Alan Hoshida
CSNCalifornia.com
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After a stellar Junior season at University of Arizona with over 1,200 yards receiving and 11 touchdowns, Juron Criner was one of the top wide receiver prospects heading into his senior season. Even Sports Illustrated had Criner as a top-ten prospect heading into the 2012 season - third best WR behind Justin Blackmon and Alshon Jeffery.
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But a mysterious undisclosed injury shortened his year, making his draft stock fall, allowing the Oakland Raiders to snag him in the 5th round of the 2012 NFL Draft.Criner's senior season wasn't bad byany means - nearly 1,000, 11TDs - butthe unspecified injury and his sub-par 40 time (4.68) at the combine turned teams off, heading into draft day. Which may be an even bigger surprise, is that the Raiders drafted Criner because they have a long legacy of drafting workout warriors. Criner's workouts won't blow anybody away but he is a big target, who goes up and gets the ball."Iwould say they wanted to swith it up a little bit, you know, they usually go with the smaller speedier guys. I feel like they saw a redzone threat in me...Ihave a knack for tracking down deep balls. I have a bit of a basketball background so I can use my body control to box out defenders and get the ball."
Early in camp, Criner was showing off those exact skills, grabbing the attention of both his coaches and the media alike. The Arizona product knows that just because he's being noticed, doesn't mean he its a given he will make the team. He needsto continue to work, soak in all the information all the veteran receivers can give him both on and off the field."Take everything I can from every WR here. Every receiver brings something else to the table...just learn from them all and incorporateit into my game."
Since Criner isn't the typical Mr. Al Davis pick, selecting him might be the most telling sign that the Silver and Black culture is changing in Oakland.