OAKLAND RAIDERS OFFSEASON THREAD
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I hear you S1 but I think we should give dude a chance and see what he could do for us. He says he has a clear head now and is committed. He did look aight vs the Niners. He got good body position against Walt Harris but he didn't come up with the catch (those are the ones he usually come down with). And another time he got behind a niner db (Walter over threw him) even though that db was garbage. I am willing to give him a shot to see what he could do for us.
HALL HASN’T CHANGED
Posted by Mike Florio on August 12, 2008, 9:06 p.m.
Maybe the Oakland Raiders should change their motto from “Committment to Excellence” to “Caveat Emptor.”
Not long after it was revealed that big-money free-agent acquisition Javon Walker had to be talked out of retiring comes news that big-money trade acquisition DeAngelo Hall is already pissing and/or moaning.
Per David White of the San Francisco Chronicle, Hall claims that he has a broken bone in his hand, and that he shouldn’t be practicing or playing.
“I’ve got a little broken bone in there,” Hall said. “I don’t even feel like I should even be out here practicing on it or even going into preseason.
“But it’s something that no one else even seems to feel like its affecting everything so I’m out there practicing and playing the game.”
White asked Hall whether it was his decision to practice and play. Said Hall: “It ain’t my choice. I’m employee 23 so I do what I’m told.”
Hall was traded to Oakland by the Falcons after a series of incidents in 2007 that prompted the team to wash their hands of him.
Posted by Mike Florio on August 12, 2008, 9:06 p.m.
Maybe the Oakland Raiders should change their motto from “Committment to Excellence” to “Caveat Emptor.”
Not long after it was revealed that big-money free-agent acquisition Javon Walker had to be talked out of retiring comes news that big-money trade acquisition DeAngelo Hall is already pissing and/or moaning.
Per David White of the San Francisco Chronicle, Hall claims that he has a broken bone in his hand, and that he shouldn’t be practicing or playing.
“I’ve got a little broken bone in there,” Hall said. “I don’t even feel like I should even be out here practicing on it or even going into preseason.
“But it’s something that no one else even seems to feel like its affecting everything so I’m out there practicing and playing the game.”
White asked Hall whether it was his decision to practice and play. Said Hall: “It ain’t my choice. I’m employee 23 so I do what I’m told.”
Hall was traded to Oakland by the Falcons after a series of incidents in 2007 that prompted the team to wash their hands of him.
@ Superfly Snuka.....I read in the Contra Costa times yesterday that he didnt care if it was broken sprained or whatever....That he wanted to be on the field no matter what.......But they said the team did not know if they wanted to sit him tonight, or maybe have him go in for a short amount of time to get some work in.......IDK
I wanna see how good they'll protect Russell tonight cause the OL will have their hands full with a good DL
Raiders' Hall finds hand a mere annoyance
NAPA — Starting cornerback DeAngelo Hall's right hand still is bothering him. So much so that he was sent to see yet another doctor Wednesday.
"The only thing that we know for sure is that it is a bruise," Raiders coach Lane Kiffin said. "It's a bruise with a possible sprain. So, we've got to make sure it's not broken."
Hall said his hand started aching long before last Friday night's exhibition game against the 49ers, when he left the game in the first half and went to the locker room for treatment. Even so, Hall hasn't missed much practice time. Team doctors placed a cast over most of his right hand.
"My main thing is, even if it's broken, it doesn't mean anything," Hall said. "If I can go out there and play, then I can go out there and play. If something hurts, something hurts. I got to try to get to the bottom of it."
Kiffin said Hall isn't likely to play much, if at all, Friday night against the Tennessee Titans. Stanford Routt is expected to fill in for Hall.
In other news, left offensive tackle Kwame Harris sustained a shoulder injury in practice Tuesday and is questionable for the Titans game.
"If he doesn't play, 'Super Mario' would start for us ... ," Kiffin said of second-year player Mario Henderson, "and that will be interesting versus (Titans defensive end Kyle) Vanden Bosch."
Henderson has struggled throughout training camp and has been in Kiffin's doghouse for some time. He committed two penalties against the 49ers in a backup role.
"It'll be a test for him," Kiffin said.
Lechler pulls up lame
Punter Shane Lechler sustained a quadriceps injury to his right (kicking) leg in practice Tuesday and will be sidelined seven to 10 days, Kiffin said. The Raiders signed Glenn Pakulak to take Lechler's place. Veteran linebacker Edgerton Hartwell was released to make room for Pakulak on the 80-man roster.
Kicker Sebastian Janikowski has been sidelined with a left hamstring injury the past week. He, too, won't play Friday.
Camp battles
John Wade will start at center against the Titans, Kiffin said. Jake Grove started against the 49ers. Kiffin said he hopes to decide next week who wins the starting job. Also, wide receiver Ronald Curry is expected to start against the Titans, with a starting job on the line. Drew Carter started against the 49ers and is pushing Curry for the starting spot opposite Javon Walker. Ricky Brown will start at strong-side linebacker. He is competing against Sam Williams and Robert Thomas for the starting spot.
