Consider Gil Brandt a fan of what the Raiders have been doing lately. The longtime NFL man put together his list of the top five NFL offseasons and the Raiders landed in the number two spot https://www.raiderslockerroom.com/authentic-derek-carr-jersey , behind..." />Skip to main contentclockmenumore-arrownoyesHorizontal - WhiteSilver And Black Pridean Oakland Raiders communityLog In or Sign UpLog InSign UpFanpostsFanshotsRaidersOddsAboutMastheadCommunity GuidelinesStubHubMoreAll 322 blogs on Horizontal - WhiteFanposts Fanshots Raiders StoriesScheduleRosterStatsYahoo Raiders NewsYahoo Raiders Team PageYahoo Raiders ReportYahoo Raiders Depth ChartYahoo Raiders TransactionsYahoo Raiders PhotosOdds About Masthead Community Guidelines StubHub ✕Filed under:Raiders Free Agency 2019Raiders Draft 2019Gil Brandt: Raiders, Browns top two NFL teams that helped themselves the most this offseasonNew,79commentsPDTShareTweetShareShareGil Brandt: Raiders, Browns top two NFL teams that helped themselves the most this offseasonOakland RaidersConsider Gil Brandt a fan of what the Raiders have been doing lately. The longtime NFL man put together his list of the top five NFL offseasons and the Raiders landed in the number two spot, behind only the Cleveland Browns.Here is what Brandt had to say about the Raiders offseason.A team with an historically bad defense should be focusing on that side of the ball. After the Raiders signed just one defensive player in the first wave of free agency (Lamarcus Joyner) they had no choice but to lean heavily to defense in the draft, making six of their nine players — three pass rushers and three defensive backs — defensive prospects.From 4-12 and with what ended up being well over $100 million to spend in free agency and four picks in the top 40 of the draft, there was a lot of room to improve and a lot of ammo to use to improve it.Follow @LeviDamien There’s no denying that coaching in this years Senior Bowl game helped shape the Raiders 2019 draft class.Jon Gruden and his staff had the chance to get an up close and personal look at players..." />Skip to main contentclockmenumore-arrownoyesSilver And Black Pride homepageHorizontal - WhiteSilver And Black Pridean Oakland Raiders communityFollow Silver And Black Pride online:Follow Silver And Black Pride on TwitterFollow Silver And Black Pride on FacebookLog in or sign upLog InSign UpSite searchSearchSearchSilver And Black Pride main menuFanpostsFanshotsRaidersOddsAboutMastheadCommunity GuidelinesStubHubMoreAll 321 blogs on Horizontal - WhiteFanposts Fanshots Raiders StoriesScheduleRosterStatsYahoo Raiders NewsYahoo Raiders Team PageYahoo Raiders ReportYahoo Raiders Depth ChartYahoo Raiders TransactionsYahoo Raiders PhotosOdds About Masthead Community Guidelines StubHub ✕Four reasons Alec Ingold is a real threat to take Keith Smith’s job as Raiders fullbackNew,68commentsPDTShare this storyShare this on FacebookShare this on TwitterShareAll sharing optionsShareAll sharing options for:Four reasons Alec Ingold is a real threat to take Keith Smith’s job as Raiders fullbackTwitterFacebookRedditPocketFlipboardEmailThere’s no denying that coaching in this years Senior Bowl game helped shape the Raiders 2019 draft class.Jon Gruden and his staff had the chance to get an up close and personal look at players on both the North and South squads.In addition to drafting four players from the Senior Bowl game (Johnathan Abram, Hunter Renfrow, Foster Moreau, isaiah Johnson) the Raiders signed three more players from the game as undrafted free agents. (Alec Ingold Derek Carr Jersey White , Keelan Doss, Te’Von Coney)Among these rookies who are making strong cases to make the final 53-man roster is fullback Alec Ingold.Standing in his way is last year’s starting fullback, Keith Smith.Smith suffered a knee injury prior to training camp and was placed on the PUP list.He was activated last week but in his absence the Raiders offense did not miss a beat with Ingold filling in.There are several intriguing positional battles that are still on going as we inch our way closer to roster cut down day.The fullback job is on that list.Here are four reasons why Keith Smith’s job could be in jeopardy.Special teams contributor One of the areas where current Raiders fullback Keith Smith is a key contributor is on special teams.Having spent four seasons in Dallas with special teams coordinator, Rich Bisaccia, there is a level of comfort there.If Ingold is to take Smith’s job he needs to demonstrate that he can contribute on special teams.Although it’s a very small sample size, in the week two preseason game, Ingold showed us a glimpse of what he can offer on special teams.Ingold is a converted linebacker from his days at Wisconsin so he certainly understands how to tackle and go after the ball carrier.His chances of making the roster could very well come down to what the coaches feel he offers from a special teams standpoint.Punishing lead blockerKeith Smith has made his bones in this league as a lead blocker, but that is also an area where Alec Ingold is very good.Ingold is very physical as a blocker and really enjoys laying a big hit on a defender.It was this play in the Senior Bowl that very likely caught the attention of Jon Gruden and said “I want that kid.”If you aren’t completely sold on Ingold as a blocker that is as good if not better than Smith, check out the first offensive play for the Raiders versus the Cardinals last week.You can see from these examples Ingold invites collusions.That’s the mentality you look for in a dominant lead blocker.Alec Ingold is far more superior threat on offense than Keith Smith.Throughout his days at Wisconsin to his time now with the Raiders Ingold has displayed his abilities as both a runner and receiver.In addition to the physicality that Ingold brings to the table he is also very athletic for 242 pounds, clocking in at 4.89 seconds in the forty yard dash.Everyone knows Gruden loves a fullback that can catch.Through two preseason games Ingold has caught five passes Womens Bo Jackson Jersey , that’s as many as Keith Smith caught all last season.If you check out some of Ingold’s highlights from Wisconsin you will see that not only can he catch the ball he can take a fullback dive to the house.This is something that Keith Smith has never shown he is capable of doing.Cheaper optionIn 2018, Keith Smith signed a two year contract worth $3 million.In contrast, Ingold’s rookie contract is for three years, $1.765 million.Sure, in the grand scheme of things that is not a huge savings but if you have a position where you can get younger, cheaper, more athletic, and not miss a beat from a blockingstandpoint then it seems like a smart move.With two preseason games still remaining Alec Ingold will have plenty of opportunities to make his case to be on the 53-man roster.Follow @Egroat5
