OAKLAND RAIDERS OFFSEASON THREAD
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raiders fans are loud and disrespectful, thats why yall cant sell out games, no familys wanna roll, hence all the black outs.
Doubt it...last game I went to I saw alot of fmilies with kids. The blackouts had to do more with business related shit and have gone down quite a bit since the Raiders have been in charge of selling tickets despite having a horrible team the past 5 years.
McFadden is all good so far
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Friday, June 6th, 2008 at 1:29 pm in Oakland Raiders.
It’s been about six weeks since the Raiders drafted Darren McFadden and the guy has brought nothing but positive vibes to a franchise that sorely needs it.
He has been deferential to the veterans, proved to be a quick study on the field and has yet to fumble, the one thing that was supposed to be a big problem with his game.
He has been as fast as advertised _ maybe even faster _ and looks to have the receiving skills which ideally would put him in the Marshall Faulk realm as a running/receiving back.
He may not be a smooth public speaker, but McFadden has come off as earnest, sincere and down-to-earth.
And McFadden is officially a Raider on June 6, having signed a six-year contract (with no void year) that agent Ian Greengross said will guarantee him $26 million.
Coming less than a year after the six-month JaMarcus Russell stalemate, you’re going to have to look long and hard to find something negative to say with about this acquisition. The only reservations, about whether those relatively skinny legs will enable him to break NFL tackles and hold up under a more severe pounding, won’t be answered until the Raiders report to Napa on July 25, with the first practice the following day.
Some quick hits regarding McFadden’s signing, announced at a press conference Friday, plus other Raiders business:
– The guaranteed money paid to Russell, McFadden, DeAngelo Hall, Tommy Kelly, Gibril Wilson, Javon Walker, Justin Fargas and Nnamdi Asomugha (when he signs his one-year tender) falls just short of $146 million.
For that, you can at least in part thank in part the cash infusion from silent business partners Paul Leff, David Abrams and Dan Goldring, who purchased 20 percent of the franchise this year.
– McFadden on how he will deal with the possibility of veterans being resentful of his contract: “I just go in there being humble about it. I’m not the type of person that’s going to be in there with a big head, or bragging, or anything like that. I feel that’s one of the things that’s helped me out a whole lot because I’m a very humble person. I feel like the whole team has embraced me.”
– The Raiders are pretty adept at moving money around and staying under the cap, but the time is drawing near where they’ll simply have to release LaMont Jordan rather than hold out hope they can find someone to take him in a trade.
– Oakland’s waiver claim of Bruce Gradkowski (the Rams got him because of a worse record) is more evidence that the the deep strike could be infrequent this year. Gradkowski is strictly a move-the-chains quarterback, something the Raiders may have to do a lot of because of pass protection issues.
– Although Kiffin has talked about being careful not to give McFadden too much too soon, so far he has lined up as an I formation tailback, lined up as a single back, been split out as a wide reciever, lined up in the slot, and gone in motion. He’s also taken shotgun snaps as a “quarterback” and was seen Thursday fielding kickoffs from a JUGS machine.
No word on if he’ll assume the P.R. position vacated by Brian Proctor.
“As you go back to drafting Darren and the day we drafted him, it was extremely important for us immediately to get this done as soon as we could,” Kiffin said. “The last thing we wanted to do with Darren because of our ideas with him was to go into a holdout and for him to miss any time in training camp. What I think shows a lot about Darren is the fact that Darren felt the same as we did.”
– The dilemma in distributing the work in the backfield won’t be getting enough work for McFadden. His pay rate says he’ll get 15 to 20 touches per game, rushing and receiving, plus the occasional kick return. He could get more if he’s running hot. It will be Justin Fargas and Michael Bush that fit in around McFadden.
– To help a 20-year-old deal with suddenly having access to millions of dollars will fall to “Team McFadden,” which includes Greengross, marketing director Mike Conley and attorneys David Cornwell and Frank Shaw. What about when it comes to balancing the checkbook?
