OAKLAND RAIDERS OFFSEASON THREAD
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ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP)—Darren McFadden burst through the middle during a drill and slowed up as he reached the secondary only to be scolded by offensive coordinator Greg Knapp for not running hard for 40 yards.
Tom Rathman got on McFadden’s case another time when he carried the ball back to the huddle with his elbow not tucked in close to the body to secure the ball.
The NFL education of McFadden began at the Oakland Raiders rookie minicamp this weekend, when the fourth overall pick in the draft got his first taste of professional football.
McFadden said Saturday he noticed the difference from college as soon as he was handed pens, a highlighter and a notebook with his playbook. McFadden gets to work with rookies this weekend before joining the rest of the team later this month.
“It’s good to get a few things so that you can understand and get the concept of it,” he said. “Once you get the concepts of the first part of it, it’s a lot easier to catch on to the rest of it when they throw it at you.”
After working primarily as a tailback on his first day of practice, McFadden showed off his variety of skills Saturday. He lined up as a wide receiver at times, ran the ball out of the I-formation and even worked at quarterback in some individual drills.
McFadden was often utilized as the quarterback in college at Arkansas in the “Wildcat” formation, with fellow first-round pick Felix Jones as running back. McFadden threw seven touchdown passes in his career.
He ended the practice Saturday, by winning a competition for the offense when he beat a linebacker to the corner after taking a pitch and broke off a long run.
McFadden is being counted on to team with last year’s No. 1 overall pick JaMarcus Russell and give the Raiders a more potent offense. Oakland has won only 19 games the past five seasons and has often lacked the playmakers needed to win in the NFL.
But coach Lane Kiffin cautions about putting too much pressure on McFadden so early.
“He’s not here to save the franchise. He just happens to be our first pick of the draft,” Kiffin said.
One of the immediate priorities is working on McFadden’s ball security. He fumbled 15 times last season at Arkansas, although some of those came as a quarterback or kick returner as opposed to a tailback.
Rathman pointed out that McFadden carried held his elbow too far from his body when they first met before the draft last month and is working on fixing the flaw before the season.
“You’ve got to be a good fundamental football player, and that’s what we’re working on right now,” Rathman said. “Obviously, coming out of college his biggest negative was probably his ball security, so we’ve jumped on that early. He understands where we’re coming from. He’s using better technique, better decision on where he’s putting the ball at certain times. So he understands what he needs to do.”
McFadden is part of a crowded backfield in Oakland. Justin Fargas started for most of the second half of last season, finishing with 1,009 yards, and another former 1,000-yard back, LaMont Jordan, is also still on the roster.
“I feel like the coaches know what they want to do,” McFadden said. “I’m just sitting back right now and trying to learn from those guys that are ahead of me and just learn the playbook and things so I can get out there on the field and when I get out there, I know what to do.”
The most intriguing option is Michael Bush, a fourth-round pick a year ago who missed his rookie year recovering from a broken leg.
Bush was projected as a first-round pick before breaking his leg in his season-opener for Louisville in 2006. He sat out all last season, getting to practice only briefly with his new team.
He admits he was taken aback when the team drafted another running back, but was reassured after talking with Rathman.
“Coach Rathman after they drafted McFadden and told me, ‘This has nothing to do with you. Just hang in there, keep focusing and keep working hard like you been doing. Everything else will take care of itself,”’ Bush said.
Bush and McFadden give the Raiders more options at running back than they had last year because both are talented receivers, as well as runners.
“We’re excited they’re all different,” Kiffin said. “They’re very different players and bring different things and we’ve got to figure it out. Two of them, in Michael and Darren, catch the ball really well so we’ve got to see how much we can do with that.”
Tom Rathman got on McFadden’s case another time when he carried the ball back to the huddle with his elbow not tucked in close to the body to secure the ball.
The NFL education of McFadden began at the Oakland Raiders rookie minicamp this weekend, when the fourth overall pick in the draft got his first taste of professional football.
McFadden said Saturday he noticed the difference from college as soon as he was handed pens, a highlighter and a notebook with his playbook. McFadden gets to work with rookies this weekend before joining the rest of the team later this month.
“It’s good to get a few things so that you can understand and get the concept of it,” he said. “Once you get the concepts of the first part of it, it’s a lot easier to catch on to the rest of it when they throw it at you.”
After working primarily as a tailback on his first day of practice, McFadden showed off his variety of skills Saturday. He lined up as a wide receiver at times, ran the ball out of the I-formation and even worked at quarterback in some individual drills.
McFadden was often utilized as the quarterback in college at Arkansas in the “Wildcat” formation, with fellow first-round pick Felix Jones as running back. McFadden threw seven touchdown passes in his career.
He ended the practice Saturday, by winning a competition for the offense when he beat a linebacker to the corner after taking a pitch and broke off a long run.
McFadden is being counted on to team with last year’s No. 1 overall pick JaMarcus Russell and give the Raiders a more potent offense. Oakland has won only 19 games the past five seasons and has often lacked the playmakers needed to win in the NFL.
But coach Lane Kiffin cautions about putting too much pressure on McFadden so early.
“He’s not here to save the franchise. He just happens to be our first pick of the draft,” Kiffin said.
One of the immediate priorities is working on McFadden’s ball security. He fumbled 15 times last season at Arkansas, although some of those came as a quarterback or kick returner as opposed to a tailback.
Rathman pointed out that McFadden carried held his elbow too far from his body when they first met before the draft last month and is working on fixing the flaw before the season.
“You’ve got to be a good fundamental football player, and that’s what we’re working on right now,” Rathman said. “Obviously, coming out of college his biggest negative was probably his ball security, so we’ve jumped on that early. He understands where we’re coming from. He’s using better technique, better decision on where he’s putting the ball at certain times. So he understands what he needs to do.”
McFadden is part of a crowded backfield in Oakland. Justin Fargas started for most of the second half of last season, finishing with 1,009 yards, and another former 1,000-yard back, LaMont Jordan, is also still on the roster.
“I feel like the coaches know what they want to do,” McFadden said. “I’m just sitting back right now and trying to learn from those guys that are ahead of me and just learn the playbook and things so I can get out there on the field and when I get out there, I know what to do.”
The most intriguing option is Michael Bush, a fourth-round pick a year ago who missed his rookie year recovering from a broken leg.
Bush was projected as a first-round pick before breaking his leg in his season-opener for Louisville in 2006. He sat out all last season, getting to practice only briefly with his new team.
He admits he was taken aback when the team drafted another running back, but was reassured after talking with Rathman.
“Coach Rathman after they drafted McFadden and told me, ‘This has nothing to do with you. Just hang in there, keep focusing and keep working hard like you been doing. Everything else will take care of itself,”’ Bush said.
