Raiders coach Jon Gruden is a man who wears his emotions on his face. One can surmise from his comments after practice Wednesday that when he watches wide receiver Jordy Nelson he looks like this.
According to several reports, Nelson has impressed at Raiders camp despite being 33 and tossed aside by the Packers.
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“I think there’s a lot of guys that are like him in different sports that are able to play at a high level no matter how old they are,” Gruden said of Nelson on Wednesday (via sfchronicle.com). “I think he’s proven that since he’s been here. I was really pleased with him today. He’s a difference-maker for us.”
Jordy Nelson leaves Tevin Mitchell in the dust on a post route and Derek Carr hits him for for about a 60-yard touchdown #Raiders
— Levi Damien (@LeviDamien) August 1, 2018
Derek Carr wanted Jordy Nelson to get his mojo back so he went to him on a deep slant for like a 75-yard touchdown. Karl Joseph may have caught up to him. #Raiders
— Levi Damien (@LeviDamien) July 27, 2018
Nelson has routinely burned defensive backs and proven to be a favorite target of quarterback David Carr, who told reporters last week Nelson is “one of the fastest skill guys that we have still” and earlier this week added: "I can't believe Green Bay let him go, but I'm glad he's here."
Nelson had a down year in 2017 with Aaron Rodgers missing the bulk of the season with a shoulder injury. He managed only 53 receptions and 482 receiving yards after having at least 85 receptions and 1,257 yards the previous three seasons.
Oakland opens the preseason Aug. 10 against Detroit.