“His financial guy _ I swear to God _ his name is Mike Vick,” Greengross said.
– Vick, the financial adviser, not the dog-fighter, won’t have to have to tight a rein on McFadden, according to Greengross.
“Darren’s pretty responsible about that. We talked about house shopping, he’s not looking for something outrageous actually,” Greengross said. “He’s kept it well within a budget that … he can afford more but he’s not going to do that because he wants to be conservative.”
If he wants to be real conservative, there are a couple of homes on my street I could tell McFadden about.
– Former Raiders exec and current Bucs G.M. Bruce Allen used to describe rookie signings as each being a slice of pie, with only so many slices to go around.
With that in mind, you wonder why more teams and agents don’t get together sooner than July 4, which for some unexplained reason has been the unofficial shotgun start of the contract season. Greengross ducked into a meeting Wednesday with Marc Badain Wednesday a contract was agreed upon by Friday night.
– A cynic would suggest the Russell contracts dragged on in part last year because it helped alleviate the pressure of using a rookie quarterback who clearly would not be ready to start early in the season, while the McFadden deal came in at warp speed because it was clear he would be needed in Week 1.
– The whole “forfeiture” issue which supposedly held up the Russell talks last season was not much of a topic of conversation, according to Greengross.
“They know Darren’s character, they were fair. It’s structured no more toward forfeiture than any other player,” Greengross said. “It’s a standard type thing. And the CBA limits some of the that and because of the way things are getting done now, it’s based on salary advance. I could go into the complex cap stuff but I don’t want to put you guys to sleep before lunch.”
Good thing, too. The Raiders broke out the Kinder’s barbecue to commemorate the occasion.
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Friday, June 6th, 2008 at 1:29 pm in Oakland Raiders.
It’s been about six weeks since the Raiders drafted Darren McFadden and the guy has brought nothing but positive vibes to a franchise that sorely needs it.
He has been deferential to the veterans, proved to be a quick study on the field and has yet to fumble, the one thing that was supposed to be a big problem with his game.
He has been as fast as advertised _ maybe even faster _ and looks to have the receiving skills which ideally would put him in the Marshall Faulk realm as a running/receiving back.
He may not be a smooth public speaker, but McFadden has come off as earnest, sincere and down-to-earth.
And McFadden is officially a Raider on June 6, having signed a six-year contract (with no void year) that agent Ian Greengross said will guarantee him $26 million.
Coming less than a year after the six-month JaMarcus Russell stalemate, you’re going to have to look long and hard to find something negative to say with about this acquisition. The only reservations, about whether those relatively skinny legs will enable him to break NFL tackles and hold up under a more severe pounding, won’t be answered until the Raiders report to Napa on July 25, with the first practice the following day.
Some quick hits regarding McFadden’s signing, announced at a press conference Friday, plus other Raiders business:
– The guaranteed money paid to Russell, McFadden, DeAngelo Hall, Tommy Kelly, Gibril Wilson, Javon Walker, Justin Fargas and Nnamdi Asomugha (when he signs his one-year tender) falls just short of $146 million.
For that, you can at least in part thank in part the cash infusion from silent business partners Paul Leff, David Abrams and Dan Goldring, who purchased 20 percent of the franchise this year.
– McFadden on how he will deal with the possibility of veterans being resentful of his contract: “I just go in there being humble about it. I’m not the type of person that’s going to be in there with a big head, or bragging, or anything like that. I feel that’s one of the things that’s helped me out a whole lot because I’m a very humble person. I feel like the whole team has embraced me.”
– The Raiders are pretty adept at moving money around and staying under the cap, but the time is drawing near where they’ll simply have to release LaMont Jordan rather than hold out hope they can find someone to take him in a trade.
– Oakland’s waiver claim of Bruce Gradkowski (the Rams got him because of a worse record) is more evidence that the the deep strike could be infrequent this year. Gradkowski is strictly a move-the-chains quarterback, something the Raiders may have to do a lot of because of pass protection issues.