Bush and McFadden give the Raiders more options at running back than they had last year because both are talented receivers, as well as runners.
“We’re excited they’re all different,” Kiffin said. “They’re very different players and bring different things and we’ve got to figure it out. Two of them, in Michael and Darren, catch the ball really well so we’ve got to see how much we can do with that.”
Finally healthy, Bush is eager to help Raiders
By Steve Corkran
STAFF WRITER
ALAMEDA -- Pity the defender who crosses paths with Raiders running back Michael Bush for the first time. Bush is a load at 6-foot-2 and 245 pounds, with a ball in his hands and the goal line in his sights.
Throw in the fact that Bush hasn't played in a game for 20 months, his surgically repaired right leg is healed, and he isn't assured any playing time, and you have the recipe for a player in search of someone to take it out on.
"I've been telling people that my season starts the first preseason game," Bush said Saturday, in reference to the Raiders exhibition game against the 49ers on Aug. 8.
Then again, little has worked out as expected for Bush the past two years. He last played in a football game in Louisville's season-opener against Kentucky in Sept. of 2006. He sustained a broken right leg in that game and missed the rest of the season.
The injury required a second surgery just before the 2007 NFL draft. He dropped from a first-round prospect into the laps of the Raiders with the first pick of the fourth round. The running back-rich Raiders kept Bush out of practice for most of last season and he didn't play in any games.
Why risk another setback, especially when veterans LaMont Jordan, Dominic Rhodes and Justin Fargas were on the roster? Bring him along slow, and then turn him loose this season. So went the thinking.
A breakout season by Fargas coupled with the Raiders' selection of running back Darren McFadden with the fourth pick of the NFL draft last month scuttled the original plan.
"At first, I was like why do we need another back?" Bush admitted in a news conference Saturday.
Ultimately, Bush decided to do what he has become quite adept at doing of late, making the best of a less-than-ideal situation.
"I just want to get on the field and just play," Bush said. "Special teams, I'm all down for anything, just being on the field and getting the atmosphere. I'm just ready."
Bush's readiness no longer is in question. He runs at full speed, makes sharp cuts, catches the ball in traffic, and blends in seamlessly. It's his worthiness to play ahead of Fargas and McFadden that clouds his future.
Fargas rushed for more than 1,000 yards last season and received a sizable new contract during the offseason. McFadden is a first-round pick on the verge of receiving a contract that should net him at least $20 million guaranteed over five years or so.
Naturally, Raiders coach Lane Kiffin said none of the aforementioned factors go into the equation.
"We'll open the competition up," Kiffin said, "and who knows? Michael Bush may be the best of the three."
If that sounds like the company line, then perhaps you'll find value in running backs coach Tom Rathman's assessment of the team's muddled running backs situation.
"Our philosophy is, it doesn't matter what you've done in the past," Rathman said.
Therefore, Fargas' 1,009 yards rushing, McFadden's high-profile status, Jordan's fall from grace -- he likely will be cut before this season -- and Bush's false start mean nothing anymore. It's, "What-have-you-done-for-me-lately and what-can-you-do-for-me-this-season time?"
"We have a standard here of the play that we want to present as a group of running backs, and we're going to hold everybody that suits up and steps out on that field to those standards," Rathman said. "When you're not able to get it done to those standards, we're going to go to the next guy. Somebody's going to perform for us, and it's going to be at a high level."
The smart money says Fargas and McFadden split the bulk of the carries, with Fargas the primary ball carrier, and Bush assumes the role of short-yardage/goal-line back.
It might not be what the Raiders or Bush envisioned a year ago but, hey, it beats what both experienced last season.
It also helps Bush that he has been in a similar situation before. At Louisville, he spent time backing up Eric Shelton and Lionel Gates before he assumed the lead role.
"Everybody just complements each other," Bush said.
Notes: McFadden dazzled onlookers with several runs on which he turned the corner and raced past defenders and into the end zone. Practice concluded with McFadden taking a pitchout and blowing past a linebacker for a long run down the left sideline. "He does bring us some speed and brings us a game-breaker," Kiffin said. "The last play of the practice, it came down to one play to win (the offense vs. defense competition). There was a linebacker right there, and (McFadden) made the play for us." McFadden also received some work at quarterback and receiver in off-to-the-side tutoring from Kiffin and offensive coordinator Greg Knapp. "Yeah, he looked real comfortable in a number of different things that we did with him," Kiffin said. ... The Raiders' three-day minicamp ends today. Rookies such as McFadden won't be back until May 20. Veterans are expected in early next week for more offseason workouts.
By Steve Corkran
STAFF WRITER
ALAMEDA -- Pity the defender who crosses paths with Raiders running back Michael Bush for the first time. Bush is a load at 6-foot-2 and 245 pounds, with a ball in his hands and the goal line in his sights.
Throw in the fact that Bush hasn't played in a game for 20 months, his surgically repaired right leg is healed, and he isn't assured any playing time, and you have the recipe for a player in search of someone to take it out on.
"I've been telling people that my season starts the first preseason game," Bush said Saturday, in reference to the Raiders exhibition game against the 49ers on Aug. 8.
Then again, little has worked out as expected for Bush the past two years. He last played in a football game in Louisville's season-opener against Kentucky in Sept. of 2006. He sustained a broken right leg in that game and missed the rest of the season.
The injury required a second surgery just before the 2007 NFL draft. He dropped from a first-round prospect into the laps of the Raiders with the first pick of the fourth round. The running back-rich Raiders kept Bush out of practice for most of last season and he didn't play in any games.
Why risk another setback, especially when veterans LaMont Jordan, Dominic Rhodes and Justin Fargas were on the roster? Bring him along slow, and then turn him loose this season. So went the thinking.
A breakout season by Fargas coupled with the Raiders' selection of running back Darren McFadden with the fourth pick of the NFL draft last month scuttled the original plan.
"At first, I was like why do we need another back?" Bush admitted in a news conference Saturday.
Ultimately, Bush decided to do what he has become quite adept at doing of late, making the best of a less-than-ideal situation.
"I just want to get on the field and just play," Bush said. "Special teams, I'm all down for anything, just being on the field and getting the atmosphere. I'm just ready."
Bush's readiness no longer is in question. He runs at full speed, makes sharp cuts, catches the ball in traffic, and blends in seamlessly. It's his worthiness to play ahead of Fargas and McFadden that clouds his future.
Fargas rushed for more than 1,000 yards last season and received a sizable new contract during the offseason. McFadden is a first-round pick on the verge of receiving a contract that should net him at least $20 million guaranteed over five years or so.
Naturally, Raiders coach Lane Kiffin said none of the aforementioned factors go into the equation.
"We'll open the competition up," Kiffin said, "and who knows? Michael Bush may be the best of the three."
