Bugel said he only asks the players not to talk trash and to refrain from taunting.

Former Raider Matt Millen had an amusing reaction when told of the report: "It's an oxymoron," said Millen. "If no cursing is the first rule, the second rule has to be no breathing, because they are both the same in Raiderland."

So did Big Ben Davidson, who said with a straight face, "Ken Stabler never swore. Now, Fred Biletnikoff, you might have to check on."

Sources: Sacramento Bee, Contra Costa Times

It seems the Coliseum naming rights are worth less than was thought. A figure of $3 million per year had been mentioned in the press some weeks back, but two reports today place the fee at between $1.7 and 1.9 million annually.

The buyer is UMAX Data Systems, a Taiwanese Macintosh clone maker, and the new name will be UMAX Coliseum. The tentative agreement runs for 10 years.

UMAX has offices in Fremont, in the Bay Area. Along with naming rights, it will receive two luxury suites valued at $210,000 each season, and additional perks.

What an UGLY name!

Sources: Associated Press, Contra Costa Times

Wednesday, September 3, 1997

Robert Jenkins has returned to the Raiders, accepting the assistant offensive line coach position which was offered to him when he retired. He'll work primarily with the young linemen.

Source: San Jose Mercury News

Tuesday, September 2, 1997

After Sunday's depressing game, there isn't any important Raiders news. So—here's a tidbit for fanatics who are really hard up.

Where Are They Now Dept.:  A Southern California judge issued an arrest warrant today for former Raider QB Todd Marinovich after he failed to appear three times on a charge of cultivating marijuana.

Source: Associated Press (Nando.net)

Smooth Rationalizations for Failure, Part 671:  CB Larry Brown appeared to accept responsibility for his horrible lapse Sunday when he said after the game, "On that one play of the game, I wasn't focused. I've got to make sure I stay focused on every play. I've got to make that play. I took my eye off the guy and he got behind me."

Oilers QB Steve McNair, however, later told a somewhat different tale. Tennessee ran the play because they'd already seen Brown napping earlier in the game.

"The first time we ran that play, the corner came off the coverage, so we came back to it," McNair said.

Source: Sonoma County Press Democrat

Monday, September 1, 1997

Coach Joe Bugel sounded suspiciously like his predecessor, Mike White, after yesterday's loss. In case you've somehow forgotten, White was often derided for his habit of saying something positive about the Raiders after each loss.

Yesterday's game was lost when the Raiders could mount no run defense when it counted—in the fourth quarter. It's a depressingly familiar theme, one which has happened repeatedly over the last two seasons. The Raiders lose close games not because the officials hate them, not because the media hates them, but because their defense can't play a full four quarters of football. To listen to Bugel after the game, though, you'd think there'd been a lot to cheer about.

"We'll take something positive from the fact that we battled back after getting shut out in the first half," said Bugel. "It took us awhile to get going, for reasons I don't know, but we fought back, and we can take that with us."

It "took awhile" to get going because the offensive line did no run blocking, plain and simple. RB Napoleon Kaufman got no holes. He spent much of his time desperately trying to bounce plays to spots where they weren't intended to go. Kaufman finished with 32 yards on 12 carries.

The offense only got going when the team pretty much abandoned the run.

To Bugel's credit, another post-game comment of his was more realistic.

"It's a bitter disappointment," he said. "We're not into moral victories and all that kind of bull. When we tied it up and went ahead, I had no doubts our team was going to win the football game. Our team expected to win the ball game today, so we have a lot of distressed people in (the locker room)."

Sources: Sacramento Bee, San Jose Mercury News

Kaufman missed the second half, a victim of heat exhaustion and dehydration.

The Raiders reported no serious injuries after the game.

Sources: San Jose Mercury News, San Francisco Chronicle

As of last Friday, the Raiders still weren't close to selling out their next game, the Monday night home contest against Kansas City. More than 16,000 seats remained unsold.

Source: San Francisco Examiner

WR Tim Brown will do a live on-line interview on Raiders.com tomorrow evening at 7:00 p.m. Pacific.

Thursday, August 28, 1997

Today's Press Democrat has a nice article on the vertical game.

Bad News:  T Pat Harlow missed practice yesterday with a sore back. Coach Joe Bugel tried his best to assure reporters that Harlow's not seriously injured and will play Sunday.

Harlow, the starting left tackle, has a long history of back problems dating back to high school and missed six games last year with back trouble.

The Raiders can ill afford to lose him. His immediate backup, Rick Cunningham, is a journeyman, and all the other backups at tackle are rookies.

Source: San Jose Mercury News

Oilers QB Steve McNair will provide a test for the Raiders' defense on Sunday because of his ability to scramble.

"That's the one thing that worries me—his scrambling," said CB Albert Lewis earlier this week. "You know there's going to be times when he's not going to like what he sees and he'll tuck the ball away and run. The danger for us as defensive backs, especially corners, is that we play a lot of man-to-man and we'll be running downfield with our backs turned to him. That gives him the opportunity to make runs and keep his offense on the field."

Joe Bugel said that keeping McNair in the pocket will be a priority for the defense.

"He wants out of the pocket, and he will get out of the pocket on bootlegs, sprints. He's most dangerous when he's outside the tackle area."

Sources: (Sonoma County) Press Democrat,

Bugel announced yesterday that Derrick Fenner will be the starter Sunday at fullback.

"Fenner ended up preseason strong," Bugel said. "Fenner will be the starter."

Earlier in the week, FS Eddie Anderson told reporters that he and James Trapp have been told they'll start at free safety and strong safety, respectively.

John Henry Mills is now practicing at tight end and wearing jersey No. 87.

Sources: San Francisco Chronicle, San Jose Mercury News, Contra Costa Times, The Sporting News, Raiders.com

Wednesday's preliminary injury report for Sunday listed only two Raiders, both probable: FB Jerone Davison (pulled gluteus) and FS Eric Turner (groin pull).

For Tennessee, WR Derek Russell is out (broken collarbone). Listed as questionable are LB Joe Bowden (hamstring), OL Jason Layman (hip), CB Darryll Lewis (hamstring), and safety Armon Williams (ankle).

Source: (Sonoma County) Press Democrat

WR Tim Brown said—again—that he doesn't want to be just a short receiver again this year.

"We will do some things differently," said Brown. "I will do some things up the field. Basically in preseason I was the underneath guy."

"It's going to be incumbent upon (offensive coordinator) Ray Perkins to make sure that happens. Once I get labeled the underneath guy, it's the same old program. I don't want people to be sitting on my routes. I want to go upfield sometimes."

Source: Contra Costa Times

I hadn't realized this before—this year is the first time in Raiders history that all the team's draft picks made the squad.

Source: USA Today

Wednesday, August 27, 1997

Today's Contra Costa Times has some interesting comments by WR James Jett concerning his role in the Raiders' passing game over the last several years. They're all the more interesting because Jett usually doesn't talk a whole lot.

"In the past, we had a quarterback whose arm had been shot; he was kind of beat up, and they couldn't get the ball downfield," said Jett. "Most of my routes were 25 yards. I was just clearing out the zone so the (other) guys could come through underneath. A lot of times, the defense would just roll a guy up on me and cut the field in half and we never did anything to change it."

"It looked bad on my part, but there wasn't much I could do. It was just a situation where I had to make the best of it. When the plays come my way, I just have to make the best of it."

Speaking of this season, Jett added, "The vertical game will stretch things out. I think this is going to be a very important year. Other guys are going to make the plays, so I have to be ready."

The same reporter also managed to get a provocative comment out of Olanda Truitt, who's usually described as modest and reserved.

"One of us will have to emerge and prove we can beat single coverage and create a problem for opposing defenses," Truitt said. "If they give me the opportunity to be the No. 2, I guarantee you Tim and I will break the record set by Jake Reed and Cris Carter for receptions."

That's big talk for a fellow with 15 career receptions.  :-)

Source: Contra Costa Times

Oilers' strong safety Blaine Bishop, who had been holding out for a long-term contract, signed a six-year deal today.

Bishop was the Oilers' leading tackler the past two seasons and had been designated as Tennessee's franchise player. He's a two-time Pro Bowl selection.

Bishop said he wanted the deal done so he could play Sunday against the Raiders.

Source: Associated Press (Nando.net)

Tuesday, August 26, 1997

Signed to the practice squad yesterday were WRs Kenny Grace and Kenyan Branscomb, DE Shatony Sargeant, LB Shay Muirbrook and TE Robert Rosenstiel.

Both Grace, a Bay Area product, and Branscomb spent time on the practice squad last year as well. Sargeant, an unheralded and undrafted rookie out of Fresno State, was a pleasant surprise in training camp.

Source: San Jose Mercury News

The Raiders have hired Bill Musgrave as an offensive assistant for "quality control." In the Raiders organization, that translates to watching hours of video and breaking down their opponents' game plans.

Musgrave was a backup quarterback with both San Francisco and Denver. Ironically, his best reference as a potential coach may have come from Denver coach Shorty Shanahan when Musgrave announced his retirement during the off-season.

"It's a tedious job," said coach Joe Bugel. "His idea is he wants to get into pro coaching. We said if you want to be a Raider, then this is the way to do it."

Source: San Jose Mercury News

Monday, August 25, 1997

Afternoon update:  DT La'Roi Glover, one of yesterday's last seven cuts, was claimed off waivers by the New Orleans Saints.

Source: ESPNet SportsZone

Yesterday's roster cutdown didn't really contain any major surprises, save perhaps that all six draft picks made the roster. It's unlikely that all of them will play that much this year, but clearly the Raiders weren't about to risk exposing any of them to waivers in order to put one or more on the practice squad.

Aundray Bruce was versatile, able to play all the defensive line positions, but he missed nearly all the pre-season with a severe ankle sprain. The team's depth on the line, and particularly the surprise play of Greg Townsend, made Bruce expendable. (Not to mention that Townsend is playing this year for the league minimum for vets—$275,000.)

Carl Kidd had been a big-time special teams performer for the last two years but was slow to develop as a coverage cornerback. The coaches like Perry Carter's physical play at the corner, veteran Lionel Washington had a good camp, and finally, the team wanted to keep rookie project Calvin Branch.

Coach Joe Bugel said the off-season acquisitions of John Henry Mills and Desmond Howard would help compensate for the loss of Kidd on special teams. "Not to be a smart aleck, but somebody had to get cut," said Bugel.

Dallas has been said to be interested in Kidd for several years now and might well claim him off waivers.

DT La'Roi Glover lost out to Grady Jackson because of the size differential. Kevin Johnson has earned the No. 2 spot at nose tackle. Glover's undersized, Jackson's huge, and the coaching staff also liked the rookie's versatility.

"Grady's a big load," Bugel said. "We played him inside and outside, he's got a bright future ahead."

Veteran offensive lineman Danny Villa was squeezed out by rookie Adam Treu. Treu's long snapping, shaky at first, improved noticeably in the final two exhibitions. Also, Treu, like Villa, can play all the interior line positions.

The Raiders elected to keep six running backs, including rookie Chad Levitt, at the expense of No. 3 tight end Marcus Hinton. Hinton had been something of a disappointment since being signed as an undrafted rookie, although he played better in this year's final two exhibitions.

Bugel noted that either Mills or Derrick Fenner could play tight end if needed.

The team also elected to keep eleven defensive backs.

"Teams could come at us with four wide receivers early in the season," Bugel said. "We have to be ready for those situations. You never want to run short on defensive backs."

Finally, WR Ed Hervey and LB Shay Muirbrook were released.

"This is our family right now," said Bugel. "Now we shut down the hatches, tighten up the screws, and the bullets are for real."

The team can name five players to the practice squad at 1:00 p.m. Pacific today when the 24-hour waiver period ends. Of those released yesterday, only Muirbrook would be eligible.

Sources: (Sonoma County) Press Democrat, San Jose Mercury News, San Francisco Chronicle

Sunday, August 24, 1997

Late update:  For Bay Area fans, Chester McGlockton will be a guest on SportsFinal tonight at 11:30 p.m. PDT on KRON-TV (Ch. 4).

Source: Raiders Fans Mail List

KNBR's earlier report of the roster casualties, immediately below, has been confirmed. The Sonoma County Press Democrat has published an article with more details and some comments by coach Joe Bugel.

All six of the Raiders' draft choices did indeed make the team.

The Raiders trimmed their roster to the required 53 players today. According to radio station KNBR, released were:

OL Danny Villa, TE Marcus Hinton, WR Ed Hervey, LB Shay Muirbrook, DT La'Roi Glover, DL Aundray Bruce, and CB Carl Kidd.

Interestingly, almost all the rookies thought to be on the bubble—including Tim Kohn, Scott Whittaker, Grady Jackson, Chad Levitt and Calvin Branch—made the team.

This list isn't official, and nothing has appeared on the web yet.

Source: Raiders Fans Mail List

With the final roster cutdown from 60 to 53 players required by 1:00 p.m. today, at least one paper is speculating this morning that the Raiders might be talking trade with Miami.

Supposedly the trade would bring left tackle Richmond Webb to the Raiders in return for rookie RB Chad Levitt and second-year DT La'Roi Glover.

Miami coach Jimmy Johnson is thought to covet Levitt—whom he wanted to draft—and needs help on his defensive line. Webb, once a perennial Pro Bowler, is past his prime and no longer the physical player he once was, but is still a better pass blocker than incumbent Pat Harlow.

Coach Joe Bugel was non-committal but said he had talked with senior assistant Bruce Allen several times yesterday.

"Anything can happen, really," Bugel said. "I'm sure some people are not happy with their rosters. Some have had some big-time injuries. You look at where you have the depth."

"We're in pretty good shape, although in the offensive line we may be a little thin."

Source: Sacramento Bee, Aug. 24, 1997

Saturday, August 23, 1997

Readers who checked out R8der's training camp report last week saw the comment by Jim Otto that the Coliseum won't be called that much longer.

Yesterday's Contra Costa Times reported that the new name will likely be UMAX Coliseum. UMAX is a Macintosh clone maker and is said to be purchasing rights to the name for $3 million annually, to be divided between the Raiders and Oakland/Alameda County.

