Las Vegas Raiders Special Teams Adapting to Training Camp

Without exhibition games, the Raiders are adapting to training camp by running live kickoff and punt drills.

Here at Sports Illustrated’s Raider Maven, we’ve covered extensively on the offense and defense, and their development during training camp.

But what some fans might forget is how the special teams unit is practicing during this year’s unique training camp.

Special teams play a vital role in any NFL game. Special teams can make or break seasons.

Just ask the numerous amount of kickers who were blocked on what would have been a game-winning field goal.

On a typical NFL season, preseason games would have kicked off, playing scrimmages throughout the league and teams deciding who makes the 53-man roster.

This year, because preseason games have been canceled, coaches don’t have the opportunity to evaluate players under game conditions.

For special teams, it makes it a little tough when players can’t practice in-pressure situations.

However, Special Teams Coordinator Rich Bisaccia has worked with Coach Jon Gruden to make sure the special teams units get plenty of reps before Week 1.

“It’s a challenge for those guys to not have the opportunity to run down the game and kind of do what they’ve been doing,” Bisaccia told reporters. “Coach Gruden has given us a great opportunity to put a lot of different things into play, a lot of situations. We’ve had some, basically live kickoffs and live kickoff returns to the thud, not to actually tackle to the ground.”

If they can’t do the real thing, it’s all about mimicking the real thing.

Making sure the special teams are up to par and improving from last year is important for the Silver and Black.

Last season, the Raiders returned for an average of 23.2 yards per kickoff, which was good for 11th in the league. As for punt returns, they averaged a mere 7.0 yards, good for 17th in the league.

The special teams unit was a little above average at best.

Although Bisaccia and his crew won’t have a chance to see this year’s units in action until Week 1 at the Carolina Panthers, running live kickoffs and punts are the best they can do until the season begins.

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