OAKLAND RAIDERS OFFSEASON THREAD
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Aso signed. Looks like hes going to get his deal whether it be here or somewhere else.
NAPA — Defensive end Derrick Burgess arrived first, at 1:55 p.m. From there, it was a steady stream of sport utility vehicles, luxury cars and even a bus for the next three hours or so, until almost all of the 80 players on the Raiders' roster reported in time for training camp.
Meanwhile, coach Lane Kiffin holed up somewhere in the heart of the Napa Valley Marriott, checking off names and making sure he has a full complement of players for today's first practice.
To that end, Wednesday's proceedings were a rousing success, with everyone expected in camp on time present and accounted for.
As an added bonus, word came down Wednesday evening that veteran cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha has opted against a holdout and intends to be here this morning.
Two people close to the situation confirmed Asomugha's sudden change of plans. In part, they said, Asomugha reversed field once it became apparent he wouldn't get assurance from the Raiders that they wouldn't again place the franchise tag on him next season.
The Raiders made Asomugha their exclusive franchise player in February, a designation that guarantees him $9.765 million for this season. That figure would jump by 20 percent if the Raiders go the same route next season.
Asomugha's agent, Steve Baker, could not be reached for comment. Kiffin was unavailable to the media. No Raiders official had any comment.
Asomugha would be free to seek the long-term deal he covets
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if the Raiders forgo the franchise tag. The Raiders had until July 15 to work out a long-term deal and are prohibited from working on a long-term contract until season's end.
In-limbo running back LaMont Jordan was the only other player not to report on time, and his Raiders tenure likely won't make it through the end of today.
"The Raiders have informed LaMont Jordan to not report to camp with the rest of the team," Jordan's agent, Alvin Keels, said in an e-mail Wednesday afternoon. "I am hoping to have some type of (resolution) on this within the next 24 hours. It is more clear now than ever that he will not be in a Raider uniform. We now need the Raiders to either trade him, release him or let him come to camp and participate if he is still on the roster."
Kiffin informed Jordan at a June minicamp that he didn't fit into the team's plans. The Raiders gave Keels permission to seek a trade.
As of now, Keels hasn't found any takers. That makes releasing Jordan the most likely scenario, unless a trade partner can be found in short order.
The Raiders would save $3.3 million against the salary cap this season by releasing Jordan. They still are on the hook for $1.4 million in prorated bonus money this season and next.
Notes: Fourth-round draft pick Arman Shields and sixth-round draft pick Trevor Scott, the last remaining holdouts, both signed Wednesday and will be here for the first practice. "... Former Raiders assistant coach Jim Fassel was spotted in a Raiders T-shirt on the practice field Wednesday. He said he intends to stay through Sunday and is here to visit his son and not to interview for a job. His son, John, is a quality control coach for the special teams. Fassel and Raiders managing general partner Al Davis have had "conversations" in recent years about the prospect of Fassel joining the Raiders. However, Fassel said, he isn't in line for a job with the Raiders at this point. "... The Raiders announced the addition of defensive tackle Mauricio Lopez to their practice squad. He is from Monterrey, Mexico, and part of the NFL International Practice Squad Program. Lopez, 6-foot-1 and 235 pounds, is one of 16 international players invited to join NFL rosters. He participated with the Philadelphia Eagles in their training camp last year.
NAPA — Defensive end Derrick Burgess arrived first, at 1:55 p.m. From there, it was a steady stream of sport utility vehicles, luxury cars and even a bus for the next three hours or so, until almost all of the 80 players on the Raiders' roster reported in time for training camp.
Meanwhile, coach Lane Kiffin holed up somewhere in the heart of the Napa Valley Marriott, checking off names and making sure he has a full complement of players for today's first practice.
To that end, Wednesday's proceedings were a rousing success, with everyone expected in camp on time present and accounted for.
As an added bonus, word came down Wednesday evening that veteran cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha has opted against a holdout and intends to be here this morning.
Two people close to the situation confirmed Asomugha's sudden change of plans. In part, they said, Asomugha reversed field once it became apparent he wouldn't get assurance from the Raiders that they wouldn't again place the franchise tag on him next season.
The Raiders made Asomugha their exclusive franchise player in February, a designation that guarantees him $9.765 million for this season. That figure would jump by 20 percent if the Raiders go the same route next season.
Asomugha's agent, Steve Baker, could not be reached for comment. Kiffin was unavailable to the media. No Raiders official had any comment.
Asomugha would be free to seek the long-term deal he covets
Advertisement
if the Raiders forgo the franchise tag. The Raiders had until July 15 to work out a long-term deal and are prohibited from working on a long-term contract until season's end.
In-limbo running back LaMont Jordan was the only other player not to report on time, and his Raiders tenure likely won't make it through the end of today.
"The Raiders have informed LaMont Jordan to not report to camp with the rest of the team," Jordan's agent, Alvin Keels, said in an e-mail Wednesday afternoon. "I am hoping to have some type of (resolution) on this within the next 24 hours. It is more clear now than ever that he will not be in a Raider uniform. We now need the Raiders to either trade him, release him or let him come to camp and participate if he is still on the roster."
Kiffin informed Jordan at a June minicamp that he didn't fit into the team's plans. The Raiders gave Keels permission to seek a trade.
As of now, Keels hasn't found any takers. That makes releasing Jordan the most likely scenario, unless a trade partner can be found in short order.
The Raiders would save $3.3 million against the salary cap this season by releasing Jordan. They still are on the hook for $1.4 million in prorated bonus money this season and next.
Notes: Fourth-round draft pick Arman Shields and sixth-round draft pick Trevor Scott, the last remaining holdouts, both signed Wednesday and will be here for the first practice. "... Former Raiders assistant coach Jim Fassel was spotted in a Raiders T-shirt on the practice field Wednesday. He said he intends to stay through Sunday and is here to visit his son and not to interview for a job. His son, John, is a quality control coach for the special teams. Fassel and Raiders managing general partner Al Davis have had "conversations" in recent years about the prospect of Fassel joining the Raiders. However, Fassel said, he isn't in line for a job with the Raiders at this point. "... The Raiders announced the addition of defensive tackle Mauricio Lopez to their practice squad. He is from Monterrey, Mexico, and part of the NFL International Practice Squad Program. Lopez, 6-foot-1 and 235 pounds, is one of 16 international players invited to join NFL rosters. He participated with the Philadelphia Eagles in their training camp last year.
Nnamdi’s arrival helps Routt
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Wednesday, July 23rd, 2008 at 8:48 pm in Oakland Raiders.
With the first training camp practice coming Thursday, a pre-camp review of the Raiders’ secondary:
Starters–CBs Nnamdi Asomugha and DeAngelo Hall, SS Gibril Wilson, FS Michael Huff.
Reserves–CB Stanford Routt, CB John Bowie, S Tyvon Branch, DB Darrick Brown, S Rashad Baker, S Jarrod Cooper, S Greg Wesley, S Hiram Eugene, CB Chris Johnson, CB Michael Waddell.
If Asomugha had stayed with his first instinct and stayed out of camp as his small way of protesting the franchise tag, the Raiders would have brushed it aside as a non-issue.
Hall said as much Wednesday. No big deal if he’s not here. It’s business. Move along, nothing to see here.
Now that Asomugha is in the fold, they’ll instead extol the virtues of having their secondary intact and ready to learn from Day 1.
Asomugha was going to be fine either way, based on his skill and his dedication to his profession.
The person who most benefits by Asomugha’s arrival is not Hall, the other starting cornerback, but Routt.
With Asomugha manning his position, Routt can begin his life as the exclusive nickel back. Once upon a time, Routt was a nickel back as a rookie and playing ahead of first-round pick Fabian Washington.
Problem was, Routt was constantly getting lost in the mix inside among the linebackers, safeties and wide receivers who are adept “rub-off” picks, skirting the rules to get cornerbacks out of position.
Routt would candidly admit he wasn’t comfortable inside and didn’t like it there. His tone changed, probably after the defensive staff read some of his quotes, but he never seemed comfortable there.
With Asomugha around, Routt can begin getting adjusted to being inside and meshing with not only Asomugha and Hall, but starting safeties Huff and Wilson.
If Rob Ryan wants to get exotic (and risk the wrath of Al Davis in the process), he can devise schemes which send Huff or Wilson as a blitzer and have Routt drop back in coverage as a safety.
With Huff and Wilson both having played strong and free safety, and Routt having the size of a safety and the speed of a cornerback, there are plenty of scenarios which the Raiders could devise to confuse an offense.
That is if they don’t confuse themselves first. But that’s what training camp is about _ trial and error, experimentation and design.
Another thought on Asomugha’s decision to report _ as much as he likes his good friend Charles Woodson, Asomugha couldn’t be Charles Woodson.
What’s to like
Asomugha spent last season getting ignored as quarterbacks went the other way. He is that good in man-to-man coverage.
After his first two years, those comparisons to Mike Haynes seemed ridiculous. Asomugha has a ways to go to be in Haynes’ league, but it doesn’t sound so ridiculous any more.
Hall will get burned more than Asomugha, but he will probably get more interceptions as well. He is more liable to lay in the weeds and break on a ball for a big play rather than play perfect technical coverage for a breakup.
Routt is one of those seemingly perfect specimens the Raiders love and has some solid moments as a corner. He will get tested plenty this year and get his chance to show he can be consistent enough to be a top-level pro.
The Wilson signing was one of my favorites of the offseason because it addressed the need for a physical strong safety the club has had since it returned to Oakland in 1995.
Cooper is primarily a special teams player, but his mere presence keeps things lively on the field and in the locker room.
It could be, however, that Cooper’s future will be tied to how much Wesley has left.
What’s not
So far Hall is saying all the right things and promising to be a good teammate. As much as Hall blamed Bobby Petrino for his problems in Atlanta last season, former coach Jim Mora, known as a players’ coach, had his issues with Hall as well.
If things go South for the Raiders, Hall’s tune could change in a hurry.
Routt is a year or two away from the being the classic Raider whiff _ a track athlete who played some football with protoype size who simply doesn’t have the instinct for the game.
Huff made remarkably few plays in two seasons although he was good in coverage. We’ll find out this year if he was worth the No. 7 pick in the draft.
The speed of Johnson keeps him around, that and his special teams skill, but as a coverage corner, he leaves a lot to be desired.
The Raiders talked up Branch’s ability to tackle and hit _ we’ll find out soon enough _ but he struggled during minicamps and OTAs in covearge, looking stiff and uncomfortable.
Until he is good enough to be active on game day and make a special teams tackle or two or contribute on defense, Bowie will forever be the guy who was traded for Randy Moss.
Brown is a projection free agent with a track background who at best is hoping for the practice squad.
In taking over for the much-maligned Stuart Schweigert last year, Eugene missed almost as many tackles. His time may have come and gone.
Waddell closed out the last OTA by intercepting an Andrew Walter pass and returning it for a touchdown. It could end up being his lone highlight as a Raider.
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Wednesday, July 23rd, 2008 at 8:48 pm in Oakland Raiders.
With the first training camp practice coming Thursday, a pre-camp review of the Raiders’ secondary:
Starters–CBs Nnamdi Asomugha and DeAngelo Hall, SS Gibril Wilson, FS Michael Huff.
Reserves–CB Stanford Routt, CB John Bowie, S Tyvon Branch, DB Darrick Brown, S Rashad Baker, S Jarrod Cooper, S Greg Wesley, S Hiram Eugene, CB Chris Johnson, CB Michael Waddell.
If Asomugha had stayed with his first instinct and stayed out of camp as his small way of protesting the franchise tag, the Raiders would have brushed it aside as a non-issue.
Hall said as much Wednesday. No big deal if he’s not here. It’s business. Move along, nothing to see here.
