Silver and Black Report

• JaMarcus Russell participated during all workouts today. The coaches limited him to short passes as a precaution. Otherwise, he looked like he was in no discomfort. Russell did throw one ball 50 yards. Russell humbly admitted that he only used his wrist in making the throw. WOW!
• Head coach Lane Kiffin answered questions about the performance of offensive tackle Mario Henderson and for all practical purposes, threw him under the bus. When asked if there was a specific element; pass blocking, run blocking or anything specific component where there is a limitation or is it the whole package, Kiffin responded by saying, “No, it’s everything right now…unfortunately.”
• Defensive tackle Gerard Warren was out due to his thigh. Kiffin doesn’t think that it is the same thigh injury he sustained last season. “We think it’s a day-to-day issue,” according to Kiffin.
• The team used converted tight end Fred Wakefield and Seth Ward over at right tackle once again today and had Mario Henderson on the left side. Wakefield and Ward both performed better than Henderson today which is likely another reason why Kiffin responded the way he did in the above comment. 
• Kwame Harris was flagged with a false start.
• Rookie Arman Shields returned to the practice field and looked sharp.
• Wide receiver Chaz Schilens also returned to the practice field and performed well.
• Wide receiver Todd Watkins continued his stellar play with great catches.
• On the other hand,  Jonathan Holland continues to drop passes. Albeit one was a low ball, but the rest were catchable.
• Cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha made a brilliant interception on a JaMarcus Russell pass. Asomugha broke back on the ball hard and picked it clean at full speed.
• DeAngelo Hall was briefly sidelined with a hand injury. According to Kiffin, Hall’s hand was “bothering him.” Hall would later be seen after practice with an ice wrap on the injured area. 

• Starting quarterback JaMarcus Russell was seen on the field throwing soft tosses in individual drills, but whenever he pronated his wrist, he felt some pain in his elbow according to Lane Kiffin. Kiffin also stated that Russell wanted to continue, but the team wanted to play it cautious and keep him out of the 11-on-11 drills. The team will assess him tomorrow morning to see how he feels. He spent the rest of the day standing with his teammates with a compression stocking on and an ice wrap located on his right arm. He began practice today already wearing the stocking.
• The false start penalties were minimized again today. For the most part, the line is settling down. They will still need to work on a few things before the 49ers roll into town next Monday for a joint practice.
• Defensive tackle Gerard Warren strained his thigh during drills today. He received some stretching treatment from the trainer and was able to rejoin his teammates. However, he did not participate in other team activities for the rest of the day.
• Linebacker Ricky Brown guarded running back Darren McFadden and ran with him stride for stride. The pass by Marques Tuiasosopo was slightly under thrown and Brown was able to look back and engage on the interception.
• Wide receiver Drew Carter made a very good diving catch, but as he went to the ground, the defender rolled over on him. Carter got up slowly rubbing his left shoulder. He was attended to by the trainer momentarily, but seemed to be okay.
• Linebacker John Alston pulled down an interception.
• Free safety Hiram Eugene climbed the ladder to pick off a Tuiasosopo pass during odd man drills.
• DeAngelo Hall made his presence felt by recording another interception, anticipating and jumping the receiver’s route.
• Head coach Lane Kiffin has been a lot more vocal during the last couple of days. A very large contrast to the last OTA’s in which he let his coaches do all the yelling and barking. The Kiffin of a year ago is beginning to emerge ever so slightly in terms of on the field intensity.
• Derrick Burgess’ initial step on the snap look quicker than in years past. Either that, or our offensive tackles are that much slower.
• Kicker Sebastian Janikowski missed a field goal (slightly over 40-yards), but nailed the next attempt from 37 yards out. Both kicks were very high, but the one he made would have been good from at least 55 yards. Plus, he hit a pine tree in the property directly behind the practice field and nailed the tree HARD dead center along the main truck near the top and caused he ball to bounce back over the fence and land back onto the field. Oh well, one less souvenir for any fan behind the fence.
• McFadden hasn’t had an encounter from the fumble fairy this training camp, but he did drop an easy pass in the flats. He was trying to run away for the big Y.A.C. (yards after the catch), before he secured the ball.
• Rookie Arman Shields didn’t practice today because of a knee injury, but is expected to work out tomorrow.
• Lane Kiffin said the he will continue to run plays based on the system and not the skill set of the quarterback.
• Cornerback John Bowie is listed as day-to-day.