Extra points
Quarterback JaMarcus Russell is slated to play for most, or all, of the first half Friday, Kiffin said. Russell played only the first two series against the 49ers and attempted only five passes. "... Receiver Arman Shields (knee), cornerback John Bowie (knee) and tight end Darrell Strong (shoulder) also won't play Friday. "... Johnnie Lee Higgins will return punts and kickoffs against the Titans, Kiffin said.
Raiders' Hall finds hand a mere annoyance
NAPA — Starting cornerback DeAngelo Hall's right hand still is bothering him. So much so that he was sent to see yet another doctor Wednesday.
"The only thing that we know for sure is that it is a bruise," Raiders coach Lane Kiffin said. "It's a bruise with a possible sprain. So, we've got to make sure it's not broken."
Hall said his hand started aching long before last Friday night's exhibition game against the 49ers, when he left the game in the first half and went to the locker room for treatment. Even so, Hall hasn't missed much practice time. Team doctors placed a cast over most of his right hand.
"My main thing is, even if it's broken, it doesn't mean anything," Hall said. "If I can go out there and play, then I can go out there and play. If something hurts, something hurts. I got to try to get to the bottom of it."
Kiffin said Hall isn't likely to play much, if at all, Friday night against the Tennessee Titans. Stanford Routt is expected to fill in for Hall.
In other news, left offensive tackle Kwame Harris sustained a shoulder injury in practice Tuesday and is questionable for the Titans game.
"If he doesn't play, 'Super Mario' would start for us ... ," Kiffin said of second-year player Mario Henderson, "and that will be interesting versus (Titans defensive end Kyle) Vanden Bosch."
Henderson has struggled throughout training camp and has been in Kiffin's doghouse for some time. He committed two penalties against the 49ers in a backup role.
"It'll be a test for him," Kiffin said.
Lechler pulls up lame
Punter Shane Lechler sustained a quadriceps injury to his right (kicking) leg in practice Tuesday and will be sidelined seven to 10 days, Kiffin said. The Raiders signed Glenn Pakulak to take Lechler's place. Veteran linebacker Edgerton Hartwell was released to make room for Pakulak on the 80-man roster.
Kicker Sebastian Janikowski has been sidelined with a left hamstring injury the past week. He, too, won't play Friday.
Camp battles
John Wade will start at center against the Titans, Kiffin said. Jake Grove started against the 49ers. Kiffin said he hopes to decide next week who wins the starting job. Also, wide receiver Ronald Curry is expected to start against the Titans, with a starting job on the line. Drew Carter started against the 49ers and is pushing Curry for the starting spot opposite Javon Walker. Ricky Brown will start at strong-side linebacker. He is competing against Sam Williams and Robert Thomas for the starting spot.
Extra points
Quarterback JaMarcus Russell is slated to play for most, or all, of the first half Friday, Kiffin said. Russell played only the first two series against the 49ers and attempted only five passes. "... Receiver Arman Shields (knee), cornerback John Bowie (knee) and tight end Darrell Strong (shoulder) also won't play Friday. "... Johnnie Lee Higgins will return punts and kickoffs against the Titans, Kiffin said.
WALKER WAKING UP
Posted by Mike Florio on August 15, 2008, 1:14 a.m.
Raiders receiver Javon Walker was struggling during the early stages of training camp. Things got so bad that he at one point planned to retire, before owner Al Davis talked him out of it.
Lately, however, Walker has gotten it together.
“I’ve been very critical of Javon throughout this camp and throughout the offseason, and he’s had a string right here of the best practices he’s had,” coach Lane Kiffin said as the team broke training camp on Wednesday. “He looks to be in the right frame of mind lately, and so if we can continue to work on that and push that, it’s going in a positive direction.”
Walker, who’s down to 206 pounds after spending most of his career at 220, definitely sounds rejuvenated. “I’m doing something that I truly love and am excited about taking it into the season,” Walker said. “It doesn’t get any better than that.”
The turning point apparently came when the Raiders practiced with the 49ers on August 4. Since then, Walker has been a different guy.
That’s great news for the Raiders. Assuming that it lasts.
Posted by Mike Florio on August 15, 2008, 1:14 a.m.
Raiders receiver Javon Walker was struggling during the early stages of training camp. Things got so bad that he at one point planned to retire, before owner Al Davis talked him out of it.
Lately, however, Walker has gotten it together.
“I’ve been very critical of Javon throughout this camp and throughout the offseason, and he’s had a string right here of the best practices he’s had,” coach Lane Kiffin said as the team broke training camp on Wednesday. “He looks to be in the right frame of mind lately, and so if we can continue to work on that and push that, it’s going in a positive direction.”
Walker, who’s down to 206 pounds after spending most of his career at 220, definitely sounds rejuvenated. “I’m doing something that I truly love and am excited about taking it into the season,” Walker said. “It doesn’t get any better than that.”
The turning point apparently came when the Raiders practiced with the 49ers on August 4. Since then, Walker has been a different guy.
That’s great news for the Raiders. Assuming that it lasts.