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News Archive
April 1 - June 25, 1999
Oftentimes, what isn't said is as significant as what is. Case in point:
Chatting live on Raiders.com yesterday, starting QB Rich Gannon was asked about the Raider receivers after getting a chance to work with them in mini-camp. He replied, "I'm excited about our group. Obviously, with two veterans in Tim Brown and James Jett, I think we match up with any team in the league. With the addition of Horace Copeland and the emergence of Rodney Williams and Kenny Shedd and Terry Mickens, we feel like we are going to have a very strong group of receivers."
Not so much as a mention of Chris T. Jones there. Nor has coach Jon Gruden talked up Jones, even though he previously worked with him in Philly. Jones' signing back in February excited some Raiders fans, but truthfully he doesn't have any consistent track record in the NFL. With 12 receivers competing for 6 roster spots, this observer thinks Jones will have an uphill battle even making the active roster.
Source: Raiders.com
Where Are They Now Dept.: Desmond Howard has returned to the Packers, signing a multi-year contract.
Source: Sacramento Bee
The Contra Costa Times reported yesterday that 40-year-old backup QB Wade Wilson had an "impressive" mini-camp and could well be the team's No. 2 quarterback this season.
Yesterday the Raiders released T Scott Whittaker, who had been playing in NFL Europe this spring.
Whittaker, an undrafted free agent signed by the Raiders out of Kansas last season, made it to the final cut in 1998 training camp. He has great size and was described by the Raiders then as "promising" and a "mauler"—just what the coaches generally like to see in their linemen. Obviously, though, something was lacking . . .
Source: Raiders.com
New starting QB Rich Gannon will chat live with fans on Raiders.com this Thursday, June 24, at 4:00 p.m. PDT.
Heading into this weekend's mini-camp, the team released backup QB Heath Shuler, RB Harvey Williams, DE Kendel Shello, and DT Ta'ase Faumui, and signed DE Ferric Collons and WR Horace Copeland.
Shuler still wasn't 100% physically, and the Raiders apparently told him yesterday that they would release him. Shuler suffered crushed bones in his left foot in a November, 1997 game—ironically, against the Raiders, at the Coliseum—and hasn't played since. His father commented after son Heath's release that Shuler still has no layer of fat between the skin and bone in his foot.
Shuler, 27, told Knoxville radio station WNOX yesterday that he is quitting football because of the foot. He said his doctor had told him he couldn't have any more surgery to correct the injury,. Shuler said he fears "if I keep it up, I may have to go the rest of my life walking with a cane."
With Shuler's release and the indefinite sidelining of Andre Ware with a broken arm and shoulder suffered in Europe, Wade Wilson and Pat Barnes look to be locks for the backup quarterback spots on the roster.
Harvey Williams expressed "shock" at his release, but it wasn't difficult to foretell. The Raiders had 11 running backs on the roster, and Williams was due to make $1.5 million this year. Way too much for a back who'd produced little since his one 1000-yard season in 1995.
Williams also groused frequently about his lack of playing time. Although Napoleon Kaufman, whose locker was next to Williams', went out of his way today to tell reporters that Williams never complained, the facts were otherwise. No less a personage than Big Al himself had to sit down with Williams last year to placate him over the experiment at tight end, and after last season ended Williams was quoted as saying he might retire, that he'd have to "think it over".
Coach Jon Gruden, while praising Williams, also pointed out the obvious, that with the additions of Zack Crockett and Rashaan Salaam, not to mention the late-season play last year of Randy Jordan, the Raiders were somewhat overcrowded at the tailback spot.
The other two cuts were DE Kendel Shello and DT Ta'ase Faumui. Shello had been picked up as a restricted free agent to whom the Colts first made, then withdrew a salary offer. Faumui, who started out with the Steelers, was an undersized defensive tackle who spent most of the past two seasons on the Raiders' practice squad.
What about the new arrivals?
