News Archive
Oct. 3 - Dec. 30, 2007
The Raiders are in luck, to some extent. San Diego FB Lorenzo Neal wasn't expected to play, and he is in fact inactive. Not that RBs Tomlinson and Turner (Michael) aren't plenty capable without him, but Neal is the hammer that blasts open a lot of the holes for the Dolts' running backs.
Stud nose tackle Jamal Williams is also inactive. He has given the Raiders fits for years . . . The Dolts are said to be resting him with an eye toward the playoffs.
Source(s): Raiders.com
Late, late update: We see from an article in FB Oren O'Neal's hometown paper that he's been awarded the so-called "Plunkie" award—the Raiders Rookie of the Year. He's also the team's nominee for NFL Man of the Year. Each NFL team nominates one player, so it says a lot that a rookie would get the team's nod.
O'Neal is apparently quite active with charitable causes, particularly working with kids. Remember that this is also a guy who's overcome a bout with a serious lung disease (the name of which we don't remember), so he's quite a story. He sounds like the sort of "good character" person whose locker room presence is valuable. And just the opposite of the Randy Moss and Charles Woodson types who dominated the Raiders locker room, it seemed, for years.
Managing general partner Al Davis has been quoted on a number of occasions as saying that he doesn't think locker room chemistry is particularly important, but we disagree strenuously. For all the talent that Moss and Woodson, among others, brought to the team, it wasn't reflected in winning games or competing hard on the field.
Late update: The "Inside the Game Plans" thumbnail sketch on the FOXSports Game Trax page for this week's final Raiders game (unfortunately) puts it well and succinctly:
"A terrible matchup for the Raiders along the lines of the Jaguars in that the Chargers are strong in the areas the Raiders are weak. But with Oakland committed to starting JaMarcus Russell at quarterback, there is really no other option but to hope the running game is effective against a team it has seldom run well against."
Our fear is that tomorrow—once again—we'll see that this team's defensive unit, in a word, can't tackle. It's a shortcoming that's gone on for years and for which we hold defensive coordinator Rob Ryan accountable. Even though the team tackled badly even before Ryan's arrival, it should have been the first and foremost focus of his efforts from Day One. If you can't tackle you're not going to be able to stay competitive in games with any team that has a rushing attack.
Oh, and while Kiffin is cleaning house—assuming that Lane Kiffin has a serious say in any decisions—he should send special teams coach Brian Schneider packing as well.
If we have time we'll write an opinion piece on this year's coaching, but we're running our mouths now in case Big Al acts quickly, before we can get something written.
Several days back we alluded to musical chairs NFL style, with players sometimes passing each other in the virtual halls as they move from NFL team to NFL team. We see another example in today's news, as San Diego has signed kicker Dave Rayner to handle its kickoffs Sunday against the Raiders.
Rayner, you may recall, was the kicker whose field goal work was so shaky that it led KC coach Herm Edwards to pass up a field goal try and go for it on fourth-and-short against the Raiders. Oakland held, held on to the ball for the remaining five minutes or so of that game to win, and helped the Squaws continue on what has now reached a losing streak of eight straight.
The Dolts waived long-time left tackle Roman Oben to create the roster room.
Source(s): San Francisco Chronicle
Former Raiders starter DE Bobby Hamilton was signed by Cleveland Wednesday. After beginning this season with the Jets he was released at the end of training camp and had been out of football.
Cleveland has semi-desperate playoff hopes remaining alive. One AFC wild card spot remains up for grabs as we enter the final slate of games this weekend. The Titans get the slot if they win, simple as that, on the strength of a better record against common opponents. The Browns, then, need more help than just Bobby Hamilton.
And, ex-Raider prospect DE Kevin Huntley was waived by Atlanta, also on Wednesday. He had appeared in five games and had four tackles.
Source(s): The Sports Network
Jerry McDonald reports a number of roster moves made by the Raiders today. They beg the question put to McDonald by several fans posting responses to his post, namely, Why now, with just one game remaining? Coach Lane Kiffin is certainly not going to activate, let alone play, brand new squad members for the first time against San Diego . . .
QB Daunte Culpepper, whom in our view Kiffin managed to alienate weeks ago with his incessant musical chairs at quarterback, was placed on injured reserve, as was RB Justin Fargas. With Fargas it arguably makes sense except for the fact that we know from past weeks that Kiffin probably won't play LaMont Jordan, leaving only Dominic Rhodes available to tote the rock. Once again we can only lament how badly the Michael Bush situation was handled, and wonder how much of it—if any—was Kiffin's doing, and how much was foisted upon him by managing general partner Al Davis. But it can't be denied that the situation was mishandled. Having gotten a look-see at Bush—even if only briefly— in a few games would have enlightened the Raiders as to how to handle the coming off-season so far as Rhodes, Jordan, and Fargas are concerned.
But getting back to Culpepper, we feel badly for him. Granted, he was never promised a starting job when he signed with the Raiders, but he still gave the team a much needed boost when Josh McCown was playing atrociously. And he handled a demeaning situation with grace and class.
OL Jonathan Palmer was signed to the active roster off Pittsburgh's practice squad. According to McDonald, Palmer was signed as an undrafted free agent by Philadelphia in 2007, was cut, then signed Dec. 13 to the Pittsburgh practice squad. He played collegiately at Auburn. Scout.com called him an "underachiever" at Auburn. Also, McDonald wrote that Palmer has played both guard and tackle, but the Raiders have designated him strictly a tackle.
T Mark Wilson was signed to the Raiders practice squad late in the 2006 season and played there most of this season after being a late pre-season roster cut. He has now been promoted to the active squad. In his second year out of Cal, he's a Northern California product. He had a nice writeup in the UC Berkeley campus paper, the Daily Californian, back in 2003. We don't know if it's still there, but you can give it a try: From Garlic to Glory: The Mark Wilson Story.
Finally, RB Quinton Smith was signed to the practice squad. Smith was originally signed as an undrafted free agent out of Rice by New England. He gained 1,096 yards at Rice last season and finished his career with 3,055 all-purpose yards; he left Rice as the school's No. 2 all-time rusher.
We suspect that Smith has good speed. Listed by the Patsies at 200 pounds, he doesn't look like he would have been running over people in gaining that impressive yardage as a collegian—especially when you see that his 2006 Rice team went only 3-9, so he probably earned everything he got.
Source(s): "Inside The Oakland Raiders" blog (InsideBayArea.com), RiceOwls.cstv.com, www.Patriots.com
Musical chairs, aka beauty's in the eye of the beholder: One of the amusing things about watching personnel comings and goings in the National Football League is the multiple ironies which often play out in such transactions. Rashad Baker, claimed by the Raiders this past week, was waived by the Patsies in part so they could sign DT Rashad Moore, who washed out in a previous tryout with the Raiders.
When Oakland signed Moore I e-mailed an old acquaintance from the Raiders Fans Mail List who was then writing for a Pacific Northwest daily. (He's since signed on with ESPN.) I asked what the skinny was on Moore, who had spent several seasons on Seattle's roster. Nothing dramatic, came the reply, just a sense that he was injured a lot and might have showed more motivation than he did. Odd, then, that such a character would appeal to an organization like New England's, which demands motivation and hard work. But then Belichick has gotten hard work out of Randy Moss when Oakland never could. Go figure . . .
More catching up: (principally via Jerry McDonald's blog): Chris McFoy's spot on the practice squad was filled with a big body, as in 6-foot-2, 335-pound DT Kelly Talavou from Santa Ana in SoCal. Undrafted in April, Talavou was in camp with Atlanta. As a collegian he began at Idaho, then transferred to Utah.
