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ALAMEDA – What we learned on Tuesday as the Raiders started their work week a little earlier with the prospect of a "week" of "rendezvous" in London against the Seattle Seahawks:
Kelechi Osemele was present at the practice
Wearing a knee brace, Osemele did not seem to be doing much in the media display window. He did not make the trip to Los Angeles for the Chargers game, the second game that Osemele has missed since arriving at the Raiders in 2016.
But at least Osemele was present. He never joined the training ground leading up to the Chargers game after knee injury to the Browns (he missed eight shots and finished the game).
Coach Jon Gruden has explained how Jon Feliciano behaved against the Chargers, but Osemele is an important player for the Raiders, an aggressive sound adjuster who was missed.
With the prospect of a flight Thursday night to London, the Raiders worked Tuesday without a cushion instead of taking their day off. The players took the day off Monday.
Official injury reports are not required until Wednesday, but just about everyone seemed responsible. Defensive lineman Frostee Rucker, who left the Chargers because of a neck injury, was also present but wore a cap and watched over rather than join his teammates.
Marquel Lee gains stature
The second-year linebacker is one of Reggie McKenzie's rare picks that caught Gruden's attention. He played 48 shots against the Chargers, second among linebackers Tahir Whitehead (64).
That's 30 times more than Derrick Johnson, the Kansas City Chiefs' veteran. Lee even broke the Raiders pre-game blockade in Los Angeles.
"He did good things," said defense coordinator Paul Guenther. "I'm sure he'd like to have a few plays the other day, but that's everyone. He did well. He is moving in the right direction. Obviously he's playing a lot now, so we're counting on him. "
Lee (6-foot-3, 235-pound) started six games at the linebacker as Wake Forest's rookie fifth-round pick, but took a seat when NaVorro Bowman was released by the 49ers and signed as # 39, free agent.
Whitehead said Lee had watched, listened and learned.
"I think he's really paying attention to what older people tell him," Whitehead said. "He makes sure he understands that he has not understood everything. . . he asks questions. "
Why Gareon Conley saw a drop in playing time
The Raiders hoped that Gareon Conley, after a rookie year that had been almost completely wiped out by a shin injury, would be a separate player in the second year. Up to here, not so good, even with a return of interception of 36 yards. for a touchdown against Cleveland.
Conley only collected a dozen shots against the Chargers and, late in the game, let Tyrell Williams catch up for a 38-yard gain. The return of Daryl Worley, possibly with an increased role of Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, could keep Conley out for long periods of time in future games.
"He did not play a lot last year and he's a novice player. He's learning a lot, "said Guenther. "Unfortunately, he dropped out of the goal line and we were in a good position to stop the game. I do not want to give him too much for the moment. If we can give him little by little, like a beginner, that's how I see Gareon. "
Pete Carroll has flashbacks in beast mode
Marshawn Lynch had his best years with the Seattle Seahawks, and head coach Pete Carroll said in a teleconference to Bay Area writers that he felt he was looking the same guy.
"I think he's done a remarkable job in maintaining his fitness," Carroll said. "I noticed it when I first saw it when it came back, how good it was in shape. I do not know what he's doing, but I would attribute it to the fact that he really tried to maintain his health, his well-being and all the rest. "
It's a tangled web woven between the Seahawks and the Raiders, and it goes beyond Lynch. Raiders defensive end Bruce Irvin played for Seattle from 2012 to 2015. Raiders coach Tom Cable worked at Carroll in Seattle. Seahawks defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. had the same position under Jack Del Rio with the Raiders. At the reception, General Managers John Schneider and Reggie McKenzie worked together on Green Bay staff.
The Seahawks also brought Sebastian Janikowski in their place.
"I've always loved playing with the people I like the most," Carroll said. "There are guys in the club, coaches and all kinds of relationships, general managers. . . it's a pleasure. If you are competitive, you like to face the best and your friends. I do."
Flash info – Gruden wants more Seahawks!
The Raiders coach was back in the conference call with Seattle writers, with captivating quotes that were already taken and managed by web aggregators who were trying to promote a story.
In case you do not know, Gruden is not always serious in his calls, especially with the outside media. He could give the standard answers, dry as a sandwich, but he will generally enjoy a little, if not exaggeratedly to make a point.
Having already spoken to Lynch, Gruden was asked about Irvin and spoke to the former Seahawks linebacker who became the Raiders defenseman.
"I think he's one of the few experienced rushers we have on this team," Gruden said. "He has some bags. He discreetly becomes a leader of this team and I wish we had more of him. I would like us to have more Seahawks on this team. We will try to get some. "
What followed on Google was to tell stories that Gruden wanted more Seahawks, including a story that speculated that the London game was now also a "journey of recognition."
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