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News Archive
Oct. 1 - Dec. 23, 1998
He loves me, he loves me not . . . Coach Jon Gruden has changed his mind and won't include CB Charles Woodson in this week's offensive game plan after all.
Now KC Coach Marty Schottenheimer can relax and get back to one of the things he does really well—whipping up team hysteria whenever the coming opponent is the Raiders.
Sources: umpteen
Preliminary injury report, released today by the NFL:
Oakland: Out: S Eric Turner (foot). Doubtful: QB Jeff George (groin). Questionable: DT Grady Jackson (shoulder); RB Napoleon Kaufman (groin). Probable: G Darryl Ashmore (wrist); LB James Folston (hamstring); S Anthony Newman (toe); CB Marquis Walker (elbow).
Kansas City: Chiefs: Out: G-T Pete Swanson (abdomen). Questionable: CB Dale Carter (arm); T Jeff Criswell (foot); QB Rich Gannon (foot/knee); LB Jerrott Willard (hamstring). Probable: WR Derrick Alexander (knee); LB Donnie Edwards (hip); WR Kevin Lockett (ankle); RB Bam Morris (toe); DE Leslie O'Neal (thigh); G-T Glen Parker (knee); C-G Jeff Smith (knee).
Source: USA Today
Chiefs CB Dale Carter is likely to miss his second straight game because of a cracked bone in his forearm. He's officially listed as questionable.
Elvis "Can I Buy a Vowel" Grbac will get the start at quarterback over banged-up Rich Gannon.
Sources: Associated Press, Kansas City Star
OK, you're an incurable optimist, and as you correctly point out, the fat lady has yet to sing. So what do the Raiders need?
In addition to the Silver and Black winning both their remaining games, both Tennessee and New England must lose. That's enough for now . . . one week at a time.
Scenarios for other teams in playoff contention were sketched out early this week in a Dec. 16 AP article. And don't miss yesterday's musings in the Oakland Tribune.
Sources: Associated Press, San Francisco Examiner, Oakland Tribune
Here's the NFL's preliminary injury report for Sunday:
Raiders: Out: S Eric Turner (foot). Doubtful: DT Grady Jackson (shoulder). Questionable: QB Jeff George (groin); CB Marquis Walker (elbow). Probable: RB Napoleon Kaufman (groin); S Albert Lewis (concussion); S Anthony Newman (toe); RB Harvey Williams (hip).
Chargers: Out: LB Lew Bush (knee). Doubtful: RB Natrone Means (foot). Questionable: LS David Binn (shoulder); TE John Burke (shoulder); CB Terrance Shaw (knee).
Source: ESPNet SportsZone
Starting right guard Derrick Graham was placed on injured reserve Monday, officially because he was still suffering from a back injury suffered Dec. 6 against Miami. In fact, Graham had missed a good deal of playing time throughout the season. An already shaky offensive line now becomes even shakier as Graham, an adequate lineman, is replaced by revolving door Darryl Ashmore.
Rookie OLB Travian Smith, he of the great speed but unpolished skills, was promoted from the practice squad to fill Graham's spot.
Source: San Jose Mercury News
QB Wade Wilson will start again this week. At least one paper (the Press Democrat) claimed it was because Gruden had no faith in Donald Hollas. The more accurate and responsible Oakland Tribune pointed out that Hollas is still injured. (It's a little tough to take snaps with strained ligaments in your wrist.)
Some media speculated this week that the Raiders might move to Chicago, based on a casual remark made by Chicago's mayor. Zzzzzzzzzzz . . .
Source: does it matter???
Punter Leo Araguz and placekicker Greg Davis will chat live on Raiders.com this afternoon at 4:30 p.m. Pacific.
With returner Desmond Howard unlikely to play Sunday because of a jammed neck, expect to see either old pro Tim Brown or rookie Rodney Williams returning punts. Charles Woodson has reportedly been campaigning for the job, but this observer thinks the coaches will conclude that Woodson's already busy enough trying—together with FS Albert Lewis—to hold together the team's patchwork secondary.
Starting FS Eric Turner's already been listed as definitely out for Miami, and SS Anthony Newman continues to be listed as questionable.
Sources: San Jose Mercury News, Sacramento Bee, San Francisco Chronicle, Contra Costa Times
The media is squarely—and fairly, in this observer's view—raising the issue of whether QB Jeff George has the leadership qualities and mental toughness that the Raiders' slumbering offense needs so badly. Even Manny Baldenegro, editor of the popular SABER newsletter, questioned in yesterday's issue whether George is the right quarterback for the Raiders.
