Silver and Black Report

Former Oakland Raiders wide receiver Javon Walker was interviewed on a web site called Thefootballgirl.com and had some interesting comments about his days in Silver & Black.

Here are some comments from that session.

About landing in Oakland:

“I was in an unfortunate situation in Oakland where I got put on the backburner… A lot of people know that situation when you go to Oakland so it’s not to no surprise. It wasn’t the right situation for me. . . When I was in Denver I performed. I was in Green Bay I performed, so now you’re trying to tell me that now I’m in Oakland I can’t perform? I never really got a fair chance. I’m not the first athlete who went into Oakland and all of a sudden it looked like his talents have disappeared. We can all remember, you know I’m a huge fan, with Randy Moss. People thought Randy Moss was done and look what happens when he decides to leave.”

Not playing and contract:

“It wasn’t my fault because obviously the Raiders gave it to me. Everybody knows how Al Davis is. What fans don’t realize is when I signed that contract I offered to give it back. I don’t take money just to take it. People need to give the money back and they said no. I didn’t go into Oakland like [Bernie] Madoff. Somebody has got to give it to you, and they gave it to me. Last year, they didn’t put me on the field so if anybody “made-off” it was Oakland. . . People were wondering why I wasn’t dressing, well you know what, I couldn’t tell you. They just decided not to utilize my talent the way it needed to be utilized.”

Playing future:

“Yes, the thing about football right now is it’s not really about the money. Even when I went to Oakland, I said I’d give that money back. I just want to play football and utilize my talent to help a team win the Super Bowl and everything else will take care of itself.”

We have seen it all. Oakland Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell has now been featured on the infamous celebrity gossip web site TMZ.com.

The headline: NFL QB JaMarcus Russell – Heavy Bettor.

The tid-bit stated that the hefty passer was in Las Vegas catching the Jay-Z concert and playing craps at the Palms Casino Resort. With all the recent ramblings about his weight and speculation regarding whether or not he’s been trying to condition himself this off-season after ballooning up to a bulky size at the end of 2009, the unflattering pictures will not go well with fans of the team that have been clamoring for his departure.

Former Raider great Willie Brown raved in mid-March that Russell was getting in shape . “You’ll be surprised when you see him,” Brown stated. “It’s quite a bit of weight that he’s lost . . . I don’t want to pin it down and say how much he lost but it will be a significant difference when you see him compared to last year.

“The most important thing is he’s getting in shape. Not only losing weight, but getting in shape. He’s watching his diet, he has special meals brought in that he’s eating, and we have one of the Raiders, a former player there with him to monitor him and make sure things are going fine. The weight thing, he’ll get it down. He’ll get it down.”

Russell can also be found on this YouTube video that was archived in early March:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuztkBmDMa8

(Photo used property of www.TMZ.com)

The Oakland Raiders 2010 pre-season schedule was announced on Wednesday. The usual opponents will do battle with the Silver & Black in the summer, with the exception of the Chicago Bears, as Oakland will travel in week-two to face the NFC North participant. Dallas, Seattle are regular rivals during the pre-season, as well as the 49ers, in the yearly battle of the bay contest.

Here is the list of games:

• Week 1 (Aug. 12-16) – Time and Date TBD Oakland Raiders at Dallas Cowboys
• Week 2 (Aug. 19-23) — Time and Date TBD Oakland Raiders at Chicago Bears
• Week 3 (Aug. 26-29) — Time and Date TBD San Francisco 49ers at Oakland Raiders
• Week 4 (Sept. 2-3) — Time and Date TBD Seattle Seahawks at Oakland Raiders

The Oakland Raiders came to terms with their restricted free agent safety, Hiram Eugene.

Before he agreed to come back for one more year, the 29-year old signed a waiver to allow his participation during the off-season conditioning program.

Eugene has served in a back-up capacity for the most part, occasionally starting at free safety when Michael Huff was deemed ineffective in 2008. He originally signed as a un-drafted free agent in 2006 and gained his first extended action in 2007 at the ladder part of Stuart Schweigert’s career in Oakland.

He recorded his first career interception in Oakland’s 27-24 road victory in Pittsburgh last season.

Well, it sure does appear that the Oakland Raiders are in the market for a quarterback.

Whether they are the frontrunners in landing Donovan McNabb’s services or working out possible prospects in next month’s NFL Draft, the Silver & Black have been busy evaluating potential candidates for that position.

Last week, they worked out Oregon State’s Sean Canfield in Carlsbad, California. Now, reports indicate that they will take a look at Tennessee quarterback Jonathan Crompton.

As a member of the Volunteers, Crompton tossed for 4,187 yards, 36 touchdowns and 22 interceptions.

Other teams reportedly interested in the 6’4’ 225 pound passer include the Seattle Seahawks, San Diego Chargers and the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Oakland Raiders are the front-runners to land Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb.

