NAPA, Calif. -- A daily review of the hot topics coming out of Oakland Raiders training camp:
Michael Crabtree put on a clinic for anyone trying to defend him coming across the middle on slant passes. On at least three occasions the veteran receiver, who signed a four-year, $34 million contract with more than $16.5 million guaranteed late last season, sped by the defense for huge gains in the non-tackle practice.
Undrafted rookie receiver Max McCaffrey also had an impressive practice with several acrobatic catches down the sidelines and deep across the middle.
The most acrobatic catch of the day, though, came courtesy of Andre “Orale” Holmes, who went up and over Neiko Thorpe back down the left sideline.
Amari Cooper also turned in a pretty catch … that ended in relative disaster for the second-year receiver. After outmuscling two defensive backs deep down the middle, Cooper was stripped of the ball. Middle linebacker Ben Heeney was trailing the play and scooped up the ball, returning it 50-plus yards for a TD as he placed the ball just inside the far pylon.
Heeney had an impressive practice, also blowing up a screen pass in the left flat.
The most athletic play of practice? Connor Cook fired a pass over the middle that appeared to be a sure interception by safety Jimmy Hall, though the ball went through his hands and into the arms of tight end Colton Underwood for a big gain.
The Raiders practice again Sunday from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. PT and are expected to be in pads.
A few tweets from Saturday’s training camp practice:
Fans can now take pics of Raiders camp practice... https://t.co/mA6NN69z4X pic.twitter.com/n94xOp1nz8
— Paul Gutierrez (@PGutierrezESPN) July 30, 2016
Derek Carr hits Latavius Murray in the flat... https://t.co/wZfeBYXdaG pic.twitter.com/d9WY1gxZTt
— Paul Gutierrez (@PGutierrezESPN) July 30, 2016
Rookie receiver Max McCaffrey looks the ball in during drills. https://t.co/3Iv6hkV5Dd pic.twitter.com/7IOKE6i90C
— Paul Gutierrez (@PGutierrezESPN) July 30, 2016
Raiders owner Mark Davis chops it up with baseball Hall of Famer and Oakland native... https://t.co/eRlu9O6QoS pic.twitter.com/g9Wncces5X
— Paul Gutierrez (@PGutierrezESPN) July 30, 2016
"The chemistry (with QB Derek Carr) is still there; I've just got to get in football... https://t.co/4Kp2vUVzMI pic.twitter.com/HjpdrkXyXj
— Paul Gutierrez (@PGutierrezESPN) July 30, 2016
