Oakland Raiders conclude rookie minicamp on positive note – NFL News
The Oakland Raiders concluded their three-day rookie minicamp on Sunday, May 13, 2012, with the team’s coaching staff and fresh players satisfied with its outcome. The main focus of the camp was to give the rookies a taste of the National Football League
(NFL) life.
The training camp was attended by the rookies selected during the 2012 NFL draft last month and those who were selected as undrafted free agents later and a few other players.
On first day of the camp, it was slightly difficult for the players to adapt to the playing conditions and most of the time was spent learning and focusing on the team’s playbook.
Towards the end, however, they began enjoying the on-field training and ended the season on a positive and ambitious note after developing a reasonably good understanding between each other.
According to the details present on the team’s official website, some of the rookies are now going to attend the organised team activities (OTAs) during which they will also train with the veterans.
However, all the team members will train together during the training camp before the start of the preseason games.
While sharing their respective experiences of the minicamp, all the rookies admitted facing slight hindrance in transforming into the NFL life.
Linebacker, Nathan Stupar, who was selected in the seventh round as 230th overall pick, said of the minicamp:
“It was a rush because it’s 24/7 football and you wake up thinking football, you go to bed thinking football, and it’s literally an all day job and it’s a little more respect for what these guys do.”
He added:
“These last three days were a lot of fun with the team, getting to know kids and it was good to put the helmet back on and run around playing football.”
Meanwhile, defensive end, Jack Crawford, who was selected as 158th overall pick in fifth round of the draft, said that the minicamp helped him become a better player.
He said it was not easy for him to adjust initially, but admitted that he got used to of the conditions later.
He said:
“The first day was tough trying to take in so much and then go home and study and pick it up the second day. I came out and did a good job, so I was trying to get better every day.”
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