A now-outdated Scout.com profile characterized Talavou, then at 307 pounds, thus: "Consistently flying around the ball, Talavou is a hard worker with potential as a backup in a two-gap system." Not that one comment makes a pro career, but the Raiders defense could sorely use a solid two-gap tackle—something we've lacked since Grady Jackson. Then again, the Raiders typically eschew a two-gap system.
We overlooked this the last several days—the Raiders moved C Jake Grove to injured reserve status on Thursday. They filled the roster spot with a safety, Rashad Baker, whom they claimed off waivers from New England.
Baker stands 5-10, weighs about 200, and has played three seasons in the NFL, spending time with Buffalo and Minnesota (one game) as well as New England. He played collegiately at Tennessee.
Grove's injury never got any real discussion in the media, save that it occurred in practice and not in a game. Matter of fact, Grove went from a starter to (largely) a forgotten man this season as Jeremy Newberry took over the starter's role at center.
Speaking of Newberry, we read very recently that Newberry—who's been playing on a one-year deal and will thus be a free agent again soon—opined as how his knees have "never felt better" and he'd like a multi-year contract this time around. To which we respond, "NO, NO, NO!!" He said the same thing last spring, but we notice that Newberry was the first of the Raiders to receive regular Wednesdays off as far as practice, the entire season long. Coach Lane Kiffin has said he likes to allow the days off for "older veterans" the "last month of the season," but Newberry's only 32 and got every Wednesday off throughout the season.
The facts are that, (a) the guy's knees are 50% or more shot, and could give way any time, and (b) Newberry's good for several 10- or 15-yard penalties per game on average. Give him another contract, by all means, but make it for one year at a cap-friendly amount.
Source(s): Raiders.com
The diagnosis on RB Justin Fargas' knee injury is officially a sprained MCL (medial collateral ligament), an injury which won't require surgery but does mean that Fargas must rest. He'll be shut down for the remainder of the season. We have some thoughts on this situation, which we've put into a new opinion piece: "Careful, Coach—Your Own Aloofness Could Come Back to Bite You on the A**!"
Where Are They Now Dept.: The Tampa Bay Bucs released ex-Silver & Black short yardage back par excellence Zack Crockett on Wednesday.
Crockett had been re-signed last week by the Bucs after being released earlier in the season. He did not play in the team's 37-3 win over the Atlanta Falcons, however, in which they clinched the NFC South.
Source(s): The Sports Network
Miscellaneous bits and pieces: RB Justin Fargas got his 1000-yard season today—bless his heart—and did he ever earn it! We shudder to think of the joint and skeletal problems he's going to have as he gets older. 
As fans we love to see him in his "crash-test dummy" mode, but then we read about the ex-linemen (Conrad Dobler recently) getting their multiple major joint replacements. Eewww! We have reached a point where we hold our breath every time Fargas carries the ball until he's reached the second level, if in fact he does get that far, and then we exhale, sensing that the chances of a career-ending collision are greatly lessened once he's running "downhill" . . . He just doesn't weigh that much and the way he collides with defensive players is looking for trouble. Figure that even Earl Campbell, who played at 240 or 245 pounds and ran much lower to the ground, is a physical wreck, and he had the sense to call it quits after a reasonably short career (eight or nine years?).
Anyway, Justin Fargas, our hat's off to ya!!
We've gotten lax on the birthday alerts, but there's one approaching for a high profile Raider. The "quarterback-killa" himself, Warren Sapp, will turn 35 on Wednesday (Dec. 19). You can drop him a birthday wish at NFLPlayers.com, which he probably won't read since that site is something of a joke. You can also try contacting him through his own Web site, www.QBKilla.com, but its primary purpose seems to be selling merchandise with his name or number on it. (Hey, what else is new?)
We always send a Happy Birthday when we see one in time and we can cheerfully report that not one player has ever bothered to respond. 
Ingrates . . .
Source(s): Our player database
The Chunky Soup Click for Cans contest came to an end yesterday with the Oakland totals fizzling abominably. We were never going to win the contest outright—which results in some serious food donations to food banks in the winning franchise's area—but the Raiders were leading most of the way in a "most improved" (over last year) category that was something like a consolation prize. Alas, in the last month even that dissolved as Jacksonville (a burg, a "small-market team"), Buffalo, and Washington all passed Oakland in the totals. The Raiders total barely moved the last two weeks. Ultimately the most improved winner was Jacksonville.
With as many Raiders fans working in the computer industry as there are—we have the biggest Web presence, and have had for years now, of any NFL team—it's anomalous that we don't do better in a contest like this. The winner, Green Bay, plainly used scripting to generate huge multiple votes; and we ought to be able to do anything that's high tech better than Green Bay fans. At least that's how we figure it.
By next year we'll be ready.
Late update: The final stretch of the Campbell's Chunky Soup contest is at hand . . . The contest ends Dec. 15.
If any of our readers has some programming ability, we have available some excellent macro-building software which in the right hands could generate an automated script. And we have a few elves willing to put such a script to use should someone write one. Interested? Contact us at
.
AND . . .
Tonight is the final night to vote for a Raider in the Super-Ad contest. Pick either Justin Fargas or Kirk Morrison. Details here.
A wild rumor hit the Oakland Tribune's message board, at the foot of Jerry McDonald's blog post, "Pre-practice update," about 3:00 p.m. this afternoon, that Raiders defensive coordinator Rob Ryan had been fired. Actually, to be precise, the first rumor referred to a Ron Ryan [sic], and shortly thereafter someone asked for clarification. Who is that, or did anyone know of such a person, etc.
The source of the "information" was said to be an e-mail which a poster had received, alerting him to this ostensibly breaking news development.
We've searched high and low throughout the afternoon and early evening but haven't seen a trace of any such firing. We'd actually welcome it—it has been years, literally, since the Oakland defense could tackle anyone properly. We don't think, as a matter of principle, that anyone who can't teach tackling belongs in a defensive coordinator's job in the National Football League! Unfortunately, Al Davis seems to have misplaced our telephone number . . . .
There's more than a little irony in the NFL headlines today. Bobby Petrino, whom Michael Lombardi had urged Al Davis to hire as Oakland's head coach in 2006 but who turned down the job, walked away yesterday from the NFL in mid-season, with utterly no warning to his employer, to take a job coaching instead at . . . Arkansas, the school that was so openly floating rumors about its interest in Raiders head coach Lane Kiffin (and a half dozen others).
To properly visualize the whole scenario, read these items to set the backdrop. Reach your own conclusions as to what may have happened:Arkansas provided leverage - Nancy Gay's right on the money in this column
San Francisco Chronicle, Dec. 12, 2007
Petrino Resigns As Falcons Coach
Associated Press, Dec. 12, 2007 (San Francisco Chronicle)
So Much for Arkansas
"Inside The Oakland Raiders" blog, Dec. 12, 2007 (Oakland Tribune)
Source(s): San Francisco Chronicle, "Inside the Oakland Raiders" blog (InsideBayArea.com)
We'll stop thinking that rookie coach Lane Kiffin's lack of organization is to blame for the team's exceptionally slow response to S Jarrod Cooper's season-ending injury. We're just astounded that the Raiders wouldn't want to get a healthy player onto the roster in place of Cooper, but erstwhile Jerry McDonald obviously put the question to Kiffin, and Kiffin replied that it's out of his hands.
Here's the exact passage as reported by McDonald. As with all things having to do with an organization that bears Al Davis' stamp from top to bottom, readers must read between the lines in interpreting what follows:"Why does Jarrod Cooper remain on the 53-man roster when he is on crutches after undergoing surgery for a torn ACL? [McDonald asks the obvious question.]
Just one of those organiational [sic] quirks Kiffin has learned to live with _ sort of like why Michael Bush won't be active and two running backs who seldom play and don't fit into the Raiders future is [sic] still on the roster.