DE Ferric Collons returns to the team that originally drafted him after spending four years in New England. At 6-6 and 290 he has excellent size, and his strength is playing the run, so he might prove to be a good complement to Lance Johnstone. Collons should push James Harris for the starting "base end" spot, with rookie Tony Bryant, a Lance Johnstone clone (although heavier than Johnstone), backing up Johnstone as the speed rusher on the weak side.
WR Horace Copeland, 28, has the size the Raiders crave in a wideout—6-3, 205— but has never lived up to expectations in the NFL. With good speed, he ought to be a gamebreaker, yet between Tampa Bay and Miami last year, he didn't catch a single pass while suffering the indignity of being cut by both teams. Copeland's best season was with the Bucs in 1995, when he caught 35 balls for a 17.3 average per catch.
Sources: Associated Press, Oakland Tribune, Raiders.com. Photos from Raiders.com.
On Saturday, June 19, from 12:30-5:30 p.m., the inaugural Fan Appreciation Night Awards Barbecue will honor George "Run-Run" Jones, a Raider fixture. For the uninitiated, Run-Run is the white-haired fellow whom you see taking water and towels out to the players on the field during timeouts.
There's a lot of local history behind this event.
Long-time Bay Area residents will remember George Jones as a former member of the now-defunct Bay Area Bombers roller derby team. They skated at Kezar Pavilion in Golden Gate Park.
Jones was also married to the team's biggest star, Joanie Weston. When Joanie passed away several years ago, a large crowd turned out to say farewell.
The event will be held at the Oakland Airport Hilton on Hegenberger Road and will feature guest appearances by Raider head coach Jon Gruden, defensive line coach Mike Waufle, and Raider Hall-of-Famers Fred Biletnikoff and Willie Brown. There will also be fan awards, door prizes, player appearances, live music and dancing.
There is a $12.00 donation at the door, with all proceeds going to the Tracey Biletnikoff Foundation for Battered Women and Children.
For more information contact Tim Del Rosario at Raider Fan Magazine, 510-881-7667.
Source: Oakland Raiders Internet Boosters (ORIB)
The Raiders' training camp opening date has been pushed back for all players to July 23. Camp will end Aug. 20.
Source: The Sports Xchange
The Raiders made two roster changes of significance yesterday.
After several days of speculation, the team signed free agent CB/PR Darrien Gordon to a three-year contract. Gordon, a Stanford product and 6-year NFL vet, spent the last two seasons with Denver. He came up big for the Donkeys in January's Super Bowl with two fourth-quarter interceptions which he returned for 108 yards to set up two TDs. He previously played for San Diego from 1993-96, and has played under Raiders defensive coordinator Willie Shaw in San Diego and also at Stanford.
As a youngster in the league Gordon, 28, was a very promising cornerback, but two rotator cuff surgeries during the 1995 offseason cost him that entire year. He's still a decent corner with some big play ability. He has always excelled as a punt returner and is a Grade A playmaker on special teams. Gordon holds the all-time NFL record for career punt return average (13.2).
The Raiders also hope he'll provide depth in the secondary. He's expected to back up Eric Allen on the right corner.
Gordon's acquisition made KR/WR Desmond Howard expendable, and the Raiders released him. The writing had been on the wall since January, when Howard was one of the five players exposed to the expansion draft for the new Browns franchise.
Unlike Gordon, Howard was never productive at any 'regular' position. He often expressed his desire to play at wide receiver, but caught only 6 passes in his two years with the Silver and Black. He came to the Raiders with a reputation as a receiver who was easily jammed at the line of scrimmage and had difficulty getting open consistently.
Coach Jon Gruden was diplomatic when asked if Howard had been a flop as a receiver.
"I don't know that I would say he has been unsuccessful," said Gruden. "I do know he's been on different teams. When you go from Washington to Jacksonville to Green Bay to Oakland, sometimes it's difficult to get into a rhythm."
"We know he will be a factor for somebody. It just didn't work out here."