If that sounds like the company line, then perhaps you'll find value in running backs coach Tom Rathman's assessment of the team's muddled running backs situation.
"Our philosophy is, it doesn't matter what you've done in the past," Rathman said.
Therefore, Fargas' 1,009 yards rushing, McFadden's high-profile status, Jordan's fall from grace -- he likely will be cut before this season -- and Bush's false start mean nothing anymore. It's, "What-have-you-done-for-me-lately and what-can-you-do-for-me-this-season time?"
"We have a standard here of the play that we want to present as a group of running backs, and we're going to hold everybody that suits up and steps out on that field to those standards," Rathman said. "When you're not able to get it done to those standards, we're going to go to the next guy. Somebody's going to perform for us, and it's going to be at a high level."
The smart money says Fargas and McFadden split the bulk of the carries, with Fargas the primary ball carrier, and Bush assumes the role of short-yardage/goal-line back.
It might not be what the Raiders or Bush envisioned a year ago but, hey, it beats what both experienced last season.
It also helps Bush that he has been in a similar situation before. At Louisville, he spent time backing up Eric Shelton and Lionel Gates before he assumed the lead role.
"Everybody just complements each other," Bush said.
Notes: McFadden dazzled onlookers with several runs on which he turned the corner and raced past defenders and into the end zone. Practice concluded with McFadden taking a pitchout and blowing past a linebacker for a long run down the left sideline. "He does bring us some speed and brings us a game-breaker," Kiffin said. "The last play of the practice, it came down to one play to win (the offense vs. defense competition). There was a linebacker right there, and (McFadden) made the play for us." McFadden also received some work at quarterback and receiver in off-to-the-side tutoring from Kiffin and offensive coordinator Greg Knapp. "Yeah, he looked real comfortable in a number of different things that we did with him," Kiffin said. ... The Raiders' three-day minicamp ends today. Rookies such as McFadden won't be back until May 20. Veterans are expected in early next week for more offseason workouts.
Rookie minicamp report, Day 3
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Sunday, May 11th, 2008 at 12:07 pm in Oakland Raiders.
Even if Darrick Brown and Marcel Reece never make it to training camp, at least they’ll have a nice shiny Raiders helmet to put in their trophy case.
As the Raiders concluded a three-day rookie minicamp Sunday, Brown and Reece were given helmets as a reward, with defensive coordinator Rob Ryan giving one to Brown and offensive coordinator Greg Knapp handing one to Reece.
“(They were) best effort guys, one on offense, one on defense, doing what we talked about on the first day,” coach Lane Kiffin said.
Brown, who played cornerback, was signed as an undrafted free agent out of McNeese State. Ryan told the group Brown showed improvement every day. Reece, who would seem to have a good shot at being signed to a contract, was in on a tryout basis and played wide receiver, tight end and even a little running back.
Besides being award for their level of effort, Brown and Reece happen to be two of the most physically imposing rookies in camp.
A rangy 6-foot-4, 200 pounds, Brown was a Louisiana long jump, triple jump and high jump chapion in high school as well as a standout on the McNeese State track team. In fact, all his college highlights listed at the Raiders Web site have to do with his track career.
Brown, who also played some wide receiver in college, had 34 tackles and a fumble recovery as a senior at McNeese State. His brother Marcus, who went to the same school, signed as an undrafted free agent with the Arizona Cardinals.
At 6-foot-3, 240 pounds, Reece was second in receiving at the University of Washington with 39 receptions for 761 yards and eight touchdowns, averaging 19.5 yards per reception.
Reece had a big gainer during practice Sunday when quarterback Jeff Otis play-faked to Michael Bush and hit him in stride with a reverse roll.
More Day 3 snapshots:
– Who says the Raiders don’t blitz? Inside linebacker Shane Simmons blew through untouched up the middle and dropped Otis for a loss.
– Wide receiver Will Buchanon broke free between Nick Sanchez and Dominic Patrick but couldn’t hold on to a slightly off-target pass from Sam Keller on a deep sideline pattern. Keller also misfired to an open Todd Watkins against the coverage of Patrick and Brian Williams.
Watkins had his second straight impressive day after struggling on Day 1.
– Fifth-round draft pick Trevor Scott beat left tackle Brandon Rodd with an outside rush and force Otis to look for room up the middle.
– Nice day for defensive tackle George Chukwu, a tryout player out of Rice. Chukwu blew up one rushing play, knifing through against running back Louis Rankin, and then pounced on a fumbled snap by Otis at quarterback.
– Otis connected on a fade pattern for a touchdown over Patrick to seventh-round draft pick Chaz Schilens.
– One new face on the Raiders coaching staff belongs to John Fassel, son of former NFL head coach and Raiders assistant coach Jim Fassel. Fassel is an assistant special teams coach under Brian Schneider.
– The Raiders have not signed veteran defensive end Greg Spires but hope to finalize a deal as soon as today. The word is they have inquired about free agent wide receiver/kickoff return specialist Koren Robinson but have had no serious talks about bringing Robinson in.
– Wide receiver Arman Shields missed practice Sunday to be with his graduating class at Richmond.
– Kiffin said he expects “97 to 98 percent” attendance when the Raiders begin voluntary organized team activities, which run Tuesday through Thursday. There is media availability scheduled for Thursday.
OTA practices are instructional in nature with no contact.
– After saying Friday that wide receiver Jonathan Holland had been held out of practice by the training staff, Kiffin said Sunday Holland actually was not eligible for the rookie minicamp because he spent last season on injured reserve, as opposed to the Physically Unable to Perform list. Holland worked out virtually every day alongside Michael Bush last year, but since Bush was on PUP, he was eligible and Holland was not.
Kiffin said Holland is expected to attend OTAs starting Tuesday.
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Sunday, May 11th, 2008 at 12:07 pm in Oakland Raiders.
Even if Darrick Brown and Marcel Reece never make it to training camp, at least they’ll have a nice shiny Raiders helmet to put in their trophy case.
As the Raiders concluded a three-day rookie minicamp Sunday, Brown and Reece were given helmets as a reward, with defensive coordinator Rob Ryan giving one to Brown and offensive coordinator Greg Knapp handing one to Reece.
“(They were) best effort guys, one on offense, one on defense, doing what we talked about on the first day,” coach Lane Kiffin said.
Brown, who played cornerback, was signed as an undrafted free agent out of McNeese State. Ryan told the group Brown showed improvement every day. Reece, who would seem to have a good shot at being signed to a contract, was in on a tryout basis and played wide receiver, tight end and even a little running back.
Besides being award for their level of effort, Brown and Reece happen to be two of the most physically imposing rookies in camp.
