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Archive for July, 2010

Raiders Training Camp: Friday wrap-up

July 31st, 2010 No comments

Coach_Hue_JacksonHere are some highlights of the Oakland Raiders training camp session on Friday:

  • Hue Jackson’s bravado from OTAs has not toned down, as he continues to shout at the defense, let them know what’s coming and calls that same exact play for the offense to execute. At one point he forecasted to the defense that the ball was going to Zach Miller – Jason Campbell then completed a toss to the tight end.
  • Nick Miller has been seeing action. Last years training camp standout got in on some plays with the back-up signal callers, once snaring a deep ball from Bruce Gradkowski.
  • Chaz Schilens sat out and head coach Tom Cable stated that his WR will be monitored throughout camp.
  • Darrius Heyward-Bey’s off-season work is paying dividens, as the second year target is looking more and more like a guy who can contribute on a more respectable level.
  • RB Michael Bennett is making a case for being the third back in a top heavy rotation.

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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

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Raiders Training Camp: Thursday wrap-up

July 30th, 2010 No comments

Damola_Adeniji000001Here are some highlights of the Oakland Raiders Thursday training camp session:

  • Wide receiver Chaz Schilens, who had a marred season in 2009 with foot injuries, departed the practice field early yesterday due to an undisclosed ailment. He was observed walking around after practice without a limp, but at this point, you have to worry about his fragility and the lack of experience and depth at this position for the Raiders.
  • Second round choice Lamarr Houston saw a lot of action with the first team at left defensive end. The fiery lineman got into scraps and was every bit of the instigator, a role he played well during OTAs.
  • Defensive tackle Ryan Boschetti and wide receiver Damola Adenjii were waived.
  • Darrius Heyward-Bey remained on the practice field after the session was over, getting extra work in with cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha.
  • Linebackers on the second team: Thomas Howard, Travis Goethel and Quentin Groves. Scout squad consisted of: David Nixon, Sam Williams and Slade Norris.

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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

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McClain: Raiders give LB $23 mill guaranteed

July 29th, 2010 No comments

Rolando_McClain003Sources are reporting that the Oakland Raiders have inked their first round draft choice – Rolando McClain – to a five-year deal worth $40 million, $23 million that is guaranteed.

McClain is just the third first rounder from April’s draft to sign and the highest of the grouping.

The Alabama middle linebacker is expected to be with the team for workouts at their Napa facility.

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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

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Raiders hire Greg Biekert

July 29th, 2010 No comments
Oakland's linebackers could be helped by Biekert

Oakland's linebackers could be helped by Biekert

Former Raiders middle linebacker Greg Biekert was hired as a defensive assistant.

Biekert played for the Silver & Black from 1993-to-2001, after being selected in the 7th round (181st overall) coming out Colorado.

He started 123 games as a member of the Raiders, but in his final days, the organization had asked the 10-year pro to take a pay cut of $1.5 million from the $2.5 million he was scheduled to make, and Biekert refused.

“I think it’s evident Greg wants to play and he wasn’t going to be in a starting role here, and he wanted to be in a position where he could go somewhere and play and still contribute,” then Raiders coach Bill Callahan stated.

The veteran was replaced by Napoleon Harris in the line-up after his release.

Now, he rejoins Oakland to help out a linebacker unit that has been revamped.

Rolando McClain, Oakland’s first round choice is expected to take over in the middle, while newly acquired veterans such as Quentin Groves and Kamerion Wimbley will have the burden of contributing right away to a defense that has been horrendous at stopping the run since the 2003 season.

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Raiders head coach Tom Cable: Conference tidbits

July 29th, 2010 No comments

Tom_Cable_001Oakland Raiders head coach Tom Cable touched on a few topics on Wednesday, as training camp is about to begin. Here are some excerpts from his media session:

On the ‘intense’ teaching:

Cable: Well, last year I kind of described it as, if you’re looking at ‘em all as rookies or guys new to it, it’s just to start over. It’s just to kind of wipe the slate clean. We had a good offseason, obviously, put some good things in our football team in terms of personnel and all that. We’ve got a new offensive coordinator and some new things on defense, special teams. They’ve had it once already. We just want to start over teaching again from A, and work through to Z, and I think once we get through the situation, everything that’s planned over the next four days, it’ll allow us to hit it running Monday when we put pads on and go to work.

