Oakland Raiders: 3 Things to watch for in Preseason Week 1

OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 15: Bruce Irvin (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 15: Bruce Irvin (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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GREEN BAY, WI – SEPTEMBER 28: Jordy Nelson #87 of the Green Bay Packers scores a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field on September 28, 2017 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WI – SEPTEMBER 28: Jordy Nelson #87 of the Green Bay Packers scores a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field on September 28, 2017 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

2. Can Jordy still move?

After the Green Bay Packers cut veteran receiver Jordy Nelson, the Raiders came calling. His arrival led to the release of former starter Michael Crabtree, who had been pretty strong for them the past three seasons.

There was also a lot of critics for the move with many stating that Nelson no longer had it as a wideout. Derek Carr, however, doesn’t think that’s the case.

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"“The thing you hear about that he can’t run anymore — that’s false,” said quarterback Derek Carr via Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle. “I can tell you he’s one of the fastest skill guys that we have still. He can run.”’"

If Carr is correct — and not just giving the political teammate response — we’ll see a much more potent offense in Oakland in 2018. Again, one week won’t answer every doubt that people have about the 33-year old pass catcher, but it should give us a glimpse of how much juice he still has.

In addition to just how quick he can be, the chemistry between Carr and Nelson will also be huge. If they can show a quick connection this early in the process, there will be a lot of reason for optimism in the bay area.