As for the cap impact of the moves, Gordon's three-year, $9 million deal is heavily backloaded and will count only $675,000 toward this year's cap. The contract includes a $500,000 signing bonus, a $500,000 salary for this season, and about $1 million in incentives. In effect, he will have to produce this year in order to see the second and third years of the deal. Howard drew a fat salary but had also renegotiated his contract last year. His release now actually costs the Raiders $100,000 toward the cap.
Sources: The Sports Xchange, San Francisco Chronicle
Where Are They Now Dept.: Former Raider QB Todd Marinovich, the team's No. 1 draft pick in 1994, signed with the BC Lions of the Canadian League.
Sources: Associated Press, Oakland Tribune
The Raiders signed free agent FS Charles Mincy, an 8-year NFL veteran who played with Tampa Bay the past three seasons. Mincy's at least average at his position, and while he won't remind anyone of Jack Tatum, he does make big plays on occasion.
Oakland also signed DE Kendel Shello, a restricted free agent to whom the Colts first tendered, then rescinded, an offer for this season.
Source: Raiders.com
Raiders coaches and players will be appearing at Six Flags Marine World in Vallejo, CA on Saturday, May 1st.
Source: Raiders.com
Where Are They Now Dept.: DT Jerry Ball has signed with Cleveland. The old Browns were Ball's first team.
This observer still fondly recalls Ball returning an interception for 76 yards and a TD in 1996. :-)
RB Joe Aska scored a TD for Frankfurt of NFL Europe last weekend.
Source: Associated Press
The Raiders have agreed to terms with QB Heath Shuler, last with New Orleans. According to the Knoxville Sentinel-Journal, the contract will run two years, with Shuler receiving $400,000 this season and $800,000 in 2000. He'll presumably be Rich Gannon's backup.
Shuler was to attend the three-day mini-camp beginning today.
The Oakland Tribune reports that Oakland is close to a deal with RB Charlie Garner, waived by Philadelphia earlier this week. This one is something of a puzzler, since the Raiders need a bruiser and Garner is a back more along the lines of Napoleon Kaufman — diminutive but very quick.
Finally, former Raider James Trapp, an unrestricted free agent, signed with Baltimore.
As expected, the Raiders were busy this week signing college players who went undrafted last weekend.
The team announced it has signed the following players: OL Lamar Banks, Delaware State; RB Marlon Barnes, Colorado; WR James Battle, Oregon State; RB Marques Brigham, Wyoming; LB Bobby Brooks, Fresno State; OL Mike Cipa, Central Michigan; OL Aaron Dalan, Washington; QB Scott Dreisbach, Michigan; RB Kelvin Eafon, Arizona; DB Mitchell Freedman, Arizona State; TE Randy Palmer, Texas A&I Kingsville; OL Rob Rainville, Washington State; S Marcus Ray, Michigan; WR Creig Spann, Arizona State; and LB Sam Sword, Michigan.
Source: Raiders.com
On Monday the Raiders signed undrafted QB Brian Kuklick of Wake Forest.
Source: Associated Press
Complete info on the Raiders' draft picks is available here.
Sixth round: Oakland selected DT Daren Yancey of Brigham Young.
Seventh round: The Raiders chose OLB JoJuan Armour of Miami (Ohio).
Fifth round: The Raiders took ILB Eric Barton of Maryland at No. 13 (146 overall) and DE Roderick Coleman of East Carolina at No. 20 (153). Coleman, a tweener, will probably be moved to outside backer. Barton is also seen by many scouts as better suited to the outside than middle.
The Raiders have just traded one of the 5th-round picks acquired from Pittsburgh (No. 163 overall) to Green Bay for a sixth-round pick (No. 188) and past considerations.
Source: ESPNet SportsZone
With the No. 7 pick in the fourth round the Raiders selected WR Dameane Douglas of Cal, 6-0, 190—a possession receiver.