The debate follows George's unilateral announcement that his season is over. He apparently didn't clear his comments, made Monday on his local radio talk show, with any of the coaching staff beforehand. Now George is no longer talking when asked about the subject.
Where Are They Now Dept.: Big-time free agent bust CB Larry Brown has gotten another chance with . . . Dallas, of all teams. The Cowpies, beset with injuries in their secondary, signed their former 12th-round draft pick again yesterday.
Source: Associated Press
The NFL's preliminary injury report for Sunday's game:
Oakland: Out: S Eric Turner (foot). Doubtful: QB Jeff George (groin). Questionable: WR Desmond Howard (neck); S Anthony Newman (ankle-toe). Probable: P Leo Araguz (shoulder); TE Derek Brown (ankle); DT Grady Jackson (shoulder); WR James Jett (knee); DE Pat Swilling (knee).
Miami: Out: G Kevin Donnalley (knee); T Richmond Webb (tricep). Questionable: TE Troy Drayton (hand); WR Oronde Gadsden (toe). Probable: DE Trace Armstrong (hip); G John Bock (wrist); T James Brown (neck); S Calvin Jackson (ankle); RB Bernie Parmalee (shoulder).
A decision on QB Jeff George won't be made until at least tomorrow, and possibly not until Sunday. George practiced at full speed yesterday for the first time since re-aggravating his torn groin muscles against Baltimore.
"We're not going to make a decision right now," said coach Jon Gruden. "Donald Hollas is our starting quarterback. . . . Jeff said he's fine, he said he's fine, but we want to make sure he's fine. We're going to do what's right."
RB Napoleon Kaufman said yesterday there's nothing wrong with his ankle. Gruden contradicted that by telling reporters that Kaufman's injury "has hampered him off and on." This observer is inclined to believe Gruden on this one . . .
S Eric Turner is definitely out for the game, and S Anthony Newman is questionable.
Sources: Sacramento Bee, Contra Costa Times
The Raiders signed Ta'ase Faumui to the practice squad yesterday and cut RB Reynard Rutherford. Faumui's been in training camp with the Raiders the past two seasons and played in the NFL Europe league last spring.
Source: Contra Costa Times
CB Eric Allen underwent surgery for his torn knee ligament Wednesday, and the Raiders put him on the injured reserve list.
"I understand (the surgery) went well," said coach Jon Gruden. "He'll begin rehab (today), knowing Eric. We expect a full recovery."
With Allen relegated to IR status, the Raiders filled their active roster opening by signing corner William "Bucky" Brooks, 27, a three-year NFL veteran last with Kansas City. With Allen gone, S Eric Turner still not able to play and S Anthony Newman nursing a swollen ankle, the team is seriously depleted in the secondary.
The Raiders also waived special teams player John Henry Mills from the injured reserve list after reaching an injury settlement with him. Mills, 29, had no fixed position, although he was variously listed as a fullback and linebacker.
Finally, the team signed former Cal RB Reynard Rutherford to the practice squad. Rutherford spent last year on San Francisco's practice squad.
Roster moves: You won't find it on Raiders.com, or ESPNet SportsZone, or even NFL.com, but the Raiders did finally move DT Chuck Osborne to the Injured Reserve list some time prior to last Sunday's game. It took a visit to CBS Sportsline to confirm what had to be true to make the roster numbers come out right.
As previously reported, Pat Harlow was IR'd on Saturday, so two roster spots were open. Signed to the active roster for the game were practice squad members QB Pat Barnes, who was the emergency quarterback again, and FB Jermaine Williams, who started and played extensively.
After the game the Raiders again waived Barnes, waited 24 hours, and re-claimed him to a practice squad spot. They also re-signed former third-round draft pick G-T Tim Kohn yesterday, but this time to the practice squad.
All of this maneuvering leaves the Raiders with one open spot on the 53-man roster.
Finally, being the Raiders, none of this was announced by the team. The beat reporters for local newspapers dug it up.
Sources: Sacramento Bee, Contra Costa Times
Hi and Bye: Cut from the practice squad—even before anyone knew he'd been signed—was DL Duane Ashman, a first-year player out of Virginia. In 1998 Ashman has spent time on the practice squads of three different teams—Denver, Chicago and Oakland—as well as played in NFL Europe.
Source: ESPNet SportsZone
An MRI on RG Derrick Graham was negative, but he was held out of practice yesterday with a "sore knee." Let's hope that's not a euphemism for another recently 'scoped knee . . .
QB Jeff George practiced yesterday for the first time since his injury, but not at full speed, and is very unlikely to play against Seattle. Coach Jon Gruden as much as named Donald Hollas the starter on Tuesday.