He posted on his Twitter account today, “Oakland has emerged as leader in Donovan McNabb sweepstakes. Doesn’t mean another team couldn’t get deal done, but Raiders are team to beat.”

On the networks NFL Live show, he stated the Silver & Black are the “clear cut favorites,” and that the organization is not worried about Philadelphia’s asking price or that McNabb has only one year left on his current deal.

A potential issue for the Raiders could be trying to ink both McNabb and defensive tackle Richard Seymour after the end of next season.

Seymour was tagged as the club’s franchise player this off-season and it will be imperative for Oakland to extend him if McNabb comes to town, or deal with two veteran players that could potentially want out once their contracts are up.

Staying in Oakland could be more enticing for the defensive lineman if McNabb comes aboard, as then he’ll see that the team is putting out an effort to get better and add talent to a club that has been one of the laughingstocks of the league since 2003.

Also, a trade to land McNabb could be consummated especially if the Raiders can add a few years to his deal.

The Raiders acquired DeAngelo Hall in 2008, but the deal became official once the cornerback was able to agree on a new seven-year deal.

A similar situation could occur here, as the Raiders may ask to negotiate with McNabb and his agent before locking themselves in a trade that will leave them in limbo with a passer that may want to test the free-agent waters after 2010.

McNabb could be tagged Oakland’s franchise player next off-season if a deal is not reached, but then they’ll have to pay an aging quarterback an excess of $20 million a year. And if Seymour is not locked in on a deal by then, Oakland will have to retain two major players that they would have given up vital compensation for, or face major scrutiny if either or both walk.

Another aspect to consider is how the team is forecasting the summer in terms of their quarterback depth chart.

JaMarcus Russell is still on the roster, being paid a copious amount of money so far, and at this point, they are so many conflicting reports about his ethic and weight this off-season, maybe the Raiders are finally realizing that if they were able to going to cut their losses, now is the time to do it.

With no salary cap ramifications in this un-capped year, its time for Oakland to cut their losses right now, especially if McNabb is a serious option.

And if bringing in McNabb means that Raider personnel now look at Russell in a different light, and that they no longer have faith in the former number one overall pick, then that will be a good thing. And if the Raiders realized that Russell at this point cannot be salvaged, and he is cut right after McNabb comes in, it will be one of the better moves they have made in some time.

McNabb gives the Raiders instant credibility and leadership. Bruce Gradkowski, for all the hard work he does and all the positive vibes he brings to the huddle, is not a proven, legitimate starting caliber passer in this league.

What would be a strange sight could be a sideline with both Russell and Gradkowski, while McNabb leads the team onto the field. Then they’ll have a Brinks Trunk worth of money invested in one position.

Hey its Oakland, we’ve seen them shower Javon Walker and other players with obscene deals.

Stranger things have happened…

According to Michael Lombardi of the National Football Post, the Oakland Raiders are “discussing the availability” of quarterback Sage Rosenfels. The 32-year old passer is currently a third stringer on the Minnesota Vikings and reports indicate that he’ll be made available for other teams, especially if Brett Favre decides to come back for another season.

In his career, Rosenfels has passed for 4,156 yards with a 81.2 passer rating, 30 touchdowns and 29 interceptions.

The Vikings acquired his services on February of 2009, sending a 4^th round draft choice to the Houston Texans.

Free agent cornerback Frank Walker is still on the market.

At this point, suitors include the Raiders, St. Louis Rams, Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars and Baltimore Ravens.

The Ravens would like to retain the veteran. “It’s funny you ask the question and the whole fan base, everybody’s going to be like, ‘Don’t do it,” coach John Harbaugh said at the NFL owners meetings. “But Frank’s a better player than what people think. I get as frustrated with Frank as anybody does and Frank knows that. He’ll tell you about it and he’ll laugh about it.”

Justin Fargas, who visited the New Orleans Saints in early March, is still without a club. The rusher has hinted about possibly joining the San Francisco 49ers and reuniting with Tom Rathman.

At 30, it may be difficult for the physical rushers to get a job prior to the draft.

Once that process is over, teams may reevaluate the running back depth on their rosters and start looking at veteran options available. “I definitely have a lot of football left in me,” Fargas said. “I just want to do everything I can to help another team win a championship.”

Greg Ellis is also looking for a job.

The Dallas Cowboys could be an option, as Ellis’ agent said that the aging end would be receptive to a return to his former team.

As for JaMarcus Russell, is he 290 pounds? Or 271?

Does it matter? YES.

If he can’t dedicate himself to change the perception that he is lazy and lacks any work ethic by shedding some weight this off-season, what makes you think he’ll just show up to camp in the summer and elevate his play to an acceptable level?