Now that Asomugha is in the fold, they’ll instead extol the virtues of having their secondary intact and ready to learn from Day 1.
Asomugha was going to be fine either way, based on his skill and his dedication to his profession.
The person who most benefits by Asomugha’s arrival is not Hall, the other starting cornerback, but Routt.
With Asomugha manning his position, Routt can begin his life as the exclusive nickel back. Once upon a time, Routt was a nickel back as a rookie and playing ahead of first-round pick Fabian Washington.
Problem was, Routt was constantly getting lost in the mix inside among the linebackers, safeties and wide receivers who are adept “rub-off” picks, skirting the rules to get cornerbacks out of position.
Routt would candidly admit he wasn’t comfortable inside and didn’t like it there. His tone changed, probably after the defensive staff read some of his quotes, but he never seemed comfortable there.
With Asomugha around, Routt can begin getting adjusted to being inside and meshing with not only Asomugha and Hall, but starting safeties Huff and Wilson.
If Rob Ryan wants to get exotic (and risk the wrath of Al Davis in the process), he can devise schemes which send Huff or Wilson as a blitzer and have Routt drop back in coverage as a safety.
With Huff and Wilson both having played strong and free safety, and Routt having the size of a safety and the speed of a cornerback, there are plenty of scenarios which the Raiders could devise to confuse an offense.
That is if they don’t confuse themselves first. But that’s what training camp is about _ trial and error, experimentation and design.
Another thought on Asomugha’s decision to report _ as much as he likes his good friend Charles Woodson, Asomugha couldn’t be Charles Woodson.
What’s to like
Asomugha spent last season getting ignored as quarterbacks went the other way. He is that good in man-to-man coverage.
After his first two years, those comparisons to Mike Haynes seemed ridiculous. Asomugha has a ways to go to be in Haynes’ league, but it doesn’t sound so ridiculous any more.
Hall will get burned more than Asomugha, but he will probably get more interceptions as well. He is more liable to lay in the weeds and break on a ball for a big play rather than play perfect technical coverage for a breakup.
Routt is one of those seemingly perfect specimens the Raiders love and has some solid moments as a corner. He will get tested plenty this year and get his chance to show he can be consistent enough to be a top-level pro.
The Wilson signing was one of my favorites of the offseason because it addressed the need for a physical strong safety the club has had since it returned to Oakland in 1995.
Cooper is primarily a special teams player, but his mere presence keeps things lively on the field and in the locker room.
It could be, however, that Cooper’s future will be tied to how much Wesley has left.
What’s not
So far Hall is saying all the right things and promising to be a good teammate. As much as Hall blamed Bobby Petrino for his problems in Atlanta last season, former coach Jim Mora, known as a players’ coach, had his issues with Hall as well.
If things go South for the Raiders, Hall’s tune could change in a hurry.
Routt is a year or two away from the being the classic Raider whiff _ a track athlete who played some football with protoype size who simply doesn’t have the instinct for the game.
Huff made remarkably few plays in two seasons although he was good in coverage. We’ll find out this year if he was worth the No. 7 pick in the draft.
The speed of Johnson keeps him around, that and his special teams skill, but as a coverage corner, he leaves a lot to be desired.
The Raiders talked up Branch’s ability to tackle and hit _ we’ll find out soon enough _ but he struggled during minicamps and OTAs in covearge, looking stiff and uncomfortable.
Until he is good enough to be active on game day and make a special teams tackle or two or contribute on defense, Bowie will forever be the guy who was traded for Randy Moss.
Brown is a projection free agent with a track background who at best is hoping for the practice squad.
In taking over for the much-maligned Stuart Schweigert last year, Eugene missed almost as many tackles. His time may have come and gone.
Waddell closed out the last OTA by intercepting an Andrew Walter pass and returning it for a touchdown. It could end up being his lone highlight as a Raider.
Howard, Morrison get some help
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Thursday, July 24th, 2008 at 8:27 am in Oakland Raiders.
With the first training camp practice coming this afternoon, a pre-camp review of the Raiders’ linebackers:
Starters–WLB Thomas Howard, MLB Kirk Morrison, SLB Robert Thomas.
Reserves–Jon Alston, Ricky Brown, Jon Condo (long snapper), Isaiah Ekejiuba, Edgerton Hartwell, Grant Irons, Malik Jackson.
Remember the days when running backs glided into the wide open spaces behind the Raiders’ front four, free to catch passes and turn up field for easy first downs?
Nothing against Greg Biekert and Elijah Alexander, a pair of capable savvy veterans, but when the Raiders were winning division titles it seemed only William Thomas was adept in coverage in the Raiders linebacking corps.
No longer.
Howard intercepted five passes year, took two to the house for touchdowns, and Morrison had four more. Nine picks from two linebackers.
Throwing underneath against the Raiders is not without an element of risk.
So teams opted to run against them instead, and the bad news is that Morrison and Howard weren’t nearly the roadblocks against the run than they were against the pass.
At least one defensive lineman grumbled about their inability to get off blocks last year, hinting that the defensive line’s troubles against the run wasn’t being helped any by two smallish linebackers who didn’t adequately fill gaps.
Morrison and Howard, who are on the field for most every snap, in theory have help in front of them and behind them this season.
Up front is Tommy Kelly, replacing the more run-challenged Warren Sapp. Joining them in the box is strong safety Gibril Wilson, who will lend a physical presence.
If these two men play as advertised, Howard and Morrison will demonstrate whether they’re one trick ponies or every-down linebackers who can excel regardess of down and distance.
What’s to like
Howard was even running stride-for-stride with Darren McFadden during one minicamp practice. He runs like a young Derrick Brooks and can be a Pro Bowl player if his run defense goes all the way to average.
Morrison has a relentlessly positive attitude and is seemingly immune to bad vibes. It shows in the way he pursues and tackles, even if sometimes those tackles are too downfield.
Thomas’ versatility enables him to step into any situation in a pinch, and special teamer Ricky Brown has the same quality.
Ekejiuba is strictly a special teams player and is likely to stay that way, but he is very good at it. The Raiders were a different team when he was on the field _ as he was in their shutdown of Bears’ return specialist Devin Hester.
The Raiders will watch Hartwell closely. He was a stout run defender with the Ravens who had a serious knee injury with Atlanta.
If he can somehow regain his form, he could find a role in short-yardage or even move Morrison to the strong side for some formations against run-heavy teams.
What’s not
Williams simply can’t remain healthy enough to become the player Davis is convinced he can be. He is the Raiders’ version of Rich Harden _ you’re never entirely comfortable waiting for the next trip to the training room.
There are those who not only wonder if Hartwell has anything left, but who believe he wasn’t all that special in Baltimore and simply profited from playing alongside Ray Lewis.
Kiffin loves Alston’s speed, recounting the story of the time the linebacker ran down Reggie Bush from behind when Stanford played USC. He got on to the field in some packages last season, but had some troubles in pass coverage despite that speed.
After missing a year because of a serious back injury, Irons is back and looks as good coming off the bus as ever. At 6-foot-6 and 285 pounds, he looks more suited for defensive end than linebacker.
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Thursday, July 24th, 2008 at 8:27 am in Oakland Raiders.
With the first training camp practice coming this afternoon, a pre-camp review of the Raiders’ linebackers:
Starters–WLB Thomas Howard, MLB Kirk Morrison, SLB Robert Thomas.
Reserves–Jon Alston, Ricky Brown, Jon Condo (long snapper), Isaiah Ekejiuba, Edgerton Hartwell, Grant Irons, Malik Jackson.
Remember the days when running backs glided into the wide open spaces behind the Raiders’ front four, free to catch passes and turn up field for easy first downs?
Nothing against Greg Biekert and Elijah Alexander, a pair of capable savvy veterans, but when the Raiders were winning division titles it seemed only William Thomas was adept in coverage in the Raiders linebacking corps.
No longer.
Howard intercepted five passes year, took two to the house for touchdowns, and Morrison had four more. Nine picks from two linebackers.
Throwing underneath against the Raiders is not without an element of risk.
So teams opted to run against them instead, and the bad news is that Morrison and Howard weren’t nearly the roadblocks against the run than they were against the pass.
At least one defensive lineman grumbled about their inability to get off blocks last year, hinting that the defensive line’s troubles against the run wasn’t being helped any by two smallish linebackers who didn’t adequately fill gaps.
Morrison and Howard, who are on the field for most every snap, in theory have help in front of them and behind them this season.
Up front is Tommy Kelly, replacing the more run-challenged Warren Sapp. Joining them in the box is strong safety Gibril Wilson, who will lend a physical presence.
If these two men play as advertised, Howard and Morrison will demonstrate whether they’re one trick ponies or every-down linebackers who can excel regardess of down and distance.
What’s to like
Howard was even running stride-for-stride with Darren McFadden during one minicamp practice. He runs like a young Derrick Brooks and can be a Pro Bowl player if his run defense goes all the way to average.
Morrison has a relentlessly positive attitude and is seemingly immune to bad vibes. It shows in the way he pursues and tackles, even if sometimes those tackles are too downfield.
Thomas’ versatility enables him to step into any situation in a pinch, and special teamer Ricky Brown has the same quality.
Ekejiuba is strictly a special teams player and is likely to stay that way, but he is very good at it. The Raiders were a different team when he was on the field _ as he was in their shutdown of Bears’ return specialist Devin Hester.
The Raiders will watch Hartwell closely. He was a stout run defender with the Ravens who had a serious knee injury with Atlanta.
If he can somehow regain his form, he could find a role in short-yardage or even move Morrison to the strong side for some formations against run-heavy teams.
What’s not
Williams simply can’t remain healthy enough to become the player Davis is convinced he can be. He is the Raiders’ version of Rich Harden _ you’re never entirely comfortable waiting for the next trip to the training room.
There are those who not only wonder if Hartwell has anything left, but who believe he wasn’t all that special in Baltimore and simply profited from playing alongside Ray Lewis.
Kiffin loves Alston’s speed, recounting the story of the time the linebacker ran down Reggie Bush from behind when Stanford played USC. He got on to the field in some packages last season, but had some troubles in pass coverage despite that speed.
After missing a year because of a serious back injury, Irons is back and looks as good coming off the bus as ever. At 6-foot-6 and 285 pounds, he looks more suited for defensive end than linebacker.
Not much special teams drama
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Thursday, July 24th, 2008 at 11:08 am in Oakland Raiders.
With the first practice convening in a little under four hours, following a press briefing from Lane Kiffin, I take a look a Raiders special teams:
Kickers–P Shane Lechler, PK Sebastian Janikowski.
Core special teams players–LS Jon Condo, S Jarrod Cooper, LB Isaiah Ekejiuba, LB Ricky Brown, LB Jon Alston, CB Chris Johnson, FB Oren O’Neal, TE Tony Stewart.
Potential return specialists–WR Johnnie Lee Higgins, S Tyvon Branch, RB Darren McFadden, CB DeAngelo Hall.
There will be the usual amount of jockeying for position on the 53-man roster with regard to special teams, but not much in the way of drama for the kickers.
It will be another Napa month of leisurely sessions for punter Lechler and Janikowski. Any kicker that comes to camp will be primarily to give these two men a break, even though they mostly lollygag through sessions, wishing they were on some Napa Valley golf course.
With no more NFL Europe exemptions and rosters limited to 80, the Raiders may not be inclined to bring in a kicker to give them a break.
Lechler is coming off his finest season, breaking 40 yards net for the first time and doing his best to carry on the legacy of Ray Guy.
Janikowski has been what he has always been _ a fairly reliable kicker from 39 yards and in but whose percentage drops off dramatically from 40 yards and out. That doesn’t make Janikowski much different than other NFL kickers, except for the fact that his ability to consistently drive through long-distance kicks was the reason he was drafted in the first round.