A rangy 6-foot-4, 200 pounds, Brown was a Louisiana long jump, triple jump and high jump chapion in high school as well as a standout on the McNeese State track team. In fact, all his college highlights listed at the Raiders Web site have to do with his track career.
Brown, who also played some wide receiver in college, had 34 tackles and a fumble recovery as a senior at McNeese State. His brother Marcus, who went to the same school, signed as an undrafted free agent with the Arizona Cardinals.
At 6-foot-3, 240 pounds, Reece was second in receiving at the University of Washington with 39 receptions for 761 yards and eight touchdowns, averaging 19.5 yards per reception.
Reece had a big gainer during practice Sunday when quarterback Jeff Otis play-faked to Michael Bush and hit him in stride with a reverse roll.
More Day 3 snapshots:
– Who says the Raiders don’t blitz? Inside linebacker Shane Simmons blew through untouched up the middle and dropped Otis for a loss.
– Wide receiver Will Buchanon broke free between Nick Sanchez and Dominic Patrick but couldn’t hold on to a slightly off-target pass from Sam Keller on a deep sideline pattern. Keller also misfired to an open Todd Watkins against the coverage of Patrick and Brian Williams.
Watkins had his second straight impressive day after struggling on Day 1.
– Fifth-round draft pick Trevor Scott beat left tackle Brandon Rodd with an outside rush and force Otis to look for room up the middle.
– Nice day for defensive tackle George Chukwu, a tryout player out of Rice. Chukwu blew up one rushing play, knifing through against running back Louis Rankin, and then pounced on a fumbled snap by Otis at quarterback.
– Otis connected on a fade pattern for a touchdown over Patrick to seventh-round draft pick Chaz Schilens.
– One new face on the Raiders coaching staff belongs to John Fassel, son of former NFL head coach and Raiders assistant coach Jim Fassel. Fassel is an assistant special teams coach under Brian Schneider.
– The Raiders have not signed veteran defensive end Greg Spires but hope to finalize a deal as soon as today. The word is they have inquired about free agent wide receiver/kickoff return specialist Koren Robinson but have had no serious talks about bringing Robinson in.
– Wide receiver Arman Shields missed practice Sunday to be with his graduating class at Richmond.
– Kiffin said he expects “97 to 98 percent” attendance when the Raiders begin voluntary organized team activities, which run Tuesday through Thursday. There is media availability scheduled for Thursday.
OTA practices are instructional in nature with no contact.
– After saying Friday that wide receiver Jonathan Holland had been held out of practice by the training staff, Kiffin said Sunday Holland actually was not eligible for the rookie minicamp because he spent last season on injured reserve, as opposed to the Physically Unable to Perform list. Holland worked out virtually every day alongside Michael Bush last year, but since Bush was on PUP, he was eligible and Holland was not.
Kiffin said Holland is expected to attend OTAs starting Tuesday.
Q&A with Rookie S Tyvon Branch
May 9, 2008
Rookie defensive back Tyvon Branch spoke to the media prior to his first official practice as a Raider.
Tony Gonzales
The Oakland Raiders selected defensive back Tyvon Branch out of UConn in the fourth round of the 2008 NFL Draft. Prior to hitting the field for the first time as a professional football player and a member of the Silver and Black, Branch spoke with the Bay Area media in person in the press room at the team's Alameda, Calif., facility.
Q: The Raiders already came out and said that you are probably going to move to safety, are you cool with that?
Branch: Yeah, definitely. I played corner in college so I am looking forward to making the transition.
Q: Is there anything you need to work on or does that come pretty natural?
Branch: Natural instincts, but that comes with reps, but I am pretty sure that after [the] camps I will be all right.
Q: Are you going to talk to Nnamdi Asomugha because he did the opposite? When he was in college he went from safety to cornerback. Do you think he could help you out at all?
Branch: Yeah, definitely.
Q: So Tyvon, strong or free? With what you weigh what do you think will be better suited for your skills?
Branch: I think either or. I was real physical at corner so I think it will tie into safety, so either or.
Q: How much have they talked to you about this position change and who are you working with?
Branch: I really didn’t talk to anybody about it when I got here. They just put up the depth chart and I saw that I was at strong safety so ever since than I have been working at strong safety.
Q: Did you have any indication from other teams or during your workouts that you would have to make that change or was that something that the Raiders wanted?
Branch: A couple teams that worked me out worked me out at safety so I knew that it was a possibility that I would move over to safety in the league, but I was looking forward to either or.
Q: Did you visit here as well before the draft at anytime?
Branch: No, I didn’t even know Oakland was interested in me at the time so it was definitely a surprise for me.
Q: How many teams worked you out?
Branch: I had four visits. I had five teams work me out at the pro day and than I had two individual workouts.
Q: What was your reaction when you get picked and it’s the Raiders and it was someone you hadn’t even talked to in the process?
Branch: I knew it was possible that I would get picked up by someone I hadn’t talked to, but I was surprised and like I said, I am just happy to be out here.
Q: Were you still watching the draft at the point? Or were you off doing something else?
Branch: I was watching. I got the phone call right before so I knew what was going on.
Q: So what about being on this side of the country and being on a team that is on the upswing? What general feeling do you have about being a Raider now? It may be a great opportunity for you to be a kick returner and maybe getting some time in at safety?
Branch: Yeah, it is definitely a great opportunity for me. They lost their returners so I am looking forward to stepping up and competing for that job and just working hard and hopefully getting on the field.
Q: How would you describe your style there? Are you make or miss or do you look for a seam and just hit it and go?
Branch: One of my returns I scored off was just a straight-line return, one cut. And then I had one where I made a couple moves, made a couple of people miss, so I think I have a lot of versatility back there.
Q: What appeals to you about kickoff returns?
Branch: It’s a thrill. It’s an adrenaline rush. You just got to do your thing out there or else you are going to get hurt.
Q: Are you going to try and put on a little weight playing strong safety? Are you going to try and bulk up a little more than you would if you were a cornerback?
Branch: Yeah, definitely. I am trying to put on a little bit of weight now; I am up a little bit.
Q: You pack some wallop?
Branch: Yeah I’ll come up and hit you a little bit.
Q: What is the most important ingredient in your mind to return kickoffs? What do you have to have?
Branch: You have to be instinctive. You have to make quick decisions. I think that is the biggest part and reading your blocks. Sometimes a seam opens up where its not supposed to and you just have to find it.
Q: What about emotionally?
Branch: It’s a big thrill.
Q: Don’t you have to be fearless?
Branch: I don’t know about all that. I think fear is what helps you score. You're scared to get hit, but I think you just got to go out there and have fun with it.
Q: You are able to do different kinds of things on special teams. Do you think that helps you, gives you a better chance at making the roster? Not just somebody playing a new position.