FB Jermaine Williams was impressive with his blocking Sunday and appears likely to stick on the active roster. In fact, he looked considerably more effective than Jon Ritchie. This observer wouldn't be a bit surprised to see Williams gradually usurp the starting role. The Raiders have kept up a strong front about Ritchie's effectiveness as a lead blocker, but his absence wasn't even noticeable Sunday as the Raiders enjoyed by far their best rushing performance of the year.
Sources: Sacramento Bee, Contra Costa Times
Where Are They Now?: Ex-Raider LB Rob Holmberg was signed yesterday by the New York Jets.
Source: Associated Press
Injury Report:
Oakland: Out: QB Jeff George (groin); T Pat Harlow (back); S Eric Turner (foot); FB Jon Ritchie (knee); OLB James Folston (hamstring). Questionable: TE Jeremy Brigham (foot). Probable: FB John Henry Mills (hamstring).
Cincinnati: Out: G Mike Goff (knee). Questionable: LB James Francis (groin); LS Greg Truitt (neck). Probable: G Rich Braham (knee).
Sources: NFL.com, Oakland Tribune
Coach Jon Gruden's blood alcohol results came back yesterday, and he was over the legal limit at the time of his DUI arrest. The Alameda County District Attorney's office filed formal charges today.
Gruden apologized to fans yesterday when the news broke.
"It's a legal matter," he said. "I've apologized to the football team and to the organization. I'd like to apologize to Raiders fans and anybody out there I've offended."
"I know it will be treated fairly. I've learned something."
Under California law Gruden will be charged with two different offenses. One is driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) higher than .08%. (Gruden's blood sample showed a BAC of .1%.) The second charge amounts to driving while impaired.
His next hearing is Nov. 9. The likelihood is that a plea bargain will be entered into on that date.
Sources: Associated Press, Oakland Tribune, San Francisco Chronicle
After a very quiet weekend in which the media as well as the Raiders presumably enjoyed the bye, there's some important news to report.
Yesterday the Raiders signed ex-Saint LB Ernest Dixon, a four-year veteran who can play all three linebacker positions, to a two-year contract. Dixon, 6-1 and 245, is another player who's served previously under defensive coordinator Willie Shaw.
Dixon was released by New Orleans at the end of last season and cut by Carolina this year during the pre-season.
"It's very comfortable here," said Dixon. "I know some people here, and I know they're people that already respect you as a player and everything like that. You couldn't get a better feeling coming into a new organization."
Cut to make room was DT Jeff Zgonina, signed only last week to replace injured DT Chuck Osborne. And on the practice squad, recent signee Jon Hesse, a linebacker, was cut, and CB Kevin Franklin re-signed.
Senior assistant Bruce Allen said last Thursday in a Raiders.com chat that Osborne would be placed on injured reserve yesterday. That would have left a roster spot open. Oddly, it appears the Raiders have yet to IR Osborne. Why the Osborne designation wasn't done last week, or yesterday at least, so that the Raiders could keep Zgonina on the roster, escapes this observer . . . The team does need another defensive tackle.
Getting back to the linebacker front, James Folston hopes to play this Sunday.
"I feel about 60 or 70 percent," said Folston. "There's a pretty good chance I'll be able to play. I'm healing pretty fast."
Sources: San Jose Mercury News, Contra Costa Times, Oakland Tribune
I Told You So Dept.: The Raiders didn't exactly rush to announce that rookie FB Jon Ritchie has torn cartilage in one knee. According to the Contra Costa Times, Ritchie suffered the injury last Thursday in practice. The Times reports that backup C Adam Treu said Ritchie underwent an arthroscopy on the knee the following day. Ritchie's now officially listed as questionable for Sunday's game against Cincinnati and was held out of practice Monday.
The Raiders' spin on it? A "sore knee", according to Gruden. ;-)
Said Gruden, "We'll have a better feel for it Wednesday, but I would say right now he's questionable based on how he ran today."
With no other genuine fullback on the roster, the Raiders are in some deep doo-doo if Ritchie's at anything less than full capacity. Once again the shortsighted release of Chad Levitt comes to mind . . . especially since the Raiders also lack a short yardage running back who can move the pile.
Barring an incredible rash of injuries, Randy Jordan won't see any action this year other than on special teams, and Levitt, to my knowledge, hasn't been signed by any other team. What's more, he knows the offense. The Raiders ought to recognize their mistake and re-sign Levitt.
Sources: Contra Costa Times, San Jose Mercury News, Oakland Tribune
Late update: In a live chat on Raiders.com earlier today, senior assistant Bruce Allen said the Raiders will put DT Chuck Osborne on injured reserve Monday.
