Silver And Black Pride
Las Vegas Raiders head coach is a hands-on type and gives third-year defensive end a quality teacher
The first step in solving any problem is to define said issue clearly.
Tyree Wilson, the Las Vegas Raiders’ No. 7 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, readily recognizes the underlying problem that he faces as an underproductive top 10 draft pick.
“Man, going back looking at my previous two years, first year, foot injury. I got in, took a lot time away from ball and it just went fast. It was a blur. Last year, I started started to grow, started to feel the game starting to slow down a little bit,” Wilson explained after the Raiders’ mandatory minicamp a week ago. “But the twitch and the reaction, it wasn’t there all the way. It started to develop after the bye. Now I’m just coming in and it started in OTAs and transitions to camp and then into the season.”
You don’t need to be a football afficionado or junkie to discern Wilson’s reaction time issues. The naked eye could see how tardy he was in terms of both anticipation and action at the snap when compared to other Raiders on the defensive line.
The 25-year-old Texas Tech product has always looked the part standing 6-foot-6 and 275 pounds. That’s elite size and his 35 5/8-inch arms give him an ungodly wingspan too boot. However, like the old saying goes “looks like Tarzan and plays like Jane” has been the tale of Wilson’s career thus far.
As our Matt Holder explored earlier this week, Wilson is looking to ‘shut everyone up’ in Year 3. With a storied and vastly experienced defensive-minded head coach Pete Carroll now leading the Raiders, Wilson gets a hands-on type that’s a quality teacher.
“Man, this is the biggest year,” Wilson said during his media session after the Raiders’ mandatory minicamp session last week. “I feel like it’s no pressure, it’s just feel like I got my feet under me. My teammates are counting on me and the team’s counting on me. So, yeah, that’s a big year.”
But let’s put it plainly: If Carroll can’t get the most out of Wilson, then no one can.
Of course, Carroll won’t be alone in this. Raiders Defensive line boss (and defensive run game coordinator) Rob Leonard plays a huge part. As does defensive coordinator Patrick Graham. But it’s Carroll who is setting the tone for the Silver & Black. And seeing the 73-year-old exhibit uncanny energy (he even pinned offensive lineman Thayer Munford Jr. before a team session), there’s little to no excuse for players to show signs of fatigue or being gassed.
Carroll’s exuberance is breathing new life in Las Vegas, however.
“Yeah, you reading me right. It starts from the top. Pete comes in here with a great mindset, great attitude and he pours it into the team,” Wilson noted. “And all the coaches want to be here, all the coaches want to...