Branch: Yeah, definitely, I think that whenever you can come out and play special teams it adds value and this is a league where you got to have some value to be able to play so I think it is really important.
Q: What are your impressions of Rob Ryan so far?
Branch: Intense, he seems like he knows what he is talking about, I am looking forward to playing for him.
Q: Do you feel any nervousness that you have to go out there and perform because there is no guarantee considering where you were picked?
Branch: I’m not really nervous about it, but I know I have to perform in order to stay around. You have to perform in this league and that’s what I am looking forward to do.
Q: How would you compare the level of competition at UConn to the NFL? Has it prepared you for football at this level?
Branch: I played in a good conference, the Big East conference. We had two ACC opponents with Virginia and Wake Forest this year, so we have seen a lot of speed this year and I think that is going to help me out a lot.
May 9, 2008
Rookie defensive back Tyvon Branch spoke to the media prior to his first official practice as a Raider.
Tony Gonzales
The Oakland Raiders selected defensive back Tyvon Branch out of UConn in the fourth round of the 2008 NFL Draft. Prior to hitting the field for the first time as a professional football player and a member of the Silver and Black, Branch spoke with the Bay Area media in person in the press room at the team's Alameda, Calif., facility.
Q: The Raiders already came out and said that you are probably going to move to safety, are you cool with that?
Branch: Yeah, definitely. I played corner in college so I am looking forward to making the transition.
Q: Is there anything you need to work on or does that come pretty natural?
Branch: Natural instincts, but that comes with reps, but I am pretty sure that after [the] camps I will be all right.
Q: Are you going to talk to Nnamdi Asomugha because he did the opposite? When he was in college he went from safety to cornerback. Do you think he could help you out at all?
Branch: Yeah, definitely.
Q: So Tyvon, strong or free? With what you weigh what do you think will be better suited for your skills?
Branch: I think either or. I was real physical at corner so I think it will tie into safety, so either or.
Q: How much have they talked to you about this position change and who are you working with?
Branch: I really didn’t talk to anybody about it when I got here. They just put up the depth chart and I saw that I was at strong safety so ever since than I have been working at strong safety.
Q: Did you have any indication from other teams or during your workouts that you would have to make that change or was that something that the Raiders wanted?
Branch: A couple teams that worked me out worked me out at safety so I knew that it was a possibility that I would move over to safety in the league, but I was looking forward to either or.
Q: Did you visit here as well before the draft at anytime?
Branch: No, I didn’t even know Oakland was interested in me at the time so it was definitely a surprise for me.
Q: How many teams worked you out?
Branch: I had four visits. I had five teams work me out at the pro day and than I had two individual workouts.
Q: What was your reaction when you get picked and it’s the Raiders and it was someone you hadn’t even talked to in the process?
Branch: I knew it was possible that I would get picked up by someone I hadn’t talked to, but I was surprised and like I said, I am just happy to be out here.
Q: Were you still watching the draft at the point? Or were you off doing something else?
Branch: I was watching. I got the phone call right before so I knew what was going on.
Q: So what about being on this side of the country and being on a team that is on the upswing? What general feeling do you have about being a Raider now? It may be a great opportunity for you to be a kick returner and maybe getting some time in at safety?
Branch: Yeah, it is definitely a great opportunity for me. They lost their returners so I am looking forward to stepping up and competing for that job and just working hard and hopefully getting on the field.
Q: How would you describe your style there? Are you make or miss or do you look for a seam and just hit it and go?
Branch: One of my returns I scored off was just a straight-line return, one cut. And then I had one where I made a couple moves, made a couple of people miss, so I think I have a lot of versatility back there.
Q: What appeals to you about kickoff returns?
Branch: It’s a thrill. It’s an adrenaline rush. You just got to do your thing out there or else you are going to get hurt.
Q: Are you going to try and put on a little weight playing strong safety? Are you going to try and bulk up a little more than you would if you were a cornerback?
Branch: Yeah, definitely. I am trying to put on a little bit of weight now; I am up a little bit.
Q: You pack some wallop?
Branch: Yeah I’ll come up and hit you a little bit.
Q: What is the most important ingredient in your mind to return kickoffs? What do you have to have?
Branch: You have to be instinctive. You have to make quick decisions. I think that is the biggest part and reading your blocks. Sometimes a seam opens up where its not supposed to and you just have to find it.
Q: What about emotionally?
Branch: It’s a big thrill.
Q: Don’t you have to be fearless?
Branch: I don’t know about all that. I think fear is what helps you score. You're scared to get hit, but I think you just got to go out there and have fun with it.
Q: You are able to do different kinds of things on special teams. Do you think that helps you, gives you a better chance at making the roster? Not just somebody playing a new position.
Branch: Yeah, definitely, I think that whenever you can come out and play special teams it adds value and this is a league where you got to have some value to be able to play so I think it is really important.
Q: What are your impressions of Rob Ryan so far?
Branch: Intense, he seems like he knows what he is talking about, I am looking forward to playing for him.
Q: Do you feel any nervousness that you have to go out there and perform because there is no guarantee considering where you were picked?
Branch: I’m not really nervous about it, but I know I have to perform in order to stay around. You have to perform in this league and that’s what I am looking forward to do.
Q: How would you compare the level of competition at UConn to the NFL? Has it prepared you for football at this level?
Branch: I played in a good conference, the Big East conference. We had two ACC opponents with Virginia and Wake Forest this year, so we have seen a lot of speed this year and I think that is going to help me out a lot.
Q&A with WR Arman Shields
May 9, 2008
As he was getting set for his first practice as an Oakland Raider, rookie WR Arman Shields had the opportunity to address the Bay Area media face-to-face for the first time. Shields was chosen in the fourth round of the 2008 NFL Draft out of Richmond. The Raiders open a three-day rookie mini-camp at their Alameda, Calif., facility today.
Q: What have you done so far? Talk about team meetings and what you’ve talked about before this point and before you go on the field.
Rookie WR Arman Shields: [We’ve] just been learning the offense and concepts. That is the main thing we’ve been doing.
Q: What do you know about the receivers they have on the roster with the NFL experience? What do you think your odds are of making the team?
Shields: I just plan to come out here and give it my all, give it 100 percent every day and just give effort. Like the coaches talked about today earlier, I’m just going to go out there and show what I can do.
Q: From what you have seen out of the offense, how does it compare to what you guys ran at Richmond?
Shields: I would say it is similar based on the concepts. Our offense in college also dealt with a lot of concepts so that is the similar part.
Q: How about the knee that limited you to hardly any action at all in ‘07? How are you doing? How are you feeling about your prospects of right here and now?
Shields: I feel great, you know I was feeling great back at the combine, so everything is great, 100 percent.
Q: How would you describe your game? What are you all about?