On the positive vibe and optimism:

Cable: I think you’ll find that out as you talk to the players yourself. That’s what today will be about for a good number of them. For me personally, there’s a lot of excitement but there’s also a lot of caution in that there’s a lot of work to do. I know we’re going to be a good team, and I’m not afraid to say that, and we’re going to go after the AFC West. I’m not afraid to say that. I believe that that’s what we’re going to do. It’s not anybody’s. If they picked someone for it already, that’s too bad. It doesn’t work like that. You’ve got to play the games. This team will be ready to do that.”

On Jason Campbell:

Cable: I’m excited about Jason, and while we’re at it, right now Jason is the starter. He’s come here today, or yesterday, like everybody else, and he’s going to go out in the first huddle and he’s going to do that. The first thing people are going to want to ask is, ‘Where is Bruce and the other guys fit in terms of competition and all that?’ Bruce hasn’t done anything for the last three months. He’ll catch up and he’ll get himself up to speed and he’ll go out and battle and all that. But as we move forward tomorrow morning and go to practice the first time, Jason will be in that first huddle.

I think there’s a lot of things. To me, I think his professionalism, first of all. I think his leadership. You don’t have to be a boisterous, outgoing, run-your-mouth kind of guy to be a great leader, and I think he’s even showed some of that already, just this morning in some earlier things that went on, what he’s capable that way. So actually those two
things, a guy guy’s are going to look up to and a guy who brings great professionalism to it. He loves it. It’s important to him. It was interesting talking to those guys last night after they got checked in, just how that whole group of quarterbacks — Paul (Hackett has) done such a great job with them – they’re so much further ahead and prepared right now than we’ve been. It’s a tribute to all those guys, and it starts with Jason.

On how the offense will look in 2010:

Cable: There will be some different things. It will all sort itself out when we get into regular season, and you really get to see us. I hope that we continue to run the football. That’s something that we brought here and has been developed here in the past few years. What we have to do is have a better, more productive passing game. And that’s where you’ll see the greatest difference.

Richard_Seymour1

On Richard Seymour:

Cable: Just the way you said it and the way it was reported, him getting off the bus first and all those things, it says exactly what it is. You’re talking about not only a guy who has had a tremendous professional football career but you’re talking about a great person, a guy that has some priorities that are important to him. One of them is being a good teammate. One of them is leading the young men that were just drafted. His choice to come on that particular bus with that particular group of guys speaks volumes. You mention that person getting that franchise tag, you work to try and get a deal, or not get a deal, if it’s going to be possible, he never once blinked. He never said, ‘You know, Tom, this is really bugging me, I don’t think I want to do it, I’m not going to be there.’ Never once. When I talked to him the whole time ‘However this works out, I’ll be there Day 1 ready to go.’ ”

On Greg Biekert:

Cable: “We just felt like … some of this is … you all know I have a passion for the history of the Raiders and for trying to keep connecting to them. One of the last really good teams that was here, obviously Greg was a part of that two-year span there. Just bringing him here, he’s a guy that I’ve gotten to know a little bit. His coming here helps us a couple of ways. It connects us back to what the Raiders have been, and it’s a guy who’s passionate, loves football and loves the Raiders. I just felt like we needed to get another coach on defense and that’s what we’ve done.

“When you break it down, that is the true benefit. Not just Rolando, think about the mentality of where we’re trying to go defensively. You got to stop the damn run. So, you think about Greg Biekert, he plays at the University of Colorado, plays under Bill McCartney. I was a part of that program after he played, so I know what that legacy is and what that’s about, the toughness that you get coming out of that program. Then he comes here, he’s a seventh-round draft pick and really enjoys a tremendous career. But he was known for one thing: he played middle linebacker and, by God, he’s going to smash your face. That’s what he did. That mentality and his experience at doing that will bode well for our defense.

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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

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Raiders sign No. 8 overall pick Rolando McClain

July 29th, 2010 No comments

Rolando_McClain002The Oakland Raiders came to terms with all of their draft class after inking linebacker Rolando McClain to an undisclosed contract.

McClain, the 8th overall selection in April’s draft, said back in June, “We haven’t started contract talks,” McClain said. “I’m not sure where we are on that. I leave that to (agent) Pat Dye Jr. and the Raiders. I just play football.