– Although Kiffin has talked about being careful not to give McFadden too much too soon, so far he has lined up as an I formation tailback, lined up as a single back, been split out as a wide reciever, lined up in the slot, and gone in motion. He’s also taken shotgun snaps as a “quarterback” and was seen Thursday fielding kickoffs from a JUGS machine.
No word on if he’ll assume the P.R. position vacated by Brian Proctor.
“As you go back to drafting Darren and the day we drafted him, it was extremely important for us immediately to get this done as soon as we could,” Kiffin said. “The last thing we wanted to do with Darren because of our ideas with him was to go into a holdout and for him to miss any time in training camp. What I think shows a lot about Darren is the fact that Darren felt the same as we did.”
– The dilemma in distributing the work in the backfield won’t be getting enough work for McFadden. His pay rate says he’ll get 15 to 20 touches per game, rushing and receiving, plus the occasional kick return. He could get more if he’s running hot. It will be Justin Fargas and Michael Bush that fit in around McFadden.
– To help a 20-year-old deal with suddenly having access to millions of dollars will fall to “Team McFadden,” which includes Greengross, marketing director Mike Conley and attorneys David Cornwell and Frank Shaw. What about when it comes to balancing the checkbook?
“His financial guy _ I swear to God _ his name is Mike Vick,” Greengross said.
– Vick, the financial adviser, not the dog-fighter, won’t have to have to tight a rein on McFadden, according to Greengross.
“Darren’s pretty responsible about that. We talked about house shopping, he’s not looking for something outrageous actually,” Greengross said. “He’s kept it well within a budget that … he can afford more but he’s not going to do that because he wants to be conservative.”
If he wants to be real conservative, there are a couple of homes on my street I could tell McFadden about.
– Former Raiders exec and current Bucs G.M. Bruce Allen used to describe rookie signings as each being a slice of pie, with only so many slices to go around.
With that in mind, you wonder why more teams and agents don’t get together sooner than July 4, which for some unexplained reason has been the unofficial shotgun start of the contract season. Greengross ducked into a meeting Wednesday with Marc Badain Wednesday a contract was agreed upon by Friday night.
– A cynic would suggest the Russell contracts dragged on in part last year because it helped alleviate the pressure of using a rookie quarterback who clearly would not be ready to start early in the season, while the McFadden deal came in at warp speed because it was clear he would be needed in Week 1.
– The whole “forfeiture” issue which supposedly held up the Russell talks last season was not much of a topic of conversation, according to Greengross.
“They know Darren’s character, they were fair. It’s structured no more toward forfeiture than any other player,” Greengross said. “It’s a standard type thing. And the CBA limits some of the that and because of the way things are getting done now, it’s based on salary advance. I could go into the complex cap stuff but I don’t want to put you guys to sleep before lunch.”
Good thing, too. The Raiders broke out the Kinder’s barbecue to commemorate the occasion.
Stabler’s Now An Unholy Roller: 3 DUIs Since ‘95
Former Raiders quarterback Kenny Stabler was known as “The Snake” in his playing days, but has turned out to be no less slithery than when his playing days wound down 24 years ago.
Kenny Stabler Oakland Raiders Arrested
Stabler tried to escape the pocket while driving under the influence of alcohol Sunday. But he was stopped short by police (unlike the San Diego Chargers in 1978) in Robertsdale, Alabama.
Stabler refused the breathalyzer test and spent the night in jail. From NBC 15 ONLINE, based in Mobile:
The arrest happened around 1am off of Highway 59. Stabler was later released on bond. The Foley Native has been arrested at least twice before for drunken driving–once in 1995 and again in 2001.
