Summer always has been Brice Butler’s time to shine, and 2015 appears to be more of the same.
The difference is, this time Butler’s hoping his summer performance leads to more playing time and opportunities during the regular season.
The third-year wide receiver from San Diego State had six catches for 57 yards in the Raiders’ exhibition opener against the Rams this past Friday, including a 16-yard touchdown catch.
His summer debut follows his outstanding preseason of 2014, in which he led the team with 16 catches for 206 yards and four TDs. As a rookie in 2013, he had five catches, a touchdown and a 21.-6-yards per reception average.
But once the regular season begins, Butler largely has been just a spare part of the offense. In two seasons in Oakland, he has just 30 catches.
The Raiders receiving corps is much deeper than in recent seasons, with Michael Crabtree and Amari Cooper the starters and Rod Streater the No. 3. But Butler -- a tall target with good speed -- has a chance to show a new coaching staff that he deserves snaps as the third or fourth wideout.
New head coach Jack Del Rio was impressed by what Butler did against the Rams and says he’ll continue to get opportunities.
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“I thought Brice was good the other night,” Del Rio told reporters. “How will that shape what we do? Guys that do well get more, guys that don’t do as well get less. It’s really pretty cut and dry. We’re going to want to look at more of guys that do well and do good things with the reps they get. I thought he had a nice showing.”
Butler and the Raiders get their next opportunity Saturday night against the Vikings.