Condo had an excellent first season long-snapping, replacing Adam Treu, with the added bonus of being younger and faster, better suited to covering punts downfield.
Ideally, Kiffin wants Higgins to win the punt return job and Branch to be the kickoff return specialist. In the backround, for times when the Raiders desperately need a quick strike, the Raiders could turn to McFadden or Hall, but no doubt Davis would probably rather leave them out of the return equation and focus on being position players.
Cooper and Ekejiuba were the undisputed leaders of the Raiders special teams units for coverage and returns. When Cooper was back from suspension and Ekejiuba was healthy, the Raiders blanked none other than Devin Hester.
When they were hurt, the Raiders were susceptible to the big returns they seemingly always have been since they returned to Oakland in 1995.
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Thursday, July 24th, 2008 at 11:08 am in Oakland Raiders.
With the first practice convening in a little under four hours, following a press briefing from Lane Kiffin, I take a look a Raiders special teams:
Kickers–P Shane Lechler, PK Sebastian Janikowski.
Core special teams players–LS Jon Condo, S Jarrod Cooper, LB Isaiah Ekejiuba, LB Ricky Brown, LB Jon Alston, CB Chris Johnson, FB Oren O’Neal, TE Tony Stewart.
Potential return specialists–WR Johnnie Lee Higgins, S Tyvon Branch, RB Darren McFadden, CB DeAngelo Hall.
There will be the usual amount of jockeying for position on the 53-man roster with regard to special teams, but not much in the way of drama for the kickers.
It will be another Napa month of leisurely sessions for punter Lechler and Janikowski. Any kicker that comes to camp will be primarily to give these two men a break, even though they mostly lollygag through sessions, wishing they were on some Napa Valley golf course.
With no more NFL Europe exemptions and rosters limited to 80, the Raiders may not be inclined to bring in a kicker to give them a break.
Lechler is coming off his finest season, breaking 40 yards net for the first time and doing his best to carry on the legacy of Ray Guy.
Janikowski has been what he has always been _ a fairly reliable kicker from 39 yards and in but whose percentage drops off dramatically from 40 yards and out. That doesn’t make Janikowski much different than other NFL kickers, except for the fact that his ability to consistently drive through long-distance kicks was the reason he was drafted in the first round.
Condo had an excellent first season long-snapping, replacing Adam Treu, with the added bonus of being younger and faster, better suited to covering punts downfield.
Ideally, Kiffin wants Higgins to win the punt return job and Branch to be the kickoff return specialist. In the backround, for times when the Raiders desperately need a quick strike, the Raiders could turn to McFadden or Hall, but no doubt Davis would probably rather leave them out of the return equation and focus on being position players.
Cooper and Ekejiuba were the undisputed leaders of the Raiders special teams units for coverage and returns. When Cooper was back from suspension and Ekejiuba was healthy, the Raiders blanked none other than Devin Hester.
When they were hurt, the Raiders were susceptible to the big returns they seemingly always have been since they returned to Oakland in 1995.
Only Jordan is missing
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Thursday, July 24th, 2008 at 1:19 pm in Oakland Raiders.
Some quick hits from Lane Kiffin’s press briefing with the media following a closed team conditioning test and preceeding the Raiders’ first practice of training camp:
– All present and accounted for except running back LaMont Jordan.
“That’s a situation that Al (Davis) is handling with LaMont’s agent,” Kiffin said. “The only thing I have for you on that is he’s not here and we won’t fine him.”
– Nnamdi Asomugha was present and accounted for, having signed his exclusive free agent tender.
“I think it’s a statement about who he is. Obviously he didn’t have to be here. He could have stayed out of camp, and for him to be here the first day to run the conditioning test with us today, shows what a team player he is.”
– While still not specifying the injuries Javon Walker sustained in his Las Vegas attack, Kiffin said the wide receiver will practice with no restrictions related to the incident and is in fact in better shape than he was before being beaten and robbed.
Kiffin said Walker has lost eight pounds, his body fat is down, and expressed hope that the receiver has learned his lesson about who and who not to trust.
– Defensive tackle Terdell Sands, whose conditioning was an issue last year, passed the conditioning test with the defensive linemen.
“I know there were some guys worried because in position groups if everybody didn’t make a certain number they had to keep going. If everybody made a certain number they didn’t have to do their final one. So a lot of guys were over there stretching Sands, giving him some extra Gatorade, they were cheering him on,” Kiffin joked. “But it was good because the position groups went at different times so guys were on the sidelines, other position groups, cheering him on. It was a good environment today and I think it was a good thing the first thing for them to come back, a good team for them to come together and for 79 players to make every rep.”
– The Raiders will work out with the 49ers Aug. 4 in Napa, the Monday preceeding their preseason game. Sorry. It’s closed to the public.
– If you’re expecting Kiffin to glide past any issues with Davis as hype or fabrication, guess again. Any offseason turmoil was regarded as simply part of the job description of coaching the Raiders.
“I wasn’t worried that I wouldn’t be here. I think as we’ve discussed before, when you take this job you realize who the owner is and you realize most guys don’t last really long so that is what it is,” Kiffin said. “If you sit there and worry about that and you think about that you’re not doing the best that you can for your team.”
Responding to comments made by Warren Sapp and Stuart Schweigert about how strange the organization is, Kiffin didn’t deny the Raiders have their own way of doing things that comes straight from the top.
“What they’re discussing I can’t change so that subject is what it is,” Kiffin said. “I go about and I control what I can control and get us as good as we can get with what I can control. I don’t have control of that.”
Kiffin was asked if he ever tried to change those things, he said, “I think you try to change anything as far as what you can do to be a better team. I’m always going to find the best way to do things that I can and th ebest way to put our players in the best situation to win. That doesn’t necessarily provide a smooth environment or a smooth relationship but that’s my job to our staff and our players.”
His relationship with the owner?
“We have a working relationship, and I think we have the same goal, and that’s to get this team to win.”
– Players other than Walker who won’t participate in both workouts during two-a-days included wide receiver Ronald Curry, defensive tackle Tommy Kelly, safety Jarrod Cooper and center Jake Grove, all rehabbing from offseason surgeries.
Kelly, recipient of one of the NFL’s biggest offseason contracts with $18.125 in guaranteed money, apparently passed his conditioning test but has a ways to go to be ready to play.
“Tommy’s come in a little bit heavy to where he wants to be and where we want him to be by the time we play our first game,” Kiffin said. “We were kind of anticipating that. He has done that in the past. I don’t foresee it being an issue, hopefully.”
– Kiffin conceded his demeanor in Year 2 will be different than as a rookie coach. The reason? He has already implemented a program and now he has veterans to help him carry it out.
– Bringing in former Chiefs safety Greg Wesley was a no-brainer considering the cost.
“He was a veteran-minimum contract. We’ll give him a chance . . . I love competitition. Anything I can do to throw guys in regardless of who’s at that spot, I love bringing them in,” Kiffin said. “I just think competition makes people rise to the top, true competitors. So he’ll get a shot to play for us and see if he can make the team.”
– Kiffin said quarterback JaMarcus Russell has maintained the weight and conditioning level of previous offseason camps, when the quarterback said his weight was 269 pounds.
“He weighs more than everybody else in his group that he has to run in — he’s 50 pounds heavier than the other quarterbacks — so it’s a disadvantage for him, but he still made everything,” Kiffin said.
– The Raiders will open with a padded practice in less than two hours. I’ll file a report on that practice and some notes from interviews following that practice later this evening.
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Thursday, July 24th, 2008 at 1:19 pm in Oakland Raiders.
Some quick hits from Lane Kiffin’s press briefing with the media following a closed team conditioning test and preceeding the Raiders’ first practice of training camp:
– All present and accounted for except running back LaMont Jordan.
“That’s a situation that Al (Davis) is handling with LaMont’s agent,” Kiffin said. “The only thing I have for you on that is he’s not here and we won’t fine him.”
– Nnamdi Asomugha was present and accounted for, having signed his exclusive free agent tender.
“I think it’s a statement about who he is. Obviously he didn’t have to be here. He could have stayed out of camp, and for him to be here the first day to run the conditioning test with us today, shows what a team player he is.”
– While still not specifying the injuries Javon Walker sustained in his Las Vegas attack, Kiffin said the wide receiver will practice with no restrictions related to the incident and is in fact in better shape than he was before being beaten and robbed.
Kiffin said Walker has lost eight pounds, his body fat is down, and expressed hope that the receiver has learned his lesson about who and who not to trust.
– Defensive tackle Terdell Sands, whose conditioning was an issue last year, passed the conditioning test with the defensive linemen.
“I know there were some guys worried because in position groups if everybody didn’t make a certain number they had to keep going. If everybody made a certain number they didn’t have to do their final one. So a lot of guys were over there stretching Sands, giving him some extra Gatorade, they were cheering him on,” Kiffin joked. “But it was good because the position groups went at different times so guys were on the sidelines, other position groups, cheering him on. It was a good environment today and I think it was a good thing the first thing for them to come back, a good team for them to come together and for 79 players to make every rep.”
– The Raiders will work out with the 49ers Aug. 4 in Napa, the Monday preceeding their preseason game. Sorry. It’s closed to the public.
– If you’re expecting Kiffin to glide past any issues with Davis as hype or fabrication, guess again. Any offseason turmoil was regarded as simply part of the job description of coaching the Raiders.
“I wasn’t worried that I wouldn’t be here. I think as we’ve discussed before, when you take this job you realize who the owner is and you realize most guys don’t last really long so that is what it is,” Kiffin said. “If you sit there and worry about that and you think about that you’re not doing the best that you can for your team.”
Responding to comments made by Warren Sapp and Stuart Schweigert about how strange the organization is, Kiffin didn’t deny the Raiders have their own way of doing things that comes straight from the top.
“What they’re discussing I can’t change so that subject is what it is,” Kiffin said. “I go about and I control what I can control and get us as good as we can get with what I can control. I don’t have control of that.”
Kiffin was asked if he ever tried to change those things, he said, “I think you try to change anything as far as what you can do to be a better team. I’m always going to find the best way to do things that I can and th ebest way to put our players in the best situation to win. That doesn’t necessarily provide a smooth environment or a smooth relationship but that’s my job to our staff and our players.”
His relationship with the owner?
“We have a working relationship, and I think we have the same goal, and that’s to get this team to win.”
– Players other than Walker who won’t participate in both workouts during two-a-days included wide receiver Ronald Curry, defensive tackle Tommy Kelly, safety Jarrod Cooper and center Jake Grove, all rehabbing from offseason surgeries.
Kelly, recipient of one of the NFL’s biggest offseason contracts with $18.125 in guaranteed money, apparently passed his conditioning test but has a ways to go to be ready to play.
“Tommy’s come in a little bit heavy to where he wants to be and where we want him to be by the time we play our first game,” Kiffin said. “We were kind of anticipating that. He has done that in the past. I don’t foresee it being an issue, hopefully.”
– Kiffin conceded his demeanor in Year 2 will be different than as a rookie coach. The reason? He has already implemented a program and now he has veterans to help him carry it out.
– Bringing in former Chiefs safety Greg Wesley was a no-brainer considering the cost.
“He was a veteran-minimum contract. We’ll give him a chance . . . I love competitition. Anything I can do to throw guys in regardless of who’s at that spot, I love bringing them in,” Kiffin said. “I just think competition makes people rise to the top, true competitors. So he’ll get a shot to play for us and see if he can make the team.”
– Kiffin said quarterback JaMarcus Russell has maintained the weight and conditioning level of previous offseason camps, when the quarterback said his weight was 269 pounds.