Training camp notes (7/29/08)

• Wide receiver Drew Carter fought off hits from the defense and still managed to fight in the endzone for a touchdown after hauling in a toss near the goal line.
• Offensive tackle Kwame Harris worked out with the team and looked much better. He also appears to be healthy.
• Tight end Zach Miller will likely be the training camp MVP (if there is such an award). He has been snatching every catch his way as both the ‘go to’ guy and as JaMarcus Russell’s security blanket.
• Receiver Marcel Reece worked out with his unit today and came up big by completing a goal line pass for a touchdown.
• Quarterback JaMarcus Russell was calling more audibles today. On one audibled pass play, he had the perfect read, but fullback Justin Griffith missed his assignment on Michael Huff who came clean on a safety blitz which would have sacked Russell.
• Malik Jackson laid a solid hit on Oren O’Neal who tried to block the linebacker on the play. O’Neal ended up on his backside.
• Tight end John Madsen made an acrobatic juggling grab for a sizeable completion to the dismay of the defense.
• The defense would get payback for Madsen’s catch however. On the next offensive series, Isaiah Ekejiuba blew up Madsen on a dump off pass. The hit was a shoulder to midsection blow that that dropped Madsen to the turf. The loud “thud” of the impact could be heard for miles! Both players were fine afterwards.
• Tight end, right guard, and now right tackle. That’s right. Fred Wakefield got in some time working out as a right tackle during line drills.
• JaMarcus Russell injured his right elbow (throwing arm) during offense/defense drills. Russell came of the field immediately after the play was over and could be seen bending over and holding the elbow. He would later be fine, but had ice applied to that elbow after practice to avoid any swelling.
• Safety Jarrod Cooper laid a big hit on rookie Darrell Strong. There was supposed to be no tackling in camp thus far. Cooper admitted that he shouldn’t have done it and that he was upset that the offense had made three plays in a row against them.
• Also, regarding the 49ers coming to Napa next Monday, Jarrod Cooper called out former teammate DeShaun Foster. “I’m looking for DeShaun Foster…make sure you put that on there. We used to play together in Carolina. We used to fight all the time…I’m not looking for anyone but DeShaun Foster…that’s it!”

Training Camp Notes (7/28/08)

• Todd Watkins once again made another amazing leaping catch. This time, it  was between two defenders who were attempting to defend the play. It was a clean grab that left the defensive backs pondering as to how he came down with the ball.
• JaMarcus Russell is showing his comfortability to calling audibles. The change of play one instance was the correct read; unfortunately the receiver dropped the pass. 
• Tight end Zach Miller snatched a bullet pass off his outside shoulder with Michael Huff providing blanket coverage.
• Defensive back Rashad Baker recorded an interception.
• Kirk Morrison converged on receiver Drew Carter on one play, forcing an incompletion. In the process, the defensive captain was able to deliver a little “love tap” to the first year Raider, letting him know that the defense is ready for whatever is thrown their way.
• The offensive line dramatically improved on the penalties (false starts), since their poor display over the first few days of camp. The line wasn’t up to standards, but it did improved.
• Tight end Darrell Strong made a terrific one handed lunging grab on a low toss, with safety Hiram Eugene draped all over his back.
• Fred Wakefield was working out at right guard and even spent time with the first team. Wakefield did an alright job considering he played a basic zone blocking scheme at Illinois. Wakefield is has been very versatile. 
• Tommy Kelly was shaken up a bit on one play, as he immediately hit the ground and took his time standing up. Several defenders came over to help him up. Kelly  would be okay as he shook it off and got right back into the fray on the next play.
• Nnamdi Asomugha was away from practice to attend a funeral.
• Offensive tackle Mark Wilson is done for the year. He sustained a broken leg and a sprained ankle.
• Grant Irons did not participate in drills. 
• Greg Wesley did not participate. His back kept him out of action.
• Kwame Harris is alright health-wise.

