Jorge Alanis (@raider_al82) asks:
"Amari Gainer, chance to start for him?"
On a Pete Carroll team, everyone has a chance.
The Raiders nearly turned over their entire linebacking corps, with Gainer and Tommy Eichenberg being the only two returning players in the room.
Gainer has seemingly made noticeable strides from his rookie season, even in the small sample sizes showcased in OTAs. He also seems to have taken his training regimen very seriously over the last few months, coming into mandatory minicamp as one of the more chiseled players on the roster and winning The Sampson Award voted on by players, staff, nutrition and training staff.
He was one of two rookie UDFAs to make the initial 53-man roster last season and earned a prominent role on special teams. Additionally, he was one of nine defensive players to appear in all 17 games last season for the Silver and Black. Once pads come on, the second-year linebacker will receive his opportunity to earn his keep on this Raiders defense.
"Man, that guy works extremely hard and he talks a lot," Devin White said about Gainer. "He works extremely hard and he talks a lot, but he will help this team with his energy and his dog mentality."