Yesterday's game summons up quite a few cliches about the Raiders of the last few seasons:

• They self-destruct
• They shoot themselves in the foot
• They play down to the level of their opponent
• They lose their poise
• They lack discipline
• They can't win the close ones
• The defense can't hold in the fourth quarter when it has to

Sadly, they were all true in last night's loss to Arizona. You can read the game recaps, the best of which is the AP account on Nando.net.

Some lowlights:

Special teams ace John Henry Mills was flagged three times. One of them negated a field goal, although K Cole Ford made good on the retry. QB David Klingler twice tried to force the ball into coverage, resulting in interceptions. At one point the Raiders had six attempts from the Arizona two-yard line. The result: one of the Klingler interceptions in the end zone.

TE Rickey Dudley failed to adjust to a ball and had what should have been a TD go off his hands in the end zone. He tried to make up for it later with an illegal motion call. WR James Jett got behind the entire Arizona defense on a post pattern, but QB Jeff George's throw was badly underthrown and to Jett's back side.

DT Chester McGlockton showed the fans his specialty—an offsides giving Arizona a first down. DTs Darrell Russell and Kevin Johnson showed they're paying attention by copying Chester's accomplishment shortly thereafter.

S James Trapp tore at a receiver's head when he was already about three yards out of bounds. A flag? You bet! Smart move, James—we were beginning to worry you'd gone soft with all this nice guy stuff.

CB Perry Carter mugged Arizona receivers all night long. Amazingly, he got away with it—some might consider this a plus—but this observer thinks that during the regular season that kind of defense will attract yellow hankies the way doodoo attracts flies. Remember, it's been pre-season for the officials too.

WR Tim Brown fumbled without being hit on the Raiders' first play from scrimmage.

RB Joe Aska also lost a fumble.

Among the few highlights:

CB Larry Brown had one of his now-patented interceptions. Nowhere near an Arizona receiver, Brown was hit with a ball right in the numbers and ran it back for a score. Zowie! Look what Santa brought me!

Joe Aska played very sparingly with the first unit. Playing with the second- and third-string linemen in the fourth quarter, as the players became exhausted— kickoff temperature was 104—Aska got some huge holes and ripped off some nice gains. (Poor Tim Hall, playing mostly with the first string, ran hard but got absolutely no blocking and often found himself surrounded by Cards while still in the backfield.)

S Lorenzo Lynch, fighting to make the team in this observer's view, showed his experience with a nice interception, reading rookie QB Jake Plummer's eyes.

Cole Ford continued to deliver. He has yet to miss this season.

WR Olanda Truitt had seven receptions, most of them from Don Hollas.

Rookie FB Chad Levitt hustled all the while he was in the game. He was wide open quite a few times, but no one threw to him.

Injury report:  The Raiders reported no serious injuries. DL Aundray Bruce did play; S Eric Turner didn't.

Coach Joe Bugel and his staff will hit the film room for another marathon. The deadline for the final roster cutdown to 53 is tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. Pacific.

Thursday, August 21, 1997

Rick Cunningham has become the official backup at left tackle now that Robert Jenkins has retired. Cunningham spent extra time after practice this week working on his techniques.

"He's like our sixth man right now," said coach Joe Bugel. "When you know what your role is, and it's clear and defined, I think you pick it up a little bit more. You spend quality time on the football field before and after practice. He's been bouncing around and now all of a sudden, boom, you could be the left tackle in a heartbeat."

"Starter Pat Harlow, beaten twice last weeks for sacks by no-name Joe Johnson, draws a heavyweight opponent this week: DE Simeon Rice. "Rice is for real," Bugel said."

As with most final exhibition games, the Raider starters are likely to play only a quarter at most tomorrow. No one wants to risk injury at this point.

Sources: San Jose Mercury News, Oakland Tribune

Speaking of Jenkins, a Bay Area native, he's been offered a job as assistant line coach with the Raiders and is thinking it over.

"An offer has been extended to me," Jenkins said. "I'm in the process of evaluating some things. I have some business opportunities in the works, but right now I'm seriously considering coaching."

On his retirement, Jenkins said, "It was a combination of a lot of things, but I had the feeling of knowing when it's time. And it was my time."

"The Raider family has been extremely good to me. They allowed me to come back home and finish my career in the proper fashion."

Source: Contra Costa Times

DL Aundray Bruce finally returned to practice yesterday and says he thinks he'll play Friday. He's been bothered with a severe ankle sprain—a problem he's had in past seasons as well—and has missed all the pre-season games.

Source: Contra Costa Times

Depending on how Sunday's final roster cuts shake out, Jerone Davison's misfortune might just be Chad Levitt's good fortune.

Davison pulled a muscle in his buttocks in yesterday's practice and is out for the time being. As a result, Levitt and Derrick Fenner will play most of the final exhibition game tomorrow night against hapless Arizona.

For Levitt, a fourth-round draft pick, it's a golden opportunity to impress the coaches two days before the team must trim seven final players from the roster.

Speaking of the competition at fullback, coach Joe Bugel said, "Those three kids are battling their rear ends off. There's no lock on that position, believe me."

"I almost cried walking off the field yesterday (after being injured)," Davison said. "I'm used to being the free agent-walk on . . . usually when people like me get hurt, we're facing the ax the next day."

Sources: San Jose Mercury News, Oakland Tribune

Wednesday, August 20, 1997

Where Are They Now, part 739:  Regular readers of this site may recall that one-time Raider starting left tackle Gerald Perry had told the Rams he'd play this year after quitting last season during camp. Then he failed to show up for camp. Well, here's the sequel, proving once again that truth is really stranger than fiction.  :-)

Perry, who finally showed up for training camp on August 4, then got caught for steroid use, was released by St. Louis today after walking out of a team meeting. Definitely a motivated individual . . .

Source: Associated Press (Nando.net)

The big news yesterday for Raiders fans was the retirement of T Robert Jenkins. Increasingly bothered by arthritic knees the past several seasons, after multiple surgeries he could no longer play an entire game or finish an entire season. Nevertheless, Jenkins played very well when he was able to—he didn't surrender a sack last season while playing roughly 50% of the snaps.

The loss of Jenkins leaves the team dangerously short of depth on the offensive line, especially in view of starting left tackle Pat Harlow's history of back problems.

Asked yesterday who would replace Jenkins, coach Joe Bugel said, "Rick Cunningham has to play all four positions right now. The thing is when you dress eight guys on game day, you have to have some guys that are pretty versatile. Curtis Whitley played guard in college, Barret Robbins played both guard and tackle in college as well. Rookies Tim Kohn and Adam Treu both played left tackle in college, next week we will start rotating those guys into that position. You better look for some big things on game day, if something goes wrong. These guys have to be familiar with not only one position, but two or three positions."

Also released yesterday were offensive linemen Jeff Kysar and Joey Wylie. Kysar suffered a reoccurrence of the problem which sidelined him all last year—apparently an arthritic ankle joint—and missed the entire pre-season. Wylie, despite being tenacious, had marginal skills and saw no action during the last two exhibition games.

On defense, the "name" among those released was veteran Aaron Wallace. Wallace actually played decently during the exhibitions, but despite being a great pass rusher he's never displayed an ability to master pass coverage.

Sources: San Jose Mercury News, San Francisco Chronicle, Raiders.com

Carl Kidd will play at safety against the Cardinals on Friday.

This observer has often wondered why the Raiders don't try Kidd at safety. He has good size and is very physical but gets burned a lot in man-to-man coverage on the corner. It seems he's well suited to play safety.

Aundray Bruce may finally see game action this week.

Sources: San Francisco Chronicle, Sacramento Bee, Contra Costa Times

Tuesday, August 19, 1997

Late evening update:  Finally! The San Jose Mercury News published the casualty list for today's roster cuts. Oddly, the names never appeared on any of the sites with SportsTicker or AP feeds.

T Robert Jenkins, he of the arthritic knees, retired after 11 seasons. Rookie LB Adrian Ioja went on injured reserve with an undisclosed knee injury.

The following players were released:

OFFENSE:  QBs Jason Davis and Todd Studer; RBs Derrick Clark and Ricky Ervins; WRs Obadiah Cooper, Kenyan Branscomb and Kenny Grace; TEs Robert Rosenstiel and Kevin Smith; T Jeff Kysar, and G-C Joey Wylie.

DEFENSE:  DTs Ta'ase Faumui and Gabriel Oladipo; DE Shatony Sargeant; LB Aaron Wallace; and S Lamar Lyons.

Source: San Jose Mercury News

Score one for Raiders.com, the team's official site. Although the Team NFL site ran a prominent teaser for the chat session session with Bruce Allen, it was moderated by Rick Tracewell, who maintains the Raiders site, and apparently held on Raiders.com.

As of 5:50 p.m. PDT, there's still no word on those roster cuts . . .

The Sporting News site has several "front-page" features on the Raiders this afternoon. There's also a poll on who, besides Jeff George, will be the key to success for the team this year.

You'll find links in the Articles section.

It appears that the online chat with Bruce Allen being touted on Raiders.com may actually be conducted on the Team NFL site. Both sites have teasers; neither refers to the other. Confusing . . .

FS Eric Turner, on whom the Raiders were counting to help solidify a porous secondary, now appears likely to be out for some time.

Turner had practiced last week after missing virtually all of training camp with a groin pull. He played Saturday for a brief period—foolishly, in this observer's view, since groin injuries can be very slow to heal—and re-aggravated the injury.

Turner may miss the season opener at Memphis on August 31.

"We have to be smart about this," said coach Joe Bugel. "We may have rushed Larry Brown last year on his foot injury. I feel if you have quality players and depth at a position, you have to be 100 percent sure before you do anything (with an injured player)."

WR Terrance Warren, who hadn't appeared in any of the exhibitions, retired, reducing the roster to 78.

Injury report:  LB Aaron Wallace missed yesterday's single practice with a sore hamstring. S Dan Land practiced despite a sore hamstring. DL Aundray Bruce was excused from practice to see a specialist about his continuing calf/ankle problem.

Sources: Scripps-McClatchy Western (Nando.net), Contra Costa Times

Monday, August 18, 1997

Well, whoop-tee-doo! This site's been picked as The Gate's Raiders Site Of The Week.

The Raiders' official web site, Raiders.com, will have an online interview with senior assistant Bruce Allen tomorrow (Tuesday) at 7:00 p.m. PDT.

It's high drama time as the Raiders approach tomorrow's mandatory roster cutdown to 60 players. The present count stands at 79 with the recent retirements of Tom Robsock and Pat Swilling.

The Raiders virtually never announce roster changes until they absolutely have to, so don't expect to see anything definite until Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning. Barring a trade, that is. Rumors of possible trades involving G-C Joey Wylie and DT La'Roi Glover have been making the rounds. Both players are young, show potential, and play at positions that are overcrowded on the team roster. The Raiders might well try to get something in return for them.

Swilling retired again over the weekend, and this time it's probably carved in stone. For one thing, the news came from the Raiders and not the press.

The team made the announcement prior to Saturday's game. Bruce Allen said, "This (retirement decision) was different than the first time. Then, it was abrupt. This time he gave it some thought. He didn't feel he could compete."

"He did all we asked of him his first two seasons here, but he just never had the fire in his belly this year."

Eddie Anderson, a good friend of Swilling's, said, "You play this game long enough, your number is going to come up some day and your role is going to change. If you can't accept it, the best thing is to step away."

CB Albert Lewis had a more trenchant comment. "We kind of used up all the drama in the first one," he said.

Swilling almost certainly would have been cut this week anyway. Old geezer Greg Townsend has been a major, pleasant surprise at the outside end position and would have claimed a roster slot ahead of Swilling.

There's a touching tribute to Swilling by Mercury News columnist Ann Killion in the Articles section.

Sources: Associated Press, San Jose Mercury News, Sacramento Bee

Coach Joe Bugel had said he wanted to see the offense put together some long, time-consuming drives against New Orleans. Up to now, the offense has shown the ability to strike quickly but not to grind down an opponent.

It didn't happen. The Raiders' one touchdown came on a quick drive in which the offense moved the ball by throwing four short passes to WR Tim Brown. While Harvey Williams actually caught the scoring pass—a four-yard bullet—every completion during the drive went to Brown.

The offensive line still hasn't displayed the ability to grind out the physical, in-your-face kind of running yardage that's necessary to make the vertical passing game work consistently.

A look at the game stats shows that New Orleans had the statistical advantage in almost every department. The Raiders' starting offense is still sputtering at this point.

The ball was never thrown James Jett's way. As for Kenny Shedd, he had two chances. He caught one, but also dropped a throw that hit him in the numbers.

Heroes:  DT Russell Maryland dropped Saints QB Heath Shuler in the end zone for a safety that turned out to provide the winning margin. Shedd came up with a big play on special teams, blocking a punt when New Orleans let him get in untouched. Desmond Howard had two sparkling returns, on a kickoff and a punt. And DT Kevin Johnson probably assured himself a roster spot with a four-tackle effort in just one quarter of play.  Goats:  In one half of play, T Pat Harlow was beaten for two sacks and committed a dumb penalty. DE Lance Johnstone's offsides penalty early in the game wiped out a fumble recovery that would have given the Raiders the ball at the Saints' 30.

The Raiders improved only marginally in the continuing effort to avoid penalties. They had 7 for 63 yards, better than previous efforts but still more than twice as many as New Orleans.

K Cole Ford, who won Saturday's game with three field goals off the dirt infield, including a 50-yarder, got a welcome vote of confidence from Joe Bugel.

"He told me, 'That's how much I trust you, Cole (referring to the distance),'" said Ford. "That's very important to hear from a coach."

Source: Sacramento Bee

Sunday, August 17, 1997

LB Sedric Clark, a seventh-round draft pick by the Raiders in 1996, was waived by Carolina.

Source: Associated Press

Saturday, August 16, 1997

With a Tuesday noon deadline looming for paring the roster by 20 players, the Raiders will play the starters for a half today, then try to get a final look at players on the bubble.

"That's the toughest part of the job," said coach Joe Bugel. "I don't look forward to it at all. But decisions have to be made."