I’m sure he drove the way he ran back in his playing days: fast, wobbly, and better than anyone else. But even in Alabama? Come on, dude. The Snake obviously didn’t learn anything from his first two arrests. It might be time to bring a boot down on this Snake.
http://www.sportsbybrooks.com/kenny-stabler-arrested-for-3rd-dui-since-1995-18155
Former Raiders quarterback Kenny Stabler was known as “The Snake” in his playing days, but has turned out to be no less slithery than when his playing days wound down 24 years ago.
Kenny Stabler Oakland Raiders Arrested
Stabler tried to escape the pocket while driving under the influence of alcohol Sunday. But he was stopped short by police (unlike the San Diego Chargers in 1978) in Robertsdale, Alabama.
Stabler refused the breathalyzer test and spent the night in jail. From NBC 15 ONLINE, based in Mobile:
The arrest happened around 1am off of Highway 59. Stabler was later released on bond. The Foley Native has been arrested at least twice before for drunken driving–once in 1995 and again in 2001.
I’m sure he drove the way he ran back in his playing days: fast, wobbly, and better than anyone else. But even in Alabama? Come on, dude. The Snake obviously didn’t learn anything from his first two arrests. It might be time to bring a boot down on this Snake.
http://www.sportsbybrooks.com/kenny-stabler-arrested-for-3rd-dui-since-1995-18155
CURRY PAIN FREE!
Notes from Raiders practice Thursday, wrapping up a three-day session of “organized team activity,” with Steve Corkran relaying the notes with some editorial license taken by yours truly:
– Wide receiver Ronald Curry, back from surgery to remove a bone spur which he said hampered him all last season, returned to practice and looked as if he has never been away.
On one play, Curry faked outside and made a sharp cut inside in which he beat cornerback Darrick Brown. He caught balls in traffic, took some incidental contact, and showed little in the way or rust.
Javon Walker and Drew Carter continued to run with the first-team offense. Coach Lane Kiffin said Curry was doing “about half the stuff.”
Curry seemed happy to simply be pain free.
“I had the bone spur, played pretty much the whole season, had it since the beginning of March,” Curry told reporters after practice. “Pretty much every time I planted, it hurt. But I have no discomfort in running. I’ve just got to get my feet up under me as far as running in traffic. But the foot feels great.”
Curry had the spur removed surgically, hoped to be ready for the mandatory minicamp, but was still too stiff to participate. At the behest of Kiffin, Curry hit the weight room hard in the offseason. The result has been a stronger upper body and the loss of nine pounds, to 206. He said the club wants him between 200 and 203.
“I’ve never been a big weight room guy. Just being a quarterback, where you don’t lift too much, and then playing basketball, where they really didn’t lift too much,” Curry said. “So on the football team I was weak, on the basketball team I was strong. I never took the weight room too seriously. I would just do enough.
“But Kiffin wanted me to get in there and really hit the weights, and (strength coach Brad Roll) has been a blessing . . . he got me on my own little plan as far as upper body, lower body, and it’s really helped me out.”
The Raiders leading receiver the past two years, Curry is taking nothing for granted.
“They bought a guy here in Javon Walker they have big expectations for,” Curry said. “It’s a little different role as far as what’s asked of receivers, because we’re predominantly a running team. We drafted a running back that’s probably going to bring a lot of punch to the offense. I’m sure they’re going to want to move him around, get him involved.
“They dished out a lot of money, that’s just the way the league is. Pretty much if you get paid you’re going to get your opportunity to make those plays. You know, Javon, he’s going to be the guy, and I’m just going to be out there making the plays when they go to me.”
– Walker, whose weight was a topic of conversation initiated by Kiffin in recent practices, made a leaping catch in the end zone against John Bowie.
– Fred Wakefield, working at defensive end, go into a brief skirmish with Jesse Boone that lasted less than 10 seconds.
– Linebacker Shane Simmons was waived, with former Raider Grant Irons signed to the roster. Irons practiced Thursday and was wearing No. 48. Irons has not played since 2005 after a sustaining a back injury.
