The Oakland Raiders are weeks away from starting their Organized Team Activity (OTA) schedule for 2009. NFL teams are allowed to conduct up to 14 OTA sessions as part of their off-season workout programs. Teams are also allowed to schedule one mandatory veteran mini camp. If a team has hired a new coach during that off-season, the team is allowed to conduct two...
Monday Morning Musings: 2009 Oakland Raiders Draft Class
NEW YORK — SBReport takes a look back at the Oakland Raiders’ draft class and the outlooks for each player in Silver & Black: Round 1, Pick 7 (7) – Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR Maryland The Oakland Raiders coveted Heyward-Bey’s attributes and big play potential. At the time of their selection, not one wide receiver had come off the board....
After Further Review: Rebuilding the Raiders’ attitude
Why character has been a position of need — even 7th overall When Tom Cable took over as interim head coach of the Raiders four games into the 2008 season, he was a breath of fresh air after the disastrous Lane Kiffin/Al Davis feud. The former offensive line coach managed to bring a positive, blue-collar attitude to the job, in stark contrast to his young,...
Sixth round: Never enough pass rushers … or blockers
Two trades net Oakland picks for defensive end, tight end NEW YORK — Two years ago, the New York Giants proved you can never have enough pass rushers when they upset the undefeated New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII. The Raiders seem to have adopted that philosophy in the 2009 NFL Draft. Despite glaring needs on both lines, Oakland used a sixth-round pick...
Fourth round: More of the same for S&B
Raiders continue to address needs with second receiver, rush linebacker NEW YORK — If a position is a big enough need for the Oakland Raiders to address it once at the 2009 NFL Draft, it seems, it’s a big enough need to address it twice. The Raiders had two picks in the fourth round, and went back to familiar territory with both, choosing wide receiver...