"We're going to have a long day Sunday grading the tapes," he added.

"We want to see how a lot of our young people perform," Bugel said. "You don't want to make any mistakes before the first cut-down."

"We want to make sure everyone gets an opportunity. The worst thing would be for someone to come to you and say he didn't get a chance. You have to find out who the quality backups are."

Sources: San Jose Mercury News, Sacramento Bee

To this observer, the next-to-last exhibition game is always one of the most dramatic events of a given season because the fates of so many players hang on it.

This year is no exception. It's a tale of individual struggles to try to start—or hang on to—a career in professional football.

Rookie Adam Treu will again do all the long snapping today. Special teams coach Rusty Tillman has spent extra time with him this week after Treu had a shaky performance against Green Bay.

"I really feel that New Orleans is going to come after our punter. I'm going to see what Adam can do when they come after it," said Bugel.

Tackle Jeff Kysar, who's been out with the same foot problem (an arthritic joint) which put him on injured reserve last year, is going to try molded shoe inserts this week in a last-ditch effort to salvage his career. He's missed virtually all of this season's training camp.

"I'm kind of desperate right now," Kysar said. "I'm trying to get back on the field as soon as I can. I've got every reason to be pessimistic, but I'm trying not to be. The doctors want me to give this a shot."

C Curtis Whitley, the self-described "wild child," looks as though he'll make the roster despite the less-than-flattering revelations about meth use which came out this week.

"Whitley is primarily a center, and he's a darn good one," Bugel said. "He's a power guy. I've loved him over the years. I looked at him down in San Diego on my year off (1994). Unfortunately there they had another good center, Courtney Hall. So this kid Whitley is for real. What he does for us is make the long and short snap."

(Actually, Whitley's being taught long snapping at the moment. It's not something he's done before.)

Another saga, perhaps becoming anticlimactic, is that of veteran DE Pat Swilling, who un-retired in a hurry after the Raiders apparently threatened to make him repay $1.67 million in signing bonus money.

Comebacker Greg Townsend has been such a pleasant surprise that there doesn't seem to be any room for Swilling at the outside end position. Camp insiders have described Swilling as just hanging around until he's released. If cut, he won't be liable for the bonus money.

As reported earlier, FS Eric Turner is unlikely to play today. "He's sore today," Bugel said yesterday. "Am I concerned? Yeah. I don't want to put him in the game if he can't cover the deep pass." Bugel will wait until after pre-game warmups to make a final decision.

Cornerback watch:  Lionel Washington is doubtful due to sore ribs. Albert Lewis will start ahead of Larry Brown on the right corner, and Perry Carter will be used before Carl Kidd in the dime package.

There's a good summary of some of the interesting position battles to watch in today's Contra Costa Times.

Sources: San Jose Mercury News, Sacramento Bee, Contra Costa Times

Friday, August 15, 1997

Another account of Wednesday's heated discussion between senior assistant Bruce Allen and DE Pat Swilling appeared late last evening.

The San Jose Mercury News claims Allen walked away from the conversation twice, but returned each time.

The Raiders organization continues to do poorly in the credibility department. A day after coach Joe Bugel denied that the team had interviewed candidates for a quarterbacks coach position, former Raider Jim Plunkett said he was offered the job by owner Al Davis last March. Plunkett turned down the offer.

"I was very interested, but my kids are at an age where they need me around," Plunkett said yesterday. "Al wanted me to move to Alameda, to be close to the offices. I half wanted to do it."

"It's still in the back of my mind. It really intrigued me. I wanted to help the Raiders and their quarterbacks."

Source: San Francisco Chronicle

Television update:  According to today's Chronicle, tomorrow's game will be shown on Bay-TV tomorrow night at 11:00 p.m. PDT rather than 11:30 p.m. as previously announced. Also, KRON-TV (Ch. 4) will run a tape-delayed broadcast at 1:00 a.m.

Today's edition of SABER has some flat-out wrong "facts" in it.

We're told Chris Naeole will start at right guard for the Saints tomorrow. That would be pretty amazing considering that he's out with a torn medial collateral ligament in his knee.

And Larry Brown is the starting right corner? Ha! Expect to see old man Albert Lewis back there again this season, folks. Brown's play during the pre-season has varied between mediocre and atrocious.

Finally, one writer says WR Kenyan Branscomb has retired from football. Make that G Tom Robsock. Branscomb's still on the roster.

Thursday, August 14, 1997

QB Jeff George sat out two practices, Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning, with a strained stomach muscle.

The team claimed they were just giving George a rest, but George himself admitted to reporters that he'd suffered the injury when dropping back and rotating his hips to throw during one of the many repetitive passing drills.

"I just wasn't stretched out right," George said. "I had something like it back in 1990 and I didn't do anything about it then and ended up missing six or seven games. But it's nothing, no big thing."

George returned to practice yesterday afternoon.

Also missing practice was DT Chester McGlockton with spasms in his upper back.

McGlockton said he's never before had problems with his back and said he was "day to day. I'll see how I feel tomorrow."

FS Eric Turner, recovering from a groin pull, will not play Saturday against New Orleans. Coach Joe Bugel said Eddie Anderson will start at free safety and James Trapp at strong safety.

"Eric is not totally well yet," said Bugel. "He still gets a little fatigued and soreness there (in his groin). We have to watch him real close. If there is any bad feeling at all, we won't play a guy."

Sources: Associated Press, Oakland Tribune, San Jose Mercury News, (Sonoma County) Press Democrat, Contra Costa Times

Bugel flatly denied yesterday's San Francisco Chronicle report that the Raiders have interviewed three candidates for the job of quarterbacks coach.

"We haven't done that, we really haven't," said Bugel. "It's a good rumor, though. . . . I really haven't talked to anybody about a quarterback position."

Bugel said offensive coordinator Ray Perkins will continue to work with the quarterbacks. "I feel very comfortable with that," he said.

Sources: San Jose Mercury News, Contra Costa Times

The Raiders failed to sell out Saturday's game with New Orleans by the 72-hour blackout deadline, so the game will not be televised live locally. A tape-delayed broadcast will be shown at 11:30 p.m. Saturday on Bay-TV.

Source: San Jose Mercury News

The Raiders are practicing something new, using Tim Brown as a wingback in their goal-line offense.

"He's a guy that can cross the field and make catches," Bugel said. "The 49ers used Jerry Rice there over the years. I think it puts a little dimension into that situation where people can't just pack everyone in and play the run. They've got to be a little more cautious when you've got Harvey (Williams), Rickey (Dudley), and Timmy Brown in there as pass receivers."

Source: San Jose Mercury News

Quite a few media have speculated that because rookie Adam Treu has handled all but one of the long snaps in the Raiders' two exhibitions, the Raiders won't keep the higher-salaried Danny Villa. Bugel reiterated yesterday that that's not necessarily so.

Bugel said he already knows what Villa—an 11-year veteran who plays every position on the interior line—can do. The coaches are trying to teach Curtis Whitley (right now MLB Greg Biekert is listed as the third snapper on the depth chart). In the meantime, they wanted to see if Treu could handle the job.

Treu's snaps against the Packers were repeatedly low. "He bounced a few back there, so we've got to keep looking at him," Bugel said.

Bugel also refused to be pinned down on who will be the starter at right cornerback. "Not yet," he said, shaking his head.

The Raiders have been giving Larry Brown extensive playing time in the pre-season to get a good look at him. His performance has been decidedly mixed. His primary competition, Albert Lewis, didn't play particularly well against Green Bay either.

"It was the plan to let Larry have pretty much all of training camp and the first couple of games," said Bugel. "I wanted to get him in there in the Austin scrimmages and in Dallas. When Albert felt ready to go, mainly when he got in pretty good condition, then it was time for him to go cover."

"(On Saturday) most likely our starting corners will be Albert and Terry (McDaniel). Larry will come in on pirate and bandit (nickel and dime coverages) this week. The reason we are doing this is Albert went one-a-day in practices."

"Now is the time to catch up on a lot of reps. We'd like to mix it up in there. He needs some snaps."

Source: Oakland Tribune

There's a nice article today on FB Jerone Davison, who's gotten extensive playing time because of the late re-signing and subsequent injury to Derrick Fenner. While this observer would be shocked if Fenner isn't the starter come August 31, Davison has a good shot at making the final roster.

Finally, this odd note about DE Pat Swilling, who's definitely on the bubble with both Lance Johnstone and Greg Townsend playing well in his absence. You'll recall that Swilling retired, then un-retired, then was injured in his first practice after returning. He hasn't practiced since.

According to the Contra Costa Times, yesterday Swilling and senior assistant Bruce Allen "engaged in an animated conversation, complete with finger pointing and arm waving." Doesn't sound good for Swilling . . .

Wednesday, August 13, 1997

The Raiders may be shopping for a full-time quarterbacks coach, something they haven't had since Larry Kennan departed.

Today's San Francisco Chronicle quotes an "NFL source" as saying the team has already interviewed three candidates: Jim Plunkett, Steve DeBerg and Bill Musgrave. Plunkett currently does radio work for the Raiders. DeBerg was the QB coach with the Giants the past two years, and Musgrave just retired from football last month.

Musgrave has said he wants to coach and is reported to have interviewed with managing general partner Al Davis while the Raiders were practicing in Texas.

Curtis Whitley is quoted in the upcoming book as saying, "I know I'm not at all a poor innocent victim here. I'm a wild child. I've done some bad things. But I've had a good time . . ." But now Whitley is said by a close friend to be considering suing the authors, which suggests he denies saying what he's quoted as having said.

Whitley, who served a four-game suspension last season for what the league and Carolina Panthers said was alcohol abuse, but what Whitley says was drug abuse, refused to comment directly when asked about excerpts from the book by a Sacramento Bee reporter. He said only, "I don't know what you're talking about. I've got to go."

According to another paper, however, Whitley also said, "I'll sue anybody who writes that story."

Senior assistant Bruce Allen had this response: "We're not worried about what he did in Carolina. We're worried about what he does now."

Sources: San Jose Mercury News, Sacramento Bee

Individual game tickets for regular-season home games go on sale at 10 a.m. this Saturday at all BASS ticket outlets. Fans can also purchase individual game tickets or a package of three to eight games from OFMA (Oakland Football Marketing Association).

Source: Contra Costa Times

Tuesday, August 12, 1997

New Raider Curtis Whitley certainly knows how to liven up an otherwise slow news day.

The AP reports that Whitley admits in a new book due out this week to having snorted crystal methamphetamine last fall while with Carolina. Not the brightest thing to have appear in print, given the NFL's substance abuse policies . . .

Whitley's comments appear in "Year of the Cat," an account of the Pathers' 1996 season written by Charles Chandler and Scott Fowler, two newspaper reporters who cover the team.

Whitley told the authors that he joined a friend of the family last October in the women's bathroom of a Charlotte-area restaurant to snort crystal methamphetamine. Whitley said his wife remained at their table, unaware of what he was doing.

"I'm a wild child. I've done some bad things," said Whitley, signed by the Raiders several weeks back.

Source: Associated Press (Nando.net)

Monday's plays of the day in practice: back-to-back bombs from QB Jeff George to Kenny Shedd and James Jett—both perfect spirals just over the defender. Neither receiver had to break stride.

Source: Contra Costa Times

The Raiders are using John Henry Mills at fullback in this week's practices.

"We are always looking for that goal-line blocker, and the guy can come out of the backfield and catch the football," said coach Joe Bugel. "He can play so many darn positions. I think his favorite is on the offensive side of the ball. We're going to give him the benefit of the doubt this week and let him play there."

G Tom Robsock, who didn't get into Friday's game, has retired and gone home to Pennsylvania.

"I had a conversation with him, and he wants very much to coach high school football," Bugel said. "He feels that is his life's work."

Robsock hopes to coach with the nationally prominent Berwick High team in Western Pennsylvania. But he'll begin teaching and coaching junior high ball in Uniontown, Pa.

Source: Oakland Tribune

QB Jeff George said a few more times recently that he hates pre-season. Yawn . . .

Sources: Oakland Tribune, Sacramento Bee, Contra Costa Times

S Lorenzo Lynch missed practice yesterday with low back pain and the team says he's out "indefinitely." The 34-year-old veteran, fighting for a backup job, has apparently developed sciatica, a very painful (and chronic) condition. He couldn't have picked a worse time to be injured. The Raiders have as much as handed this season's starting strong safety job to speedster James Trapp.

"Hopefully I can play Saturday," said Lynch. "It's been something that's been bothering me all last week. I tried to work through it, but it got to a point where I just couldn't do it. I think I'll be all right, though."

"I practiced all last week (hurt)," Lynch added. "I'll take a couple of days off to see if it feels better, and if it doesn't, I play with it. I don't think this will put me back. I played Friday night. There are some things I need to work on, but I feel I'm where I need to be."

FS Eric Turner finally practiced Monday for the first time in a month. He might play Saturday. FB Derrick Fenner also returned to practice.

Sources: San Jose Mercury News, Sacramento Bee, San Francisco Chronicle

Bugel was philosophical about the poor defensive showing in giving up 37 points to Green Bay.

"The one thing about the game I get to see that you don't is I get to see it about nine times. The thing that is really impressive is the way our guys are hustling and going to the football. That's the best thing you can ask for in the preseason—effort."

"If there are weaknesses, you work on them, and that's what we did today. We did a lot of teaching. I think we are ahead of schedule right now."

"I like to win, but the most important thing to me in the preseason is development. If you pass over a kid in preseason, that will come back to haunt you every time. It would be unfair, if you didn't play the guys in preseason. Right now, we are playing a lot of mixes and matches on both sides of the ball."

Source: Oakland Tribune

Monday, August 11, 1997

FB Wes Bender, who spent some time on the Raiders roster in the past, is on the New Orleans roster.

Bender has limited skills but endeared himself to many Raiders fans in the past with a take-no-prisoners, smash-mouth style.

Source: The Sporting News

Coach Joe Bugel still won't reveal a team depth chart. He's previously said he doesn't want to demoralize anyone and wants to maintain all the players' motivation.