'We're obviously taking a long time on this and I wish I had a better answer for you,' Kiffin said.
Maybe because it's hard to find someone this late in the year? [Again, McDonald asks the obvious question.]
'That's not really it,' Kiffin said."
Just another indication of how much this franchise needs a full time, autonomous general manager.
Source(s): "Inside The Oakland Raiders" blog (InsideBayArea.com)
Lane Kiffin can forget the head coaching job at Nebraska. Acting AD Tom Osborne filled the post today with current LSU defensive coordinator Bo Pelini.
Ah well . . . there's still Arkansas, which was Kiff's original suitor anyway. Just kidding. Not about the Pelini hire, but about the implication that Kiffin wants a college job.
Source(s): Associated Press
Read how QB Daunte Culpepper really injured that quad muscle, at least according to FOX's Jay Glazer, who's broken his share of scoops and doesn't have the bad reputation for exaggeration that a certain well known ESPN writer of Italian extraction does. See Glazer's article, "Raiders may be forced to play Russell," linked in both the Articles and Previews sections.
T Barry Sims turns 33 today. If you wish to send him a Happy Birthday wish you can do so at NFLPlayers.com.
We visited his own web site looking for an e-mail link and found one on the far right end of the tool bar ("Contact").
Late update: We came upon another injury report, not issued by the league, but still presumably objective and which includes both teams playing Sunday at the House of Thrills. (If that name doesn't mean anything to you, it's an older fans' name given to the Coliseum on the Raiders Fans Mail List after our boys came back from La-La Land in 1995. Also abbreviated the HOT.
OAKLAND: Out: S Jarrod Cooper (ACL). Questionable: QB Daunte Culpepper (quadricep). Probable: DE Derrick Burgess (Achilles); OLB Isaiah Ekejiuba (ankle); C Jake Grove (knee); QB Josh McCown (left pinky finger); FS Stuart Schweigert (calf). (Jason Jones, below, missed Schweigert in his blog post.)
DENVER: Out: RB Andre Hall (ankle). Questionable: WR Glenn Martinez (ankle); Javon Walker (knee). Probable: DE John Engelberger (shoulder); RB Travis Henry (knee); S John Lynch (ribs); P Todd Sauerbrun (left hamstring); RB Paul Smith (calf); WR Brandon Stokley (knee); RB Selvin Young (knee).
Source(s): PA Sports Ticker
Injury update: Very unofficial, and only for the Raiders, courtesy of Bee beat writer Jason Jones. Unless there's been a change this year—always a possibility with the NFL, which often "tweaks" its product—the league puts out its official injury reports on Wednesdays and Saturdays during the season.
OAKLAND: Out: S Jarrod Cooper (ACL). Questionable: QB Daunte Culpepper (quadricep). Probable: DE Derrick Burgess (Achilles); OLB Isaiah Ekejiuba (ankle); C Jake Grove (knee); QB Josh McCown (hand).
Source(s): Sacramento Bee
Coach Lane Kiffin told beat writers that not only have the Raiders not focused in on a roster replacement for Jarrod Cooper, but that the team probably won't get around to putting Cooper on IR and signing a replacement until next week. Astounding!! An active squad of 53 is apparently more than Kiffin needs . . . and Sam Williams is an adequate fill-in for Jarrod Cooper as a gunner on coverage teams. R-i-i-i-ght!
Source(s): "Inside The Oakland Raiders" blog (InsideBayArea.com)
The Raiders worked out defensive back Kevin McCadam, who played at Virginia Tech
Source(s): Bay Area News Group (San Jose Mercury News)
Late update: We came across a Chicago Tribune article explaining how Denver's running game works; it was written in anticipation of last weekend's meeting between the Bears and Donks (won by Chicago). Since the Raiders and Broncos both now employ the so-called stretch, with zone blocking schemes, we call it to our readers' attention, especially to (perhaps) casual fans who really haven't noticed the difference in the running game scheme with this year's Raiders team.
Here's the link:
When in zone,
Broncos tough
Chicago Tribune, Nov. 23, 2007
Source(s): CBS Sports
The Pro Football Hall of Fame semi-finalist class for this year was announced today. Of the new nominees in their first year of eligibility, only Cris Carter and Darrell Green advanced.
The initial group of 124 was pared down to 26 semi-finalists. The inductees will be decided the day before the Super Bowl on Feb. 2. Three former Raiders are among the current group of 26: QB Ken Stabler, CB Lester Hayes, and punter Ray Guy. All deserving.
Source(s): Associated Press
As of this afternoon the Raiders had neither (a) made an announcement concerning Jarrod Cooper, (b) put Cooper on injured reserve, nor (c) signed anyone new to the active roster. The Chronicle said Cooper underwent surgery today.
Several Raiders beat writers reported that all the Raiders with the exception of Cooper practiced this morning. That may not include Jeremy Newberry, however, who routinely gets Wednesdays off to rest his knees.
Source(s): Bay Area News Group, San Francisco Chronicle
Bay Area News Group writer Steve Corkran reported today that the Raiders have recently been working out some stiffs, er . . tackles, but didn't sign any of them. Among the suspects named were Jonathan Palmer, Albert Toeaina, and Torrin Tucker. They were competing for the spot created when Cornell Green went on injured reserve, a spot ultimately filled by the signing of T Seth Wand.
Tucker and Toeaina were very briefly on the roster during training camp. Toeaina has a local connection as well; the behemoth (6-foot-5, 350 pounds) was a star at 2-year powerhouse City College of San Francisco before transferring to Tennessee.
Source(s): Bay Area News Group
You'd think after Cleveland coach Romeo Crennel did it and was roundly criticized, Herm Edwards would know better . . .
We're speaking of calling a timeout to talk over a play call, then throwing a challenge flag immediately afterward to imperil a second potential timeout without having run a play in between. When Crennel did it several weeks ago, some of his own players were said to be furious afterward. Cleveland lost that challenge, losing the two timeouts in a single sequence, and went on to lose a very close game when a late timeout (that Cleveland no longer had to use) could have made the difference.
Herm Edwards did the exact same thing today and it played out the same way—his team lost the challenge and thus burned two timeouts on one stoppage of play. It was a dumb challenge, too, judging by what the TV announcers could see and were reporting from their vantage point. A KC minion in the booth, with access to the CBS broadcast, could have warned Edwards that the view was equivocal at best. (A successful challenge requires unequivocal evidence, blah blah . . .)
Source(s): KPIX-TV (CBS), "Inside The Oakland Raiders" blog (InsideBayArea.com)
S Jarrod Cooper may have torn a ligament in one of his knees. After he was taken off the field on a cart today following the kickoff after the Raiders' initial field goal, a Raiders spokesman told the AP it was an injury to Cooper's right knee. Coach Lane Kiffin later told reporters that Coop may well be lost for the year. More specifically, Kiffin repeated what he said weeks back about DL Tommy Kelly, which has become the Kiffin Kiss of Death: "It doesn't look good." That would likely indicate a ligament tear requiring surgery.
Cooper is on record as being a fast healer; in May, 2005 he had knee surgery following the Raiders mini-camp to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament (aka ACL), then made a stunning recovery. He was re-activated to the active roster on Aug. 23—less than 14 weeks' rehab for a torn ACL! We think it would unduly defy the odds to expect such a miraculous second recovery, if ACL is what it is. But we'll await an announcement.Source(s): Associated Press, our player database
Oakland Tribune columnist Monte Poole has written a piece today which contains a scathing criticism of Raiders managing general partner Al Davis. Sadly, we're forced to agree with most of what Poole has to say.
Davis in his younger years made many moves which were sheer genius, in our opinion. Building the offensive lines that the Raiders had from the late sixties through the mid-eighties wasn't luck or happenstance. Nor was transforming the doormat franchise that Davis took over upon first coming to Oakland as its general manager in 1963 a series of lucky moves; the man built a magnificent defense—one that would later be coined with the great moniker "Eleven Angry Men"—from scratch.
