Raiders training camp newcomers: Quarterbacks
From high-profile additions to NFL journeymen, The Bee provides a primer to the new players jockeying for position in training camp. Get to know the new faces at two position groups each day for both the 49ers and Raiders. Rosters are cut to 75 players Sept. 1 and 53 players Sept. 5.
The Raiders look to be set at quarterback with second-year starter Derek Carr at the helm.
Backup Matt McGloin returns and Oakland has brought in veteran Christian Ponder and dynamic rookie Cody Fajardo, who followed well in Colin Kaepernick’s footsteps at Nevada.
Key returners: Matt McGloin
Key departures: Matt Schaub (Baltimore)
The newcomers
Cody Fajardo | 6-foot-2 | 223 pounds
Experience: Rookie (Nevada)
Last year: The senior threw for 2,498 yards and 18 touchdowns and rushed for 1,046 yards and 13 scores in 13 games for the Wolf Pack.
The skinny: NFL.com says Fajardo is “a willing learner and has a chance to be a third quarterback with ‘package’ potential thanks to his toughness as a runner.” He’s just the second player in FBS history to reach 9,000 yards passing and 3,000 yards rushing in a career, joining Nevada alumni and 49ers starter Colin Kaepernick.
Christian Ponder | 6-foot-2 | 229 pounds
Experience: 5 years (Florida State)
Last year: Ponder played in just two games for Minnesota. He threw for 222 yards and had two interceptions, and scored one rushing touchdown.
The skinny: He was the Vikings’ starting quarterback after taking over for Donovan McNabb in 2011, but was injured in 2013. Minnesota drafted Teddy Bridgewater in 2014 and made him the starter. Ponder should provide the Raiders a veteran backup behind Derek Carr.
This story was originally published August 1, 2015 at 10:00 PM with the headline "Raiders training camp newcomers: Quarterbacks."