“He weighs more than everybody else in his group that he has to run in — he’s 50 pounds heavier than the other quarterbacks — so it’s a disadvantage for him, but he still made everything,” Kiffin said.
– The Raiders will open with a padded practice in less than two hours. I’ll file a report on that practice and some notes from interviews following that practice later this evening.
49ers to Practice with the Raiders
http://www.49ers.com/pressbox/news_detail.php?PRKey=4341§ion=PR News
July 24, 2008
The San Francisco 49ers confirmed on Thursday that they will travel to Napa Valley to practice against the cross-town rival Oakland Raiders on Monday, August 4. The 49ers and Raiders will square off in the 2008 preseason-opener later in the week with an 8 p.m. kickoff on Friday, August 8 at McAfee Coliseum. The scrimmage will be closed to the public.
“This is an opportunity to work against some unfamiliar faces,” said Head Coach Mike Nolan. “Players sometimes become comfortable with the level of competition during training camp. This gives us the opportunity to raise that level and learn more about ourselves both individually and collectively.”
The 49ers will travel to the Napa Valley area on Sunday, August 3 following a double practice session. The 49ers and Raiders will practice against each other two times on August 4, with a morning practice and an evening practice scheduled. In between practice sessions, the 49ers will hold meetings at a local hotel. The team will return to Santa Clara immediately after the evening practice.
http://www.49ers.com/pressbox/news_detail.php?PRKey=4341§ion=PR News
July 24, 2008
The San Francisco 49ers confirmed on Thursday that they will travel to Napa Valley to practice against the cross-town rival Oakland Raiders on Monday, August 4. The 49ers and Raiders will square off in the 2008 preseason-opener later in the week with an 8 p.m. kickoff on Friday, August 8 at McAfee Coliseum. The scrimmage will be closed to the public.
“This is an opportunity to work against some unfamiliar faces,” said Head Coach Mike Nolan. “Players sometimes become comfortable with the level of competition during training camp. This gives us the opportunity to raise that level and learn more about ourselves both individually and collectively.”
The 49ers will travel to the Napa Valley area on Sunday, August 3 following a double practice session. The 49ers and Raiders will practice against each other two times on August 4, with a morning practice and an evening practice scheduled. In between practice sessions, the 49ers will hold meetings at a local hotel. The team will return to Santa Clara immediately after the evening practice.
Training camp, Practice 1
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Thursday, July 24th, 2008 at 7:54 pm in Oakland Raiders.
Some quick hits from Thursday’s first practice, followed later by highlights of interviews with Raiders players that include JaMarcus Russell, Javon Walker, Nnamdi Asomugha, and believe it or not, even Tommy Kelly:
– Early drills found offensive coordinator Greg Knapp lecturing one of the members of the support staff who was throwing passes from close range to tight ends during a drill.
“Give it a little more. Give it a little more. There’s a kid named JaMarcus who throws the ball. He’s faster than that.”
– Big difference in watching the Raiders the past couple of years after the Aaron Brooks-Andrew Walter competition of 2006 and then the three-headed Josh McCown, Walter, Daunte Culpepper competition of a year ago.
Russell has not only been anointed the starter, but is easily the sharpest of the three quarterbacks.
– Russell, Walter and Marques Tuiasosopo got plenty of work in with Sam Keller and Jeff Otis having been released earlier in the day. One of those players could wind up coming back, or another camp arm, could be headed toward Alameda soon, Kiffin said after practice.
– Wide receiver Arman Shields, who missed much of the offseason with a hamstring pull, wasted no time making up whatever ground he lost to fellow Chaz Schilens and others by making several nice catches.
“That’s the same guy we saw for the few days we had him,” Kiffin said following practice.“Really quick and really fast and stuck out in the group a couple days we had him before he got hurt. We were really excited about him then he got hurt and we never got him back again. He’s going to be one of the things you really want to watch throughout camp and throughout the preseason.”
– Running back Darren McFadden made some nice runs from scrimmage, showing his burst of speed, but dropped at least two easy passes on short dumpoffs. McFadden said afterward he was running before he caught the ball.
– An example of the precision the coaches staff insists on during camp _ wide receivers coach James Lofton urging wide receiver Todd Watkins to run his route just a shade farther.
“I need fifteen-and-a-half,” Lofton said. “I need that extra half-yard.”
– Kiffin said the practices were focusing mostly on first- and second-down, and most of the Raiders plays run during team sessions were timing passes and quick release plays.
– No big hits with players urged not bring their teammates to the ground in a padded practice, although linebacker Isiah Ekejiuba on one play stood up left tackle Kwame Harris and drove him two yards back.
– Running back Michael Bush looked excited and eager to take a few hits, although defenders did not wrap up. Bush said afterward he enjoyed the experience, but was really looking forward to taking on a defender during the first preaseason game.
– Russell did drop one nice deep touch pass some 40 yards downfield into the hands of Johnnie Lee Higgins along the right sideline.
– Center Jake Grove got much of the first-team work at center, as the Raiders seem eager to find out once and for all if he can be the center they drafted in the second round in 2004.
– Kalimba Edwards had his share of decent pass rush attempts against tackles Harris and Seth Wand. The Raiders ran effectively on two stretch plays to the left behind Harris, once with Justin Fargas and later with McFadden.
– Consultant Paul Hackett was on the field with the Raiders, but his duties this year will be confined to scouting upcoming opponents. Kiffin noted that Hackett most recently coached in the NFC South (with Tampa Bay) and the AFC East (the New York Jets), two divisions the Raiders play this year.
– Linebacker Thomas Howard made a nice play against McFadden when he broke into the backfield and an outside run and collared the runner without bringing him down.
– With the gloves off in terms of bump and run coverage, Raiders defensive backs and wide receivers weren’t shy about mixing it up. Cornerback Darrick Brown drew the praise of assistant Willie Brown for roughing up Todd Watkins and throwing off a route which Russell threw incomplete.
“Hey, that’s what happens when you beat the (bleep) out of him on the line,” Willie Brown said.
– Running back Oren O’Neal, healthy after a hamstring pull in the offseason, caught a safety-valve pass from Andrew Walter against the defense of Sam Williams and made his way down the left sideline.
– Strong safety Gibril Wilson caused an incomplete pass from Russell to Zach Miller with tight coverage over the middle.
– Asomugha broke on a Walter pass, the only one thrown at him during the practice, and intercepted it in stride, heading for the end zone.
– Defensive end Greg Spires missed practice with a hamstring pull resulting after the morning conditioning session. Linebacker Grant Irons left practice with a hamstring pull.
– Kelly was credited by Kiffin for what he said would have been three sacks in a live drill, although his eyes must have been sharper than those watching from the sideline.
– Kiffin operated mostly in a stealth mode, in contrast to his tornado act during last year’s training camp.
“That’s the way it should be,” guard Robert Gallery said. “ We know what we’re doing now. There’s a program in place.”
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Thursday, July 24th, 2008 at 7:54 pm in Oakland Raiders.
Some quick hits from Thursday’s first practice, followed later by highlights of interviews with Raiders players that include JaMarcus Russell, Javon Walker, Nnamdi Asomugha, and believe it or not, even Tommy Kelly:
– Early drills found offensive coordinator Greg Knapp lecturing one of the members of the support staff who was throwing passes from close range to tight ends during a drill.
“Give it a little more. Give it a little more. There’s a kid named JaMarcus who throws the ball. He’s faster than that.”
– Big difference in watching the Raiders the past couple of years after the Aaron Brooks-Andrew Walter competition of 2006 and then the three-headed Josh McCown, Walter, Daunte Culpepper competition of a year ago.
Russell has not only been anointed the starter, but is easily the sharpest of the three quarterbacks.
– Russell, Walter and Marques Tuiasosopo got plenty of work in with Sam Keller and Jeff Otis having been released earlier in the day. One of those players could wind up coming back, or another camp arm, could be headed toward Alameda soon, Kiffin said after practice.
– Wide receiver Arman Shields, who missed much of the offseason with a hamstring pull, wasted no time making up whatever ground he lost to fellow Chaz Schilens and others by making several nice catches.
“That’s the same guy we saw for the few days we had him,” Kiffin said following practice.“Really quick and really fast and stuck out in the group a couple days we had him before he got hurt. We were really excited about him then he got hurt and we never got him back again. He’s going to be one of the things you really want to watch throughout camp and throughout the preseason.”
– Running back Darren McFadden made some nice runs from scrimmage, showing his burst of speed, but dropped at least two easy passes on short dumpoffs. McFadden said afterward he was running before he caught the ball.
– An example of the precision the coaches staff insists on during camp _ wide receivers coach James Lofton urging wide receiver Todd Watkins to run his route just a shade farther.
“I need fifteen-and-a-half,” Lofton said. “I need that extra half-yard.”
– Kiffin said the practices were focusing mostly on first- and second-down, and most of the Raiders plays run during team sessions were timing passes and quick release plays.
– No big hits with players urged not bring their teammates to the ground in a padded practice, although linebacker Isiah Ekejiuba on one play stood up left tackle Kwame Harris and drove him two yards back.
– Running back Michael Bush looked excited and eager to take a few hits, although defenders did not wrap up. Bush said afterward he enjoyed the experience, but was really looking forward to taking on a defender during the first preaseason game.
– Russell did drop one nice deep touch pass some 40 yards downfield into the hands of Johnnie Lee Higgins along the right sideline.
– Center Jake Grove got much of the first-team work at center, as the Raiders seem eager to find out once and for all if he can be the center they drafted in the second round in 2004.
– Kalimba Edwards had his share of decent pass rush attempts against tackles Harris and Seth Wand. The Raiders ran effectively on two stretch plays to the left behind Harris, once with Justin Fargas and later with McFadden.
– Consultant Paul Hackett was on the field with the Raiders, but his duties this year will be confined to scouting upcoming opponents. Kiffin noted that Hackett most recently coached in the NFC South (with Tampa Bay) and the AFC East (the New York Jets), two divisions the Raiders play this year.
– Linebacker Thomas Howard made a nice play against McFadden when he broke into the backfield and an outside run and collared the runner without bringing him down.
– With the gloves off in terms of bump and run coverage, Raiders defensive backs and wide receivers weren’t shy about mixing it up. Cornerback Darrick Brown drew the praise of assistant Willie Brown for roughing up Todd Watkins and throwing off a route which Russell threw incomplete.
“Hey, that’s what happens when you beat the (bleep) out of him on the line,” Willie Brown said.
– Running back Oren O’Neal, healthy after a hamstring pull in the offseason, caught a safety-valve pass from Andrew Walter against the defense of Sam Williams and made his way down the left sideline.
– Strong safety Gibril Wilson caused an incomplete pass from Russell to Zach Miller with tight coverage over the middle.
– Asomugha broke on a Walter pass, the only one thrown at him during the practice, and intercepted it in stride, heading for the end zone.
– Defensive end Greg Spires missed practice with a hamstring pull resulting after the morning conditioning session. Linebacker Grant Irons left practice with a hamstring pull.
– Kelly was credited by Kiffin for what he said would have been three sacks in a live drill, although his eyes must have been sharper than those watching from the sideline.
– Kiffin operated mostly in a stealth mode, in contrast to his tornado act during last year’s training camp.
“That’s the way it should be,” guard Robert Gallery said. “ We know what we’re doing now. There’s a program in place.”
Kelly talks, so do others
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Thursday, July 24th, 2008 at 8:30 pm in Oakland Raiders.
Maybe it was the added responsibility of one of the NFL’s offseason contracts or that Tommy Kelly was in an agreeable mood.
Whatever the reason, Kelly chose Thursday after practice to end a polite and pleasant four-year silence with Bay Area beat writers.
