The Oakland Raiders have had one of the most interesting offseasons of any team in the NFL this year and as the team holds mandatory minicamp workouts this week, a number of questions are on their way to being answered, including how long it will take for the offense to click.
According to ESPN.com, Flynn and the Raiders offense did not look good at the start of minicamp, but head coach Dennis Allen and general manager Reggie McKenzie have preached patience for fans as training camp is still weeks away. The Raiders ditched Carson Palmer for Flynn and acquired the quarterback from the Seattle Seahawks and he is getting the chance to start for the first time in his career. Flynn will have to help bring the Raiders back from a 4-12 season, but McKenzie has made some nice moves and added a number of young talented stars on offense in the draft, including Nick Kasa, Latavius Murray and Brice Butler.
The rookies are expected to contribute right away for the Raiders, including Kasa, who will take over from Brandon Myers, the leading receiver on the team last season while playing with Carson Palmer. Myers had 79 catches for over 800 yards and the tight end will be an important position for Flynn as he develops in the offense. Murray will be big if he can stay healthy, as the Raiders need some consistency on offense and with Darren McFadden always a question mark, Murray and Rashad Jennings will get a chance to play.
The wideout position will be big for Flynn as well, as Jacoby Ford and Denarius Moore will need to stay healthy and the addition of Butler could get things going downfield. Flynn will get the chance to keep the starting job, but Allen will give rookie Tyler Wilson a shot depending on how things go.
The Raiders special teams will look different without Shane Lechler in town, but the kicker plans on staying the same for years to come, as Sebastian Janikowsi said that he would like to remain with the team for another seven or eight years if he can still play at a high level. Janikowsi has been a consistent performer through his career and since the Raiders will have more camp space next season, there is no reason to think they won't re-sign him as long as he is reasonable about a contract.