To make roster room to sign DT Jeff Zgonina, the Raiders put QB Pat Barnes on waivers late Monday, gambling that he wouldn't be claimed by another team. He wasn't, and after 24 hours the Raiders re-signed him, but to the practice squad rather than the active roster. The practice squad casualty: CB Kevin Franklin.
The Raiders apparently hope Chuck Osborne will be able to return this year, because—at least for now—he remains on the roster.
Sources: San Francisco Examiner, San Francisco Chronicle
Getting less publicity than Jeff George or Eric Turner injury-wise is LB James Folston. What was first described as a toe injury is now that plus a hamstring pull, and he's not practicing. The injuries were considered serious enough that Terry Wooden started in place of Folston against San Diego. And it was because of Folston's absence on special teams that the mixup occurred which necessitated Tim Brown's running on the field for the extra point that won the game. Without Brown's quick thinking, the Raiders would have been a man short and drawn a flag.
Folston's hamstring pull is bad enough that coach Jon Gruden said this week that Folston's doubtful for the Cincinnati game after the bye week.
Sources: (Santa Rosa) Press Democrat, Contra Costa Times
Roster moves: The Raiders signed veteran DT Jeff Zgonina yesterday to replace Chuck Osborne, who's gone for the year with a ligament tear.
Zgonina, 28, has played for Pittsburgh, Carolina, Atlanta and St. Louis. The Rams released him during this year's pre-season. He's a reasonably stout run-stopper.
There's nothing official yet on the move the Raiders would have had to make to clear a roster space for Zgonina. Presumably Osborne was placed on injured reserve.
The Raiders also brought in five players, including three quarterbacks, for workouts yesterday: QBs Will Furrer, Ron Powlus and James Ritchey; T Cory Louchiey; and WR Kio Sanford.
Of the quarterbacks, according to the San Francisco Chronicle, Furrer is the only one Oakland will consider signing, depending on Jeff George's condition.
The tackle tryout leads this observer to believe that Pat Harlow's chronic back troubles are likely to sideline him for much if not most of the remaining season.
Sources: San Jose Mercury News, San Francisco Chronicle, Sacramento Bee
Sunday's squeaker over San Diego has proved to be costly indeed to the Raiders. MRI exams performed yesterday revealed that DT Chuck Osborne has an ACL tear, and S Eric Turner has a foot sprain severe enough that coach Jon Gruden says Turner's likely to miss "a few weeks."
Oddly, the Raiders say Osborne's only "probably" out for the year. But realistically, how likely is it that a 300-pounder could rehab that severe an injury in the eleven weeks remaining in the regular season? This observer expects the team to put Osborne on the injured reserve list—meaning he can't play again this year—and make a roster move to acquire another defensive tackle.
Speaking of roster moves, today is the NFL deadline for trades. Disgruntled Mike Morton, who lost his starting outside linebacker job to Richard Harvey, has gone public this week with his demand to be traded. But Morton himself admits the Raiders are ignoring him.
Morton will be an unrestricted free agent after this season and says he won't be back.
Sources: Contra Costa Times, San Francisco Chronicle, San Jose Mercury News
As if he didn't already have enough on his mind with the team's offensive problems, Gruden was stopped for driving under the influence Sunday evening some three hours after the game. Gruden asked for a blood test, the results of which won't be known for about 10 days.
Gruden's non-comment: "Nothing's official. I can't comment on that. We'll wait to see if justice prevails. I'm confident it will. I'll have something official to say at a later date."
Source: Contra Costa Times
Finally, QB Wade Wilson's last-minute bomb to James Jett has been compared by several writers to the comebacks engineered by the legendary George Blanda during his Miracle Season in 1970. You can find a summary of his feats that year, as well as other famous Raider games, on the Raiders Fans Home Page, which is housed on this site.
Update: S Eric Turner will chat live on Raiders.com today at 5:30 p.m. Pacific.
MRI results have revealed that QB Jeff George has a torn groin muscle, and despite a lot of contrary spin from the Raiders, he's likely to be out eight weeks, according to two Raiders sources quoted by the Contra Costa Times.
"Jeff does have a muscle tear, said coach Jon Gruden, "and it's more severe than we hoped. ... You never know how a guy's going to respond to a muscle injury."
There's better news in the case of RB Napoleon Kaufman; he says he can play Sunday against San Diego.
As expected, the Raiders activated former Cal QB Pat Barnes off the practice squad yesterday to serve as the emergency quarterback in George's absence. Wade Wilson will move up to No. 2 on the depth chart. The roster space for Barnes was created Tuesday when the team waived LB Aaron Wallace—once thought to have a promising future—with an injury settlement.