Shields: I would say my game [is] quick, speed and I know how to get open.
Q: How did you end up at Richmond, at a school a lot of people are not familiar with?
Shields: Mainly because of the academics and also I liked the coaches and my parents liked the coaches. My family is a big influence on my life. My mother and my father both liked the coaches. I liked the campus and the team.
Q: How about getting chosen by the Raiders, and [playing with] JaMarcus Russell? It’s a whole fresh new thing and a wide-open opportunity for you as a wide receiver in the NFL now as a rookie.
Shields: Yeah, I am certainly excited. I can’t wait to start catching some balls from JaMarcus, so I am waiting.
Q: Anything at the combine that sort of tipped you off at all that the Raiders were maybe looking at you or was that a total surprise?
Shields: Yeah, that was a total surprise yes, I mean I had a visit here and that was my last visit but yeah, it was a surprise.
Q: You mean a visit here at the facility or a visit at the combine?
Shields: It was here at the facility.
Q: How many visits did you take?
Shields: I had about five or six visits.
Q: You look like you can maybe go over the middle and maybe deliver a hit as well as take one?
Shields: I try to give them. I give them. I don’t believe in taking them, I give them.
May 9, 2008
As he was getting set for his first practice as an Oakland Raider, rookie WR Arman Shields had the opportunity to address the Bay Area media face-to-face for the first time. Shields was chosen in the fourth round of the 2008 NFL Draft out of Richmond. The Raiders open a three-day rookie mini-camp at their Alameda, Calif., facility today.
Q: What have you done so far? Talk about team meetings and what you’ve talked about before this point and before you go on the field.
Rookie WR Arman Shields: [We’ve] just been learning the offense and concepts. That is the main thing we’ve been doing.
Q: What do you know about the receivers they have on the roster with the NFL experience? What do you think your odds are of making the team?
Shields: I just plan to come out here and give it my all, give it 100 percent every day and just give effort. Like the coaches talked about today earlier, I’m just going to go out there and show what I can do.
Q: From what you have seen out of the offense, how does it compare to what you guys ran at Richmond?
Shields: I would say it is similar based on the concepts. Our offense in college also dealt with a lot of concepts so that is the similar part.
Q: How about the knee that limited you to hardly any action at all in ‘07? How are you doing? How are you feeling about your prospects of right here and now?
Shields: I feel great, you know I was feeling great back at the combine, so everything is great, 100 percent.
Q: How would you describe your game? What are you all about?
Shields: I would say my game [is] quick, speed and I know how to get open.
Q: How did you end up at Richmond, at a school a lot of people are not familiar with?
Shields: Mainly because of the academics and also I liked the coaches and my parents liked the coaches. My family is a big influence on my life. My mother and my father both liked the coaches. I liked the campus and the team.
Q: How about getting chosen by the Raiders, and [playing with] JaMarcus Russell? It’s a whole fresh new thing and a wide-open opportunity for you as a wide receiver in the NFL now as a rookie.
Shields: Yeah, I am certainly excited. I can’t wait to start catching some balls from JaMarcus, so I am waiting.
Q: Anything at the combine that sort of tipped you off at all that the Raiders were maybe looking at you or was that a total surprise?
Shields: Yeah, that was a total surprise yes, I mean I had a visit here and that was my last visit but yeah, it was a surprise.
Q: You mean a visit here at the facility or a visit at the combine?
Shields: It was here at the facility.
Q: How many visits did you take?
Shields: I had about five or six visits.
Q: You look like you can maybe go over the middle and maybe deliver a hit as well as take one?
Shields: I try to give them. I give them. I don’t believe in taking them, I give them.
Q&A with Rookie DE Trevor Scott
May 9, 2008
The Raiders selected DE Trevor Scott in the 6th round of the 2008 NFL Draft out of the University of Buffalo.
Tony Gonzales
As he was preparing for his first practice as an Oakland Raider, rookie DE Trevor Scott was given the opportunity to address the Bay Area media in person for the first time. Scott was chosen in the sixth round of the 2008 NFL Draft out of the University of Buffalo. The Raiders open a three-day rookie mini-camp at their Alameda, Calif., facility this afternoon.
Q: How comfortable are you at playing defensive end? Do you feel there is still a long way to go to get the position down?
Rookie DE Trevor Scott: Yeah, I think there’s a long way. I know that because I’ve only been playing the position for two years, but I’m really willing to learn and I can’t wait to get things started.
Q: How did the decision to switch you to defense come about?
Scott: Actually, it came about by a coaching staff change. After the 2005 season, the athletic director released our coaches and brought in Coach Turner Gill. As soon as he got here, he asked me what I thought about playing defense, and I said, ‘Whatever it takes to get on the field, I’ll do.’ So that’s pretty much how it all started.
Q: At what point did it dawn on you that you had a shot to make the NFL?
Scott: We didn’t really talk much about that. My defensive coaches, they told me here and there, ‘If you really begin to shine like we think you can, there might be a possibility that you could play at the next level.’ But I just tried to keep an even head on my shoulders and just worry about doing the best I could do so hopefully I could get to that level one day.
Q: Who did you visit with, and did the Raiders have any contact with you before the draft?
Scott: I was out here probably about a month ago. That was my first visit to come here to the Raiders. Then I flew to Jacksonville. I worked out with the Bills, and then I flew to Kansas City.
Q: So are you a speed rusher? How would you characterize your game on the edge?
Scott: Yeah, I would classify myself as a speed rusher. But I want to be complete. I want to show that I can stop the run too. Right now in the rookie mini-camp they have me playing right end.
Q: Is it much of an adjustment?
Scott: Yeah, I mean, it’s just putting a different hand down. With hard work, I think it will be a good transition.
Q: Were you always an end with the hand down? Did you ever play up at Buffalo?
Scott: No. One or two games, we had a package or something where I’d drop back as a linebacker. But pretty much just with a hand down.
Q: Did you guys have a second player drafted at Buffalo?
Scott: Yeah, Jamie Richards.
Q: Did you guys have a bet going as to which guy would go first?
Scott: No. The whole thing was we all thought he was going to go first, and I was probably going to be a late round or a free agent. But we definitely didn’t have a bet going, so I was kind of shocked to find out what happened.
Q: What are your thoughts about moving out here? It’s a lot different than where you’re from.
Scott: It is a lot different, but I’m very excited about it. I’m very excited to be a part of the Raiders’ family. Actually, one of the first things my mother said to me when I got drafted was, ‘You really couldn’t have gone to a farther place, could you?’ And I said, ‘No, I couldn’t have.’ But like I said, I’m excited to be out here.
Q: What kind of a tight end were you? A blocking type?