"We've got quality depth on this team. That's one reason why I don't want to get into a starting lineup right now," Bugel said.

Source: Sacramento Bee

There's a feature today on punter Leo Araguz in the Chronicle.

One comment this observer would add: the article mentions that Araguz averaged only 34.6 yards per punt against Green Bay. For those who weren't able to see the game, Araguz had to field low snaps from rookie Adam Treu on nearly every punt.

Here's hoping the team keeps veteran Danny Villa to do the long snapping this season.

S Lorenzo Lynch is grumbling again about no longer being a starter.

"I haven't been running with the second team in five or six years," said Lynch recently. "I'm a boiling pot right now. I play hard in practice. I play hurt. I'm from the old school. I just want respect."

Although the Raiders appear to have given James Trapp the starting strong safety job to lose, it's not as though Lynch isn't getting his own reps in the pre-season. He's started alongside Trapp in both games so far, filling in at free safety for the injured Eric Turner. So, if he remains at No. 2 on the depth chart, one has to think it's because he belongs there.

For the record, officially the coaches insist no starters have been chosen. Said DB coach Steve Shafer, "Lorenzo is not a backup. We don't have our starting safeties. That's a helluva battle. I've got a bunch of good safeties. (Lynch) is saying he's a backup? I'm telling you he's wrong, unless he wants to give it to the guy."

Of Trapp, who played safety in college, Shafer commented, "He's doing as well as I could expect. It's new to him. He's out there practicing, talking, communicating. Now, he just needs snaps. That's why these preseason games are going to be great for him. He's very capable of being an excellent safety."

The third possibility, Lamar Lyons, has played very well on special teams thus far.

Source: San Jose Mercury News

Sunday, August 10, 1997

Despite Coach Joe Bugel's best efforts at spin control—see Quotes of the Week, above—the Raiders' defense against Green Bay Friday night was appallingly bad. The Packers ran up nearly 500 yards of offense, held the ball 65% of the time, and enjoyed nearly a 2-1 edge in first downs (33-17).

(Think I'm exaggerating? Read the game recaps.)

Particularly unsettling was the 341 yards of passing yardage surrendered by the Oakland secondary. Frankly, there wasn't a single Raider cornerback who looked good—not one.

The coaching staff worked this weekend while the players had two days off following two games in six days. Bugel said he intends to continue two-a-days Monday through Thursday this coming week, once per day in pads and once in shells (uniform only). And although he tried to portray the defensive debacle in a positive light, Bugel's concern surfaced when asked during an interview for the team's official Web site what his priorities would be for the final two weeks of the pre-season.

"We're going to have extended periods of technical football, how to pursue the ball, how to pass rush, how to use our hands, go back to the bump and run theory," replied Bugel. "Basically get back to a lot of the individual work that we need to refine right now."

In other words, work on defense.

And don't forget the Raiders' old nemesis—penalties. They had 11 against the Packers Friday night. Among the dumbest: CB Larry Brown lining up offsides, and TE Marcus Hinton drawing two flags in only limited playing time. That's three in two games for Hinton, who was once highly considered but now is better described as something of a disappointment.

Sources: Sacramento Bee, Contra Costa Times, raiders.com

According to the Sonoma County Press Democrat, Bugel had said before the game that QB Jeff George might play less, and that rookies Jason Davis or Todd Studer might take a few snaps at quarterback.

They didn't. George played the first quarter and part of the second. David Klingler relieved him and played until half-way through the fourth. Don Hollas finished up.

Neither Davis nor Studer has seen any game action so far this year. Nor, as far as I know, have RB Ricky Ervins, WR Terrance Warren, or TE Kevin Smith.

WR Kenny Shedd did play but was essentially invisible. Nothing was thrown his way. Harvey Williams made his first appearance at tight end during the first half. He blocked on some plays and ran routes on others.

Bits and pieces:  KR Desmond Howard finally made his debut against Green Bay, fielding one punt and one kickoff each in the first half. His returns were quite ordinary—no fireworks.

The Raider who sparkled on kickoff returns was pint-sized Obadiah Cooper, who has little chance to stick because of the team's depth at wide receiver. He returned two, showing both great speed and good moves.

The team reported no injuries suffered during the game.

Only ten days remain until the Raiders have to reduce their roster to 60 players. They currently have 81 (one over the normal limit because of a WLAF exemption for La'Roi Glover), so 21 guys will soon be out of work. Consequently, look for more and more media articles in the coming days speculating as to who may be cut.

Thursday, August 7, 1997

Coach Joe Bugel expects WR Kenny Shedd to see more playing time in tomorrow night's game, and said he's looking forward to seeing how Shedd does against the Packers' first-string defense.

"A lot of time receivers look good because they're playing against second or third people," said Bugel. "The plan this week is to make sure X-amount of guys intermingle with the first groups in there. I think that's the real test. That's the real deal."

CB Larry Brown, who surrendered a TD to Dallas in the first quarter last Sunday, got beaten by WR Tim Brown in yesterday's practice for a 30-yard score.

Source: San Jose Mercury News

Because of the short week, after Friday's game the players will get both Saturday and and Sunday off. The team will break camp in Napa a week from tomorrow.

Source: Sacramento Bee

Articles on interest:  This week's Sports Xchange team report is very detailed and worth a read, although this observer is rapidly growing weary of the knocks on WR James Jett for allegedly "disappearing" last year. I'll have an opinion piece on that subject within the next several days.

The Chron has a feature today on Darrell Russell and his mom. Awww . . .  :-)

And while you're in the sentimental mood, check out the Press Democrat article on Grady Jackson, too.

Joe Bugel's diplomatic when asked about Desmond Howard's chances as a wide receiver. Howard has missed nearly three weeks of training camp with a hamstring pull, while Kenny Shedd and Olanda Truitt have each been making their case for more playing time this year.

"We are not in that big a hurry because of the great development of Kenny Shedd and Olanda Truitt," Bugel said. "We have four guys we like. We'd like to mix Desmond in, but right now, we'd like to get him comfortable with our special teams. He has plenty of time to get into that receiver rotation."

Source: Oakland Tribune

Only about 38,500 tickets were sold by the 48-hour deadline, so tomorrow's game will not be shown live.

For those in the Bay Area, a tape-delayed broadcast will air at 11:35 p.m. PDT on KRON-TV (Ch. 4). The tape will also be shown Saturday at 10:00 a.m. on Bay-TV.

Source: San Francisco Chronicle

Wednesday, August 6, 1997

Afternoon update:  It's official—former Raider QB Billy Joe Hobert will ride the bench in Buffalo. Coach Marv Levy confirmed that Todd Collins will be the Bills' starter for the season opener.

Hobert had an inconsistent camp. In April he'd reported to minicamp weighing close to 250 pounds, although he subsequently got down to 230 for the team's training camp.

Source: Associated Press (Nando.net)

With the temperature in Napa hitting 100 degrees during the afternoon, coach Joe Bugel harped on two subjects in yesterday's practices—penalties and pass protection.

Of the penalties—the Raiders committed nine against Dallas—Bugel said, "We're trying to get their attention. We had a couple of these penalties that stopped drives against Dallas and we're trying to make the point that we won't tolerate this. We aren't going to beat ourselves. We talk about this in meetings before every practice, and now, we're trying to make the point on the field."

When an unidentified offensive lineman jumped offsides yesterday morning, Bugel ran onto the field and yelled, "When are we going to stop this?" On the next play a lineman jumped again. "Get another group in there," shouted a clearly disgusted Bugel.

As for pass protection, Bugel said, "I think it will help the offensive linemen to be working against our big guys in practice. The teams in our division all have those 300-pounders. We've been a little light in the defensive line the last couple of years, and that's hurt when our offensive linemen have to block the big guys in games. But now, they'll be banging the big guys in practice."

Source: San Francisco Chronicle

TE Harvey Williams returned to practice yesterday. He didn't want to discuss his reason for missing Sunday's game in Dallas.

"It was something I had to take care of that I don't want to get into," he said. "It was a family matter—it was real bad, trust me."

Also returning to practice were DL Ta'ase Faumui (calf) and linebackers Rob Fredrickson (shoulder stinger) and Rob Holmberg (groin).

K Cole Ford broke the fourth and fifth fingers on his left hand while making an unassisted tackle on a kickoff return Sunday. He's sporting a cast on the hand.

WR Ed Hervey, a real long shot for a roster spot, caught three touchdowns in yesterday's morning workout.

WR James Jett continues to be described as looking somewhat lackluster in team practices, while Kenny Shedd is having a camp similar to last season's—spectacular. He made another circus catch yesterday morning.

Don't forget, though, that by and large Shedd's dramatic plays in real game situations have come against reserves, while Jett routinely faces front-line defenders. Shedd's a lock to make the final roster, but he will probably be the No. 3 wide receiver on the depth chart.

Sources: Oakland Tribune, San Francisco Chronicle, Contra Costa Times

Yesterday's Contra Costa Times ran an in-depth article on Jerone Davison, known to his teammates as "Rev." Today there's a feature on undrafted rookie Scott Whittaker

Tuesday, August 5, 1997

Where Are They Now Dept.:  Former Raider RB/WR Ty Montgomery made his debut last Friday night for the CFL's Winnepeg Blue Bombers. Reader Fred Wall reports that he was equally ineffective returning kicks and running the ball.

Coach Joe Bugel said one thing which pleased him about Sunday's game was that the players stayed calm as Dallas' first team offense shredded the Raiders D for two quick touchdowns in the opening quarter.

"You have to get a lot of things done in the preseason—not just blocking and tackling, but how you react to certain situations," he said. "If the sideline becomes chaos, you don't have a chance."

"There was no hollering and screaming. Everyone stayed calm. That was very pleasing."

Bugel also added a comment which pleases this observer, saying it was just as well that the Raiders' opener wasn't simply an easy victory.

"This year our objective is to find a way to win on the road," Bugel said. "Adversity was the greatest thing to happen to our football team, being down 14-0. Sometimes in the preseason, if you're too good, too quick, and things don't come hard, it can be a tough way to open up the season."

Sources: San Francisco Chronicle, Sacramento Bee

Injury update:  KR Desmond Howard (hamstring) should finally practice at full speed this week and play Friday. Also expected back are linebackers Rob Fredrickson (neck/shoulder) and Rob Holmberg (groin). Unlikely: FB Derrick Fenner (neck), FS Eric Turner (groin). Definitely out: DE Pat Swilling (abdomen).

Sources: San Jose Mercury News, Sacramento Bee

Roster battles:  Offseason acquisition G Lester Holmes has moved ahead of Rick Cunningham on the depth chart at right guard. That's hardly a surprise—Cunningham, a career backup, missed more than a week of practices with a sore back.

The team is using Cunningham as a backup at both guard and both tackle positions.

"He's our John Havlicek right now," said coach Joe Bugel.

Bugel indicated that he's leaning toward keeping five wide receivers and nine defensive linemen on the final roster. Speaking of the D-line, he said, "We have quality depth there. We'll mix and match."

Sources: San Francisco Chronicle, Contra Costa Times

Monday, August 4, 1997

AFC West rival Seattle has agreed to terms with former Kansas City DT Dan Saleaumua.

Seattle has greatly improved its defense from last season.

Source: ESPNet SportsZone

Sunday, August 3, 1997

Fans hoping to evaluate this year's Raiders' passing offense aren't likely to get a very realistic idea from today's game. The opponent, Dallas, doesn't have a single cornerback on the roster who's available to play.

Unless the Cowboys can dig up some free agents in a hurry, two backup safeties, Montrell Williams and Charlie Williams, are likely to start at CB.

Dallas coach Barry Switzer said the game against Oakland "could be embarrassing because we don't have corners right now who can cover their receivers. We've lost four cornerbacks and have another one who is stealing bases."

What will be of interest is how well the Raiders' starters on the offensive line perform, especially on passing downs. Of course, as in any first exhibition, the starters won't play all that much. Still, the question mark with this year's Raiders, if there is one, is the O-line.

QB Jeff George had to scramble around on his first four passing attempts in Thursday's scrimmage, not a reassuring indicator given how depleted the Cowboys' defensive line is at the moment.

Also intriguing will be the play of CB Larry Brown. Brown had a mixed week, playing well in Thursday's scrimmage but also getting badly beaten by Michael Irvin on a post pattern during practice. Brown starts at right corner tonight and the coaches are likely to take a long look at how well he's come back from last year's debilitating foot injury.

Definitely out for the Raiders because of a personal matter is TE Harvey Williams, who's still in the Bay Area at the moment. RB Emmitt Smith, although not seriously injured, won't play for Dallas.

Among the front-line players, not expected to play because of injuries are S Eric Turner (groin), DE Pat Swilling (abdomen) and LB Rob Fredrickson (shoulder).

Sources: Associated Press, Sacramento Bee, Contra Costa Times

Saturday, August 2, 1997

Injury update:  TE Harvey Williams missed practice Friday to return to the Bay Area for an undisclosed "family matter." He may miss tomorrow's game.

Also missing Thursday's scrimmage was LB John Henry Mills (knee).

FB Derrick Fenner (neck stinger), LB Rob Fredrickson (shoulder stinger) and FS Eddie Anderson (shoulder) all returned to practice yesterday and should play tomorrow.

Eric Turner missed practice again because of his groin pull and almost certainly won't play.

Speaking of tight ends, several recent reports from Texas have claimed that despite expressions of confidence by Raider coaches and Jeff George, TE Rickey Dudley is still having trouble holding on to the ball.

Sources: San Jose Mercury News, Contra Costa Times, Press Democrat

Some follow-up notes from Thursday's scrimmage:

The Raider offensive line allowed two sacks, one each by DE Shante Carver and DT Darren Benson. The media report didn't identify which Raiders were beaten on the plays.

Also, QB Jeff George was under pressure on the play which produced the 65-yard TD pass. He had to roll right before throwing to avoid a strong rush.

The Raider starting defensive line consisted of Russell Maryland—bulked up 10 pounds to 295 this year—at the nose, Chester McGlockton and Anthony Smith at tackles, and Lance Johnstone at outside end. Rookie Darrell Russell spelled Smith and Greg Townsend gave Johnstone breathers.