“He’s worked extremely hard, basically worked for two years to come back and have an opportunity,” Kiffin said. “He’s really in phenomenal shape for a guy that has not been in an NFL program so we’ll give him a chance.”
– John Wade, running second team to Chris Morris during most sessions open to the media since his arrival as a free agent, worked with the first-team offense. Jesse Boone worked with the second team. Morris, running first team in recent weeks, took a back seat.
“We’ve given Wade more reps to see how far he can take that this week and we’ll re-evaluate this weekend going into next week,” Kiffin said.
– Sounds as if the job of punt return specialist, replacing Chris Carr, belongs to Johnnie Lee Higgins unless he plays his way out of it.
“We’ve had DeAngelo (Hall) back there as well, but we’re really trying to make Johnnie Lee the guy and see how far he can go with it,” Kiffin said.
Among the candidates to return kickoffs, Kiffin said, were McFadden, rookie Tyvon Branch and Chris Johnson.
– Linebacker Ricky Brown got some first-team snaps on defense, but Kiffin cautioned not to attach significance to position groupings.
– Running back Justin Fargas woke up feeling ill Thursday and watched practice in shorts and a T-shirt. McFadden got most of the first-team work in his absence. Defensive tackle Terdell Sands and safety Gibril Wilson missed practice with personal matters and are expected back next week.
– Branch filled in for Wilson at strong safety and was victimized numerous times in coverage, continuing at trend.
– Somebody finally managed to get the ball from McFadden, whose fumbling was an issue in college but who has been secure since becoming a Raider. Kirk Morrison stripped McFadden on one play, and although McFadden may have been down, it was played as a live ball.
– Defensive tackles Gerard Warren and Josh Shaw were forced to run a lap during practice for jumping offsides.
– Another advantage in having a 269-pound quarterback _ JaMarcus Russell scored with ease on a quarterback sneak, going in standing up. Then again, he had better score, since it is a no-contact drill and the quarterback has a red jersey, making him off limits to defenders.
– Among those who were not at the voluntary activity or did not practice because of injury were defensive end Derrick Burgess, defensive tackle Tommy Kelly, cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, center Jake Grove, running back LaMont Jordan (Kiffin had no update on efforts for a trade), wide receiver Marcel Reece, wide receiver Arman Shields and safety Jarrod Cooper.
– The Raiders have another OTA session next week, with media availability Wednesday, before breaking up as a team until July 25, the reporting date for training camp at the Napa Marriott.
For borderline veterans, it will be an important time, Kiffin said.
“It’s a very crucial and critical month for them, individually,” Kiffin said. “It will make or break a lot of these guys.”
Notes from Raiders practice Thursday, wrapping up a three-day session of “organized team activity,” with Steve Corkran relaying the notes with some editorial license taken by yours truly:
– Wide receiver Ronald Curry, back from surgery to remove a bone spur which he said hampered him all last season, returned to practice and looked as if he has never been away.
On one play, Curry faked outside and made a sharp cut inside in which he beat cornerback Darrick Brown. He caught balls in traffic, took some incidental contact, and showed little in the way or rust.
Javon Walker and Drew Carter continued to run with the first-team offense. Coach Lane Kiffin said Curry was doing “about half the stuff.”
Curry seemed happy to simply be pain free.
“I had the bone spur, played pretty much the whole season, had it since the beginning of March,” Curry told reporters after practice. “Pretty much every time I planted, it hurt. But I have no discomfort in running. I’ve just got to get my feet up under me as far as running in traffic. But the foot feels great.”
Curry had the spur removed surgically, hoped to be ready for the mandatory minicamp, but was still too stiff to participate. At the behest of Kiffin, Curry hit the weight room hard in the offseason. The result has been a stronger upper body and the loss of nine pounds, to 206. He said the club wants him between 200 and 203.
“I’ve never been a big weight room guy. Just being a quarterback, where you don’t lift too much, and then playing basketball, where they really didn’t lift too much,” Curry said. “So on the football team I was weak, on the basketball team I was strong. I never took the weight room too seriously. I would just do enough.
