Technically speaking, Raiders training camp started Sunday morning. Rookies, quarterbacks, first-year players and select injured veterans reported to the Napa Valley Marriott to punch the clock a little early.
That group gets a head start with a four-day refresher course before the full squad reports on Thursday.
The Raiders will spend roughly a month in wine country building a depth chart and perfecting schemes they belief will generate improvement in the win column.
Even after three straight 4-12 seasons, the Raiders goals remain high. That’s an attitude implemented by new head coach Jack Del Rio, a man set on altering a decade-long trend of losing.