What’s troubling about this scenario is, Oakland will continue to pay the pricey passer and will give him the edge going into camp over Bruce Gradkowski.

Why?

Because the owner will still want a return on his investment and will try to milk any bit of talent he may believe Russell has.

Problem is, that could cost the coach the respect of the players, divide the locker room, and likely add more losses to an already inept stretch for Oakland and ultimately, Tom Cable’s job.

Oregon State quarterback Sean Canfield conducted a private work out for the Oakland Raiders according to a source, as first published by the National Football Post.

At the scouting combine, the 6-foot-3 passer ran a 4.93 second 40-yard dash, recorded a 29 1/2 inch vertical leap and an 8-4 broad jump.

The private workout for the Raiders was reportedly held in Carlsbad, California. An All-Pac 10 selection, Canfield completed 64.1 percent of his career throws for 5,970 yards, 38 touchdowns and 26 interceptions.

Everyone from ESPN’s Adam Schefter to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio has talked about the potential deal between the Oakland Raiders and the Philadelphia Eagles.

The deal obviously circles around quarterback Donovan McNabb, with the Eagles pushing out of town the veteran to clear a jam at that position. But just recently, Nnamdi Asomugha’s name has been added to the equation.

Reports state that the Silver & Black would be willing to deal the cornerback, but the Eagles may be reluctant due to the massive contract attached to Asomugha.

From Oakland’s perspective; getting Asomugha’s landmark deal off the books could be enticing. He has one year left on a contract that will ensure him $16 million next season with a provision that could net him up to $20 million including an $8 million roster bonus at the end of this month.

The Eagles will be hesitant to take on such a burden, even though they’ll be relieving themselves of a quarterback that they may have to move at this point due to the poor handling of this matter.

And Oakland also makes for a good partner in this scenario due to the report that was disseminated by The Associated Press, which stated that a person close to the discussions gained knowledge about the Eagles insistence that whomever they deal with, must have a pick among the 42 selections in next month’s draft. The Raiders have the 8^th overall selection in the draft and the 39^th overall.

So far, the Raiders, St. Louis Rams, Buffalo Bills and Minnesota Vikings have been linked as potential suitors.

The Rams can potentially snag a passer in the draft, Buffalo as well, and the Vikings are eagerly anticipating any word on Brett Favre’s future.

McNabb has led the Eagles to five NFC Championship Games in 11 seasons. He continues to be very productive at 33-years old and is still a highly capable starter in this league.

As much as the Raiders love Asomugha and all he has done for the organization and community, this deal makes a lot of sense, especially if they can bring back a cornerback in the deal off the Eagles roster.

The Eagles shouldn’t have to break the bank to jettison McNabb. Financially, it makes no sense for them.

And as intriguing as this move would be, Oakland could use the financial relief and the sure handed presence at quarterback.

Asomugha exemplifies everything good in professional sports. He’s one of the few bright spots in this current era of Raider football that can be looked at with pride & poise. Since he arrived in 2003, Oakland has been on a monumental down swing. But he has established himself as a Pro Bowler and a philanthropist.

A fan favorite, Asomugha’s departure could be met with mixed reviews. Many will like the fact that his contract being off the payroll will only help the team gain more flexibility as they move forward. Others will scoff at that notion of trading away one of the lone bright talents that were developed during this time of misery.

But with JaMarcus Russell casting a dark shadow on this club and Bruce Gradkowski, an underdog, as possible candidates to lead this team going into 2010, a trade for McNabb makes almost too much sense.

McNabb undoubtedly wants to go to a contender. Oakland is not one.

And that could put a snag in his possible future in Silver & Black, as he’ll work under a one-year deal till he becomes a free agent in 2011. Then like Richard Seymour, the Raiders will have to convince McNabb to stick around.

So it will be imperative for Oakland to get an extension if any deal for McNabb does down.

If not, there could be quite a mess in trying to keep Seymour and McNabb past 2010.

The cons of a deal of this magnitude; you’ll be getting a quarterback who is aging, playing on a team that has a unsteady offensive line and questionable skill position talent around him.

The names are big, the stakes are high…

Oakland and Philadelphia have many reasons to make this deal – and to reject such a trade.

One team is operating under the gun; the other has millions of fans feeling like they’ve been looking down the barrel of one for seven years.

With the league officially announcing the order in April’s NFL draft, we now take a look at where and when the Oakland Raiders will make their picks.

• 1^st Round – 8^th overall

• 2^nd Round – 39^th overall

• 3^rd Round – 69th overall

• 4^th Round – 106^th overall
• 5^th Round – 138^th overall
• 5^th Round – 158^th overall (From New England: Derrick Burgess trade)
• 7^th Round – 215^th overall
• 7^th Round – 251^st overall (Compensatory pick)