“But Kiffin wanted me to get in there and really hit the weights, and (strength coach Brad Roll) has been a blessing . . . he got me on my own little plan as far as upper body, lower body, and it’s really helped me out.”
The Raiders leading receiver the past two years, Curry is taking nothing for granted.
“They bought a guy here in Javon Walker they have big expectations for,” Curry said. “It’s a little different role as far as what’s asked of receivers, because we’re predominantly a running team. We drafted a running back that’s probably going to bring a lot of punch to the offense. I’m sure they’re going to want to move him around, get him involved.
“They dished out a lot of money, that’s just the way the league is. Pretty much if you get paid you’re going to get your opportunity to make those plays. You know, Javon, he’s going to be the guy, and I’m just going to be out there making the plays when they go to me.”
– Walker, whose weight was a topic of conversation initiated by Kiffin in recent practices, made a leaping catch in the end zone against John Bowie.
– Fred Wakefield, working at defensive end, go into a brief skirmish with Jesse Boone that lasted less than 10 seconds.
– Linebacker Shane Simmons was waived, with former Raider Grant Irons signed to the roster. Irons practiced Thursday and was wearing No. 48. Irons has not played since 2005 after a sustaining a back injury.
“He’s worked extremely hard, basically worked for two years to come back and have an opportunity,” Kiffin said. “He’s really in phenomenal shape for a guy that has not been in an NFL program so we’ll give him a chance.”
– John Wade, running second team to Chris Morris during most sessions open to the media since his arrival as a free agent, worked with the first-team offense. Jesse Boone worked with the second team. Morris, running first team in recent weeks, took a back seat.
“We’ve given Wade more reps to see how far he can take that this week and we’ll re-evaluate this weekend going into next week,” Kiffin said.
– Sounds as if the job of punt return specialist, replacing Chris Carr, belongs to Johnnie Lee Higgins unless he plays his way out of it.
“We’ve had DeAngelo (Hall) back there as well, but we’re really trying to make Johnnie Lee the guy and see how far he can go with it,” Kiffin said.
Among the candidates to return kickoffs, Kiffin said, were McFadden, rookie Tyvon Branch and Chris Johnson.
– Linebacker Ricky Brown got some first-team snaps on defense, but Kiffin cautioned not to attach significance to position groupings.
– Running back Justin Fargas woke up feeling ill Thursday and watched practice in shorts and a T-shirt. McFadden got most of the first-team work in his absence. Defensive tackle Terdell Sands and safety Gibril Wilson missed practice with personal matters and are expected back next week.
– Branch filled in for Wilson at strong safety and was victimized numerous times in coverage, continuing at trend.
– Somebody finally managed to get the ball from McFadden, whose fumbling was an issue in college but who has been secure since becoming a Raider. Kirk Morrison stripped McFadden on one play, and although McFadden may have been down, it was played as a live ball.
– Defensive tackles Gerard Warren and Josh Shaw were forced to run a lap during practice for jumping offsides.
– Another advantage in having a 269-pound quarterback _ JaMarcus Russell scored with ease on a quarterback sneak, going in standing up. Then again, he had better score, since it is a no-contact drill and the quarterback has a red jersey, making him off limits to defenders.
– Among those who were not at the voluntary activity or did not practice because of injury were defensive end Derrick Burgess, defensive tackle Tommy Kelly, cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, center Jake Grove, running back LaMont Jordan (Kiffin had no update on efforts for a trade), wide receiver Marcel Reece, wide receiver Arman Shields and safety Jarrod Cooper.
– The Raiders have another OTA session next week, with media availability Wednesday, before breaking up as a team until July 25, the reporting date for training camp at the Napa Marriott.
For borderline veterans, it will be an important time, Kiffin said.
“It’s a very crucial and critical month for them, individually,” Kiffin said. “It will make or break a lot of these guys.”