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The Raiders were stripped of two days (12 hours, four on-field) of organized team activities (OTA’s) for violating off-season workout rules. No reason was given for the forfeiture of the days by the NFL or NFLPA. The Collective Bargaining Agreement outlines these rules for OTA’s. - Max 14 days - No weekends - Totally Voluntary (can’t threaten to cut a player for not showing up). - Max 4 days a week - No live contact (bump and run, tackling, pass rushing drills) - No offensive vs. defensive line drills - Six total hours per day max - Two hours on-field work max - “The intensity and tempo of the drills should be at a level conducive to learning, with player safety as the highest priority, and not as a level where one player is in a physical contest with another player.” There are also rules governing workouts that are not a part of OTA’s. It is doubtful these were the rules violated that resulted in the penalty, but they may be applicable. - Four total hours a day max - 90 minutes ...

According to most reports, the Raiders worked primarily on blitz pickup and red zone passing during practice on Wednesday. The Raiders ranked 29th in the league in red zone scoring in 2009 and scored on just 41.4% of their red zone possessions. Red zone scoring is often time a predictor of playoff teams and four of the top five teams in red zone scoring qualified for the playoffs in 2009. The top five teams in 2009 were Arizona, Miami, Indianapolis, Minnesota and New Orleans. The passing game behind JaMarcus Russell was especially weak in 2009, but the team only managed to put up 0.6 passing touchdowns per game, good (or not good) for last in the league. Again, four of the top five teams in passing touchdowns per game were playoff teams, New Orleans, Minnesota, Indianapolis, Green Bay and Houston. Another factor to consider as a key to winning is the all important third down conversion percentage. It is also well known that blitzes are often used on third down. Getting first downs...

The first of 12 organized team activities begins today. Media access will be Wednesday. Fans and media are left to speculate on what the Raiders might be doing behind closed doors. A large tweak of the defense this offseason might be enough to headline offseason coverage on most teams, but the biggest question will continue to be the development of the offense. If starting positions or roster spots aren’t won during OTAs, then what is the point to following them? The truth is that this time can be important for team development. The coaching staff is installation new offensive and defensive plays and the coaching staff is sizing up a rough depth chart to use for training camp. Players will be on the roster bubble. One rookie didn’t make it to camp last season, so these times are definitely important for players on the backend of the roster. Starters may not be decided, but there will be evaluation at positions with significant competition. Some positions are probably easier than others...