“I guess I got to talk to you now,” Kelly said as he pulled off his headphones when inquiring minds wanted to know if he would answer a few questions.
Kelly is coming off off-season ACL surgery which didn’t prevent the Raiders from investing $18.125 in guaranteed money in a deal which could reach more than $50 million over seven years.
I feel good,” Kelly said. “The knee feels real good. Nice to get hit for a change, get back into some contact.”
Some more comments from Kelly follow.
– On his newfound responsibility as a team leader considering the contract: “Responsibility only messes you up when you (aren’t) ready for it. I’ll be all right.”
– On playing his preference for playing inside at the “three technique”: “I’m more comfortable inside because everything happens inside. All the plays get run inside. It’s cool to get to the quarterback inside. I’d much rather be inside, but as long as I was on the field, I didn’t care.”
– On the difference in his style of play with predecessor Warren Sapp: “Sapp is more of a finesse guy, he danced … I’m a little more aggressive, try to get into my man.”
– The day he was injured: “It was a rough day. My son was born in the morning time and then I went and played. That was my first game my grandma ever seen me play in the league. It was rough when Dr. King told me your knee is gone. But everything happens for a reason.”
– What it felt like for the Raiders to invest that kind of money in him: “(It) surprised me, but you know, but kind of makes you feel like you’re wanted. Somebody really wants you as a player and thinks a lot of you and that type of player you can become for them.”
– The reason for his silence: I understand a lot of things come with being a professional athlete, but I just like to play. I don’t like to be bothered with all the other stuff. I’m not saying the media is a nuisance or anything. I just like to go to work and come home. Now you know you have to be a leader and everything, you got to take on stuff you probably don’t want to do in the past but you have to do it.”
Walker reveals little
Wide receiver Javon Walker declined to go into details about his Las Vegas escapade which left him beaten and robbed, but appeared none the worse for wear. His face was unmarked, indicating police reports which included a broken orbital bone and a fractured jaw were incorrect.
Walker pretty much is as advertised as an interview subject _ he is agreeable and not contentious at all. He also doesn’t always put words together in ways that make gramatical sense, even if you have a general idea what he’s trying to say.
“Everybody just go into speculations of what they heard and what they think they know . . . when I get ready to come out and tell what really happened, I’ll clear it up then,” Walker said.
Thursday was not that day.
Walker did talk around the issue when discussing his reputation and the public perception of him.
“I don’t have a record. I don’t have a rap sheet,” Walker said. “You don’t hear about Javon Walker getting arrested. People’s (perception) of me is like, he just leaves different teams because he’s not happy. Well, like any other American, that’s my right if I don’t like a job, that’s people’s perspective of me. But, outside the field, I mean, you talk to people anywhere around this country, they say I’m the nicest person off the field.”
Russell in charge
Quarterback JaMarcus Russell joked that teammates were wondering if he really knew the way to Napa, having missed training camp with a contract issue last year. A year later, he is the unquestioned starter and appears to be building on a strong offseason.
“Today was the first day, and I kind of felt like I was 1,000 pounds out there,” Russell said. “That’s your first day in shoulder pads, as a team we all did pretty good. Just come out here in the morning and try to keep it going.”
Relax. Russell isn’t anywhere near 1,000. He said he is 269 _ the same as he was during minicamps and OTAs. He says he is shape becasue he is responsible for the welfare of a lot of people.
“Just knowing that you’re able and capable, it’s pretty good to keep the body in shape,” Russell said. “Just by being a quarterback, you got to look at it: Everybody on the team gets paid off of what I do and the rest of the team does. I hate to say it but I’m accountable for a lot of the guys’ families.”
Why Asomugha reported
Nnamdi Asomugha trotted out the two-dollar words to explain his decision to come to training camp.
“I had heard all the apocryphal stories during the offseason of what was going on so I wanted to put everything to rest and just show up . . . It went both ways. I had a lot of people saying don’t show up and I had enough people saying show it up so it helped me out. I sought out the counsel that was needed in this situation and I was able to come and be here.”
Did Asomugha seek the counsel of Charles Woodson, by chance?
“I spoke to him early on,” Asomugha said. “ I’m not going to tell you what he said, but you can probably figure it out.”
Asomugha conceded some players he were surprised he would risk injury and future millions by reporting to camp.
“When I was talking to a lot of the players, that they were surprised that I came,” Asomugha said. “ But at the same time they weren’t because they know it’s not about money for me. I really want to win games. That’s a big part of why I’m here. It’s putting that on the line, that you could get hurt, and those types of things. But it’s in the name of being a cohesive unit and coming together and trying to win football games.”
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Thursday, July 24th, 2008 at 8:30 pm in Oakland Raiders.
Maybe it was the added responsibility of one of the NFL’s offseason contracts or that Tommy Kelly was in an agreeable mood.
Whatever the reason, Kelly chose Thursday after practice to end a polite and pleasant four-year silence with Bay Area beat writers.
“I guess I got to talk to you now,” Kelly said as he pulled off his headphones when inquiring minds wanted to know if he would answer a few questions.
Kelly is coming off off-season ACL surgery which didn’t prevent the Raiders from investing $18.125 in guaranteed money in a deal which could reach more than $50 million over seven years.
I feel good,” Kelly said. “The knee feels real good. Nice to get hit for a change, get back into some contact.”
Some more comments from Kelly follow.
– On his newfound responsibility as a team leader considering the contract: “Responsibility only messes you up when you (aren’t) ready for it. I’ll be all right.”
– On playing his preference for playing inside at the “three technique”: “I’m more comfortable inside because everything happens inside. All the plays get run inside. It’s cool to get to the quarterback inside. I’d much rather be inside, but as long as I was on the field, I didn’t care.”
– On the difference in his style of play with predecessor Warren Sapp: “Sapp is more of a finesse guy, he danced … I’m a little more aggressive, try to get into my man.”
– The day he was injured: “It was a rough day. My son was born in the morning time and then I went and played. That was my first game my grandma ever seen me play in the league. It was rough when Dr. King told me your knee is gone. But everything happens for a reason.”
– What it felt like for the Raiders to invest that kind of money in him: “(It) surprised me, but you know, but kind of makes you feel like you’re wanted. Somebody really wants you as a player and thinks a lot of you and that type of player you can become for them.”
– The reason for his silence: I understand a lot of things come with being a professional athlete, but I just like to play. I don’t like to be bothered with all the other stuff. I’m not saying the media is a nuisance or anything. I just like to go to work and come home. Now you know you have to be a leader and everything, you got to take on stuff you probably don’t want to do in the past but you have to do it.”
Walker reveals little
Wide receiver Javon Walker declined to go into details about his Las Vegas escapade which left him beaten and robbed, but appeared none the worse for wear. His face was unmarked, indicating police reports which included a broken orbital bone and a fractured jaw were incorrect.
Walker pretty much is as advertised as an interview subject _ he is agreeable and not contentious at all. He also doesn’t always put words together in ways that make gramatical sense, even if you have a general idea what he’s trying to say.
“Everybody just go into speculations of what they heard and what they think they know . . . when I get ready to come out and tell what really happened, I’ll clear it up then,” Walker said.
Thursday was not that day.
Walker did talk around the issue when discussing his reputation and the public perception of him.
“I don’t have a record. I don’t have a rap sheet,” Walker said. “You don’t hear about Javon Walker getting arrested. People’s (perception) of me is like, he just leaves different teams because he’s not happy. Well, like any other American, that’s my right if I don’t like a job, that’s people’s perspective of me. But, outside the field, I mean, you talk to people anywhere around this country, they say I’m the nicest person off the field.”
Russell in charge
Quarterback JaMarcus Russell joked that teammates were wondering if he really knew the way to Napa, having missed training camp with a contract issue last year. A year later, he is the unquestioned starter and appears to be building on a strong offseason.
“Today was the first day, and I kind of felt like I was 1,000 pounds out there,” Russell said. “That’s your first day in shoulder pads, as a team we all did pretty good. Just come out here in the morning and try to keep it going.”
Relax. Russell isn’t anywhere near 1,000. He said he is 269 _ the same as he was during minicamps and OTAs. He says he is shape becasue he is responsible for the welfare of a lot of people.
“Just knowing that you’re able and capable, it’s pretty good to keep the body in shape,” Russell said. “Just by being a quarterback, you got to look at it: Everybody on the team gets paid off of what I do and the rest of the team does. I hate to say it but I’m accountable for a lot of the guys’ families.”
Why Asomugha reported
Nnamdi Asomugha trotted out the two-dollar words to explain his decision to come to training camp.
“I had heard all the apocryphal stories during the offseason of what was going on so I wanted to put everything to rest and just show up . . . It went both ways. I had a lot of people saying don’t show up and I had enough people saying show it up so it helped me out. I sought out the counsel that was needed in this situation and I was able to come and be here.”
Did Asomugha seek the counsel of Charles Woodson, by chance?
“I spoke to him early on,” Asomugha said. “ I’m not going to tell you what he said, but you can probably figure it out.”
Asomugha conceded some players he were surprised he would risk injury and future millions by reporting to camp.
“When I was talking to a lot of the players, that they were surprised that I came,” Asomugha said. “ But at the same time they weren’t because they know it’s not about money for me. I really want to win games. That’s a big part of why I’m here. It’s putting that on the line, that you could get hurt, and those types of things. But it’s in the name of being a cohesive unit and coming together and trying to win football games.”
Training camp, Day 2 (A.M. practice)
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Friday, July 25th, 2008 at 12:42 pm in Oakland Raiders.
Quick hits from Friday morning’s training camp practice:
– The defense had the offense frustrated for much of the padded session, putting the ball on the ground six times _ three times on the center exchange alone.
Two of the center-quarterback fumbles were with Jesse Boone at center and Marques Tuiasosopo at quarterback. The other fumble was by Andrew Walter, who, reminiscent of last year, didn’t go after the loose ball. He escaped the wrath of the coaching staff however.
Other fumbles were by wide receivers Jonathan Holland and Javon Walker, and running back Adimchinobe Echemandu.
– Strong safety Greg Wesley missed practice with back spasms. Those who didn’t practice also included Greg Spires (hamstring) and Grant Irons (hamstring). Defensive tackle Tommy Kelly took the practice off and worked on the cardio machines in the field house.
Wide receiver Ronald Curry was scheduled to take the practice off but came out on his own and practiced for a few sessions before removing his pads.
– Running backs were isolated in blocking drills against linebackers without an offensive lineman in front of them _ a drill which favors the defense. Running backs coach Tom Rathman watched closely as Darren McFadden allowed linebacker Malik Jackson to get past him after a quick engagement.
“Get your face on him on that pad, then strike and re-direct him,” Rathman said.
Jon Alston made a quick spin move during one turn to race past fullback Oren O’Neal, while Justin Fargas successfully slowed Sam Williams by taking the offensive and getting into his body. Echemandu successfully attempted the same tactic, with Williams escaping and Rathman urging the running back to “recover.”
– When Thomas Howard blew past running back Michael Bush, linebackers coach Don Martindale barked, “That’s what we’re going to bring this year.”
What, the Raiders are going to blitz?
At the drill’s conclusion, linebackers and running backs shook hands as if it were the end of a hockey game before moving on to a team session.
– Kiffin lauded the play of the defensive line, which made things difficult for JaMarcus Russell in terms of having time to throw the ball. Left tackle Kwame Harris, the free agent aquisition counted up on to start, had two false starts and some difficulty with end Kalimba Edwards.
– Tight end John Madsen has gained four more pounds. After seeing him drop a catchable ball from Russell on the sideline, you wonder if he could be another Randal Williams, the wide receiver who became a tight end and became to muscular to be a successful receiver.