But we think the moves in recent years haven't been so wise, and since its return to Oakland the team has largely floundered with the exception of the few seasons when sparkplug Chucky lit a fire under people's rear ends. We'd like to see Al Davis turn things over to a knowledgeable general manager, someone along the lines of a John Madden-Ron Wolf-type figure.
That's our $.02 worth . . .
The current Raiders.com preview for the upcoming game at Kansas City begins with this paragraph:
THIS WEEK: The Oakland Raiders, members of the American Football Conference Western Division, take on the AFC West Kansas City Chiefs for the second time in the 2007 NFL regular season. The teams also met in Week 7 in Oakland.What's conspicuously missing is the bombastic slogan, "Team of the Decades," that the club insisted on using the past few years as loss after loss continued to pile up. It was out-and-out embarrassing to this fan of forty years . . . Dropping the braggadocio means progress at times . . .
Our time will come again—really, it will—but until it does, let's just shut up, shall we?
(We know about cycles, and how what goes around comes around, etc. We're lifelong Boston Celtics fans—dating back to Bill Russell-Bob Cousy-Bill Sharman-Sam Jones-Tom Heinsohn days—and look at them now!! GO CELTICS!!)
Late update: Where Are They Now Dept.: WR Mike Williams signed with the Titans today.
Source(s): CBS Sports.com
Long-time Oakland Tribune writer Dave Newhouse wrote a really special Thanksgiving piece for this year. Its subject: the indomitable Jim Otto, who still finds reason after reason to remain thankful and positive despite all that he's been through and the possibility of heart surgery still lying ahead. The title says it all: "Mr. Raider still inspires by fighting through pain."
We have some physical problems ourselves (three chronically disabling conditions) and tend to feel depressed by them, even overcome at times. But then reading about someone like Otto, it's difficult not to be embarrassed by our own self-pity.
The article's linked on the Articles page, natch, and here's a direct link to it as well.
The Scout.com network has a promotion running this Thanksgiving weekend. From Thursday through Sunday, virtually all their content—with the exception of audio, video and message boards—is completely free.
We received an e-mail directing us here to get started: http://oak.scout.com/?refid=7597.
While we don't personally think the network is worth the 80 or so clams they want for an annual subscription, it's still a chance to peruse an additional source for several days. The Raiders end of Scout.com—Silver & Black Illustrated Online—apparently consists of two writers, Denis Savage and Michael Wagaman, who churn out articles about on a par with, say, Steve Corkran at the Bay Area News Group. Scout.com has on average 1-2 Raiders articles per day but they tend to be fairly short. Typically 85 to 90% of them are subscriber-only.
Scout.com had a succinct and highly germane observation about the Raiders in the coaching segment of its report card for the game at Minnesota. We quote it here in its entirety with our own emphasis added:
COACHING: D -- The Raiders seemed to be caught flat-footed by Minnesota early and in some ways defensively never recovered after the Vikings converted on the big gadget play to open the game. Schweigert admitted afterward gadget plays were not the focus, as the Raiders expected pure smash-mouth. The Raiders had a more aggressive passing approach as Lane Kiffin realized running on the Vikings would be tough. Whatever it is a coach can do to cause his team to raise its level a play after taking the lead, Kiffin doesn't know what it is. The Raiders fought back to take a 13-12 lead, and, as usual, immediately gave the lead back. The Vikings took four plays to go 64 yards and score.
Source(s): "Silver & Black Illustrated Online" (Scout.com)
The story has just broken this evening . . . it's potentially a stunner. Priest Holmes, by all accounts a classy individual and in his prime as good an all around back as the league saw in this decade, hurt his neck again Sunday against the Colts—seriously enough that he's said to be planning to announce his retirement as early as tomorrow afternoon.
The source of the report, apparently, is Adam Schefter of the NFL Network, whose work is generally quite accurate. (ESPN's John Clayton is also reporting the same information, but ESPN often takes credit for stories dug up originally by others. Don't believe us? Read Mike Florio's "Rumor Mill" column at ProFootballTalk.com for a while; he rails on about it, particularly the fondness of Len Pasquarelli for giving himself credit for stories actually researched and broken by others.)
The injury to Holmes leaves Kansas City woefully short of tailbacks. Larry Johnson is still rehabbing his "mid-foot sprain" and is out for the Oakland game, leaving Herm Edwards only little known Kolby Smith, who's had ten carries this year. Of course, leave it to the Raiders' horrible rushing defense to make a nobody into a household name. Recall, if you will, that virtually no one had ever heard of Jacksonville's Fred Taylor—who recently passed 10,000 career yards rushing—until Oakland traveled to Jacksonville and the then-youngster lit up the scoreboard against us. Seems like another story, but the story line of the Raiders nearly always proving to be unable to shut down opposing teams' ground attacks even when they are handed good fortune is a thread that's run through most of the games since the club returned to Oakland.
Source(s): RealFootball365.com, ESPN.com, NFL Network (NFL.com)
Catching up on sites we don't check every day, we found a pair of Nov. 15 articles on punting at CBS Sports.com, the new name for CBS Sportsline. They're penned by the two senior NFL writers there, Pete Prisco and Clark Judge. Judge, particularly, hits the nail on the head by arguing that Ray Guy's absence from the Pro Football Hall of Fame is "indefensible." Here are the links:
Look out,
Sammy: New-age punters pushing frontiers - nice article except Pete Prisco largely ignores Shane Lechler
CBS Sports.com (formerly CBS Sportsline), Nov. 15, 2007
Special case: Ray
Guy's Canton shutout indefensible - Clark Judge not only argues for Guy's induction, but recognizes Lechler
as one of the top two today
CBS Sports.com (formerly CBS Sportsline), Nov. 15, 2007
Source(s): CBS Sports.com
Where Are They Now Dept.: According to the Green Bay Gazette, ex-Raider (and ex-Packer) QB Aaron Brooks wasn't impressive in his workout at Green Bay and won't be signed. Interestingly, the report says Brooks is still not fully recovered from the pectoral strain that caused him to miss 8 games in his one year with the Raiders.
Source(s): Green Bay Gazette, Yahoo! Sports
RB LaMont Jordan is inactive for today's game. And could be waived this coming week should Michael Bush be added to the active roster.
Also among those not dressing for today's game is special teams core player Ike Ekejiuba, who injured an ankle in practice Friday.
Source(s): "Inside The Oakland Raiders" blog (InsideBayArea.com)
Rookie Johnnie Lee Higgins, averaging 2.5 yards on punt returns, is probably the third-stringer now after fumbling last Sunday for the second time this season.
"You have to do what's best for the team and whatever our team situation is," special teams coach Brian Schneider said. "And, obviously, putting that ball on the ground is hurting our team. So we need to drill that, we need to work on it. There will be a time when we get him back in there, but you just can't put your team in a bad situation. That's probably the best move for us right now."
That means Tim Dwight—averaging 5 yards—is the lead man on punt returns, with Chris Carr (6.5-yard average) available if needed. Dwight returned five punts Sunday against Chicago and earned raves from Schneider and head coach Lane Kiffin for his ability to do the correct thing on every punt.
"He has caught a lot of balls in the NFL," Schneider said of Dwight. "When you can do that and when you can get upfield, that just gives you confidence."
Higgins said his confidence remains high: "I just have to keep going, keep pushing. Bad things happen, but you have to put those behind you."
Source(s): Bay Area News Group
Odds on Sunday's contest have tightened ever so slightly for the second time this week. The spread opened at 6, moved to 5½ early in the week, and is at 5 as of this writing (Friday evening).