Scott: I did both. I did whatever the system called on me to do. I was a backup tight end—we did a lot of two tight end formations, so I was always on the field. I backed up Chad Upshaw who is on the practice squad with the Carolina Panthers right now. But I just did whatever they wanted me to.
Q: When you were asked to move to defense, did you think that you didn’t make it as a tight end or did you look at it strictly as an opportunity?
Scott: I really tried not to think of it like that because really no one wants to think that they’re not very good. I just took it in stride and just ran with it and it worked out pretty well.
Q: Being a late round pick, what’s your mentality? A lot of fifth, sixth, seventh rounders have a tough time making the team.
Scott: I’m just very excited. I can’t describe to you how excited I am just to be fortunate enough to get the opportunity to play here. And like you said, even though it was a late round, I wasn’t even expecting late round. I was expecting free agency. So I’m very excited, and just because I was a late round, it’s not going to determine my style of play or how well I’m going to do here.
Q: Have [the Raiders] gotten as specific as telling you that you might be a good third down rusher or are they trying to work on your overall game?
Scott: No, it hasn’t gotten that specific. I’m just going to do whatever I can to get on the field. I’m going to try to be on all the special teams, just try to be a complete player so that when I do get my opportunity on the field as a defensive end, I’m going to try to shine.
Q: What do you know about the other guys they have at [defensive] end?
Scott: Yeah, I’m learning more and more about them every day. I know they’re excellent…Derrick Burgess—I know he’s a great end. I can’t wait to meet these guys and learn from what they have to say and what they’ve done and try to help me out.
May 9, 2008
The Raiders selected DE Trevor Scott in the 6th round of the 2008 NFL Draft out of the University of Buffalo.
Tony Gonzales
As he was preparing for his first practice as an Oakland Raider, rookie DE Trevor Scott was given the opportunity to address the Bay Area media in person for the first time. Scott was chosen in the sixth round of the 2008 NFL Draft out of the University of Buffalo. The Raiders open a three-day rookie mini-camp at their Alameda, Calif., facility this afternoon.
Q: How comfortable are you at playing defensive end? Do you feel there is still a long way to go to get the position down?
Rookie DE Trevor Scott: Yeah, I think there’s a long way. I know that because I’ve only been playing the position for two years, but I’m really willing to learn and I can’t wait to get things started.
Q: How did the decision to switch you to defense come about?
Scott: Actually, it came about by a coaching staff change. After the 2005 season, the athletic director released our coaches and brought in Coach Turner Gill. As soon as he got here, he asked me what I thought about playing defense, and I said, ‘Whatever it takes to get on the field, I’ll do.’ So that’s pretty much how it all started.
Q: At what point did it dawn on you that you had a shot to make the NFL?
Scott: We didn’t really talk much about that. My defensive coaches, they told me here and there, ‘If you really begin to shine like we think you can, there might be a possibility that you could play at the next level.’ But I just tried to keep an even head on my shoulders and just worry about doing the best I could do so hopefully I could get to that level one day.
Q: Who did you visit with, and did the Raiders have any contact with you before the draft?
Scott: I was out here probably about a month ago. That was my first visit to come here to the Raiders. Then I flew to Jacksonville. I worked out with the Bills, and then I flew to Kansas City.
Q: So are you a speed rusher? How would you characterize your game on the edge?
Scott: Yeah, I would classify myself as a speed rusher. But I want to be complete. I want to show that I can stop the run too. Right now in the rookie mini-camp they have me playing right end.
Q: Is it much of an adjustment?
Scott: Yeah, I mean, it’s just putting a different hand down. With hard work, I think it will be a good transition.
Q: Were you always an end with the hand down? Did you ever play up at Buffalo?
Scott: No. One or two games, we had a package or something where I’d drop back as a linebacker. But pretty much just with a hand down.
Q: Did you guys have a second player drafted at Buffalo?
Scott: Yeah, Jamie Richards.
Q: Did you guys have a bet going as to which guy would go first?
Scott: No. The whole thing was we all thought he was going to go first, and I was probably going to be a late round or a free agent. But we definitely didn’t have a bet going, so I was kind of shocked to find out what happened.
Q: What are your thoughts about moving out here? It’s a lot different than where you’re from.
Scott: It is a lot different, but I’m very excited about it. I’m very excited to be a part of the Raiders’ family. Actually, one of the first things my mother said to me when I got drafted was, ‘You really couldn’t have gone to a farther place, could you?’ And I said, ‘No, I couldn’t have.’ But like I said, I’m excited to be out here.
Q: What kind of a tight end were you? A blocking type?
Scott: I did both. I did whatever the system called on me to do. I was a backup tight end—we did a lot of two tight end formations, so I was always on the field. I backed up Chad Upshaw who is on the practice squad with the Carolina Panthers right now. But I just did whatever they wanted me to.
Q: When you were asked to move to defense, did you think that you didn’t make it as a tight end or did you look at it strictly as an opportunity?
Scott: I really tried not to think of it like that because really no one wants to think that they’re not very good. I just took it in stride and just ran with it and it worked out pretty well.
Q: Being a late round pick, what’s your mentality? A lot of fifth, sixth, seventh rounders have a tough time making the team.
Scott: I’m just very excited. I can’t describe to you how excited I am just to be fortunate enough to get the opportunity to play here. And like you said, even though it was a late round, I wasn’t even expecting late round. I was expecting free agency. So I’m very excited, and just because I was a late round, it’s not going to determine my style of play or how well I’m going to do here.
Q: Have [the Raiders] gotten as specific as telling you that you might be a good third down rusher or are they trying to work on your overall game?
Scott: No, it hasn’t gotten that specific. I’m just going to do whatever I can to get on the field. I’m going to try to be on all the special teams, just try to be a complete player so that when I do get my opportunity on the field as a defensive end, I’m going to try to shine.
Q: What do you know about the other guys they have at [defensive] end?
Scott: Yeah, I’m learning more and more about them every day. I know they’re excellent…Derrick Burgess—I know he’s a great end. I can’t wait to meet these guys and learn from what they have to say and what they’ve done and try to help me out.
Hey fellaz we're still beefing up that D-line...
The Oakland Raiders reportedly have found their replacement for Chris Clemons at defensive end.
The San Francisco Chronicle, citing an unnamed source, reported that the Raiders have agreed to a one-year deal with former Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Greg Spires.
Spires will be counted on to help fill the void left by Clemons, who signed a free-agent contract with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Spires, who spent the last six seasons with the Buccaneers, has 39½ career sacks and also recorded a sack in Tampa Bay's victory over Oakland in Super Bowl XXXVII.
He was released by the Buccaneers this offseason in a salary-cap move.
Clemons, who tied for the team high in sacks with eight in 2007, signed a five-year contract with the Eagles in March.