Barnes, in his second year, is big and strong-armed but green. He played one year under Whiners coach Steve Mariucci at Cal, so he has had some experience running a West Coast offense. He was cut by Kansas City during the pre-season and has no regular-game NFL experience.
Signed to the practice squad in Barnes's place was LB Jon Hesse from Nebraska, a seventh-round pick by Jacksonville last year.
Sources: Contra Costa Times, Sacramento Bee, San Francisco Chronicle, San Jose Mercury News
Coach Jon Gruden said Monday that because of the ankle injury suffered Sunday by RB Napoleon Kaufman, he's considering using S Calvin Branch as a backup running back. Branch practiced with the offense Monday.
I Told You So Department: If Kaufman can't play, after Harvey Williams the backups are Randy Jordan and Branch, who played halfback at Colorado State. Branch cracked a bone in his thumb Sunday.
Where's Chad Levitt when we need him?
Source: (Santa Rosa) Press Democrat
Bitter irony: An impeccable source tells me that the late Tim Hall was cut in preseason because of a groin pull. Had the Raiders shown some patience with the injury, Hall wouldn't have been in Kansas City last week and would still be very much alive today. And the Raiders could use him right now.
The agent for FB Craig Heyward said yesterday that his client is close to signing a one-year, $850,000 deal with Indianapolis.
Now you can see why Heyward was never really a feasible option for the Raiders, despite all the cheerleading by DE James Harris. Heyward requires a lot of meal money . . .
Associated Press (Nando.net)
SS Anthony Newman was due to resume practicing yesterday after a long period of inactivity necessitated by his groin pull. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the Raiders are anxious to have Newman back in the lineup because they consider him to be a leader.
Does anyone agree with this observer that the tandem of Eric Turner, moved to strong safety, and Mr. Class, Albert Lewis, starting at free safety, has been great? Turner brings both tackling and coverage ability to the strong side, while Albert's corner instincts suit him well at free safety. With Newman at strong safety there's a definite dropoff in coverage skills. Even more so with journeyman Louis Riddick, who's been out with a quad injury.
I'd like to see the current defensive lineup remain just as it is. IMHO, Albert Lewis is not washed up, or anything close to it. And the D hasn't exactly been playing like it's in need of more leadership. The Raiders are ranked 7th in overall defense.
Injuries from the Dallas game: Coach Jon Gruden said in his postgame news conference on Monday that the two players about which he was most concerned were James Harris, who re-aggravated his groin pull, and John Henry Mills, who re-aggravated his hamstring.
Source: The Gate
According to a source very close to the Raiders, free agent FB Craig "Ironhead" Heyward will not be signed by the Raiders.
The Raiders are looking for a blocking fullback, not a short yardage runner. They like Heyward's blocking ability, but he's asking for too much money.
The NFL's preliminary injury report for Sunday:
Oakland: Questionable: DE James Harris (groin); RB John Henry Mills (hamstring); S Anthony Newman (groin); CB Marquis Walker (knee). Probable: WR James Jett (ankle); T Lincoln Kennedy (shoulder); S Louis Riddick (quadricep); DT Darrell Russell (ankle).
Dallas: Out: QB Troy Aikman (clavicle); DT Antonio Anderson (knee); LB Nate Hemsley (ankle). Questionable: RB Emmitt Smith (groin); RB Chris Warren (groin). Probable: DT Chad Hennings (ankle); DT Leon Lett (knee); RB Sherman Williams (knee).
Source: ESPNet SportsZone
G Steve Wisniewski will chat live on Raiders.com this Thursday, Sept. 24, at 6:00 p.m. Pacific.
The game did not sell out by 1:00 p.m. yesterday, so there will be a local television blackout.
Injury report:
Raiders—T Lincoln Kennedy (shoulder), S Anthony Newman (groin), FB John Henry Mills (hamstring), questionable; WR/KR Desmond Howard (hamstring), S Louis Riddick (quadriceps), DT Darrell Russell (ankle), probable.
Broncos—G David Diaz-Infante (knee), DE Ernest Jones (knee), out; QB John Elway (hamstring), WR Justin Armour (knee), DT Keith Traylor (ankle), questionable; CB Darrien Gordon (shoulder), RB Detron Smith (leg), probable.
According to OFMA, although ticket sales are "brisk," the Raiders are unlikely to sell out by 1:00 p.m. today to avoid a local television blackout of Sunday's game.
"We still have a ways to go," said Richard Rogers. "We would need a record number of sales to lift the blackout."
Source: San Jose Mercury News