TODD WATKINS

• WIDE RECEIVER
• NO: 19
• Height: 6’2”
• Weight: 190
• Birth date: 06/22/1983
• Hometown: San Diego, CA
• College: Brigham Young University (BYU)
• Acquired: Claimed off waivers February 13, 2008

Read more…

Training Camp Notes (7/27/08)

• The offensive tackles have improved slightly since yesterday. However, there were till a couple of false starts. Paul McQuistan and Mario Henderson were penalized with laps for their mistakes.
• Wide receiver Jonathan Holland executed a beautiful diving catch on a deep route with a defender on his hip.
• Stanford Routt jumped wide receiver Drew Carter’s route and got a diving interception.
• On a deep sideline pass, defender Chris Johnson and wide receiver Drew Carter both jumped high to snag the ball. Both players came down with each holding on to the ball for dear life, not wanting the other to claim a catch or interception. The two stayed on the ground writhing and trying to wrestle the ball from each others grasps. One player 50+ yards up field could be heard yelling, “Lock your elbows…lock your elbows!” Carter could be heard telling Johnson, “You know, tie goes to the offense!” An obvious attempt to get Johnson to let go and give up. Still locked up on the ground for approximately 2 minutes, Carter was able to get the ball away from Johnson. DeAngelo Hall was already running over to help his fellow defensive mate when Carter stood up holding the ball in the air. Hall tried to swipe the ball from Carter’s hand, but couldn’t manage to dislodge it as Carter brought the ball back down for an emphatic spike as if he had made a touchdown.
• Quarterback Jeff Otis was a bit off his game today. A usual good training camp passer, Otis fumbled a snap and managed to regain it to throw the ball out of bounds. Defensive back Jarrod Cooper could be hear yelling at Otis from the far side of the field, “Take a lap Otis! You fumbled that snap! Take a lap!” The obvious punishment of the day was to take a lap for making errors. Tight end Tony Steward also took a lap for a false start.

Training Camp Notes (7/26/08)

• Darren McFadden ripped off yet another run for what would have been a touchdown when he was allowed to bounce out to the edge. Speed kills!
• Running back Michael Bush fumbled after being stripped when he was trying to fight through a scrum. In all actuality, he would have been tackled if it were a real game. Instead, play was allowed to continue and the defense recovered it.
• Justin Fargas put on a clinic as he changed directions and made several guys miss for large gains.
• JaMarcus Russell was intercepted by Michael Huff on a forced rollout.
• Chaz Schilens schooled DeAngelo Hall for a would be touchdown.
• The offensive line experienced some difficulties today as mostly the tackles kept being penalized for false starts. The coaches made them run laps for the costly errors.
• The defensive ends were having a definite advantage over their offensive counterparts as they were beating their men and flushing out the quarterbacks.
• Wide receiver Javon Walker showed his toughness by receiving a shoulder pad sandwich from two converging defenders and was able to hold on to the pass. Walker would immediately get up and finish by running forty yards.
• Linebacker Robert Thomas made an interception.
• Wide receiver Drew Carter showed he has good hands by securely holding on to a pass while he had a defender draped on his back and swatting at the ball.
• Trevor Scott is making a strong case for a roster spot by demonstrating his ability to utilize excellent usages of angles to attack his offensive counterparts.
• Defensive end Kalimba Edwards was able to beat Paul McQuistan off the edge. Edwards also looked much better than he did at the last OTA’s.
• Wide Receiver Todd Watkins continued to put pressure on the other receivers who are gunning for that #2 and #3 WR spot by showing off his consistency and route running.
• Kwame Harris was out today with a strained back.
• Greg Wesley and Grant Irons were out for today’s workout. Head Coach Lane Kiffin was unsure when they would return.
• Lane Kiffin hopes that setting up a single quarterback for a set offensive squad (offensive line) will remedy the false starts plaguing them right now.
• Kiffin made note of free safety Michael Huff shadowing newly acquired Gibril Wilson and is paying off. Wilson is rubbing off on Huff, as he’s learning everything he can from the Super Bowl winning safety.

On Friday, the inevitable occurred, as the Oakland Raiders finally released running back LaMont Jordan.

The 29-year-old rusher signed a five-year deal worth $27.5 million in 2005 after backing up Curtis Martin in New York the first four seasons of his career.

He appeared to be the perfect fit for Norv Turner’s run friendly offense, but after a productive 2005 campaign that saw him rush for 1,025 yards and compile 70-receptions for 563 yards, the boisterous running back struggled to stay healthy and was ineffective during his final two seasons in Oakland.

In November of 2006, he tore his left MCL, an injury that catapulted Justin Fargas to the forefront and began his ascension within the Raider roster. At the onset of the 2007 campaign, head coach Lane Kiffin elected to go with Jordan as his starter, and the former Maryland star responded by posting 424-rushing yards in the team’s first four games. But a back injury dampened Jordan’s season and Fargas once again grabbed headlines and the starting role.

Jordan’s conditioning has always been in question during the off-season. Earlier this year, former Raider Warren Sapp stated that Jordan “is like the worst off-season running back I’ve ever been around.”