The Oakland Raiders reportedly have found their replacement for Chris Clemons at defensive end.
The San Francisco Chronicle, citing an unnamed source, reported that the Raiders have agreed to a one-year deal with former Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Greg Spires.
Spires will be counted on to help fill the void left by Clemons, who signed a free-agent contract with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Spires, who spent the last six seasons with the Buccaneers, has 39½ career sacks and also recorded a sack in Tampa Bay's victory over Oakland in Super Bowl XXXVII.
He was released by the Buccaneers this offseason in a salary-cap move.
Clemons, who tied for the team high in sacks with eight in 2007, signed a five-year contract with the Eagles in March.
Here is more on Greg Spires
Raiders sign defensive end Spires
More NFL Videos ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP)—The Oakland Raiders made another move to try to upgrade their defense Tuesday, signing free agent defensive end Greg Spires to a one-year contract to compete for a job as pass rusher on the right side.
The Raiders have been looking for someone to complement left end Derrick Burgess since losing Chris Clemons as a free agent to Philadelphia. Oakland signed Kalimba Edwards from Detroit earlier this offseason, drafted Trevor Scott in the sixth round from Buffalo and has second-year player Jay Richardson returning.
Spires, who was released by Tampa Bay in a salary cap move in February, joined the Raiders on Tuesday and participated in the team’s offseason practice.
He has 39.5 sacks in his 10-year career, playing the past six seasons with the Buccaneers. He played only 10 games last year because of a calf injury. His best season came in 2004, when he had eight sacks.
Spires played in Tampa for defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin, the father of Raiders coach Lane Kiffin.
The Raiders had the 25th rated defense in the NFL last season on the way to a 4-12 record. But they have made moves this offseason to improve that side of the ball, trading for shutdown cornerback DeAngelo Hall from Atlanta, signing safety Gibril Wilson and re-signing defensive lineman Tommy Kelly to a contract that could be worth more than $50 million.
In other moves announced Tuesday, the Raiders released veteran cornerback Duane Starks and waived undrafted free agent fullback Matt Hahn, who participated in the team’s rookie minicamp last weekend.
Receiver Marcel Reece, who impressed the coaching staff as a tryout player at the camp, signed a contract Tuesday. He caught 48 passes for 980 yards and nine touchdowns in college at Washington.
Raiders sign defensive end Spires
More NFL Videos ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP)—The Oakland Raiders made another move to try to upgrade their defense Tuesday, signing free agent defensive end Greg Spires to a one-year contract to compete for a job as pass rusher on the right side.
The Raiders have been looking for someone to complement left end Derrick Burgess since losing Chris Clemons as a free agent to Philadelphia. Oakland signed Kalimba Edwards from Detroit earlier this offseason, drafted Trevor Scott in the sixth round from Buffalo and has second-year player Jay Richardson returning.
Spires, who was released by Tampa Bay in a salary cap move in February, joined the Raiders on Tuesday and participated in the team’s offseason practice.
He has 39.5 sacks in his 10-year career, playing the past six seasons with the Buccaneers. He played only 10 games last year because of a calf injury. His best season came in 2004, when he had eight sacks.
Spires played in Tampa for defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin, the father of Raiders coach Lane Kiffin.
The Raiders had the 25th rated defense in the NFL last season on the way to a 4-12 record. But they have made moves this offseason to improve that side of the ball, trading for shutdown cornerback DeAngelo Hall from Atlanta, signing safety Gibril Wilson and re-signing defensive lineman Tommy Kelly to a contract that could be worth more than $50 million.
In other moves announced Tuesday, the Raiders released veteran cornerback Duane Starks and waived undrafted free agent fullback Matt Hahn, who participated in the team’s rookie minicamp last weekend.
Receiver Marcel Reece, who impressed the coaching staff as a tryout player at the camp, signed a contract Tuesday. He caught 48 passes for 980 yards and nine touchdowns in college at Washington.
redskins are allways active in freeagency......i doubt there fans say every year "we were very active in free agency.....that automaticly more then doubles are win TOTAL from last year.."
uhhhhhhhhhh no.......
the raiders would be the talk of the NFL if they even got close to 11-5......i say they dont win more then one or two divsional games..
uhhhhhhhhhh no.......
the raiders would be the talk of the NFL if they even got close to 11-5......i say they dont win more then one or two divsional games..
I totally agree.... every year in the NFL, some teams disappoint and some teams suprise. I think the Raiders will be one of those suprise teams that the experts/critics thought wouldn't do so good. I watched NFL Live the other night and that former Bronco offensive lineman (I think Shreleth) was dogging the Raiders... I forgot what he said though.
Ecose, check this out my nigg... John Clayton showed us a little love. Here's what we're saying!
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=clayton_john&id=3391828
Five surprise teams to watch in 2008
3. Oakland Raiders
JaMarcus Russell is the wild card here. No one knows whether he's ready to be a winning starter. Last season, Lane Kiffin wisely kept him on the sidelines until late December, giving him a chance to learn without failing. Now it's time for him to prove himself.
Al Davis had the most aggressive offseason. He invested $182 million in contracts for Javon Walker, Drew Carter, Kwame Harris, DeAngelo Hall and Gibril Wilson. He spent $62 million more to keep defensive tackle Tommy Kelly and halfback Justin Fargas. And he drafted running back Darren McFadden with the No. 4 overall pick in this year's draft.
But the biggest reason for hope for the Raiders is the schedule. They go from having a .516 strength of schedule to a projected .438, giving them optimism for a four-game improvement. The only team with a 2007 winning record that the Raiders will play in the first 12 games is the Chargers, in a Sept. 28 home game. Until December, they play a .395 strength of schedule. How can they not "Just win, baby"? They should have a winning record going into their final four games.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=clayton_john&id=3391828
Five surprise teams to watch in 2008
3. Oakland Raiders
JaMarcus Russell is the wild card here. No one knows whether he's ready to be a winning starter. Last season, Lane Kiffin wisely kept him on the sidelines until late December, giving him a chance to learn without failing. Now it's time for him to prove himself.
Al Davis had the most aggressive offseason. He invested $182 million in contracts for Javon Walker, Drew Carter, Kwame Harris, DeAngelo Hall and Gibril Wilson. He spent $62 million more to keep defensive tackle Tommy Kelly and halfback Justin Fargas. And he drafted running back Darren McFadden with the No. 4 overall pick in this year's draft.
But the biggest reason for hope for the Raiders is the schedule. They go from having a .516 strength of schedule to a projected .438, giving them optimism for a four-game improvement. The only team with a 2007 winning record that the Raiders will play in the first 12 games is the Chargers, in a Sept. 28 home game. Until December, they play a .395 strength of schedule. How can they not "Just win, baby"? They should have a winning record going into their final four games.