Source(s): The Sports Network
Where Are They Now Dept.: QB Aaron Brooks worked out for the Cheeseheads Tuesday. If Scout.com is correct—and we have no reason to doubt that group's accuracy—it was Brooks' first tryout for an NFL club since being released by the Raiders last winter.
Source(s): Bay Area News Group, SilverandBlack.com (Scout.com)
Source(s): "Inside The Oakland Raiders" blog (InsideBayArea.com)
Checking in on the Chunky Click for Hunger contest, Oakland's total has dropped somewhat in the relative sense. More accurately, several teams' fans seemed to awaken and not only overtook us but put up some fairly impressive numbers in a relatively short span of time.
The Raiders are now in sixth place, although they continue to lead in the Most Improved category. To give you an idea of how much Green Bay has mechanized their campaign, however, the Packers have a million and a half votes; Oakland has 186,000 plus change. Washington has recently moved ahead of Oakland, into fifth place in the contest standings.
We have a pair of strategies we'd be happy to share with Raiders fans, either of which makes it quite painless to accomplish more than a click a day. Contact us at
.
with the word "Chunky" in the subject line. Remember to use this alternate address for anything related to this contest.
Lots has been written praising—justifiably—the Raiders' special teams units and defense for their performance Sunday against Chicago. Here's a tidbit we just came across this evening. The Raiders became just the second team to hold Bears TE Greg Olsen off the stat sheet; the rookie was shut out in week 10. (Detroit kept Olsen from recording a catch in week 4.)
Source(s): CBS Sports
Player notes: OLB Sam Williams said he has been cleared to practice after missing five games with a shoulder "stinger," but it remains to be seen whether he can regain the starting strong-side linebacker position from Robert Thomas, who has played well in his absence. Thomas shared the team lead in tackles (along with MLB Kirk Morrison) against Chicago with 9.
WR Ronald Curry had his worst game of the season against the Bears, catching three passes for only 20 yards with a long of 9. He also committed two false starts. Speaking of worst games, RT Cornell Green was abused by Bears DE Adunwale Ogunleye, surrendering three sacks.
Inactive regulars against Chicago: C Jake Grove (knee) said he thought he may be ready to play this week. CB Nnamdi Asomugha was inactive with a knee problem; coach Lane Kiffin said he thought Asomugha would be available to face the Vikings but couldn't be certain until the week plays itself out. Finally, CB Fabian Washington (calf) said he warmed up before the Chicago game but had no "burst" and so was declared inactive. Washington said he expected to be ready to play in Minnesota.
Kiffin declined to name a starter at quarterback yet for Minnesota, with QB Josh McCown suffering a bruised right quadricep in the closing moments of the Chicago game. Kiffin also praised DT Terdell Sands, whom he said had "by far" his best game of the year.
Source(s): The SportsXchange
Late update: SF Chronicle Raiders beat writer David White wrote today, "The Raiders have until Wednesday to decide whether to activate rookie running back Michael Bush or put him on injured reserve." We think that's erroneous. Wednesday would be 14 days from when Bush first practiced with the team. What we've read elsewhere leads us to think that the window is 21 days, which would mean the day of decision was a week from this coming Wednesday.
Source(s): San Francisco Chronicle
We had seen some sentiment expressed by Raiders fans in online forums for the team to pick up 33-year-old DE Simeon Rice. Indy claimed him off waivers today.
Source(s): Associated Press
The Raiders' next opponent, Minnesota, has great depth at running back. So if sensational rookie Adrian Peterson really has a ligament tear—that's the latest news out of Vikings headquarters—and has to sit on Sunday at the Metrodome, the Tykes don't lose all that much in their rushing attack. Up steps tailback Chester Taylor, a previous 1200-yard rusher, and behind him is capable Mewelde Moore.
The Raiders will continue to lose games if their porous running defense forces them to play "8 in the box" most of the time. Against Chicago we saw what we can expect when only FS Stuart Schweigert is back deep, with the corners playing man on the flanks. Too little, too late is Schweigert's modus operandi . . .
Source(s): St. Paul Pioneer Press
Where Are They Now Dept.: We read today on a Scout.com list of available free agents that ex-Raider Zack Crockett was released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
An insightful analysis on the Pro Football Weekly web site looks at four key matchups in this weekend's games. One of them is Bears RBs Cedric Benson and his backup, Adrian Peterson, vis a vis Raiders MLB Kirk Morrison. (The name is the same, but the Adrian Peterson who plays for Chicago—and is a special teams stud—is a different Adrian Peterson than the Minnesota Tyke who's setting one record after another and whom we'll have the nightmare of trying to contain next week in the Metrodome.) The writer gives the advantage to the Bears, but it's an important matchup any way you slice it.
The Raiders' key to winning is to hold down the Bears' rushing attack and force Brian Griese into throwing INTs, something he's done with regularity the past six or so quarters of football he's played. Morrison will need to be coming forward, violently, into the hole, not tackling three or four yards past the line of scrimmage, if the Raiders are to have a shot at winning.
Source(s): Pro Football Weekly
OAKLAND: Out: LB Sam Williams (shoulder). Doubtful: C Jake Grove (knee). Questionable: WR Jerry Porter (knee); CB Fabian Washington (calf); CB Nnamdi Asomugha (knee). Probable: DT Warren Sapp (knee); DT Gerard Warren (quadricep).
CHICAGO: Out: G Ruben Brown (shoulder). Doubtful: S Brandon McGowan (elbow); CB Nathan Vasher (groin); LB Rod Wilson (neck). Questionable: DT Tommie Harris (knee).
Source(s): www.NFL.com
According to Pro Football Weekly, the Raiders filled the practice squad opening created by the promotion last weekend of DT Josh Shaw to the active roster by signing WR Marco Thomas. Of Thomas, PFW notes that he was released by the New York Giants on Aug. 24, then from the Giants practice squad on three occasions: Sept. 10, 17, and 25.
Thomas' size seems to shrink or grow depending on the web site one consults. He attended Western Illinois, where he's listed as 6-1 and 175 pounds. Scout Frank Cooney's NFLDraftScout.com site, however, shows him as 5-foot-11 and weighing 186. He hails from Chicago and majored in criminal justice. In high school he lettered twice as a quarterback—end-around option, here we come!
Source(s): Pro Football Weekly, "Leatherneck Football" (Western Illinois athletics web site), NFLDraftScout.com
DL Tommy Kelly may seem to have dropped out of sight with his ligament tear(s), but let's definitely hope he doesn't drop out of mind of the Raiders front office. Like CB Nnamdi Asomugha and DL Tyler Brayton, Kelly is a Raider to whom the club will have to make serious overtures if it wants him in its future as coach Lane Kiffin said it did.
Kelly was a restricted free agent this past off-season. As is nearly always their habit with RFAs, the Raiders offered him a one-year deal, opting to give him a potential way out of Oakland at the end of this year should he care to take it. He's playing for a one-year base salary of $1.35 million, a good-but-not-great salary for a defensive lineman and considerably less than he could fetch on the open market.
Asomugha and Brayton can void their original six-year rookie contracts after this, their fifth season. Asomugha definitely will elect to become a free agent, and the guess here is that Brayton probably will too. All three of these Raiders are hard workers whom the team should make every effort to re-sign during this season, before they hit free agency.
We saw one comment from a local beat writer that the Raiders would want to wait and see where Kelly's rehab stands around next March. That's risky—just as flatly assuming Kelly will make a complete comeback is. But we'd prefer to see the team play the positive angle rather than take the negative gamble that Kelly won't make a good recovery.
Source(s): Scout.com, Bay Area News Group
The Raiders worked out DT Demetrin Veal and DE Kenny Peterson this past week but did not offer either a contract.