– Holland made a nice diving catch of a low fastball by Russell for a big gain in a seven-on-seven drill. Jim Fassel, the former Giants head coach observing at the invitation of Kiffin, immediately asked his son John, “Who is that guy?”
Said John, a Raiders quality control coach: “Jon Holland. Second year, drafted him in the seventh round last year.”
– Who says the Raiders don’t know how to market? Players have been made available for interviews with a KTLA reporter _ an area the Raiders still consider to be their property.
– Sideline visitors included former Raider defensive tackle John Parrella, who brought some of his coaching staff and players from Valley Christian High School in Dublin. Valley will play a junior varsity schedule this year and add varsity next season.
Parrella is being assisted by former Raider end Josh Taves. Both men appear to have lost fifty-plus pounds since their playing days.
– Running back LaMont Jordan remained on the roster through the morning session but Kiffin said he expected a move to be made in the near future.
The Raiders practiced again with three quarterbacks, with punter Shane Lechler throwing a few passes to defensive backs in drills.
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Friday, July 25th, 2008 at 12:42 pm in Oakland Raiders.
Quick hits from Friday morning’s training camp practice:
– The defense had the offense frustrated for much of the padded session, putting the ball on the ground six times _ three times on the center exchange alone.
Two of the center-quarterback fumbles were with Jesse Boone at center and Marques Tuiasosopo at quarterback. The other fumble was by Andrew Walter, who, reminiscent of last year, didn’t go after the loose ball. He escaped the wrath of the coaching staff however.
Other fumbles were by wide receivers Jonathan Holland and Javon Walker, and running back Adimchinobe Echemandu.
– Strong safety Greg Wesley missed practice with back spasms. Those who didn’t practice also included Greg Spires (hamstring) and Grant Irons (hamstring). Defensive tackle Tommy Kelly took the practice off and worked on the cardio machines in the field house.
Wide receiver Ronald Curry was scheduled to take the practice off but came out on his own and practiced for a few sessions before removing his pads.
– Running backs were isolated in blocking drills against linebackers without an offensive lineman in front of them _ a drill which favors the defense. Running backs coach Tom Rathman watched closely as Darren McFadden allowed linebacker Malik Jackson to get past him after a quick engagement.
“Get your face on him on that pad, then strike and re-direct him,” Rathman said.
Jon Alston made a quick spin move during one turn to race past fullback Oren O’Neal, while Justin Fargas successfully slowed Sam Williams by taking the offensive and getting into his body. Echemandu successfully attempted the same tactic, with Williams escaping and Rathman urging the running back to “recover.”
– When Thomas Howard blew past running back Michael Bush, linebackers coach Don Martindale barked, “That’s what we’re going to bring this year.”
What, the Raiders are going to blitz?
At the drill’s conclusion, linebackers and running backs shook hands as if it were the end of a hockey game before moving on to a team session.
– Kiffin lauded the play of the defensive line, which made things difficult for JaMarcus Russell in terms of having time to throw the ball. Left tackle Kwame Harris, the free agent aquisition counted up on to start, had two false starts and some difficulty with end Kalimba Edwards.
– Tight end John Madsen has gained four more pounds. After seeing him drop a catchable ball from Russell on the sideline, you wonder if he could be another Randal Williams, the wide receiver who became a tight end and became to muscular to be a successful receiver.
– Holland made a nice diving catch of a low fastball by Russell for a big gain in a seven-on-seven drill. Jim Fassel, the former Giants head coach observing at the invitation of Kiffin, immediately asked his son John, “Who is that guy?”
Said John, a Raiders quality control coach: “Jon Holland. Second year, drafted him in the seventh round last year.”
– Who says the Raiders don’t know how to market? Players have been made available for interviews with a KTLA reporter _ an area the Raiders still consider to be their property.
– Sideline visitors included former Raider defensive tackle John Parrella, who brought some of his coaching staff and players from Valley Christian High School in Dublin. Valley will play a junior varsity schedule this year and add varsity next season.
Parrella is being assisted by former Raider end Josh Taves. Both men appear to have lost fifty-plus pounds since their playing days.
– Running back LaMont Jordan remained on the roster through the morning session but Kiffin said he expected a move to be made in the near future.
The Raiders practiced again with three quarterbacks, with punter Shane Lechler throwing a few passes to defensive backs in drills.
Asomugha signs, Jordan told to stay away
By JOSH DUBOW AP Sports Writer
Article Launched: 07/24/2008 03:41:19 PM MDT
NAPA, Calif.—Nnamdi Asomugha could have easily skipped the two-a-days and the monotony of training camp practices and signed his franchise player tender offer in a few weeks to be ready for the start of the season.
Instead, he decided to put the contract dispute to rest and report to training camp in time for the Oakland Raiders' first practice.
"The organization is trying to turn it around and we can see that, it was evident during the offseason," Asomugha said. "I felt that being here would help as far as that camaraderie and as far as getting the team together. So I felt that it was important."
Asomugha signed his $9.765 million franchise player tender offer early Thursday, making sure the Raiders would have every player under contract by the time camp started.
"Obviously he didn't have to be here," coach Lane Kiffin said. "He could have stayed out of camp, and for him to be here the first day to run the conditioning test with us today, shows what a team player he is and who he is."
Asomugha has not practiced with the team for the entire offseason while waiting to have his contract situation resolved. He was designated as the exclusive franchise player in February, which prohibited him from even negotiating with any other teams.
He talked with the Raiders about signing a long-term deal but the two sides were unable to agree before a deadline last week. Shortly after that, Asomugha decided to show up on time for training camp.
"The negotiations never got antagonistic or anything like that to where we were going back and forth and fighting," he said. "It was always amicable so I knew I could come and everybody would be OK with it. We were never fighting like people say that we were."
As the Raiders handed out big contracts to Tommy Kelly, DeAngelo Hall, Javon Walker and Darren McFadden this offseason, Asomugha admitted he wondered at times when his turn for a big deal would come up.
Asomugha has been one of Oakland's best players the past two years, developing into an elite cornerback. But any bitterness over the other contracts passed quickly.
"I am 100 percent a human being, so there was a piece of me in the beginning that was wondering what was going on," he said. "You kind of look and wonder, 'OK, maybe it's your turn, maybe it's not.' So that did come up in the beginning. But after a while, a short while, you realize that what's for you is for you; what's for them is for them."
While Asomugha showed up, running back LaMont Jordan was told to stay home as the Raiders try to trade him. Jordan is scheduled to make $4.7 million this year and $5 million next season, but has no role with the Raiders after the team drafted McFadden.
Kiffin said owner Al Davis is dealing with Jordan's agent, Alvin Keels, to resolve the situation. Jordan visited the Detroit Lions earlier this month but has not found a new team willing to trade for him. The Raiders might be forced to release Jordan if they can't make a deal.
"That's Al and LaMont's agent on that and I'm out of that," Kiffin said. "They're handling it so all the information I've got for you that was relayed to me is that they're continuing to work on it. LaMont won't be here and we won't be fining him."
In other news, Walker has been cleared to practice after being seriously injured last month during a robbery in Las Vegas. Walker was discovered unconscious and beaten on a back street near the Las Vegas Strip following a night of partying. Walker was treated at a hospital for a concussion and facial injuries.
Walker declined to address the topic, saying it was too soon to talk about it. He said he doesn't believe his reputation took a hit because of the incident in Las Vegas.
"You know you want to look at my reputation as far as an organization or a team, like I said, you can't find any charges against me," Walker said. "Everybody knows my personality off the field. When it comes to what I feel I believe, and what I want to do, I just stand up for it, and from what I know, I think that is right."
The Raiders are counting heavily on Walker after signing him to a six-year, $55 million deal after the Denver Broncos released him in February.
Walker will only practice once a day at the start of camp because he is still recovering from a knee injury sustained last season. Walker said he has lost 15 pounds since he was last with the team and Kiffin said he is in better physical shape than he had been in the spring.
"We're just happy that in the end he was able to work through it, play again, and that he's safe, and he needs to have a really big year, and he knows that," Kiffin said. "I think he's put it behind him, and he's come back, obviously, weight wise, and body fat wise, than he was before."
Notes
The Raiders will host a joint practice with the 49ers on Aug. 4—four days before their exhibition opener against each other. ... WR Ronald Curry (foot), DT Tommy Kelly (knee), C Jake Grove (knee) and S Jarrod Cooper (knee) will also be limited to one practice per day until further notice. ... The Raiders released QBs Sam Keller and Jeff Otis, and DL Tranell Morant.
By JOSH DUBOW AP Sports Writer
Article Launched: 07/24/2008 03:41:19 PM MDT
NAPA, Calif.—Nnamdi Asomugha could have easily skipped the two-a-days and the monotony of training camp practices and signed his franchise player tender offer in a few weeks to be ready for the start of the season.
Instead, he decided to put the contract dispute to rest and report to training camp in time for the Oakland Raiders' first practice.
"The organization is trying to turn it around and we can see that, it was evident during the offseason," Asomugha said. "I felt that being here would help as far as that camaraderie and as far as getting the team together. So I felt that it was important."
Asomugha signed his $9.765 million franchise player tender offer early Thursday, making sure the Raiders would have every player under contract by the time camp started.
"Obviously he didn't have to be here," coach Lane Kiffin said. "He could have stayed out of camp, and for him to be here the first day to run the conditioning test with us today, shows what a team player he is and who he is."
Asomugha has not practiced with the team for the entire offseason while waiting to have his contract situation resolved. He was designated as the exclusive franchise player in February, which prohibited him from even negotiating with any other teams.
He talked with the Raiders about signing a long-term deal but the two sides were unable to agree before a deadline last week. Shortly after that, Asomugha decided to show up on time for training camp.
"The negotiations never got antagonistic or anything like that to where we were going back and forth and fighting," he said. "It was always amicable so I knew I could come and everybody would be OK with it. We were never fighting like people say that we were."
As the Raiders handed out big contracts to Tommy Kelly, DeAngelo Hall, Javon Walker and Darren McFadden this offseason, Asomugha admitted he wondered at times when his turn for a big deal would come up.
Asomugha has been one of Oakland's best players the past two years, developing into an elite cornerback. But any bitterness over the other contracts passed quickly.
"I am 100 percent a human being, so there was a piece of me in the beginning that was wondering what was going on," he said. "You kind of look and wonder, 'OK, maybe it's your turn, maybe it's not.' So that did come up in the beginning. But after a while, a short while, you realize that what's for you is for you; what's for them is for them."
While Asomugha showed up, running back LaMont Jordan was told to stay home as the Raiders try to trade him. Jordan is scheduled to make $4.7 million this year and $5 million next season, but has no role with the Raiders after the team drafted McFadden.
Kiffin said owner Al Davis is dealing with Jordan's agent, Alvin Keels, to resolve the situation. Jordan visited the Detroit Lions earlier this month but has not found a new team willing to trade for him. The Raiders might be forced to release Jordan if they can't make a deal.
"That's Al and LaMont's agent on that and I'm out of that," Kiffin said. "They're handling it so all the information I've got for you that was relayed to me is that they're continuing to work on it. LaMont won't be here and we won't be fining him."
In other news, Walker has been cleared to practice after being seriously injured last month during a robbery in Las Vegas. Walker was discovered unconscious and beaten on a back street near the Las Vegas Strip following a night of partying. Walker was treated at a hospital for a concussion and facial injuries.
Walker declined to address the topic, saying it was too soon to talk about it. He said he doesn't believe his reputation took a hit because of the incident in Las Vegas.
"You know you want to look at my reputation as far as an organization or a team, like I said, you can't find any charges against me," Walker said. "Everybody knows my personality off the field. When it comes to what I feel I believe, and what I want to do, I just stand up for it, and from what I know, I think that is right."
