Silver and Black Report

Drew Carter has been all smiles since arriving in Oakland

By Victor Cotto, S&B Report Staff Columnist

Carter’s Commitment

All signs are positive in Oakland for one of their acquisitions this off-season. Drew Carter inked a one-year $2 million contract in March and has been a fixture at the team’s facility working out and getting in sync with JaMarcus Russell. Last season, for a second year in a row, Carter set career marks, posting 38-receptions, 517-yards and four touchdowns. And that was on a team with an unstable situation at quarterback that ended the season with the 29^th ranked pass attack in the league.

Now Carter looks to boast an aerial attack that was 31^st in the league, but unlike in Carolina, he has a strong-armed passer to match his best attribute – getting deep.

“Drew has been here the whole off-season and working with [Russell], so I think you are starting to see them gel a little bit,” said head coach Lane Kiffin.

Carter will be one of the four pass catchers that Kiffin will depend on to ignite a dormant passing game.

His speed and strengths as a down field target were needed to compliment Russell and add some diversity to a unit that was in dire need of big plays from that spot. Ronald Curry should feel more comfortable in a complimentary role, Javon Walker they hope can bounce back after injuries slowed him down in 2007, and with the development of Zack Miller, who looks to already have a connection with Russell, the Raiders passing game should be able to hold up their end of the bargain and round out an offense that already has a very formidable ground attack.

1^st round talents are their handling their workload

With Russell and Darren McFadden, Oakland has the foundation to an explosive attack. And so far, both have hit it off and begun the learning process together.

“It’s been good to have them together. I think they’ve hit it off pretty well,” commented Kiffin during last week’s practice.

The second year coach wants them to absorb much of the playbook now in preparation for training camp and the pre-season when they can implement their education to the football field.

“We’re going to keep throwing more stuff at ‘em,” said Kiffin. McFadden has been talked about as a multi-dimensional weapon that will be utilize as a receiver and runner once he gets a good grasp of the offense. But with his natural abilities, Oakland will surely hand the ball to the 4^th overall choice on many downs and let him do what he does best.

What will make him a true star is when the Raiders open up the playbook and let him showcase his many skills. And the building blocks for that will occur now during organized team activities.

Kiffin was quoted, “I think we are going to try stay with more stuff and slow up a lil’ bit later. He is doing a phenomenal job of mentality being able to handle it. Physical, is being very easy on him.”