Source(s): Contra Costa Times
Late update: Houston Chronicle sports columnist John McClain is well known and widely respected. If we're not mistaken he's a member of the Pro Football Writers of America who also votes in the Hall of Fame Selectors meetings.
Imagine our surprise when we saw just now that he's openly predicting a Raiders win Sunday!! Check it out: My four-point stance: Raiders to beat Texans 24-20.
We've read references here and there over the past days to the rumors that the Raiders want to dump RB Dominic Rhodes. Many of the reports cite ESPN gossip monger Chris Mortensen as the source. We've finally worked around some health issues and dug into the Rumor Mill blog to extract the details. In fact the sources cited were Mortensen, Jay Glazer of FOX, and unnamed "industry sources" (Florio's latest euphemism for anyone connected in any way with the NFL or one of its constituent clubs ).
Here are links to the two posts which concern whether the Raiders are considering cutting Rhodes:
RAIDERS HOLDING
RHODES FOR SPITE? - click on the link here, then click on white text area in center
column there, then use your browser's search key to find the capitalized string
Rumor Mill (ProFootballTalk.com), Oct. 28, 2007
RAIDERS THINKING
ABOUT DUMPING RHODES - click on the link here, then click on white text area in
center column there, then use your browser's search key to find the capitalized string - the start of the
Rhodes rumors
Rumor Mill (ProFootballTalk.com), Oct. 24, 2007
Source(s): ProFootballTalk.com ("Rumor Mill")
Where Are They Now Dept.: DT Grady Jackson signed a one-year deal with Jacksonville on Wednesday.
Source(s): Associated Press
Late update: Catching up on the past 48 hours, we note that the Sacramento Bee's Raiders beat writer, Jason Jones, reported yesterday that Tommy Kelly tore not only his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) against Tennessee, but also the medial collateral (MCL) as well. The InsideBayArea crew (Steve Corkran, Jerry McDonald, et al.) specified only the ACL.
Tearing both ligaments makes rehab more difficult and problematic; it's the injury from which Daunte Culpepper really needed two years to heal. Although a lineman need not be able to run around quite so much as a quarterback, perhaps . . .
We have no way to know which account is the more accurate.
Source(s): Sacramento Bee
State of the lines: DT Gerard Warren (quad) has still not practiced and is officially doubtful (realistically, out) for Houston. T Cornell Green and C Jeremy Newberry were back at practice Thursday after missing Wednesday. It's obvious that Newberry's knees need the rest, as he is regularly given Wednesdays off now, much as gutsy tackle Robert Jenkins required during the Raiders' first several years back in Oakland. Green also is not a young sprout, and that knee of his could prove to be an ongoing concern as the season progresses. His replacement at Nashville, Paul McQuistan, was truly atrocious even among the generally dismal performances of his teammates.
(How bad was McQuistan? Raider fan speedkills21, who posts religiously on the CC Times reader message board—we've said often in this space that he's extremely knowledgeable—graded every Raiders lineman on every play against Tennessee. Virtually everyone got an "F" except McQuistan, who got "F--". Off the charts . . .)
The Raiders worked out two players this week, WR Jermaine Jamison (Fresno State) and DE Eric Powell (Florida State). Neither was offered a contract.
Where Are They Now Dept.: Finally, ex-Raiders long snapper Adam Treu worked out for Tennessee Tuesday. The Titans' regular long snapper, Ken Amato, suffered a torn ACL in the fourth quarter Sunday.
Source(s): Media News (InsideBayArea.com)
Late, late update: Jerry McDonald clarified the Michael Bush exemption situation:
When Bush set foot on the field [on Oct. 31], it started a 21-day clock. If Bush is to be placed on the 53-man roster this year, he must be activated within those 21 days. If not, he will have to wait until next year.
Source(s): "Inside the Oakland Raiders" blog (InsideBayArea.com)
Late update: It's DT Terdell Sands' 28th birthday today. You can send him a Happy Birthday wish at NFLPlayers.com.
Grim news broke last night for a team that was already run-challenged on defense. Tommy Kelly's right anterior cruciate ligament is torn and he was to undergo surgery to repair it today. He's gone for the season and was placed on injured reserve status today.
Rumored since last week, the signing of returner par excellence-wide receiver Tim Dwight was finally consummated and announced by the team today, and Dwight was duly witnessed at practice by Jerry McDonald fielding punts along with Chris Carr and Johnnie Lee Higgins.
Dwight is a small—5-8, 180 pounds—but fleet-of-foot player who's put nine years in the league, first and foremost as a punt and kick returner but also as a wide receiver too. When he first started in the NFL he was one of the very fastest men playing, but most commentators think that over his career, age and a history of injuries have slowed him down a bit from that very exclusive stratum to which he once belonged. He should nevertheless be a noticeable improvement over Chris Carr and Johnnie Lee Higgins as far as his burst and, most likely, better judgment in game situations as well.
As for his receiving abilities, Dwight's best season came in 2002 when he caught 50 balls for the Dolts for 623 yards, a 12.5 average. In his sophomore season, 1999, he caught 32 passes for 669 yards, a gaudy 20.9 ypc figure reminiscent of James Jett's rookie year for the Los Angeles Raiders.
The knock on Dwight is a reputation for being injury prone. Given his size it shouldn't come as a shock, but the man has only once been able to play in all 16 games of a single season. So, just as with Carr or Justin Fargas, Dwight is probably best used judiciously, not wearing him out.
There were two further personnel developments reported today. First, Jerry McDonald reported that RB Michael Bush finally joined practice with the team, in pads. Coach Lane Kiffin confirmed that Bush has been taken off the PUP list, but is still exempt on the roster. Meaning, presumably, that the team still has until Nov. 5 to activate him or move him to IR.
Finally, the practice squad opening left by the departure of P.K. Sam was filled today when DT Jonathan Lewis was signed. Lewis, 6-foot-1 and 310 pounds, was drafted in the sixth round by Arizona last year and saw action in four games. He played collegiately at Virginia Tech.
Highly recruited out of high school as a prep All American, reading Lewis' entry on the Hokies' web site reminds us only too graphically how players with all sorts of pedigrees, credentials and accomplishments can still wash out of the National Football League. The few players who compete in the NFL at any given point in time truly are the creme de la creme of the world's athletes in their sport.
Source(s): "Inside the Oakland Raiders" blog (InsideBayArea.com), Raiders.com, Wikipedia, CBS Sportsline
Maybe there's some relief in store for us Raiders fans when we face Minnesota in three weeks, if we can tackle RB Adrian Peterson adequately. The Tykes have the league's worst pass defense, bar none. Then again, maybe Peterson will become just the next opposing running back to get his hundred yards against us. (Five have in the seven games Oakland has played to date.) 
Source(s): Associated Press
Late update: Where Are They Now Dept.: A few days ago, ex-Raiders RB Adimchinobe (Joe) Echemandu was promoted by Houston from its practice squad to its active roster. The Texans released RB Samkon Gado to create the roster spot for Echemandu.
It's possible the Raiders could face Echemandu playing against them when Oakland hosts Houston on Nov 4. Let's hope he doesn't hurt the Raiders—he was impressive during training camp and the pre-season while still wearing silver and black.
Source(s): Associated Press
Asked if the Raiders have any interest in suddenly unemployed DT and ex-Raider Grady Jackson, coach Lane Kiffin said no.
We think that's a shame. Jackson has had much publicized weight issues in the past—they played a part in Oakland's decision to part ways with the 350-pounder years back—but he's still playing at a high level at that high weight. And there are a handful of guys in the NFL—not many, but still, there are some—who can still be effective at what would be overweight poundage for most players. Case in point: Denver's Sam Adams stuffed the Raiders' rushing attack when the Donks needed a big stop in the teams' earlier meeting this season.
