Former Alabama players Amari Cooper and Trent Richardson are performing well at Oakland’s training camp, according Sports World Report. Cooper has kept a low-profile, but continues to impresses Raiders’ head coach Jack Del Rio and offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave with his hands, speed, route running capabilities and knowledge of the system.
Oakland’s third-round tight end Clive Walford is impressed with Cooper’s acceleration.
Raiders third-round tight end talking about Amari Cooper https://t.co/NmaRBBSFvv
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) June 5, 2015
Trent Richardson,
Photo by: Sports World Report
Richardson, 24, enters his fourth season in the National Football League this fall. He looks to put together a solid year, after suffering two lackluster season with the Indianapolis Colts. Oakland has six running backs on its roster, but the battle will come down to Richardson and Latavius Murray. Richardson has size, speed and power, but needs to improve his vision.
Cooper was Alabama’s primary receiver last season. He averaged 123.4 yards per game, and totaled 1,727 yards with 16 touchdowns on 124 catches in 2014. Cooper won the 2014 Fred Biletnikoff Award, and was recognized as the SEC’s Offensive Player of the Year.
He stands as Alabama’s all-time leading receiver with 228 catches for 3,463 yards and 31 touchdowns. Oakland believes that Cooper will transition smoothly into the NFL.
Richardson accounted 3,130 rushing yards, 730 receiving yards and 43 total touchdowns in three season with the Crimson Tide (2009-11). He won the Doalk Walker Award in 2011.
Both Cooper and Richardson were conference champions and national champions at Alabama. Oakland wants to return to being a playoff team. The last time the Raiders went to the postseason was in 2002. It has a solid quarterback in Derek Carr, and has brought in two talented players in Cooper and Richardson. Only time will tell if Oakland can make a push in the AFC West.
Stephen M. Smith is a staff writer and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine, Pick Six Previews and SB Nation. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” on Twitter, via @ESPN_Future.
