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Cam Miller - Tommy Mellot PreSeason Play

Pat was solid. Had some great coverage, limited tackles, did get beat on one route but his safety wasn’t on the backside like he was supposed to be it appeared. He’s looks fast and athletic and still stands out at the LB spot. Hope he makes the 53.
 
Interesting thread all around. The Raisers article had some insight on Tom Touchdowns re: it maybe taking him a few years to get it. I don’t follow NFL roster management all that much, but are NFL teams usually in the business of waiting around on projects given that the average career is just over 3 years? Is that a common thing?
 
Interesting thread all around. The Raisers article had some insight on Tom Touchdowns re: it maybe taking him a few years to get it. I don’t follow NFL roster management all that much, but are NFL teams usually in the business of waiting around on projects given that the average career is just over 3 years? Is that a common thing?
I don't know if he would need 3 years. Colt Anderson spent almost two years on Vikings practice squad. Many players get released and resigned to practice squads within a season. Many hang around with multiple teams for a few years until they get their shot. Tommy really had only a few months to start working as a returner and receiver. I think both him and Junior will see the field during a regular season game within the next two years. Raiders will be better but are in such a tough division that they might not be in a position to qualify for playoffs last couple weeks of season. That is often when they rest veterans that are beat up and give younger guys looks. Then with an entire off season he could make huge leaps. That or he becomes QB for Dave Dickenson.
 
I don’t portend to know the Raider’s roster particulars, but it basically comes down to numbers. It’s very difficult to keep purely developmental players on an NFL practice squad as they are limited to 16 players (17 counting the international player). And those 16 need to be field-ready in the event of injury since the 53 player limit severely cuts into depth. Tommy will have to prove he can be at least a serviceable NFL WR to stay.
I mean this in the nicest way possible, but the practice squad quite literally is for developmental prospects. Usually players who are good enough to be field ready make somebody’s 53. Just as an example from two players from that game, neither O’Connell or Okada were field ready as rookies, and yet they were on the practice squad. Dylan Cook was not field ready, yet remained on the practice squad. I’d be surprised if Mellott makes the 53, but he’s basically a guarantee on the practice squad as a drafted player.
 
Would not be a bad option for him if the slot isn't in Vegas. (How bizarre is it that they are in Vegas? )
Long time Raider fan. I have been to games in Oakland, L.A. and Las Vegas. Beautiful stadium but not really a home field advantage anymore. Went to Raiders-Broncos a couple years ago and it was at least 30% Bronco fans. Opposing fans did not travel to Oakland for games.
 
Would not be a bad option for him if the slot isn't in Vegas. (How bizarre is it that they are in Vegas? )
I really doubt he would play in the CFL. He could make more money with his degree as an engineer. Unless he just really wants to play football for the sake of playing football.
 
Interesting thread all around. The Raisers article had some insight on Tom Touchdowns re: it maybe taking him a few years to get it. I don’t follow NFL roster management all that much, but are NFL teams usually in the business of waiting around on projects given that the average career is just over 3 years? Is that a common thing?
I believe Dylan Cook spent his first 2-3 years off/on practice squads and now may be a starting LT.
 
I don't know if he would need 3 years. Colt Anderson spent almost two years on Vikings practice squad. Many players get released and resigned to practice squads within a season. Many hang around with multiple teams for a few years until they get their shot. Tommy really had only a few months to start working as a returner and receiver. I think both him and Junior will see the field during a regular season game within the next two years. Raiders will be better but are in such a tough division that they might not be in a position to qualify for playoffs last couple weeks of season. That is often when they rest veterans that are beat up and give younger guys looks. Then with an entire off season he could make huge leaps. That or he becomes QB for Dave Dickenson.
Got it, thx.
 
Got it. So, it does happen, but maybe it’s not as common as the teams (and players in such positions) would like? Is that a fair assumption?
Very fair. Only in circumstances where a player is able to stay on a practice squad and have a year or two for development. My guess is the majority of practice squaders never see an NFL field let alone become an impact player. If Cook bevomes a starter, that’s gotta be awfully close to a one percenter.
 

Raiders general manager John Spytek was asked about Mellott on Wednesday.

“I have a lot of respect for Tommy,” Spytek said. “There was a lot of hard decisions we made the last couple of days. And ultimately our responsibility. ... was to put the best 53 and the 17 after that to get ready to win football games.

“Ultimately we made some decisions that didn’t include him, for now.”

Spytek noted that every receiver the Raiders brought to camp ended the preseason healthy, making it somewhat of a numbers game.

“We talked to him yestereday. You know he’s a great kid,” he said. “(Mellott) worked really, really hard to become an NFL wide receiver after being an FCS quarterback. I don’t think people understand quite how hard that is.

“Unfortunately this is not a field where there’s a lot of patience. I still believe in Tommy, I think he’s got a really bright future and I hope he finds a place with a little more patience.”

Daily Interlake.
 
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