In the secondary, James Trapp started at strong safety and Lorenzo Lynch, who looks to be his backup this year, played free safety because of the injuries to both Eric Turner and Eddie Anderson. Surprisingly, Larry Brown started at right corner ahead of Albert Lewis.

Dallas, already shorthanded in the secondary before the controlled scrimmage, got even more nicked up at the cornerback position. Starter Kevin Smith sprained an ankle, rookie Kenny Wheaton separated a shoulder, and Artis Houston—beaten by Truitt on the touchdown—suffered a quadriceps bruise. That leaves only one corner, rookie Montrell Williams, entirely healthy.

Coach Joe Bugel, asked yesterday whether KR Desmond Howard would see action tomorrow night, evaded the question.

Correction:  The Dallas running back tackled by Johnstone for a loss was incorrectly identified by the Mercury News as Emmitt Smith, who didn't play. The victim was Sherman Williams.

Sources: San Jose Mercury News, Associated Press, raiders.com

Television coverage:  Tomorrow's exhibition opener at Texas Stadium is sold out and will be carried nationally by TNT starting at 5:00 p.m. Pacific. The game will also be shown in the Bay Area on Channel 44, with a 60-minute pre-game show beginning at 4:00 p.m.

Source: San Jose Mercury News

Friday, August 1, 1997

News to gladden a Raider fan's heart:  QB Jeff George hit WR Olanda Truitt in stride with a perfect pass in last night's scrimmage for a 65-yard score.

Now, the teams weren't exactly playing in real-game conditions. Sacking the quarterback wasn't allowed, and Dallas' cornerback position has been decimated by injuries (Alundis Brice, Wendell Davis) and the absence of Peon Sanders (still playing baseball). Still, the good news for the Silver and Black is that for the first time in a number of years, the team has a quarterback with a live arm. Jeff Hostetler hadn't hit a receiver in stride on a long pass in at least two years.

"That's going to be happening on a weekly basis," said an exuberant coach Joe Bugel. "We might get off the bus throwing downfield, even before we put our uniforms on."

The Raiders won the controlled scrimmage, 12-6. The teams played four quarters with 12 offensive plays for each team, beginning at the 35-yard line. RB Joe Aska led the Oakland rushers with 9 carries for 36 yards. George was 3-of-5 for 101 yards and a touchdown. Backup QB David Klingler went 5-of-5 for 32 yards and the other touchdown.

Dallas got its score near the end on a 12-yarder from third-string QB Jason Garrett to TE Scott Galbraith. Neither team attempted conversions.

Several defensive linemen came up with big plays. Rookie DT Darrell Russell collected two "sacks"—touching the quarterback with the hands—and batted down a pass. DE Lance Johnstone tackled RB Emmitt Smith in the backfield for a 6-yard loss and also had a "sack," and DE Greg Townsend got a "sack."

Johnstone's "sack" came against starter Troy Aikman. Russell didn't start; his big plays came against reserves (38-year-old QB Wade Wilson and Garrett).

On offense, RB Tim Hall made a great diving catch of a poorly thrown George pass, and rookie RB Chad Levitt turned a swing pass from Klingler into a nice 8-yard gain.

Klingler's TD pass was a 5-yard bullet to WR Ed Hervey, a one-time Cowboy.

Starting RB Nip Kaufman didn't play, both to rest him and also for the coaches to get longer looks at Aska and Hall. Held out because of injuries were free safeties Eddie Anderson (shoulder) and Eric Turner (groin), linebackers Rob Fredrickson (shoulder/neck stinger) and Rob Holmberg (groin), DE Pat Swilling (stomach muscle), and FB Derrick Fenner (neck stinger). FB Derrick Clark twisted an ankle during the scrimmage.

KR Desmond Howard participated in special-teams drills yesterday but didn't play. Bugel said he doesn't know if Howard will play in Sunday night's exhibition. He said Turner definitely won't play.

Sources: San Jose Mercury News, San Francisco Chronicle, Sacramento Bee, Contra Costa Times

Where Are They Now Dept.:  By all accounts, ex-Raider QB Billy Joe Hobert has had a very inconsistent training camp with Buffalo.

When traded to the Bills for a third-round pick, it was assumed Hobert would inherit the starting role vacated when Jim Kelly retired. Hobert stood to make substantially more than QB Todd Collins, and most sportswriters expected Hobert to be No. 1 on the depth chart going into the season.

But Collins has outplayed Billy Joe, and Hobert re-negotiated his contract a few weeks ago. Despite his obvious potential, he may be looking at being a backup quarterback once again this season.

Sources: Associated Press, ESPNet SportsZone

Thursday, July 31, 1997

Afternoon update:  Nando.net has an amusing anecdote this afternoon related to the Raiders and Cowboys.

On Wednesday, it seems the Raiders' second-team O-line was manhandling Dallas' second-team D-line, particularly second-year DE Kavika Pittman (who's a major flop at playing the run, by all accounts) and rookie DT tackle Antonio Anderson.

Dallas defensive line coach Craig Boller chewed out his own players, then "stormed" into Oakland's huddle, surprising the Raiders, who just looked at him as if to say, "What are you doing here?"

At the top of his lungs, Boller yelled at the Raiders in the huddle, "You guys are doing a damn good job."  :-)

Source: Associated Press (Nando.net)

Here's a little background on the newest Raider, lineman Curtis Whitley.

The one-time Panthers starting center and a fifth-round pick by San Diego in 1992, Whitley signed with Carolina as a high-priced free agent in 1995. Last year he had a falling out with coach Dom Capers and was eventually released after spending a fair part of the season on the reserved/suspended list. He started all 16 games for Carolina in 1995, eight last year.

"He's somebody who was intriguing and other teams had pursued him, but once again we had a little magic," said senior assistant Bruce Allen. "He said, 'I am going to come there,' and we were able to fit it."

As for the 81 currently on the Raider roster, the explanation (which I'd known, but forgotten) is that the team gets an exemption for La'Roi Glover because he played in the World League.

Source: The Sports Xchange (CBS Sportsline)

Let's hope the Raiders' pass blocking improves and starting QB Jeff George can stay healthy all year. Backups David Klingler and Donald Hollas threw five interceptions in a span of nine plays yesterday—three by Klingler, two by Hollas.

WR Michael Irvin burned both CB Larry Brown and CB Perry Carter yesterday on long sideline patterns.

By all accounts, WR Kenny Shedd's having a great camp for the second year in a row.

DE Pat Swilling's out temporarily with what's variously described as a pulled or bruised stomach. Also injured: FS Eric Turner (groin), FS Eddie Anderson (shoulder), and DT Darrell Russell (toe). And receivers coach Fred Biletnikoff has missed this week's practices after learning that his daughter had been involved in a traffic accident.

Coach Joe Bugel plans to use virtually his entire squad in tonight's scrimmage, and again in Sunday's exhibition game.

Sources: Sacramento Bee, San Jose Mercury News, San Francisco Chronicle, The Sports Xchange

Although Joe Bugel has said he'll issue no depth chart until the team returns from Texas, he did comment yesterday that the competition at wide receiver is now "closed." Tim Brown and James Jett remain the starters, with presumably either Kenny Shedd or Olanda Truitt as the No. 3.

Desmond Howard has turned out to be a non-factor at wideout because of his inability to practice due to a hamstring pull.

Source: Sacramento Bee

More behind-the-scenes news emerged about last weekend's Pat Swilling story.

The San Jose Mercury News published a report late last night quoting a "confidential source" to the effect that, despite statements at the time that "we're a patient team," the Raiders organization in fact sent Swilling a nasty letter shortly after he walked out of training camp.

The letter gave Swilling a five-day ultimatum: either rejoin the team, or be placed on the league's reserve squad (meaning he couldn't play for any team this season); receive no compensation this season; and be fined as much as $5,000 for every day he missed.

The source allegedly said duplicates of the letter were sent to the NFL Management Council and NFL Players Association.

Bruce Allen declined comment.

"I don't discuss the relationship between a player and the club," Allen said.

Dallas owner Jerry Jones, never at a loss for words, repeated yesterday that the teams have discussed a reciprocal training arrangement in which the Cowboys would travel to Napa to practice with the Raiders next year.

The teams had a similar arrangement in the early '80s.

Source: San Francisco Chronicle

Wednesday, July 30, 1997

Yesterday's practices with the Cowboys produced some good news and some bad news.

The good news: QB Jeff George completed TD bombs to both RB Harvey Williams and WR James Jett.

The bad news: George was "sacked"—reached by Dallas defenders—on about 50% of the passing plays. The Raider O-line continues to have major problems with pass protection.

Source: Raiders Fans Mail List

It turns out that DE Anthony Smith, often maligned by Raiders fans, willingly gave up $275,000 of his admittedly hefty salary ($1.98 million) so that the Raiders would have the cap room needed to sign DE Greg Townsend.

"That's unusual," said senior assistant Bruce Allen. "That shows a lot—not to us, but to the people who don't know (Smith). That corrects a misjudgment."

Source: San Jose Mercury News

Roster changes:  The Raiders cut FB Darron Kirkman, an undrafted rookie free agent from Oregon State. Signed was an offensive linemen, center/guard Curtis Whitley, who's played previously with San Diego and Carolina.

According to the Chronicle, DL Gabriel Oladipo, released last weekend to make room for Townsend, was also re-signed. If true, someone else would have had to go also—the team was already at the maximum roster limit of 80.

Injury update:  WR/KR Desmond Howard still hasn't returned to practice. T Jeff Kysar didn't make the trip to Texas.

Both free safeties left yesterday's afternoon practice with injuries: Eddie Anderson (shoulder) and Eric Turner (groin). DT Chester McGlockton stopped early because of heat exhaustion.

Sources: San Francisco Chronicle, San Francisco Examiner

Yesterday's Sporting News team report says the Raiders are now playing James Folston at middle linebacker, backing up starter Greg Biekert. In the past Folston has always been listed as either an outside backer or defensive end.

Tuesday, July 29, 1997

DE Aundray Bruce, still nursing a calf/ankle injury, didn't travel to Texas. Neither did DT Ta'ase Faumui, who's described as having a "leg injury."

Source: Sacramento Bee

There's an interesting feature on rookie LB Adrian Ioja today.

A Romanian who came to the U.S. as a refugee when he was 10, Ioja is fighting to make the roster via special teams play.

"(Ioja's) best suit is his pass-rushing skills," said linebackers coach Dave Adolph. "He has done amazingly well since he's been here. I had heard his name when he was in college, but I had never scouted him."

Ioja played defensive end in college at a weight of 280. He weighs 245 now and is still trying to learn the outside linebacker position.

"The hardest thing now is my peripheral vision, seeing the whole field instead of seeing a tackle in front of my face," Ioja said. "And reading on the run, instead of always pass rushing or just taking an end on and stretching the play out."

Source: San Jose Mercury News

There's also a nice feature in today's Contra Costa Times on another rookie who's a long shot to make the roster, DT Grady Jackson.

Sunday night's opening exhibition with Dallas will be carried on The Ticket, heard in the Bay Area at 1050-AM.

Former QB David Humm won't be in the broadcast booth during games as previously announced. Humm has been battling multiple sclerosis for several years and is no longer able to travel. He will participate in pre-game and post-game commentary from his home.

"People will notice a dynamic difference in our broadcast," said Bob Agnew, the station's director of Raiders broadcasts. "We think it's going to be a pretty damn good product."

This year's broadcasts will include the use of parabolic mikes to pick up sideline sounds, comments by coach Joe Bugel, and key matchup updates throughout the games.

Source: Oakland Tribune

Former Raider TE Andrew Glover, a free agent who wasn't re-signed, was signed by Minnesota yesterday to a one-year deal for the minimum veteran salary ($275,000). Glover spent six years with the Raiders.

"I don't think he's reached his potential," said Vikings coach Denny Green in something of an understatement. "Hopefully, he can with us."

Source: Associated Press (Nando.net)

Monday, July 28, 1997

AFC West rival Kansas City cut starting DT Dan Saleaumua today in a salary cap move after he refused to take a pay cut.

Source: Associated Press (Nando.net)

DE Greg Townsend, signed over the weekend, is the 10th leading pass rusher in NFL history since the league began recording sack statistics in 1982. Notwithstanding that, he'll have his work cut out for him making the team's final roster. He'll be competing with Lance Johnstone, Pat Swilling and Aundray Bruce at the open end spot in the new, three-tackle defensive alignment.

The Raiders currently have 13 defensive linemen on the roster. Either four or five figure to be gone before opening day.

Townsend, who weighed 235 as a rookie, had ballooned up to 310 pounds by the time the Raiders cut him after the 1993 season. He played with Philadelphia in 1994, then spent the last two years unsuccessfully pestering NFL teams for a tryout.

"You don't come in at 235 pounds and leave at 310 without realizing things had gotten out of hand," Townsend, who'll be 36 in October, said over the weekend.

While out of football, Townsend helped coach at Long Beach City College and studied nutrition on the side. He worked out for the Raiders in El Segundo about a week ago, so Saturday's workout wasn't entirely out of the blue.

He said he'd kept in touch with defensive line coach Bill Urbanik. Urbanik, for his part, said he's impressed by how much weight Townsend had lost but has made no commitment to keeping Townsend on the roster long-term. He said Townsend will be brought along slowly to minimize the risk of injury.

"I don't think he'll help at all (immediately)," Urbanik said. "We're not going to take a guy that hasn't played football in two years and turn him loose and get him killed."

Urbanik paid Townsend some glowing compliments.

"The best player I ever coached in the NFL was Greg Townsend," said Urbanik, who also coached Raider great Howie Long. "I've always felt that way. He was the most instinctive football player I've ever been around. It was a street sense that he had."

"He was a great player (with the Los Angeles Raiders), but he was very, very underrated. He made more plays than anybody, but you never heard much about him."

CB Albert Lewis, the oldest current Raider, sounded just a little bit touchy when asked if Townsend is too old to make a comeback.

"Who's to say he can't do it?" Lewis said. "It's been years since Dick Vermeil was a coach and do you think he can win? It's all relative and universally applicable. It's a matter of a person's desire and will to achieve something."