The Raiders are counting heavily on Walker after signing him to a six-year, $55 million deal after the Denver Broncos released him in February.
Walker will only practice once a day at the start of camp because he is still recovering from a knee injury sustained last season. Walker said he has lost 15 pounds since he was last with the team and Kiffin said he is in better physical shape than he had been in the spring.
"We're just happy that in the end he was able to work through it, play again, and that he's safe, and he needs to have a really big year, and he knows that," Kiffin said. "I think he's put it behind him, and he's come back, obviously, weight wise, and body fat wise, than he was before."
Notes
The Raiders will host a joint practice with the 49ers on Aug. 4—four days before their exhibition opener against each other. ... WR Ronald Curry (foot), DT Tommy Kelly (knee), C Jake Grove (knee) and S Jarrod Cooper (knee) will also be limited to one practice per day until further notice. ... The Raiders released QBs Sam Keller and Jeff Otis, and DL Tranell Morant.
Training camp, Day 2 (P.M. practice)
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Friday, July 25th, 2008 at 9:31 pm in Oakland Raiders.
Some quick hits from Friday night’s second practice:
– Coach Lane Kiffin got the extra arm he desired when the club re-signed Jeff Otis, who was released Wednesday, to take the roster spot vacated by the release of running back LaMont Jordan.
Otis arrived just in time, because, as it turned out, Andrew Walter did not practice with a right wrist injury sustained by taking a snap in the morning workout. Walter was on the field initially, but before the club got seriously into drills he adjourned to the field house and did not return.
Otis took only a few snaps, handing the ball off.
– Maybe my judgment is skewed after watching some truly bad quarterback play the last two training camps from a revolving door that included Aaron Brooks, Andrew Walter, Josh McCown and Daunte Culpepper, but the Raiders had a truly outstanding passing performance in Friday night’s second session.
JaMarcus Russell put on a a display which rivaled the average days of Jeff George and the best days of Kerry Collins, two noted practice passers. George is the best practice passer I’ve ever seen. Admittedly, that’s a little like watching a Barry Bonds batting practice, but it’s at least comforting to know your quarterback can put the ball where it belongs on a consistent basis with no real pressure.
(Rich Gannon was more a technician and not a jaw-dropping passer in practice situations _ his strength was leading a team and moving the chains in games. The best pass I ever saw Gannon throw in practice was when became angry over a few blown routes, turned sideways and rifled a ball over the fence and into Redwood Middle School).
Russell stepped up under a rush and threw a strike to Drew Carter. He rolled to his right and dropped a soft pass to tight end Tony Stewart in stride. He broke to his left with receivers covered in a seven-and-seven and hit Ronald Curry with a laser beam.
On one play during a team session, Russell even dropped back and victimized Nnamdi Asomugha, with Arman Shields gathering in a perfectly thrown rainbow that probably traveled 50-plus yards in the air. Asomugha took some grief from offensive coordinator Greg Knapp on that one, with Rob Ryan urging the cornerback to get the score back on the next play.
Most every receiver who found himself open caught a pass from Russell, including Johnnie Lee Higgins, Chris McFoy and Jonathan Holland.
– With Russell being the top pick in last year’s draft, having an impressive passing performance maybe wasn’t all that surprising _ even if it was fun to watch.
The surprise came when Marques Tuiasosopo, a solid runner and notoriously inconsistent thrower, also had a sharp evening session.
Tuiasosopo did his usual thing of cutting up underneath the rush of Jay Richardson for big yardage, but also made the most of the extra work available because of the absence of Walter.
He found Chaz Schilens with a throw to his backside through a tight window which would have been knocked down had he led the receiver with the pass. He dropped a nice pass from medium range into the hands of Todd Watkins.
There were several other short and medium distance throws which were also on the money.
Tuiasosopo will need to play well in the preseason to have a chance to become the backup, and that has been a problem in the past. He has made big mistakes even when faced with vanilla defenses.
But Friday night was encouraging in terms of passing skill which has been spotty in the past.
–Defensive end Greg Spires returned to practice after suffering a hamstring pull during the conditioning run and was working on the second team defensive line along with Terdell Sands, Josh Shaw and Kalimba Edwards.
– Edwards is getting a lot of work with the second team and and with the first team unit, with the Raiders hoping he can become the nickel rusher to replace Chris Clemons. It’s unclear at this point whether Edwards could be a find or if the Raiders tackles are struggling as much as they appear to be struggling.
– Competition? The Raiders were fielding punts in a variety of down-and-distance scenarios for more than 15 minutes to open practice and had exactly one return man _ Higgins.
– Early in the second session, special teams coach Brian Schneider was presiding over a drill in which gunners attempted to down balls inside the 10-yard line. They wouldn’t run the full distance of the punt, but would start some 20 yards and run when instructed.
Chris Johnson caught one punt inside the 5-yard-line, but on another drill, with Holland and Shields operating outside, Holland let the ball hit the ground and took a short-hop into the end zone.
“You can catch it, it doesn’t have to fall,” Schneider said. “ I don’t care if it’s at the 5 or the 4.”
– Defensive end Fred Wakefield missed practice with what a Raiders official said were “flu-like symptoms.”
– Wide receiver Javon Walker sat out the evening session as scheduled, as did center Jake Grove. Jarrod Cooper worked in some special teams drills and took the rest of the practice off.
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Friday, July 25th, 2008 at 9:31 pm in Oakland Raiders.
Some quick hits from Friday night’s second practice:
– Coach Lane Kiffin got the extra arm he desired when the club re-signed Jeff Otis, who was released Wednesday, to take the roster spot vacated by the release of running back LaMont Jordan.
Otis arrived just in time, because, as it turned out, Andrew Walter did not practice with a right wrist injury sustained by taking a snap in the morning workout. Walter was on the field initially, but before the club got seriously into drills he adjourned to the field house and did not return.
Otis took only a few snaps, handing the ball off.
– Maybe my judgment is skewed after watching some truly bad quarterback play the last two training camps from a revolving door that included Aaron Brooks, Andrew Walter, Josh McCown and Daunte Culpepper, but the Raiders had a truly outstanding passing performance in Friday night’s second session.
JaMarcus Russell put on a a display which rivaled the average days of Jeff George and the best days of Kerry Collins, two noted practice passers. George is the best practice passer I’ve ever seen. Admittedly, that’s a little like watching a Barry Bonds batting practice, but it’s at least comforting to know your quarterback can put the ball where it belongs on a consistent basis with no real pressure.
(Rich Gannon was more a technician and not a jaw-dropping passer in practice situations _ his strength was leading a team and moving the chains in games. The best pass I ever saw Gannon throw in practice was when became angry over a few blown routes, turned sideways and rifled a ball over the fence and into Redwood Middle School).
Russell stepped up under a rush and threw a strike to Drew Carter. He rolled to his right and dropped a soft pass to tight end Tony Stewart in stride. He broke to his left with receivers covered in a seven-and-seven and hit Ronald Curry with a laser beam.
On one play during a team session, Russell even dropped back and victimized Nnamdi Asomugha, with Arman Shields gathering in a perfectly thrown rainbow that probably traveled 50-plus yards in the air. Asomugha took some grief from offensive coordinator Greg Knapp on that one, with Rob Ryan urging the cornerback to get the score back on the next play.
Most every receiver who found himself open caught a pass from Russell, including Johnnie Lee Higgins, Chris McFoy and Jonathan Holland.
– With Russell being the top pick in last year’s draft, having an impressive passing performance maybe wasn’t all that surprising _ even if it was fun to watch.
The surprise came when Marques Tuiasosopo, a solid runner and notoriously inconsistent thrower, also had a sharp evening session.
Tuiasosopo did his usual thing of cutting up underneath the rush of Jay Richardson for big yardage, but also made the most of the extra work available because of the absence of Walter.
He found Chaz Schilens with a throw to his backside through a tight window which would have been knocked down had he led the receiver with the pass. He dropped a nice pass from medium range into the hands of Todd Watkins.
There were several other short and medium distance throws which were also on the money.
Tuiasosopo will need to play well in the preseason to have a chance to become the backup, and that has been a problem in the past. He has made big mistakes even when faced with vanilla defenses.
But Friday night was encouraging in terms of passing skill which has been spotty in the past.
–Defensive end Greg Spires returned to practice after suffering a hamstring pull during the conditioning run and was working on the second team defensive line along with Terdell Sands, Josh Shaw and Kalimba Edwards.
– Edwards is getting a lot of work with the second team and and with the first team unit, with the Raiders hoping he can become the nickel rusher to replace Chris Clemons. It’s unclear at this point whether Edwards could be a find or if the Raiders tackles are struggling as much as they appear to be struggling.
– Competition? The Raiders were fielding punts in a variety of down-and-distance scenarios for more than 15 minutes to open practice and had exactly one return man _ Higgins.
– Early in the second session, special teams coach Brian Schneider was presiding over a drill in which gunners attempted to down balls inside the 10-yard line. They wouldn’t run the full distance of the punt, but would start some 20 yards and run when instructed.
Chris Johnson caught one punt inside the 5-yard-line, but on another drill, with Holland and Shields operating outside, Holland let the ball hit the ground and took a short-hop into the end zone.
“You can catch it, it doesn’t have to fall,” Schneider said. “ I don’t care if it’s at the 5 or the 4.”
– Defensive end Fred Wakefield missed practice with what a Raiders official said were “flu-like symptoms.”
– Wide receiver Javon Walker sat out the evening session as scheduled, as did center Jake Grove. Jarrod Cooper worked in some special teams drills and took the rest of the practice off.
Training camp, Day 3
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Saturday, July 26th, 2008 at 7:00 pm in Oakland Raiders.
Quick hits from the Raiders’ lone practice Saturday:
– It was probably to be expected after the aerial display featuring JaMarcus Russell the previous evening, but the Raiders came back to earth Saturday afternoon in a snappy practice that was wrapped up in under an hour and 40 minutes.
Things were much more difficult for the near-rookie, as Russell mixed in some nice balls with several that were broken up and nearly intercepted, as well as one badly thrown pass late over the middle that free safety Michael Huff read perfectly and snared on a dive.
Coach Lane Kiffin said he was more interested in watching Russell convert the routine plays than the sort of Star Wars show he put on Friday night.
“We’re not going to coach those special throws that he makes where he’s running over there and he throws back and makes those great throws. That’s who he is and very few people can do that,” Kiffin said. “But those happen one time a game, maybe two times. We’ve got to get him to do everything right, the little things, the little completions and the timing of everything.
“That’s all the stuff that wows the fans and people watching but that’s not what makes you a good quarterback. A good quarterback plays with great discipline, he takes care of the ball and he throws things on time. We’re going to have to get that going with him. He’s continuing to improve on it. We’re giving him a lot of reps. We’re wearing him out on purpose for conditioning, not just his arm but his body.”
Said Russell about what was important: “The small detail things. When you pay close attention to that, then things will be better for you instead of being Superman all the time.”
– During one seven-on-seven sequence, Russell was nearly intercepted by DeAngelo Hall while looking for Johnnie Lee Higgins along the sideline _ a pass that could have been a defensive touchdown. His next pass, intended for tight end Tony Stewart, was tipped in the air and nearly intercepted by Sam Williams.
– Two plays later, Marques Tuiasosopo, who also threw well Friday night, was intercepted by linebacker Robert Thomas on a pass intended for Jonathan Holland.
– In a team sequence, Russell fared better when on back-to-back throws. Drew Carter made a difficult, physical catch with Chris Johnson draped all over him on a 12-yard out, and Russell followed it up with a touch lob for 20-plus yards to tight end John Madsen in stride.
