NAPA – The Raiders were solid on special teams last season, with several core veterans anchoring that effort. Brynden Trawick, Darren Bates, Andre Holmes, Nate Allen and Taiwan Jones were chief among them.
That quintet has been disassembled. The first four left in unrestricted free agency, and Jones was cut just before training camp’s start. Trawick and Bates are in Tennessee. Holmes and Jones are in Buffalo. Allen’s in Miami.
Raiders special teams have gone through a youth movement, and a leadership shift towards remains veterans who understand the importance of the kicking game.
“I think you have to go to the other guys who have been here, like Jamize Olawale.