Oakland's one really big defensive tackle who's been effective, Gerard Warren, has been out three weeks now and is still not practicing. We're not counting Terdell Sands, who seems to have disappeared this year after getting that big new contract. Grady Jackson brings a lot of value because for a huge guy he can mount a surprisingly effective inside pass rush in addition to plugging the run gaps.
Online photography contest: A friend of ours has entered a photograph of hers in an online contest sponsored at Picture.com. If enough visitors rate it highly she could win an iPod as a prize. 
She's a good friend, but it's also a great photo—brilliant color and nice composition. How about taking a look at it and rating it? There aren't any gimmicks or adware attached . . . Just one click to visit and a second click to rate it (from 1 to 10).
Here's the link: "Orange Flower from Amicola Falls"
Where Are They Now Dept.: DT Grady "Gravy Train" Jackson was summarily released by the Atlanta Falcons without so much as a comment by the front office or coach Bobby Petrino. Jackson was second on the team in tackles, but the 1-6 Falcons have apparently decided to go with youth for the rest of this season.
Jackson was often held up as an example of the ability of Raiders managing general partner Al Davis to find draft gems at small Southern schools. Oakland drafted Jackson out of little Knoxville College in the sixth round in 1997.
Source(s): RealFootball365.com, NFL.com
Where Are They Now Dept.: Safety B.J. Ward, released last week by the Raiders, worked out for the Houston Texans.
Back at practice on Thursday: C Jeremy Newberry, T Cornell Green. Out for a second day: DT Warren Sapp, FS Hiram Eugene.
Source(s): San Jose Mercury News
Not practicing yesterday were C Jeremy Newberry (undisclosed), T Cornell Green (knee), DT Warren Sapp—listed in the report as an end, but that (less-than-successful) experiment was two years back—(ankle), DT Gerard Warren (thigh), and FS Hiram Eugene (neck). Additionally, OLB Sam Williams' work was limited.
Also, Media News beat writer Steve Corkran reported the following today:
The Raiders worked out defensive back Shaun Williams but did not offer him a contract. Also, several former Raiders wide receivers worked out for teams in recent days - Travis Taylor (Buffalo Bills, St. Louis Rams), Doug Gabriel (Bills and Tampa Bay Buccaneers), Carlos Francis (Buccaneers) and Johnnie Morant (Cleveland Browns). Former Raiders defensive end Kevin Huntley worked out for the Washington Redskins. Taylor signed with the Rams.
Source(s): San Jose Mercury News
We received the following news announcement in an e-mail on Oct. 13. We don't mean to slight Raiders fans living in the Sacramento area—we simply forgot to include it here sooner.
Here is the full text; grammatical errors are theirs.
Oakland Raiders and KQCA/ My58 Sign 4-Year Deal
The Oakland Raiders and KQCA/My58 in Sacramento signed a new TV partnership to be the official television station for The Oakland Raiders in the Sacramento Area for the next four years.
KQCA/ My58 will broadcast two Silver & Black Productions TV shows throughout the season. They will broadcast Behind the Shield on Saturday's at 5:00 p.m. and The Silver and Black Show on Saturday's at 5:30 p.m. KQCA/ My58 broadcasted the Raiders four preseason games in August 2007.
The e-mail also contains this second, separate item. (Be aware that embedded links from the original may not work here.)
An HTML version of the e-mail is also available.Take the Train to the Raiders Game and Save 25%
Hop aboard the Capitol Corridor for a comfortable and convenient ride straight to McAfee Coliseum on gameday. With up to 32 daily trains between Sacramento and Oakland, and direct service to San Jose, it's easy to find one that fits your schedule.
You can save 25% off your trip for select Raiders games this season. Discounted tickets are available for the following games: Kansas City Chiefs (10/21), Houston Texans (11/04) and Denver Broncos (12/02).
Buy your ticket online or in advance at the station, just be sure to mention code H740 to save 25%.
Click here for a list and map of Capitol Corridor stations near you.
Source(s): The Oakland Raiders
Green Bay QB Brett Favre threw a pick yesterday in the Pack's win over Washington. In the process he became the all-time NFL leader in that negative category.
That's good news to us, because the record previously had belonged to none other than George Blanda. And in fact, Blanda had so many that many observers thought the record might stand forever.
When Blanda first came into the league he was a gunslinger, daring to make throws that other quarterbacks wouldn't even consider. Blanda threw a lot of touchdown passes and a lot of picks—it was just his style. But we're happy to see his name removed from the record book in connection with the interceptions.
Source(s): Associated Press
We're really pleased to report that the Santa Rosa Press Democrat's Phil Barber has seemingly gotten at least a partial reprieve of his excommunication from Raiders reporting by his short-sighted paper. We came across a blog post by him today from last Friday, which we duly added to the Articles page.
In Barber's absence the Press Demo prints only Associated Press reports (generally by Josh Dubow), which are adequate, and the hate-filled tripe of Lowell Cohn. If this latter name doesn't ring a bell, it should; he leads the parade of so-called writers who not only go out of their way to belittle the Raiders, but who do so in as mean-spirited a fashion as possible. We respect the right of sportswriters to have their independent opinions, but those who ridicule the Raiders just for being the Raiders deserve no respect. Cohn is nothing more than a bigot.
You can read a perfect example of Cohn's propaganda today. Any and all of the Raiders players who dare to think the team is improving are "brainwashed."
Jarrod Cooper was back in Alameda yesterday to meet with coaches Lane Kiffin and Rob Ryan, according to the Chronicle's David White, leading to speculation that the team is close to re-signing him. Oakland does have a roster opening with the waiver Wednesday of FS B.J. Ward.
Cooper has served his suspension, so if signed he would be eligible to play immediately. The Raiders' special teams units, with the exception of the punting team, all rank in the bottom half of the league. Cooper's big contribution as a Raider—which netted him a not-inconsequential $1.5M salary for a backup safety—was always on special teams.
Source(s): San Francisco Chronicle
Walking wounded: In case you didn't see the discouraging news in one of the site's scrolling banners, the Raiders are far from "healed" merely because they had a bye week. RB LaMont Jordan, DE Derrick Burgess and OLB Ike Ekejiuba all had to leave practice early Wednesday and are iffy for Sunday. Not only that, but it turns out that DT Gerard Warren suffered a thigh injury last Thursday and hasn't practiced since.
Of Burgess, whom Kiffin had said Monday he expected to be ready to start against the Dolts, Kiffin said Wednesday, "He's probably not as far along as we initially thought. He'd be doubtful at this point."
Kiffin added, "You can't be exact about your evaluations all the time. At one point, we thought he was feeling better and then he'd have a setback because he's pushing himself further. This would be disappointing to have another week without him, but we've done it before and if we're forced to do it again, we'll do it again."
Personnel stuff: Ex-Raider safety Jarrod Cooper worked out for the team but wasn't offered a contract. FS B.J. Ward, a hit in training camp, was waived by the Raiders yesterday without even an announcement to the media (poor babies). We don't know the reason, of course; his play had dropped off drastically during the regular season, the lowlight being getting run over by Miami's Ronnie Brown. But we hope for Ward's sake that his old nemesis, migraines, isn't the reason. We have them and they are excruciating. We wouldn't wish them on anyone.
Incidentally, Chronicle beat writer David White opines today that the Raiders, with both Burgess and Warren hurting, will promote DT Josh Shaw from the practice squad for a game.
Source(s): Media News, "Silver&Black" blog (San Francisco Chronicle)
WR P.K. Sam (II, if you're counting) was signed to the practice squad yesterday, and according to the ANG's Jerry McDonald, likely saved coach Lane Kiffin from getting hit right in the schnoz with an errant pass thrown by QB Josh McCown.
McDonald relates the catch by Sam in yesterday's blog post.