– Early in practice, with the running backs breaking out of one drill and heading toward another at the horn, Kiffin threw a high pass which nearly caught an unsuspecting Darren McFadden right in the face guard, with McFadden reaching up at the last second to knock down.
At the conclusion of practice, Kiffin was talking to an assistant coach only to be nearly struck by a Shane Lechler skyscraper. It was caught by Rashad Baker.
“Was that Shane or the JUGS machine?,” Kiffin asked as he went to the podium to speak to reporters. When told it was Lechler, Kiffin said, “Don’t think he didn’t do that on purpose.”
– Rookie receiver Arman Shields, who has had some impressive moments through the early sessions, incurred the wrath of offensive coordinator Greg Knapp for a half-speed route.
“C’mon rook. Break on it,” Knapp barked. “When you break on it, you might want to go toward the ball and not off the field. You’ve got to focus when you’re tired.”
– Running backs coach Tom Rathman was instructing running backs how to stop in their tracks in the middle of a zone then break outside to get open underneath. He used Justin Griffith to demonstrate how it was done before turning to second-year fullback Oren O’Neal and McFadden.
O’Neal ran the route well enough, but didn’t look up in time and Russell’s pass glanced off his hands.
“Gotta have it, `O,’ ” Rathman said.
Next was McFadden, who ran into the middle and then peeled off without stopping first.
“No, sit first. You’ve got to sit first,” Rathman said.
– Left tackle Kwame Harris missed practice with a sore lower back and is expected back Sunday morning. In his place, Paul McQuistan, who has been seeing time at left guard, moved outside to tackle. Also playing left tackle were Seth Wand and Mario Henderson, who is competing with Cornell Green on the right side.
Raiders tackles have had difficulty slowing the charge of Derrick Burgess (almost always on the left side, a few snaps on the right) and Kalimba Edwards from the outside. Kiffin conceded it is that area where Harris will need to get up to speed.
“He’s been a better run player for us so far,” Kiffin said. “We got some things in the pass protection going back to the left side — he hasn’t been there for a while — that we’ve got to work out, that (Tom) Cable’s working on with him. We got a lot of hopes for him, and we’re going to need him.”
– The Raiders appear to be running the ball well and crisply with Justin Fargas, McFadden and Michael Bush, although until they face a team in a different uniform, it will be tough to tell how good they really are.
– Linemen who false start have been told to take laps around the field, with McQuistan and Brandon Robb among those to make the circuit Saturday.
– Rookie end Trevor Scott has had some difficulty disengaging and making his presence felt a pass rusher. A converted tight end, Scott is listed at 6-foot-5, 255 pounds and actually looks smaller out of uniform.
One one play, with Louis Rankin breaking free, defensive coordinator Rob Ryan yelled, “C’mon Trevor, you’ve got to hold that edge!”
“It’s definitely something that takes getting used to,” Scott said. “Coming from college to the NFL, there’s really no comparison. Guys are just phenomenal, and the O-linemen have great feet, and that’s where coach (Keith) Millard is really telling me to hone in on my techniques and trust my technique and have my technique beat theirs. Use agility and quickness and try to get around them.”
– Huff, sometimes invisible while lost in among the bigger players at strong safety, has been conspicuous not only with his playmaking, but his enthusiasm for playing free safety.
“I’m out there running around, having fun, make Gibril (Wilson) take on all the tackles and guards and fullbacks and all that,” Huff said. “I can stay back there and make plays.”
Huff is doing a good job reading the offense, but is having a hard time figuring out his weight pattern. He said he tried to bulk up to last year and finished the season at a skeletal 193 pounds. Now that he’s a free safety, he is up to 205.
“I know it’s strange, but I feel quick out there, real fast,” Huff said.
– If Tommy Kelly is as good as the Raiders seem to think he is, that $18.125 million guaranteed won’t seem so bad after the $22 million guaranteed Glenn Dorsey got from the Kansas City Chiefs.
It was just a day or two ago that Chiefs exec Carl Peterson was spouting his usual nonsense about Dorsey’s contract demands, only to cave in and pay what the market demanded he pay.
– Kelly has been putting in overtime on the cardio machines after practice, working on getting his weight down. He has been one of the last players to leave the field house.
– Safety Greg Wesley (back spasms) and linebacker Grant Irons (hamstring) missed practice and are day-to-day. Defensive end Fred Wakefield (flu-like symptoms) was back at practice and even played a few snaps inside at defensive tackle.
– If Al Davis is the kind of guy who worries about these things, he hates the idea of LaMont Jordan joining New England, where he could join Randy Moss and show up the Raiders by putting up big numbers, and even warned his agent to make sure he went somewhere else.
More logically, Davis is pleased to see Jordan wind up in a place where he is buried behind Lawrence Maroney and Kevin Faulk, putting him only one rung above the Fargas-McFadden-Bush mountain he faced in Oakland.
– The Raiders have a double session today with the first practice at 9 a.m. and the second at 7 p.m.
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Saturday, July 26th, 2008 at 7:00 pm in Oakland Raiders.
Quick hits from the Raiders’ lone practice Saturday:
– It was probably to be expected after the aerial display featuring JaMarcus Russell the previous evening, but the Raiders came back to earth Saturday afternoon in a snappy practice that was wrapped up in under an hour and 40 minutes.
Things were much more difficult for the near-rookie, as Russell mixed in some nice balls with several that were broken up and nearly intercepted, as well as one badly thrown pass late over the middle that free safety Michael Huff read perfectly and snared on a dive.
Coach Lane Kiffin said he was more interested in watching Russell convert the routine plays than the sort of Star Wars show he put on Friday night.
“We’re not going to coach those special throws that he makes where he’s running over there and he throws back and makes those great throws. That’s who he is and very few people can do that,” Kiffin said. “But those happen one time a game, maybe two times. We’ve got to get him to do everything right, the little things, the little completions and the timing of everything.
“That’s all the stuff that wows the fans and people watching but that’s not what makes you a good quarterback. A good quarterback plays with great discipline, he takes care of the ball and he throws things on time. We’re going to have to get that going with him. He’s continuing to improve on it. We’re giving him a lot of reps. We’re wearing him out on purpose for conditioning, not just his arm but his body.”
Said Russell about what was important: “The small detail things. When you pay close attention to that, then things will be better for you instead of being Superman all the time.”
– During one seven-on-seven sequence, Russell was nearly intercepted by DeAngelo Hall while looking for Johnnie Lee Higgins along the sideline _ a pass that could have been a defensive touchdown. His next pass, intended for tight end Tony Stewart, was tipped in the air and nearly intercepted by Sam Williams.
– Two plays later, Marques Tuiasosopo, who also threw well Friday night, was intercepted by linebacker Robert Thomas on a pass intended for Jonathan Holland.
– In a team sequence, Russell fared better when on back-to-back throws. Drew Carter made a difficult, physical catch with Chris Johnson draped all over him on a 12-yard out, and Russell followed it up with a touch lob for 20-plus yards to tight end John Madsen in stride.
– Early in practice, with the running backs breaking out of one drill and heading toward another at the horn, Kiffin threw a high pass which nearly caught an unsuspecting Darren McFadden right in the face guard, with McFadden reaching up at the last second to knock down.
At the conclusion of practice, Kiffin was talking to an assistant coach only to be nearly struck by a Shane Lechler skyscraper. It was caught by Rashad Baker.
“Was that Shane or the JUGS machine?,” Kiffin asked as he went to the podium to speak to reporters. When told it was Lechler, Kiffin said, “Don’t think he didn’t do that on purpose.”
– Rookie receiver Arman Shields, who has had some impressive moments through the early sessions, incurred the wrath of offensive coordinator Greg Knapp for a half-speed route.
“C’mon rook. Break on it,” Knapp barked. “When you break on it, you might want to go toward the ball and not off the field. You’ve got to focus when you’re tired.”
– Running backs coach Tom Rathman was instructing running backs how to stop in their tracks in the middle of a zone then break outside to get open underneath. He used Justin Griffith to demonstrate how it was done before turning to second-year fullback Oren O’Neal and McFadden.
O’Neal ran the route well enough, but didn’t look up in time and Russell’s pass glanced off his hands.
“Gotta have it, `O,’ ” Rathman said.
Next was McFadden, who ran into the middle and then peeled off without stopping first.
“No, sit first. You’ve got to sit first,” Rathman said.
– Left tackle Kwame Harris missed practice with a sore lower back and is expected back Sunday morning. In his place, Paul McQuistan, who has been seeing time at left guard, moved outside to tackle. Also playing left tackle were Seth Wand and Mario Henderson, who is competing with Cornell Green on the right side.
Raiders tackles have had difficulty slowing the charge of Derrick Burgess (almost always on the left side, a few snaps on the right) and Kalimba Edwards from the outside. Kiffin conceded it is that area where Harris will need to get up to speed.
“He’s been a better run player for us so far,” Kiffin said. “We got some things in the pass protection going back to the left side — he hasn’t been there for a while — that we’ve got to work out, that (Tom) Cable’s working on with him. We got a lot of hopes for him, and we’re going to need him.”
– The Raiders appear to be running the ball well and crisply with Justin Fargas, McFadden and Michael Bush, although until they face a team in a different uniform, it will be tough to tell how good they really are.
– Linemen who false start have been told to take laps around the field, with McQuistan and Brandon Robb among those to make the circuit Saturday.
– Rookie end Trevor Scott has had some difficulty disengaging and making his presence felt a pass rusher. A converted tight end, Scott is listed at 6-foot-5, 255 pounds and actually looks smaller out of uniform.
One one play, with Louis Rankin breaking free, defensive coordinator Rob Ryan yelled, “C’mon Trevor, you’ve got to hold that edge!”
“It’s definitely something that takes getting used to,” Scott said. “Coming from college to the NFL, there’s really no comparison. Guys are just phenomenal, and the O-linemen have great feet, and that’s where coach (Keith) Millard is really telling me to hone in on my techniques and trust my technique and have my technique beat theirs. Use agility and quickness and try to get around them.”
– Huff, sometimes invisible while lost in among the bigger players at strong safety, has been conspicuous not only with his playmaking, but his enthusiasm for playing free safety.
“I’m out there running around, having fun, make Gibril (Wilson) take on all the tackles and guards and fullbacks and all that,” Huff said. “I can stay back there and make plays.”
Huff is doing a good job reading the offense, but is having a hard time figuring out his weight pattern. He said he tried to bulk up to last year and finished the season at a skeletal 193 pounds. Now that he’s a free safety, he is up to 205.
“I know it’s strange, but I feel quick out there, real fast,” Huff said.
– If Tommy Kelly is as good as the Raiders seem to think he is, that $18.125 million guaranteed won’t seem so bad after the $22 million guaranteed Glenn Dorsey got from the Kansas City Chiefs.
It was just a day or two ago that Chiefs exec Carl Peterson was spouting his usual nonsense about Dorsey’s contract demands, only to cave in and pay what the market demanded he pay.
– Kelly has been putting in overtime on the cardio machines after practice, working on getting his weight down. He has been one of the last players to leave the field house.
– Safety Greg Wesley (back spasms) and linebacker Grant Irons (hamstring) missed practice and are day-to-day. Defensive end Fred Wakefield (flu-like symptoms) was back at practice and even played a few snaps inside at defensive tackle.
– If Al Davis is the kind of guy who worries about these things, he hates the idea of LaMont Jordan joining New England, where he could join Randy Moss and show up the Raiders by putting up big numbers, and even warned his agent to make sure he went somewhere else.
More logically, Davis is pleased to see Jordan wind up in a place where he is buried behind Lawrence Maroney and Kevin Faulk, putting him only one rung above the Fargas-McFadden-Bush mountain he faced in Oakland.
– The Raiders have a double session today with the first practice at 9 a.m. and the second at 7 p.m.