Silver and Black Report

By Victor Cotto, S&B Report Staff Columnist

Is there such a thing as rebuilding in the NFL?

In this age of pro football, the way the league structures the salary cap, the impact free-agency can have on clubs and the importance of the draft and importing talent through that avenue, has made rebuilding obsolete and reloading the trend.

The Oakland Raiders and Al Davis have always lived by that motto, but in recent years, they have not been able to balance the equation for retooling and the results on the field have been a calamity.

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By Eric Strauss, S&B Report Staff Columnist

David White of the San Francisco Chronicle is reporting the Raiders have added former assistant coach Keith Rowen to the front office’s personnel department.

White cites league sources in reporting on the return of the team’s offensive line coach in 1997 and 1998. The Raiders have not announced a move, nor is Rowen listed on Raiders.com.

Rowen, the Atlanta Falcons’ tight ends coach last season, made headlines a couple of years ago when, as the Arizona Cardinals’ offensive coordinator, he was scapegoated for the come-from-ahead loss to the Chicago Bears that led to Dennis Green’s infamous “they are who we thought they were!” rant. His demotion after the loss led to a grievance against the team, which he eventually withdrew. Read more…

By Eric Strauss, S&B Report Staff Columnist

As some of you who have followed my work over at Raiderfans.net know, a few years ago, I started something called the Raiders Research Project, which has been an ongoing — albeit sporadic — effort to create a one-stop-shopping site for Raiders information.

Well, I’m pleased to announce that, with Bob Carr’s permission and encouragement, I’m moving the project here, to Silver & Black Report.

This may be a slow, painful process, but watch the “Pages” list to the right for updates.

The first Project, the “Unofficial Raiderfans.net roster,” is already here.

Now, I’m pleased to announce the arrival of the third Project, the NFL Europe allocation list. It’s the first spring without developmental football in several years, but as I think you’ll be able to see from the Project, the Raiders aren’t really going to miss it.

Enjoy! And watch for the rest of the projects, and new ones, coming soon to S&B Report!

Javon Walker securing a pass during practice in Alameda last week 

By Victor Cotto, S&B Report Staff Columnist

What should be the biggest concern on offense for the Oakland Raiders?

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GIBRIL WILSON

• STRONG SAFETY
• No: 28
• Height: 6’0
• Weight: 210
• Birth date: 11/12/1981
• College: Tennessee
• Acquired: Signed as an Unrestricted Free Agent during the 2008 off-season (2/29)

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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.

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Oakland Raiders Head Coach Lane Kiffin

By Eric Strauss, S&B Report Staff Columnist

As Lane Kiffin embarks on his second season as Raiders head coach — with the dubious distinction of being the first coach to survive a 12-loss year under owner Al Davis — he is not only trying to save his job, he is trying to avoid moving one step closer to some ignoble history. Read more…

By Victor Cotto, S&B Report Staff Columnist

As a collegiate in Texas, Michael Huff was an All-America because of his versatility, nose for the football and playmaking ability as a free-safety.

Whether around the line of scrimmage in run support or dropping back in coverage, Huff was able to use his tremendous athleticism to impact the teams he played for.

But since arriving in Oakland as the seventh overall draft pick in 2006, the Raiders have restrained him, limiting his potential and not maximizing his skill set by playing him at strong safety.

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JAY RICHARDSON

• DEFENSIVE END
• No: 98
• Height: 6’6
• Weight: 280
• Birth date: 01/27/1984
• College: Ohio State
• Acquired: Selected in the 5^th round (138 overall) of the 2007 NFL Entry Draft

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JaMarcus Russell on the Raiders practice field Thursday 

In this edition of Five Questions & Answers, the Silver & Black Report assesses some of the highlights from the Oakland Raiders’ practice on Thursday. JaMarcus Russell’s development was one topic of conversation during Lane Kiffin’s media meet-up along with his rapport with one of his newest targets. It’s time to give you the skinny on what’s going and what we can expect in the coming weeks.

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