Last night coach Jon Gruden had said the team would work the phones in hopes of getting some more picks. Today Oakland traded its third-round pick in 2000 to Pittsburgh for two 1999 5th-round picks, Nos. 146 and 163 overall. That gives the Raiders three selections in the fifth round.
Sources: San Jose Mercury News, ESPNet SportsZone
According to The Sporting News, the Raiders tried hard to trade for a second pick in the late first round but couldn't swing it. They reportedly offered Minnesota their 2nd- and 3rd-round picks as well as either TE Rickey Dudley or nickel back Perry Carter, but the Vikes, selecting at No. 29, turned them down.
In the second round Oakland traded its second, third and fourth-round picks (Nos. 48, 78, and 111 overall) to Chicago in return for No. 9 in the second (40 overall) and No. 7 in the fourth (102 overall). The Raiders used the 2nd-round selection to take DE Tony Bryant of Florida State. Bryant is variously listed as 6-3½ to 6-4 and 268 to 276 pounds.
With the No. 18 pick in the first round, the Raiders picked T Matt Stinchcomb of Georgia. He's 6-5½ and 300 pounds.
In a brief press conference immediately afterward, coach Jon Gruden said Stinchcomb will play at left tackle behind Mo Collins.
Draft coverage on television: Today, ESPN, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; ESPN2, 4-7 p.m. Tomorrow: ESPN, 8-10 a.m.; ESPN2, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Crystal ball time: The Raiders stand pat at No. 18 in the first round and select either QB Cade McNown, if he's still available, or a tackle.
It will be interesting to see whom Minnesota takes with their first-round pick today. Some draft experts expect the Vikes to draft a "quarterback of the future," which would indicate that they don't project Jeff George as a starter after Randall Cunningham retires.
The Raiders have agreed to pay Leon Bender's family the remaining half of his $1.2 million signing bonus.
This observer is pleased to see the team doing what's clearly the right thing under the sad circumstances. Bender received half the bonus upon signing with the Raiders last May, but after his sudden death the Raiders initially took the position that they were not obligated to pay the rest. When Bender's widow, Lisa, was introduced at the House of Thrills prior to a home game last year, fans booed to express their displeasure with the Raiders' stance.
Senior assistant Bruce Allen said the matter "will be resolved favorably for the family, and that was our whole initial objective."
"There's nothing that we were ever trying to avoid. We wanted to make it the best way we could for the family."
Source: San Jose Mercury News
Dallas has signed former Raider WR Rocket Ismail to a $21.5 million contract. This is not a joke . . . at least not yet. :-)
Source: Associated Press
There was a rumor yesterday, denied by the Raiders, that they might swing a deal with Indianapolis for RB Marshall Faulk. The thinking apparently was that the Colts, with the fourth pick, would be able to get either Ricky Williams or Edgerrin James, making Faulk expendable.
Whether or not the teams were in fact talking, this deal isn't going to happen. Indy traded Faulk to St. Louis today for two draft picks.
Source: Associated Press
Where Are They Now Dept: Ex-Raider QB Todd Marinovich, 29, the team's first-round draft pick in 1991, has been OK'd by the NFL to pursue an attempted comeback. According to his agent, six teams have expressed interest in Marinovich.
More: LB Rob Fredrickson signed a relatively fat four-year deal with Arizona this past week, and WR Raghib Ismail agreed to terms with Dallas.
Sources: Associated Press, Oakland Tribune
The NFL announced the league's 1999 schedule yesterday. You'll find the Raiders' schedule here.
In addition to the previously announced Monday night exhibition with the Whiners, Oakland will appear on Monday Night Football at Denver on Nov. 22, and in nationally televised ESPN evening games against Seattle (Oct. 3) and Tennessee (Dec. 9).
There's an extended account of Bo Jackson's electrifying game at the Seattle Kingdome linked in the Articles section.
Minnesota is offering ex-Raider QB Jeff George a one-year contract, incentive-laden but with little up front, to back up Randall Cunningham.
Source: ESPNet SportsZone