“After three games last season, LaMont Jordan led the NFL in rushing,” Sapp said. “But…he was out of shape and couldn’t keep it going.”

Fans throughout his tenure in Oakland critiqued his putrid 3.8 yards per carry. Especially when Fargas and other rushers ran successfully behind the same offensive lines with more effectiveness.

The Raiders have told Jordan to stay away from the team and that his presence was not needed during mini-camps and training camp.

Jordan’s agent, Alvin Keels, received permission from the Raiders to seek a trade during the off-season. But teams bypassed the idea of trading for a player that would eventually be let go. The Detroit Lions were reportedly one of the suitors for his services, along with the Chicago Bears.

There were reports as early as last season that Oakland was looking to move the eight-year veteran, but with a log jam at running back and his contract status, teams around the league were hesitant to give up any compensation for a player that could be available in free-agency as training camp began.

It is believed that the Raiders would save $4.7 million in 2008 cap space after severing ties with Jordan.

Since the start of camp, head coach Lane Kiffin avoided elaborating on the situation, simply stating that owner Al Davis and Jordan’s agent have been in talks regarding the resolution of this matter.

With Jordan now gone, Oakland can now focus on giving reps to the younger rushers on the roster. And with the settlement, Jordan can now move on and shop himself without any strings attached.

Update: Several media reports indicated the Raiders re-signed quarterback Jeff Otis to fill Jordan’s roster spot. Otis was one of three players waived the day before camp began to make room for Nnamdi Asomugha re-signing and rookies Arman Shields and Trevor Scott signing. ~ES

NAPA, Calif. — On the second day of training camp for the Oakland Raiders, much more action was seen as many of the key players on this years roster got in on some action and looked to be in solid form in their preparations for the upcoming pre-season games.  

• Greg Spires did not participate today because of a hamstring injury. He is expected to work out tomorrow (Friday).
• Grant Irons, who was looking to get back to his high-octane level of activity, aggravated a  hamstring injury that took him out halfway through today’s practice.
• Defensive tackle Tommy Kelly was a “beast” inside. He routinely pushed whoever matched-up against him, tossing his counterpart routinely deep into the backfield causing all sorts of disruptions. Kelly also spoke to the media for the first time in several years. He opened up and gave some insight on a man that seems to have come full circle with the birth of his son on the day he got injured last year. The 27-year-old  is a well grounded blue-collar workhorse that should be a one man wrecking crew now that he is focused at playing one position (three-technique tackle).
• Wide receiver Arman Shields is drawing attention early in camp with a lot of positives on the practice field.  He has come a long way and has looked as advertised on his college game films.
• Wide receiver Todd Watkins continues to looked very polished and a viable candidate for third in the depth chart behind Javon Walker and Ronald Curry. 
• Johnnie Lee Higgins has managed to hang on to the ball more consistently (unlike at the OTA’s where he was inconsistent).
• Marcel Reece, who played wide receiver at the University of Washington, was working out with the running backs today. It will be interesting to see if he can convert that explosive play-making ability at wideout to the backfield.
• Nnamdi Asomugha worked out with the team and even snatched an interception on an Andrew Walter pass or what would have been a simulated touchdown.
• Jake Grove was in pads and worked out with the team. He looked fit and was seen bouncing around and moving quickly between drill rotations.
• Chaz Schilens has cleaned up his fundamental mistakes that were noticed at the last OTA’s.
• Darren McFadden and Justin Fargas looked very good and fast against the defense, but what stood out to me was the hard running by Michael Bush. His power run game was impressive and looked like he wanted to bring the wood on several plays. I feel that he will have the better success individually compared to the others early on in camp. 
• Rusher Louis Rankin also looked impressive. He is a shifty back with decent size.
• Michael Huff is making great breaks on the ball and is only inches away from making HUGE plays. He looks so much more comfortable at free safety.
• Gibril Wilson was seen chomping at the bit; wanting to lay some serious wood on some receivers.
• Trevor Scott completely owned Kwame Harris on a line drill. Scott has very good speed off the edge. On the flip side, it’s also a strike against Harris who came to this team with the dark cloud of pass protection woes hanging over his head.
• Derrick Burgess could NOT BE STOPPED regardless of who he was matched up against. He easily could have had several simulated sacks today.
• Kalimba Edwards was also a force on the edge.
• Kirk Morrison almost blew apart Higgins on a slant pass that the slender receiver wisely dropped as the captain peeled off to avoid the would-be snott bubbler!