Sources: Oakland Tribune, San Francisco Chronicle, Sacramento Bee, Contra Costa Times

Here's a signing I missed over the weekend: WR Terrance Warren, 6-2 and 200 pounds, from Hampton College. Two years of NFL experience with Seattle; has also been in training camps before with both Jacksonville and San Francisco.

Warren was a two-time national 200-meter dash champion in NCAA Division II.

Sources: Contra Costa Times, Sacramento Bee

The temperature in Austin yesterday reached 115. Coach Joe Bugel says the practices with the Cowboys in the Texas heat will be a good test of the team's composure.

"We've really been in total control of our behavior," Bugel said. "It's going to be hot down there; we're going to be aggravated at times and I'd like to see us be in control on the practice field. It's something we've been working on. We don't want to take a step backward."

Today's a travel day. The Raiders and Cowboys will practice together twice tomorrow and twice Wednesday. On Thursday they'll scrimmage at St. Edward's University, then the Raiders have a solo practice Friday and a walk-through at Texas Stadium Saturday. They open their exhibition season against the Cowboys Sunday night.

Reader Jeff Woodard reports that Thursday's scrimmage may be televised on cable by the (Dallas) "Silver Star" Broadcasting Network.

Source: Oakland Tribune

On the injury front:  DL Aundray Bruce, a valuable reserve, was still on crutches as of yesterday. What was described late last week as a "minor injury" to either the ankle or calf may be somewhat more serious, and Bugel admitted as much yesterday.

"That's an iffy injury, to the back of the leg and ankle, especially for a guy who is a speed type of rusher," Bugel said. "It's going to take some time. How much, I really don't know."

Meanwhile, T Jeff Kysar's foot injury, previously described by the team as "day-to-day," turns out to be another occurrence of the same problem which caused him to be placed on injured reserve last year—a joint injury to the left foot. Kysar said his doctors are considering surgery.

"I'm speaking with doctors and trying to figure out a game plan," he said. "I'm pretty disappointed."

Sources: Oakland Tribune, San Jose Mercury News

Cut from the roster to make room for Townsend and Ervins were WR Kofi Banks and DT Gabriel Oladipo.

Offered a tryout recently was LB Bobby Houston, cut by the Jets.

Sources: San Jose Mercury News, Contra Costa Times

From Nando.net comes this amusing tidbit. It seems Seattle had reached a tentative contractual agreement with ex-Raider DT Jerry Ball. Then, according to a Seahawks VP, Ball decided that due to business commitments on his agenda, he wouldn't be able to come for a few weeks. Riiiight, Jerry . . . Seattle's now looking elsewhere.  :-)

Source: Scripps-McClatchy Western (Nando.net)

Sunday, July 27, 1997

Late update:  The Associated Press is reporting that DE Pat Swilling returned to the team's training camp in Napa today.

Swilling practiced yesterday and will travel to Texas tomorrow with the team.

Swilling said he reconsidered after spending two days in Alameda. He said he had been frustrated during camp because he felt he wasn't playing as well as he expects of himself. He said he thinks in retrospect that he should have talked to coach Joe Bugel about getting more breaks during twice-daily workouts.

"I probably should've went to coach Bugel first, but hindsight is 20-20," Swilling said. "I'm back to play and I'll play my heart out. It's over and it won't be recurring. Time to go on."

"Last week I felt I couldn't do that (play at his best all the time)," added Swilling. "But it's over now. It's not reoccurring."

"I talked to my wife (Robin) about a lot of things and decided to come back," he said. "The main reason I left was that I wanted to see if retirement was really what I wanted to do."

The Raiders also signed DE Greg Townsend, and it was reported that they recently signed RB Ricky Ervins, who had worked out for them the week before last. Ervins began practicing with the team Saturday.

Sources: Associated Press (Nando.net), Contra Costa Times

The Pat Swilling story continued to occupy center stage over the weekend.

Coach Joe Bugel said Swilling called him yesterday. Bugel declined to reveal any specifics.

"I had a personal conversation with him this morning," said Bugel yesterday. "We talked about a lot of things, it was a player-coach conversation. We have a good relationship, and I knew he'd call. He's had some time to think some things through. And I'll talk about it later."

"I never shut the door on a football player," added Bugel. "That's not the Raider way of thinking or our M.O. We're dealing with people, and I never want to forget that."

Meanwhile, S Eddie Anderson, a friend of Swilling's, said that other players with whom Swilling has talked indicate that they expect the veteran pass rusher to return to camp.

"I talked to a couple of the guys who talked to Pat and they said they expect him back," Anderson said last night.

The Raiders have insisted officially that they are holding Swilling's spot on the active roster open and that nothing has been decided.

At the same time, the team applied some not-so-subtle pressure yesterday by bringing in 35-year-old DE Greg Townsend—the former Raider and one-time teammate of Howie Long—for a workout. Townsend hasn't even played football since 1994. He's been trying unsuccessfully to get a tryout with an NFL team for the past two seasons.

To his credit, Townsend seemed to be in shape, all things considered. He weighed 258. He worked out for 40 minutes for Bugel, DL coach Bill Urbanik, and others.

"Greg Townsend can still play football, put it that way," Bugel said afterward. "He hasn't lost any of the techniques, and the biggest thing is that he really wants to come back. He wants to finish here, play another year or so, and we're going to talk about it."

"I know it was a few years back, but when you turn the tapes on, there's not too many guys that can rush the passer like he does. Plus I love his demeanor. He's got some charisma. He's one of those guys you like to be around."

Sources: Oakland Tribune, Contra Costa Times

Friday, July 25, 1997

DE Pat Swilling, one of the best pass rushers in football over the past decade, quietly retired yesterday afternoon.

So quietly, in fact, that neither the team's official web site nor any of the major media has even run the story.

According to WR Tim Brown, Swilling, 32, didn't even tell coach Joe Bugel of his intention. He simply carried a large box out to his truck, spoke to a handful of players, then departed.

Swilling was seen talking to owner Al Davis on the sideline during practice, but many of his teammates, told later of the development, didn't believe it and thought it was a joke.

Swilling played 11 seasons, earning five Pro Bowl appearances and an NFL Defensive Player of the Year award. Last year he passed the 100-sack milestone, finishing with 105½. In 1995, he led the Raiders and was second in the NFL with 13 sacks. He also led the league that year with four forced fumbles. He had 62 tackles in his two seasons with the Raiders.

The writing was on the wall this year, however, that second-year player Lance Johnstone was going to start ahead of Swilling. Swilling apparently decided he didn't want to play if he would no longer be a starter.

Said Brown, "You have to respect a guy who is going to look himself in the face and step down."

"I talked to him for a minute," Brown said. "He felt his mind isn't into it. His body feels OK. He doesn't want to walk away from the game completely beat up."

Johnstone was one of those who knew. "I'm still shocked by it," he said. "I wished I could've talked to him before he left. A couple guys tried to talk him out of it but he had his mind set on it."

S Eddie Anderson said, "If this is it for him, all I can do is wish him well as a friend. I hope this isn't the end for him, though, because he can still play football."

Swilling owns an auto dealership in New Orleans. To his credit, he's said before that he had a life outside of football.

Sources: San Jose Mercury News, San Francisco Examiner, Contra Costa Times

CB Larry Brown returned to practice yesterday afternoon after missing three drills and looked sharp.

Returner Desmond Howard continued to watch from the sidelines. He's listed as day-to-day.

"For Desmond, it's just a matter of his getting back on the field and participating," said Joe Bugel. "Right now is a valuable time, but you want the guy to be healthy. That's the most important thing."

Others who've missed practices: LB Aaron Wallace (hamstring), WR Tim Brown (dehydration), RB Tim Hall (hamstring), and T Jeff Kysar (foot).

Sources: Contra Costa Times, San Jose Mercury News

By all accounts, Lance Johnstone is having a great camp.

A big reason is the new defensive scheme, in which Johnstone lines up outside the offense's weak side tackle. Last year the Raiders played him on the strong side, where he typically faced a tight end or a 300-pound tackle. Now he hopes to have only a running back to beat when rushing the quarterback.

"I love it," Johnstone said. "A defensive end against the running back? We think that's a mismatch. This change will take more advantage of my speed. It seems like the coaches have a plan now, instead of trying to just wing it."

DT Chester McGlockton said, "Lance has adjusted to it very well. In all honesty, that's where he should have been playing last year."

Said T Lincoln Kennedy of Johnstone, "He's got an excellent takeoff from the line of scrimmage, off the ball. Last year you could give him a nice little shove and knock him off his course. But he's got a lot more leg strength and leg drive."

Source: Sonoma County Press Democrat

It looks as though James Trapp is now penciled in as the starting strong safety, ahead of journeyman Lorenzo Lynch, who started last year but lacks speed. Lamar Lyons is the third-stringer.

Said Lyons, "Trapp is the No. 1 dude right now. I don't know what they're going to do, it's a coaches decision. I see myself as a definite contender for the starting job, but that's not my decision . . . You can't be mad at it, all you can do is play your game."

Source: San Jose Mercury News

CB Mike Haynes will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday, with the presentation to be made by his former agent, Howard Slusher

Slusher had a wonderful description of Haynes' abilities yesterday.

"Mike had the same image as Joe DiMaggio in terms of being graceful and making things look easy," said Slusher. "Because he expended so little energy, he was always tough in the fourth quarter. He never made any phenomenal leaping interceptions. He just picked it off and ran. His uniform was never dirty."

Al Davis added his appraisal: "Mike was a little different than the other great players we've had at cornerback. He didn't jam receivers at the line of scrimmage as much as Lester and Willie (Brown) did. Mike was nowhere near as physical as those guys. But he was smooth and clean. He shadowed you. He'd mirror you and just run with you."

Sources: San Jose Mercury News, San Francisco Chronicle

Street and Smith's Pro Football issue has named the 1969 Raiders secondary as the NFL's best ever. That group, which included George Atkinson, Dave Grayson, Nemiah Wilson and Willie Brown, held opponents to a 38.8% completion percentage.

"What made that group so special was all the guys had great pride," said Brown. "We took a lot of pride in our fundamentals, our techniques, and especially our ability to not let guys catch passes on us."

Source: San Francisco Examiner

Thursday, July 24, 1997

Afternoon update:  DT Chester McGlockton was observed training hard in Napa last night. At a 7-Eleven located within a stone's throw of the practice fields, he bought a slurpy, a case of individually wrapped Nutterbutter cookies and the same amount of individually wrapped Oreos.

Source: Raiders fans mail list

Both Desmond Howard and Larry Brown sat out practice again this morning.

Source: Associated Press

Rookie LB Adrian Ioja is the subject of two articles this morning.

During yesterday's practice G Steve Wisniewski fell on the ground, giving coach Joe Bugel a scare, but it's apparently no more than a slightly twisted back, not believed serious.

WR Desmond Howard and CB Larry Brown were both held out of practice yesterday, Howard because of his tender hamstring and Brown because of a sore toe. Brown says the problem is not related to his plantar fascia injury of last year and he expects to be back quickly.

G Eric Moten, whom many Raiders fans were talking up during the off-season as a possible replacement for departed Kevin Gogan, failed his physical yesterday with St. Louis.

Source: Associated Press

T Lincoln Kennedy reported to camp at 340 pounds. While that's 15 pounds over his playing weight, at least it's better than the 350+ he weighed in mini-camp.

Said Kennedy, "It's the best shape I've been in in my life." Hmmm . . .

Source: The Sports Xchange (CBS Sportsline)

Raider great Daryle Lamonica will make an appearance at the Seaview Square Mall in Neptune, NJ (Monmouth County) on July 26 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. For details, call (732) 922-0992.

Source: Raiders fans mail list

Wednesday, July 23, 1997

Newly signed DT Darrell Russell participated in yesterday's afternoon practice, including seven-on-seven drills.

"The sooner we get him in there working with the guys the better," said fellow DT Russell Maryland. "And his attitude helps a lot. The simple fact that he's coming in knowing that he has to learn, and not coming in saying he's going to do this and that, shows some forethought."

Source: San Jose Mercury News

CB Lionel Washington, who wore No. 48 in his previous stint as a Raider (1987-94), still hasn't been able to talk FB Jerone Davison into giving it up, but he says he's optimistic.

"We'll see what happens," said Washington. "If I don't get it, and we both stay with the team, maybe I'll have to make some kind of financial offer. Seniority does rule, but I don't want to go that way with it."

Source: San Francisco Examiner

SS Lorenzo Lynch put a big-time hit on RB Joe Aska in practice yesterday.

The Raiders are very pleased at the moment with P Leo Araguz, who's been booming the ball.

The punt return unit seems to be improving too. They managed to block four of Araguz's punts in an afternoon drill.

G-T Rick Cunningham missed his third straight day of practices with what's variously described as tightness or a pinched nerve in his back.

The latest Sporting News team report says several defensive ends have taken advantage of T Lincoln Kennedy's slow feet to beat him with speed rushes in practice. It also describes WR James Jett as alternating nice catches with exasperating drops.

Sources: San Francisco Chronicle, Contra Costa Times, The Sporting News

RB Napoleon Kaufman was ordained a minister in the Church of God in Christ (popularly known as the Holiness Church) last Friday.

Sources: San Francisco Examiner, (Sonoma County) Press Democrat

The Raiders signed DT Gabriel Oladipo on Tuesday. He played collegiately at Washington State, and was in Dallas' training camp last year before being cut.

Source: San Francisco Examiner

LB Sedric Clark, a seventh-round draft pick of the Raiders last year who didn't make the team, signed with Carolina.

Clark was an undersized defensive end whom Oakland had hoped to convert to linebacker.

Source: Contra Costa Times

Tuesday, July 22, 1997

Late update:  AFC West rival Seattle, with three defensive tackles injured, is considering signing ex-Raider Jerry Ball.

Returner Desmond Howard missed both practices today with a sore hamstring.

Sources: Scripps-McClatchy Western (Nando.net), The Sporting News

Late afternoon update:  Just when it seemed the negotiations with top draft pick DT Darrell Russell were far from close to a resolution, the Raiders announced his signing this afternoon to a seven-year, $22.05 million contract.