Sam has good size—he's 6-3 and 210 pounds—but has kicked around with a number of teams in his three years in the NFL, not to mention playing in NFL Europa. He was originally drafted by New England in the fifth round (164 overall) in 2004 out of Florida State. He was inactive for six games before going on IR for the rest of that season. In 2005 he was waived by the Patsies in the final pre-season cut, then after a tryout with Houston was signed to New England's practice squad, where he spent all of 2005.
Sam was signed by Cincy in the 2006 offseason (February), then waived by the Bungles in the final preseason cut. The rest of his journey through 2006 comes from a Wikipedia entry:
After working out for the St. Louis Rams in October of 2006, Sam signed with the Miami Dolphins and was placed on the team's practice squad. During the 2006 season Sam was forced to take a hiatus for personal reasons and was released, however he was re-signed a short time later and ended the season on the practice squad.
Despite a new head coach, Sam was re-signed to a future contract by the Dolphins in February 2007. He played for the Rhein Fire of NFL Europa in the spring. On May 15, Sam was named the NFL Europa Offensive Player of the Week after racking up 122 yards and a touchdown in a 27-24 victory over the Frankfurt Galaxy.
Source(s): "Inside the Oakland Raiders" blog (InsideBayArea.com), Wikipedia.org
Where Are They Now Dept.: To no one's surprise, Jon Gruden signed popular ex-Raider Zack Crockett to the Tampa Bay roster today. Writers had speculated even before Crockett's release at the start of September that he could land with Gruden's team should Lane Kiffin release him.
We miss him. He was a leader and a great locker room influence who would have been more than happy to contribute on special teams. And thinking about Zack's absence brings us to another topic associated with (among others) Oren O'Neal, who has replaced Crockett on the roster.
While it's perhaps somewhat unfair to "dis" rookie FB O'Neal for pulling a hamstring, we will note he's contributed precious little so far this year. Crockett was remarkably durable during his run in Oakland. If he cost substantially more than O'Neal, well, he was also available to play virtually every week. We grow impatient with professional athletes who incur hammy problems—one would think that dedicated, serious training involving not only weights but also stretching—can you say yoga?—might be in order for the Raiders. There have been too many lingering muscle pulls on the watch of strength and conditioning coordinator Jeff Fish to suit us. It was a routine occurrence last season and it is again this year, it seems.
We're pleased to tell readers that Raiders fans have led in the "Most Improved" (from last year) category of the Chunky Soup contest for three days running now!
To give you an idea of the obvious vote fraud that goes on, as of this writing—Oct. 10 at 4:14 p.m. Pacific, Green Bay—last year's winner and the least populous city with an NFL franchise—has just under 185,000 votes. No. 2, Indianapolis (which finished No. 2 in 2006 also) has 133.3K votes. At No. 3 Jacksonville, another small market, has 49,000. Next comes Pittsburgh—the first city in the rankings with any real population there—with 34.4K. And then our beloved Raiders, No. 5 (up from a 31 finish last year) with 29,513.
There is no way on Earth that Green Bay and Indy generated that many votes legitimately. Not when a football-crazed town like Kansas City has only racked up 15,404.
We—the Raiders—may never catch Green Bay, whose fans are likely using bots or scripts to stuff thousands of votes each day into the totals. But we are at least running No. 1 in the contest for Most Improved from last year, which would mean 2007 cans of soup for some local area food bank. So we hope our readers will pitch in!
Source(s): www.Chunky.com
The team with the most clicks at the end of the competition will be crowned the "Campbell's Chunky" soup "Click for Cans" champion, and will receive their official team roster's total weight in "Chunky" soup cans for the local food bank of their choice. The team with the "Most Improved Clicks" compared to last year's competition will receive a donation of 2,007 cans to their designated local food bank.
The aforementioned Chunky contest was the subject of an e-mail we received last week from a Raiders fan whom we'll simply call Captain Q, or Q for short. Q is an admin and a driving force behind a prominent Raiders fans web site and forum as well as a broader network of fan sites covering major league or equivalent sports franchises from many cities. Our friendship with Capt. Q goes back more than ten years; we worked cooperatively on several web sites before eventually going our own ways.
Q wrote to the registered users of the Raiders web site where he is an admin that he's come to the realization that some clubs' fans are voting in such astoundingly high numbers—in proportion to fans of other teams—that it's obvious that they have found ways of, ahem, augmenting their vote totals well beyond the permitted one vote per day. Or, as he refers to it, they are employing "creative voting." They're cheating, folks!
How else does one rationally explain Green Bay, Wisconsin, a small city, sending in prodigious volumes of mail every year? Or Indianapolis? These two burgs rated 1-2 last year and are 1-2 presently in the 2007 voting while cities three and four times their size have a fraction of the votes submitted. And puh-leeze don't try to tell us it's simply a reflection of fan interest, because the Donkey and Squaw fans are as rabid as you'll find.
In his e-mail, the Captain goes on to suggest several specific techniques of "overvoting," one for Firefox and another for Internet Explorer, which will work as well for fans of the Silver and Black as they now do for the scofflaw fans of some other franchises.
If you'd like to have the information which was contained in the e-mail forwarded to you so that you can do your part in combatting hunger, send us an e-mail at
.
with the word "Chunky" in the subject line. You must use this alternate address for anything related to this contest; mail sent to our usual domain addresses at vertgame.com will be ignored.
And should you not see the alternate address just a couple lines up—after the words "send us an e-mail at"—try enabling Java in your browser. To prevent spam we use a Java trick in lieu of a traditional mailto: link (which spammers could "harvest" and flood with junk mail).
ANG reporter par excellence Jerry McDonald reported this morning that the Raiders have added defensive end Mkristo Bruce (6-foot-6, 268 pounds) to the practice squad. Bruce, a Washington State product, was last with the Miami Dolphins.
Bruce was one of a group of free agents whom the Raiders worked out last Thursday and Friday. According to McDonald, others in the group which auditioned included DE C.J. Ah You, LB Antwan Applewhite, and defensive backs Tebucky Jones, Omar Stoutmire, C.J. Gaddis, Bhawoh Jue, Kevin McCadam, and Nick Sorensen. Of those last six, Jones, Jue and Stoutmire are all safeties with NFL experience.
It's easier for us to say it now that he no longer plays for Kansas City. We've long held a lot of respect for quarterback Trent Green. Without having overwhelming physical skills or a great pedigree, he's found ways to win in the NFL. He's a smart player, dangerous in the clutch, as Raiders fans know only too well.
We didn't see the play yesterday about which so much is being written today, but the mere fact that a relatively scrawny quarterback would attempt a serious block on a 315-pound defensive tackle says a lot about the guy's moxie.
Peter King leads off a long SI.com article with a discussion of Green's block.
Source(s): Sports Illustrated (SI.com)
There's a great thread today in the Contra Costa Times reader forum following a poll on the question, who was the greatest Raiders wide receiver ever?
Not surprisingly, Tim Brown leads by a wide margin (despite having the lowest yards-per-catch figure of any of the top five), but the two old-timers whose views we most respect, Birdwell and speedkills21, take Warren Wells. We cast our vote for Wells as well—before reading the comments.
Here's a link if you're interested:
Source(s): Contra Costa Times reader forum
The Raiders lost promising DE Dave Tollefson when the New York Giants signed him to their active roster today. NFL clubs are allowed to sign away other teams' practice squad players so long as they are put on the new team's 53-man roster.
Source(s): Scout.com
Where Are They Now Dept.: TE Marcellus Rivers, in camp with the Raiders in 2006 but cut before the season began, was re-signed today by New England. The Patsies signed Rivers as a free agent in August, then released him, re-signed him and released him again during the first eight days of September.
Source(s): Associated Press
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