“I’m not looking to sit out. In order to play for the team, I need to be in training camp. I’m going to OTAs (organized team activities) and not worried about the contract.”

The Raiders are just a handful of squads to have all their selections under contract.

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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

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Jack Tatum (November 18, 1948 – July 27, 2010)

July 29th, 2010 No comments

user368_pic8015_1280253205Former Oakland Raiders safety Jack Tatum passed away July 27 after a heart attack. The defender who provided bone-crushing hits and had one of the most memorable moments in Super Bowl history with a devastating hit, was nicknamed “the Assassin.”

Tatum was voted to three Pro Bowls (1973-1975) and was a member of one Super Bowl winning club during his nine seasons in Silver & Black.

In an article in January, SBReport.net tabbed his moment in Super Bowl XI eighth out of ten in Raider history:

#8 – ‘The Assassin’ left his mark – Super Bowl XI

It was a convincing victory versus the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl XI. But a lot of the Raider lore and history for being tough renegades, who just dominated and placed feared into opponents was acquired by one of the most devastating hits in football history – which happened in the game’s grandest stage. Jack Tatum knocked the helmet of Vikings’ receiver Sammy White. He stood over him admiring his work in a menacing fashion…

That was the ‘Assassin’ at work.

Tatum, who suffered with diabetes, had all five toes on his left foot amputated due to a staph infection. He gave time, increasing awareness for diabetes, ultimately creating the Ohio-based Jack Tatum Fund for Youthful Diabetes.

SBREPORT.NET REMEMBERS A LEGEND AND SENDS ITS DEEPEST CONDOLENCES TO THE TATUM FAMILY.

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Raiders ink 2nd rounder Lamarr Houston

July 27th, 2010 No comments

Lamarr_Houston0001The Oakland Raiders have reportedly come to terms with Lamarr Houston, their 2nd round selection in the 2010 draft.

Houston, the 44th overall selection out of the University of Texas, has been aggressive and boisterous in his stints during OTAs and mini-camps this past spring. His attitude so far has been refreshing, getting into it with veterans Langston Walker and Rock Cartwright throughout practice sessions.

“That’s one of the things on film – we saw his motor. It’s just the relentless play time after time, and I think that’s important,” said Tom Cable in May.

Terms of the four year contract are not known at this time.

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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

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Raider Nation Celebration scheduled for August 27

July 26th, 2010 No comments

skullladyThis was disseminated by the Oakland Raiders on July 24, 2010:

The Raider Nation Celebration is set for Friday, August 27 from 4– 6 p.m. at Frank Ogawa Plaza in downtown Oakland. This family-friendly event will feature current Raiders players and coaches, Raider Legends and the Raiderettes as well as chances to win exciting prizes.

 

This FREE event features select autograph and photo opportunities with the Raiderettes and Raider Legends, the Super Bowl Trophies on display and live interviews with Legends and current players.

 

Follow the Raiders at www.raiders.com and on Twitter for updates and more.

 

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Contact AuthorVictor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

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Oakland Raiders Training Camp Info

July 25th, 2010 No comments

Campbell_HuddleAll Oakland Raiders under contract are expected to begin reporting to training camp in Napa on Tuesday, July 27 in advance of the required reporting date of Wednesday, July 28. The first practice session for the Silver and Black will take place on Thursday morning, July 29.

LOCATION: Napa Valley Marriott, 3425 Solano Ave., Napa, CA 94558. Practice fields are on the site of the adjacent Redwood Middle School, located approximately 50 miles (one-hour drive) northeast of Oakland. Take Interstate 80 north to Highway 37, north to Highway 29. Take Redwood Road exit and turn left onto Redwood Road, then right onto Solano.

PRACTICES: There will be at least one practice on most days during training camp, with certain days slated for two practice sessions.

WEEK 1 TRAINING CAMP PRACTICE/INTERVIEW SCHEDULE, JULY 28-AUGUST 1

July 28 – 12:00 pm – Tom Cable available to media

July 29 – 8:30 am – AM practice

July 29 – 4:20 pm – PM practice

July 30 – 8:30 am – AM practice

July 30 – 4:20 am – PM practice

July 31 – 8:30 am – AM practice

July 31 – 4:20 pm – PM practice

August 1 – 8:30 am – AM practice

August 1 – 4:20 am – PM practice

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Contact AuthorVictor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

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