"It is a big relief. I look at it like it wasn't a holdout, it was like a chemist in the lab coming up with that perfect compound," said Russell.

The final details were apparently worked out in the early morning hours today. Russell celebrated the conclusion of negotiations by having a hamburger smothered with grilled onions and mushrooms at a Denny's in Emeryville.

"It was the only place open at 2:30 in the morning. Even Taco Bell and Jack in the Box were closed. The lifestyle of the rich and famous," said Russell's agent, Leigh Steinberg. "That was the last check I'm picking up for him."

Russell arrived at training camp around noon to sign the contract.

It includes $8.325 million in guaranteed payments but no signing bonus. The signing bonus had been the major sticking point in the negotiations.

Russell will receive the minimum NFL salary of $131,000 and a reporting bonus of $1.669 million this season; a $650,000 salary and a $1.6 million bonus for making the roster in 1998, and a $950,000 salary with a $1.750 million roster bonus in 1999.

For the year 2000 he'll receive a salary of $3.15 million with no bonuses; for 2001, a salary of $2.6 million with a $1 million reporting bonus; for 2002, a salary of $3.05 million and a $1 million reporting bonus; and a $3.5 million salary and a $1 million reporting bonus in 2003.

Furthermore, if Russell participates in 50 percent of the plays during any of the first three years of the contract, it would void the final four years and turn the deal into a five-year agreement potentially averaging the same $3.15 million.

"What it means is I have to turn it up a huge notch because I have to back it up," Russell said. "They're paying me this money and I have to produce."

Steinberg, who not surprisingly was tooting his own horn just a bit, said the total amount, the guaranteed amount and the average of $3.15 million per year are all records for a rookie contract.

"There was never any chance of this going on too long, it was just a complex negotiation," Steinberg said. "I've had a team of capologists locked in a room for a week trying to figure this out. It's like a contract for the next millennium structurally."

Russell, who played last year at 321 pounds, said his current weight is a svelte 307.

Source: Associated Press

Roster update:  As had been expected, the Raiders did sign G Tom Robsock yesterday. Robsock enjoyed a fine season in the World League this past spring.

As for Kofi Banks, listed as both a wide receiver and defensive back, he's played previously in the Canadian Football League. QB Todd Studer, presumably, is back because, at least to some extent, he knows the offensive schemes from last season.

Source: Oakland Tribune

T Lincoln Kennedy says he expects new QB Jeff George to do well with the Raiders. Kennedy and George were teammates in Atlanta.

"I think he has gotten a bad rap since he came into the league," Kennedy said. "So much was expected of him coming out of college, he's just had pressure piled on top of pressure. I am just glad he can come to a program like this one where we are not going to have to live and die by the pass like it was in Indianapolis or Atlanta."

"We have a balanced attack. Jeff can just sit back there and relax, and when it comes time for him to do his thing, he can have the utmost confidence he can get it done."

Source: Oakland Tribune

Odds and Ends:  Full contact drills began yesterday. Both left tackles, Pat Harlow and Robert Jenkins, participated in one practice but skipped the second. The Raiders will continue that pattern throughout the pre-season with some of their older vets.

Last night's KTVU-TV (Channel 2) sports segment showed a brief clip of TE Rickey Dudley taken during yesterday's practice. Dudley managed to perform his specialty—dropping an easy pass—for the camera.

The experiment with using Harvey Williams at a variety of positions continues to get lots of media attention. Williams is practicing almost exclusively now at tight end, lining up in two-tight end alignments together with Dudley.

The move to TE is owner Al Davis's idea. Williams said yesterday that he talked about it with Davis two weeks ago.

"We had a long talk," Williams said. "Al has a vision. When they first brought this to me, I said, 'Y'all gotta be joking me.' But then, sitting down with (offensive coordinator) Ray (Perkins) and going over the system, I started feeling real confident about it."

"I can run routes like a wide receiver," he said. "I can catch the ball. Al wants to throw the ball this year. We are going to be balanced, but we want to throw a lot."

"They thought about doing it last year and the year before, but it didn't happen. Now we have a guy (George) who can sling it three or four miles. This is a great time to do it."

"They don't have a guy in this league who can cover me as far as a linebacker or a safety," he continued. And basically, that is what we want to do—create mismatches. If we do that, other people can come open. If you look at the blueprints, it's guaranteed for success.

There's been nary a mention thus far of TE Marcus Hinton, one player whom this observer hopes will get some serious playing time this year. Hinton has the hands Dudley can only wish he had.

Sources: Oakland Tribune, San Jose Mercury News

Sixth-round draft pick Calvin Branch, a running back who will be converted to cornerback, signed and practiced yesterday, leaving Darrell Russell as the lone remaining holdout.

Speculation about Russell now involves "the end of the week." Clearly the sides are not close in reaching a meeting of the minds on his contract. ESPN Radio claims the team and Russell are about as far apart as possible—$6 million, all in signing bonus money.

Agent Leigh Steinberg may also have been somewhat distracted recently. He also represents San Francisco QB Steve Young, whose contract the Whiners are presently trying to renegotiate in order to free up cap room. Sunday's negotiating session with the Raiders involved underlings of Steinberg's rather than the agent himself.

Sources: Oakland Tribune, Sacramento Bee, Associated Press

The Raiders signed a little camp fodder yesterday. QB Todd Studer of Long Beach State was on last season's pre-season roster, too. Also signed was WR/DB Kofi Banks of Nevada-Las Vegas.

Cut when he didn't report to camp was rookie DE Chris Thompson from Bowie State. Thompson had actually gotten some reps in the team's "voluntary" practices following mini-camp, when Pat Swilling elected to return home to New Orleans.

Source: Contra Costa Times

Both coach Joe Bugel and WR Tim Brown say that Brown could catch 100 balls this season now that he'll no longer have to return punts.

"I think relieving him of that duty right there, we would expect him to catch 100-plus balls," Bugel said. "That young man played over a thousand snaps for years."

Brown's yards-per-catch average dropped significantly last year, and he also dropped a surprising number of passes. He wants to have a banner year.

"If I can't surpass last year, I've really got problems. If I can't catch more than 90 balls, I'll be very upset," said Brown. "I should catch 100 balls this year."

This observer actually hopes Brown doesn't have 100 catches this season. The Raiders badly need to diversify their passing attack and spread the ball around more, something Jeff Hostetler did only reluctantly last year.

Source: Associated Press

Monday, July 21, 1997

Things Could Be Worse Dept. (or, if you prefer, the Where Are They Now Dept.):

Long-time readers know I've been harping on the need for the Raiders to get a dominating left tackle for three years now. I'm still harping on it. But an item on ESPNet SportsZone today reminds me that perhaps the team has made a little progress . . .

One-time starting left tackle Gerald Perry signed with the Rams last year, then abruptly retired after only a few days of training camp. This year he said he wanted to play again, and the Rams had penciled him in as the expected starter at left guard alongside top draft pick Orlando Pace.

Turns out Perry didn't even show up for the Rams' first full-squad workout. They're assuming he's retired again.

Draft watch:  Don't expect a quick resolution to the Darrell Russell contract impasse. His agent, Leigh Steinberg, said yesterday that the sides are "not that close."

That's a less than optimistic appraisal from a respected agent who, until now, had never had a client hold out since the salary cap was instituted.

Two more rookies did sign, though—third-round picks T Tim Kohn of Iowa State and G Adam Treu of Nebraska.

(Astute roster-watchers will note that Treu, he of the less-than-swift feet, is now being projected at guard; Kohn remains listed at his college position, tackle.)

And K Cole Ford and CB Carl Kidd were officially inked to new one-year contracts.

It's been widely reported that Ford was unhappy with the Raiders' offer. Yesterday he said, "No way I sign a multiyear deal if I can become a free agent next year. My agent told me I had the best kickoff average in the league last year (touchbacks and return average), and that was after my first full season."

Sources: San Francisco Chronicle, Sacramento Bee

A team of four NFL officials worked the Raiders practices yesterday, taking notes on the infractions they observed and meeting with the players. Coach Joe Bugel is trying anything and everything to reduce the team's penchant for committing dumb penalties.

According to one account, DT Chester McGlockton—a prime culprit the last several years—jumped offside at least four times in the morning and once in the afternoon.

Bugel disagreed with those who think officials single out the Raiders.

"I don't believe they have a burr on for the Raiders," he said. "I think we need to be a little more professional on the sidelines and show them respect."

It just wouldn't be a new year in the NFL without another "Raiders rule." This year's rule change occasioned by the Raiders comes as the result of the trick play last year at home when P Jeff Gossett heaved a long pass to WR Kenny Shedd in the end zone. Both Shedd and the defender were called for offsetting pass interference.

Ron Botchan, chief of the officiating crew, explained, "The competition committee looked at that and saw it as an attempt to deceive, so they basically altered that rule. So from punt formation you can't have defensive pass interference against the two fliers—the two wide guys."

DL Aundray Bruce missed yesterday's practices when his flight from Florida was canceled due to bad weather. G Rick Cunningham sat out practice because of tightness in his back.

Source: San Jose Mercury News

Sunday, July 20, 1997

Afternoon update:  According to two newspapers, the Raiders currently have 76 players on the roster. They're permitted 80, so that leaves four openings.

The Oakland Tribune says the team is talking with both G Tom Robsock, who spent the 1995 season on the practice squad and who played well in the WLAF this past spring, and also RB Ricky Ervins.

The Sacramento Bee went further, reporting that Bugel said flatly that Robsock will be signed.

Sources: Oakland Tribune, Sacramento Bee

The Mercury News has an article on the ongoing PSL issue which fleshes out the background of the situation much better than was done in a Chronicle article written by Glenn Dickey a few weeks back. PSL holders—especially those who've painted Oakland City Council member Ignacio de la Fuente as the villain in the whole thing—should read this one.

And in another article worth reading, the Oakland Tribune's Carl Steward asks 50 good questions about this year's Raiders. Some of them seem right on the money to this observer.

More on the drills being run this year to reduce the offsides penalties. They started in mini-camp. At the start and end of each practice, the offense and defense try to draw each other offsides with every conceivable trick and stunt.

Bugel said one of the reasons he runs the drills at the end of practice is because "late in the afternoon is when you are a little fatigued," and that's when discipline breaks down.

Source: Oakland Tribune

Top draft pick Darrell Russell officially became a holdout at 6:00 p.m. last night when he failed to report for the start of training camp. Also absent were three other draft picks: offensive linemen Adam Treu and Tim Kohn and DB Calvin Branch.

The team announced it had signed two of its draft picks, FB Chad Levitt and DT Grady Jackson, and also that the remaining two unsigned veterans, exclusive rights agents CB Carl Kidd and K Cole Ford, would be in camp and were expected to participate in the morning practice.

Kidd and the Raiders have come to a verbal agreement, according to the Sacramento Bee. Ford is still unhappy with his offer but said he'd be in camp anyway, although it's unclear whether he'll be allowed to practice. (NFL rules prohibit unsigned players from actually practicing.) As for Russell, senior assistant Bruce Allen and agent Leigh Steinberg continue to meet daily, and that impasse should be resolved soon. The other three draft picks will sign quickly once Russell is inked.

"I'm not worried if (Russell) doesn't show," coach Joe Bugel said yesterday. "If he doesn't show, I realize this is part of the negotiating process. I never panic over that stuff because I know it will get done."

"It's all part of the game," said Bugel of the negotiations. "People who don't know that at this level are out to lunch."

Steinberg said yesterday he was hopeful an agreement could be reached by today. The Raiders are reported to be offering a six-year deal without any signing bonus but with much of the money guaranteed.

Sources: Contra Costa Times, Sacramento Bee

Just as they did the last two years, the Raiders will use NFL officials in their practices to try to reduce the team's penchant for self-destruction. Four officials arrived yesterday and will attend practices through Tuesday.

Addressing how he intends to reduce penalties, Bugel said he will begin and end each practice with drills against offside penalties. He wants to better utilize officials and also intends to run a more disciplined camp than those in the past.

"You can do that by the way you set up your practices, the way you talk to your football team, and the drills. It's in how you dress, how you practice and how you play the game."

Bugel said players will wear practice pants at camp this year, not shorts.

"I like the look of the pants," he said. "Sometimes, when you have a new suit on, you strut your stuff a little more."

Source: San Jose Mercury News

A Mercury News article has some interesting comments on the team's personnel.

WR Tim Brown on whether Desmond Howard can be a front-line receiver in the NFL: "He's not going to be expected to catch five or six balls a game. If he can make two or three catches in crucial situations, that's all he needs to be successful. I think everybody would be happy with that."

The article says the Raiders are now considering using Howard as the lone returner on kickoffs to prevent other teams from simply kicking away from him.

"He might be the center fielder," said Joe Bugel. "That's the ideal thing."

Interestingly, it seems that Harvey Williams is elated that Derrick Fenner was recently re-signed. Williams has made it clear he doesn't want to be simply a blocking back. The chances of that happening are small now. Williams and Fenner are also close friends.

And—RB Napoleon Kaufman is lobbying hard for his best friend (and pastor), Jerone Davison, to start at fullback over Fenner.

"Napoleon is Jerone's agent," said Bruce Allen—according to the paper, "only half-kiddingly."

Finally, the Merc says the coaches are high this year on two no-name returning vets, WR Olanda Truitt and CB Perry Carter.

Brown's been talking up Truitt this off-season, so that's not a surprise. But this observer's hardly heard a word about Carter before.

Carter's agent, Scott Casterline, said, "He never really had any coaching until he got to the Raiders. Albert Lewis (also a Casterline client) has taken him under his wing, and that's not a bad guy to learn from."

Source: San Jose Mercury News

Saturday, July 19, 1997

Late update:  <sigh> As of 10:45 p.m., the daily report which raiders.com, the team's official site, promised would be posted "early every evening" beginning tonight, hadn't materialized. More of the all-too-familiar "coming soon" BS from a team which just can't seem to get it together when it comes to public relations . . .

