entering final year of rookie deal and Gruden and new DC Pau

ENGLEWOOD Gary Jennings Jr. Jersey , Colo. (AP)The Denver Broncos’ staff will coach at the Senior Bowl later this month, where they’ll get an up-close look at Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield , who is one of the college quarterbacks sure to be on their radar as they prepare for the NFL draft. The Senior Bowl announced Wednesday that the Broncos, led by Vance Joseph, will coach the North Team and the Houston Texans staff, led by Bill O’Brien, will coach the South Team, which will include Mayfield, who won the Heisman Trophy this season. ”We jumped at the opportunity for the Broncos to work the Senior Bowl,” general manager John Elway said. ”On both the coaching and personnel sides, the experience gives us a chance to meet these prospects and get to know them on and off the field. The Senior Bowl has a great tradition and we are excited to be a part of it.” Although the Broncos will keep an eye on all positions, Elway said at his season-ending news conference this week that fixing his QB problem was a top offseason priority. ”For us to have a chance to get better, we have to get better at that position,” Elway said after the Broncos missed the playoffs for the second straight season following their Super Bowl 50 triumph in Peyton Manning’s last game. The Texans already have their quarterback in Deshaun Watson http://www.seahawksauthorizedshops.com/authentic-phil-haynes-jersey , but will also benefit from the three days of practices leading up to the game Jan. 27 in Mobile, Alabama, that features many of this year’s top draft prospects. It’s a big year for O’Brien , who will enter the final year of his contract after being retained following a 4-12 finish, which had a lot to do with season-ending injuries to Watson and superstar defensive end J.J. Watt. This marks the first time the Broncos have coached in the Senior Bowl since 1989. ”It’s a tremendous evaluation tool spending all week with these players,” said Joseph, who worked the 2006-08 games as a 49ers assistant coach. ”From the meeting rooms to the practice field, the Senior Bowl experience lets us see how these prospects work and prepare in a competitive environment.” In addition to the coaches, the Broncos’ and Texans’ football support staffs – athletic training, equipment, video, operations and public relations – will work the Senior Bowl week. The NFL Network will televise practices Jan. 23-25 and sessions Jan. 24-25 will be broadcast by ESPNU. Also, the NFL Network will broadcast the game, which kicks off at 2:30 p.m. ET on Jan. 27. — OAKLAND RAIDERS (6-10)OPEN CAMP: July 26 Ugo Amadi Jersey , Napa, CaliforniaLAST YEAR: Raiders plummeted from 12 wins in 2016 to six last year as QB Derek Carr and offense regressed, defense struggled, and coach Jack Del Rio was fired. Oakland’s offensive output dropped by more than seven points per game, takeaways fell from 30 to 14, and Raiders got almost no production from past three draft classes in becoming one of league’s biggest disappointments. That led to move to bring coach Jon Gruden back for second stint with Raiders after spending past nine seasons in broadcast booth.IMPORTANT ADDITIONS: Gruden, WR Jordy Nelson, WR Martavis Bryant, RB Doug Martin, LB Derrick Johnson, CB Rashaan Melvin, S Marcus Gilchrist, LB Emmanuel Lamur, LB Tahir Whitehead Dwayne Haskins Jersey , WR Ryan Switzer, OL Kolton Miller, DT Maurice Hurst, DE Arden Key.IMPORTANT LOSSES: Del Rio, WR Michael Crabtree, RT Marshall Newhouse, LB NaVorro Bowman, CB TJ Carrie, CB Sean Smith, CB David Amerson, P Marquette King.CAMP NEEDS: Biggest priority is getting 2016 Defensive Player of Year Khalil Mack into camp after he held out entire offseason while seeking long-term contract. Mack is entering final year of rookie deal and Gruden and new DC Paul Guenther are eager to get most important defensive piece on practice field. Other main issues are learning Gruden’s system and figuring out offensive tackle situation with LT Donald Penn coming back fromfoot injury and rookies Miller and Brandon Parker battling Breno Giacomini for time.EXPECTATIONS: Owner Mark Davis has wanted to bring back Gruden ever since taking over team seven years ago. He’s hoping move pays off in team’s final two seasons in Oakland before move to Las Vegas in 2020. Gruden is being counted on to bring out best from Carr, who went from MVP candidate in 2016 to mediocre last season as he dealt with injuries. His protection got worse and his receivers were inconsistent. Even if Gruden does manage to spark offense, defense will need to take big step forward for Raiders to get back into playoff contention.—