on a few player such as Terrelle Pryor and Darren McFadden, the pressure is on everyone to perform in order to remain. The expectations this season are realistic.

The Raiders are a home grown organization . The atmosphere at their headquarters is less corporate as a result of this. Press people have to follow the rules yet the mood is friendly. Out of the headlines , a new structure for success is being constructed brick by brick. Hopefully just like the new eastern span of the Bay Bridge , a better version awaits in the near future.

Just for the record; on the trip home I did take a good look at the new eastern span. It was wide open and the view of the bay was stunning. Alongside , the old span resembled an old rusty metal dinosaur. Not too long ago thousands of cars rumbled across this relic that is now slowly being demolished. The cool ocean breezes carried me home !