No word on the Darrell Russell situation, either.

Afternoon update:  Rick Tracewell has taken the wraps off the new official site for the Raiders at http://www.Raiders.com.

The site promises daily updates during training camp, to be posted between 5:00 and 8:00 p.m. Pacific. The design is also a huge improvement over the past two seasons.

I've added it to this site's links page.

There's nothing new to report this morning on the impasse between the Raiders and first-round draft pick Darrell Russell.

Players have a 6:00 p.m. reporting deadline, with two-a-day practices beginning tomorrow.

Here's the daily schedule for training camp, courtesy of Raiders fan Richard Webb:

 7 am		    	Wake-up call
 7:00 -  7:45 am	Breakfast available
 7:00 -  8:30 am	Taping schedule
 9:00 -  9:15 am	Warm up
 9:15 - 11:00 am	Practice in pads
11:30 am - 12:30 pm	Lunch available
12:30 -  1:15 pm	Meetings
 1:15 -  3:30 pm	Rest
 2:00 pm	    	Taping schedule
 4:00 -  4:15 pm	Warm ups
 4:15 -  6:00 pm	Practice in pads
 6:30 -  7:30 pm	Supper available
 7:30 -  8:00 pm	Appointments with trainers
 7:30 -  9:30 pm	Meetings
10:00 pm    		Staff meeting

Source: Raiders Fans Mail List

Friday, July 18, 1997

There's nothing new to report today on the Darrell Russell front. Negotiations continue on a daily basis. Senior assistant Bruce Allen is declining to comment.

According to the Oakland Tribune, the Raiders want a long-term deal with no signing bonus; agent Leigh Steinberg seeks a shorter deal including two signing bonuses.

There is lots of news about other players, however.

K Cole Ford continues to balk at signing the one-year contract for $196,000 which the Raiders have offered him. Last year he made the league minimum of $167,000.

"I'm not the kind of person that likes to sit around," Ford said. "I want to be there every step of the way. I don't like controversy, and I don't like uncertainty. But when it comes down to some things, you've got to take a stand."

Contrary to what the Chronicle's Ron Kroichick has been writing for months now, coach Joe Bugel said the team has no immediate plans to bring another kicker into camp. Bugel expressed optimism that Ford will sign.

"I don't think you need to have competition at that position," said Bugel. "You just don't make a three-ring circus about it. But if we have to go out and get another kicker, just like anything, we'll go out and get it."

In another development, the San Jose Mercury News reported a "strong indication" that RB Ricky Ervins will sign with the Raiders today. Ervins, a one-time Whiner and Redskin, was on the pre-season Raiders roster last year before being cut.

Sources: San Jose Mercury News, Oakland Tribune

The sudden re-tooling of the running back corps suggests the Raiders may be having some serious doubts after all about going into the season with no true fullbacks in the starting lineup. Bugel has often said he wants to return to a power running game this year, but realistically that was unlikely to happen with Harvey Williams playing a quasi-fullback "F-back" role.

Asked yesterday whether Fenner would resume a starting fullback role, Bugel equivocated, refusing to name either Fenner or Williams. He said 225-pound journeyman Jerone Davison was his starting fullback as of the moment.

As the Oakland Tribune wryly put it, "Davison spent most of last year on the practice squad. The special-teamer has been on and off NFL rosters since 1993 without logging a single regular-season carry from scrimmage."

Asked why Davison, Bugel said only, "Based on the off-season." He named his fullbacks as Davison, Fenner, rookie Chad Levitt and possibly tailback Tim Hall.

(Although Bugel didn't mention them, Derrick Clark, recently signed after a great World League season, and undrafted rookie Darron Kirkman both have fullback size as well.)

Well, then, came the inevitable follow-up question, what about Harvey?

"This gives us an opportunity to move Harvey around," Bugel said. "We will try him at several positions. We may even give him a shot at tight end . . . we want a lot of people on the field who can catch the football."

Apparently referring to Williams, Bugel commented, "We are not disappointed in anybody." As for Fenner, he said, "I don't think he has a chip on his shoulder or is angry. He said he'd like another shot at it and I told him he was welcome. He wanted the opportunity to compete. We owed him that. We couldn't turn our back on him."

Source: Oakland Tribune

Bruce Allen, asked yesterday whether signing Darrell Russell would mean the Raiders had to make roster cuts, didn't give a direct answer.

"We have a plan," he replied. "I'll leave it at that."

The team has a glut of defensive linemen. High-salaried players who have been mentioned as possible salary cap victims include DEs Pat Swilling and Anthony Smith. Rumors have also circulated that the Raiders are shopping second-year DT La'Roi Glover—coming off a spectacular World League season—as trade bait for an offensive lineman.

The Chronicle contacted Smith's agent, Zachery Jones. Jones said the Raiders have approached Smith about restructuring his contract, but nothing has been finalized.

Source: San Francisco Chronicle

Finally, this belated tidbit of information on the contract which last year's first-round draft pick, Rickey Dudley, received. Dudley, the ninth overall pick, got a five-year, $8.8 million deal. Although it included no bonus, Dudley did get more money than other players drafted near him, and most of the money was guaranteed.

Source: San Francisco Chronicle

And now for something completely different . . .

The Raiders have announced the schedule for their annual week of joint practices with the Dallas Cowboys. They'll practice against the Cowboys in Austin, Texas, from July 28 through August 1 with a scrimmage set for July 31. Oakland plays an exhibition game in Dallas on August 3.

Source: San Francisco Examiner

Thursday, July 17, 1997

Late update:  In a major (and pleasant) surprise, the Raiders re-signed FB Derrick Fenner this afternoon. As is customary with Oakland signings, no details were released.

It comes as a surprise because all indications were that the Raiders wouldn't try to re-sign Fenner, a salary cap casualty during the offseason. Under his original contract, Fenner's salary this year would have escalated to more than $1 million. There were also rumors that Fenner had difficulty getting along with teammates and/or new head coach Joe Bugel.

The surprise is a pleasant one because Fenner, who plays at about 240, is the closest thing to a legitimate fullback the Raiders have. He was the go-to guy last year when the team ran in short yardage situations. (Although, sad to say, under Mike White the team rarely ran at all on third down.) Fenner has good hands out of the backfield and is a decent, if not overpowering, lead blocker.

The thought of 215-pound Harvey Williams as Napoleon Kaufman's lead blocker this year was not particularly reassuring to this observer.

Source: ESPNet SportsZone

The Raiders and first-round pick Darrell Russell's agent met again yesterday, but the two sides remain far apart in agreeing on a deal for the defensive tackle.

"We're talking every day, and there has been some progress," said Leigh Steinberg, Russell's agent, yesterday. Steinberg wouldn't discuss details but did say that there are some "major impediments to be worked out."

As reported here yesterday, a major stumbling block is Russell's insistence on receiving a signing bonus. The Raiders traditionally don't pay them to rookies. On the other hand, they've never had as high a draft pick as Russell; their previous highest draft choice was WR Tim Brown at No. 6.

The Raiders, with very little cap room, claim they can't afford to pay a bonus. The Contra Costa Times quotes a "league source" as saying that the team's refusal to offer a signing bonus to such a high pick is "unprecedented."

The Times also quotes "several league sources" to the effect that another stumbling block is a "lack of guarantees."

Although players are to report on Saturday, the real deadline is Sunday, July 20, when practice begins. Although all indications are to the contrary, both Steinberg and senior assistant Bruce Allen continue to profess optimism that Russell will be signed before the first practice.

Sources: San Francisco Examiner, Sacramento Bee, Contra Costa Times

Two veterans are still unsigned, both of them so-called "exclusive rights agents" (meaning they can either accept the Raiders' offer or not play in the NFL). Allen said he expects both PK Cole Ford and CB Carl Kidd to be under contract by the weekend.

One report claims that Ford is less than enthusiastic about the low salary the Raiders are offering him, but with only one year's NFL experience he doesn't have much choice but to sign.

Sources: Sacramento Bee, The Sports Xchange (CBS Sportsline)

Many Raiders fans have been ecstatic about the prospects of free agent acquisition Desmond Howard returning kickoffs. Realistically, don't expect Howard to see the ball very often.

As expected, Napoleon Kaufman, now the featured back in the offense, has been released from kickoff return duties. That means opponents are likely to kick away from Howard this season just as they usually kicked away from Kaufman last year.

Where Howard's return abilities may make a difference is on punt returns.

Sources: San Francisco Chronicle, The Sports Xchange (CBS Sportsline)

Yesterday's street edition of the Oakland Tribune ran a very nice article by Tony Kuttner on Raiders fans' presence on the Internet, with the emphasis on the Oakland Raiders Internet Boosters club (ORIB).

The article hasn't yet appeared in the Trib's Web edition. If and when it does, I hope to obtain permission to reprint it here.

ESPNet SportsZone has been previewing the NFL teams division by division. Today the focus is the AFC West.

As long-time Raiders fans know, the team does not open its practices to the public. Last year there were training camp practices which were open—the team used Napa's Memorial Stadium to hold them—but that won't be repeated this season.

Source: Raiders Fans Mail List

Wednesday, July 16, 1997

With only four days remaining until training camp opens, the Raiders aren't close to signing first-round draft pick Darrell Russell.

"We've had a series of discussions, but we're not close at this point to reaching an agreement," said Russell's agent, Leigh Steinberg, yesterday. "Both sides are committed to getting his career started."

A major bone of contention is that Russell wants a signing bonus. Traditionally the Raiders don't give them to rookies (although they made an unusual exception this off-season for T Scott Whittaker). None of the team's four most recent first-round picks—Rickey Dudley, Napoleon Kaufman, Rob Fredrickson or Patrick Bates—received a signing bonus.

Rookies aren't allowed to practice until they're under contract.

Source: San Jose Mercury News

Alfred Montez is gone. In a move which saddens this observer, the Raiders waived the quarterback, apparently some days back. Montez, who showed a strong arm and good field awareness last year during the preseason exhibition against Dallas, spent the year on the practice squad. He figured to be the logical choice for the No. 3 quarterback this season behind Jeff George and David Klingler.

Montez didn't participate in either of the team's two mini-camps for personal reasons which he declined to discuss.

Presumably off-season acquisition Donald Hollas now has the inside track on the No. 3 slot.

Source: San Jose Mercury News

Monday, July 14, 1997

AFC West division rival Seattle has a major salary cap crunch on its hands trying to sign both its first-round draft picks, Ohio State CB Shawn Springs (taken at No. 3 overall) and Florida State T Walter Jones (No. 6).

An article on Nando.net this morning speculates that the Seahawks might have to pass up signing their No. 7 pick in order to get both Springs and Jones into camp on time. This despite receiving a $3.63 million allotment from the league for its rookies.

Source: Scripps-McClatchy Western (Nando.net)

Sunday, July 13, 1997

The Raiders' official web site at http://www.raiders.com, which has been dormant for many months, has an announcement posted on it today indicating that training camp coverage will be forthcoming beginning July 19th.

Judging by the credit for TNT Productions, the team has awarded the contract for its new site to Rick Tracewell, who also maintains the Oakland Raiders World Fan Club site. Rick has owned the rights to the raiders.com domain name for several years.

Where Are They Now Department:  Former Raider RB Calvin Jones, a one-time 2nd-round draft pick from Nebraska, has been cut by Green Bay.

Former Raider C Dan Turk has signed with Washington.

Sources: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, ESPNet SportsZone, nfl.com

Saturday, July 12, 1997

It's finally official—Greg Papa will announce Raider games this season for radio station KTCT-AM, to be called "The Ticket." KTCT will begin broadcasting on Monday.

Papa was known to have been negotiating for the job for some time. He said that before seeking the job, he checked with the legendary Bill King.

"With the Raiders being back in Oakland, I think it was fitting that Bill return as the voice of the team," said Papa yesterday. "I asked Bill if he had any interest in it, and he said, 'None whatsoever.' So I pursued it."

Papa currently does games for the Oakland A's and Golden State Warriors.

Joining Papa in the booth for games will be analyst and former Raider QB David Humm, and former coach Tom Flores.

Coach Joe Bugel and WR Tim Brown will each do a regular segment for the new station.

Source: Oakland Tribune

Friday, July 11, 1997

The Raiders signed a WLAF running back yesterday.

Derrick Clark, 6-1 and 235 pounds, played for the Rhein Fire the last two springs and was on Denver's roster at one time. He tied a World league record with 9 rushing TDs, gaining 510 yards on 107 carries.

Raiders fan Paul Aitken of Scotland, who saw Clark in the World League, describes him as a back able to pick up the tough yards going between the tackles.

Sources: ESPNet SportsZone, Raiders Fans Mail List, nfl.com

Thursday, July 10, 1997

Many readers have written recently to ask why I haven't updated this news section since June 28. The answer's simple: there's been no news to report. For those with short memories, every year it's dead during this time immediately preceding the start of training camp.

(I did have some heavy-duty computer problems, too, but still—no news is no news!)

How's this? Free agency ends next Tuesday. That's neither new nor news, but maybe it will satisfy some of you impatient readers.  :-)

Or this—the current roster limit is 80 players. Exciting, huh?

Finally, here's a bit of speculation, which is not news. (I define news as facts; I report news here, not gossip or pure speculation. I'll make an exception now, however, out of sympathy for you die-hards in need of a fix. :-) Look for at least one big-name Raider to be traded or released before the start of training camp on the 19th. Why do I say that? The salary cap dictates it.

The Raiders were right up against the cap before releasing Jeff Hostetler, which freed up $1.5 million. They may have renegotiated another contract or two behind the scenes, but they also signed Lionel Washington and Aaron Wallace. Assuming the team will spend its entire allotment of $2.99 million signing the six draft choices, that means the Raiders have to free up another mil and a half before the 19th.

Since the Raiders organization is about as open with the press as the National Security Council, news of any significant roster changes will probably come from the player's agent rather than the team, and probably not until the last minute—right around the 19th.

Who will it be? My guesses (pure speculation): Pat Swilling, Harvey Williams (via trade rather than outright release), or Anthony Smith, in order of likelihood.

Copyright © 1995-97, David E. Brooks.
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