Silver and Black Report

The Oakland Raiders issued a statement on their official web site and Twitter account stating:

ESPN’s Adam Schefter is once again making untrue statements about The Oakland Raiders, this time regarding Matt Leinart. The Raiders have never discussed trading for Leinart.

The Raiders are very happy about their quarterback situation.

The Silver & Black has had a history with ESPN and their reporters, with the club vehemently denying information that has been disseminated by the likes of Adam Schefter and Chris Mortensen.

In January of 2009, Mortensen reported on ‘NFL Countdown’ that the team was negotiating to sell a major percentage over to a billionaire investor who had interest in moving the franchise to Los Angeles.

Raiders chief executive Amy Trask stated after the report: “Chris contacted no one with the Raiders to ascertain if there was any truth to his report. There is not.”

Mortensen responded with an email to The Associated Press commenting, “The Raiders have lost the privilege with me of running stories past them for comment. This stems from their history of denials to most stories I have reported — as well as others in the media — when those stories have eventually proven to be true.”

Owner Al Davis has even shot back at Mortensen, calling him “a professional liar,” during the Lane Kiffin fiasco.

Schefter reported this morning that three teams showed interest in Leinart and that the Raiders were one of those clubs actively looking into acquiring his services.

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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

Al Davis likes what he sees in Jason Campbell

Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis gave a rare interview on Sirius satellite radio Tuesday. Gil Brandt – a long time friend of Davis – was the host of the show when the Silver & Black’s legend talked about his current club and the expectations for the 2010 season.

On Jason Campbell and Hue Jackson:

I see this young Jason Campbell as a football player like I saw Jim Plunkett. He has everything. He was 13-0 in college, at Auburn, he can throw up the field, he can run, he’s big, he’s smart. I really predict great things for him. I hope he doesn’t let me down. I don’t think he will. I think we have a team that’s pretty similar, we don’t have as many Hall of Fame players as we have on the ’80 team, which was the first wild card team to win the Super Bowl. But this team has a lot of potential and a lot of great young players.

It’s ironic. When we started every decade like I said to you in 1970, being a different quarterback, Daryle Lamonica, and a different head coach, the great John Madden, 1980, we had Jim Plunkett and Tom Flores, who won two Super Bowls. In 1990, we had Art Shell, the first Afro-American head coach in the modern era, and Jay Schroeder, and in the year 2000, we had Rich Gannon and Jon Gruden. That’s four different quarterbacks, four different head coaches, and this year we come in and we have a bright new young offensive coordinator in Hue Jackson, and I just have great hopes for this young team. It’s a very young team, but I do have hopes for it.

What else is there to achieve?

Oh, Gil, just like you. Gil, the will to win will always be here. The fire that burns brightest in me and my family, Carole and Mark, is the will to win. We just want the Raiders to do great. As you know, I’m 81 years old, but I still can contribute a great deal. We do a great deal for the team, I think we have our stamp on this team. It’s our personnel, it’s our picks, its our want to be great once again, to join the ranks of the elite and get back that No. 1 rating on terms of wins and losses since we come into the league, and to make the National Football League, which is the greatest game which is always played by the greatest players, the greatest coaches, the greatest players, the greatest games, and of course, the greatest fans, than anyone could want.

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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

John Henderson & Oakland have their eyes on Dallas

The pre season finally kicks off for the Oakland Raiders (0-0) when they travel to Arlington to face the Dallas Cowboys (1-0). Dallas notched their first win in 2010 with a 16-7 tally against the Cincinnati Bengals in the Hall of Fame Game in Canton. Oakland will look at new beginnings with Jason Campbell and a slew of young defensive standouts.

OAKLAND RAIDERS

On Offense:

Jason Campbell got the highest praises within the organization this week when owner Al Davis likened him to former Raider Jim Plunkett. “I see this young Jason Campbell as a football player like I saw Jim Plunkett,” Davis said during an interview with Sirius NFL Radio. “He has everything. He was 13-0 in college at Auburn. He can throw up the field. He can run. He’s big. He’s smart.”

He continued: “I really predict great things for” Campbell, Davis said in the radio interview. “I hope he doesn’t let me down. I don’t think he will. This team has a lot of potential and a lot of great young players.”

What to Expect:

In this first glimpse of the Raiders on offense, the microscope will be on offensive coordinator Hue Jackson. No, he won’t present a full playbook for everyone to absorb across the league, but Oakland’s new play caller will try to show that this offense is more diverse and not as easy to defend. Most of that is due to stability at quarterback. So seeing more complex aerial attacks down the field in their pre-season games will be refreshing to Raider fans. Tom Cable’s main objective though will be to get the offensive line sorted, blocking well and cohesive as they approach their first regular season contest.

On Defense:

Oakland has revamped this unit with Lamarr Houston, John Henderson along the trenches, Kamerion Wimbley, Rolando McClain and Quentin Groves at linebacker and solid late draft picks in the secondary.

Stopping the run and keeping their defense balanced will be the prime objective in 2010. And Henderson is the type of player that can come in for 20-30 snaps a game and provide the bulk that has been missing since their 2002 Super Bowl run.

“I love stopping the run,” Henderson told the Contra Costa Times. “I take a lot of pride in it. That’s something we’ve got to get better at. I live for it. You can take me out on third and long. Just put me in on short yardage and all that good stuff.”

What to Expect:

Is this defense on the attack? How do the linebackers play in coverage? Can Richard Seymour, Tommy Kelly and Henderson sure up the line of scrimmage? Who steps up at Safety and becomes a playmaker? These are all questions that need to be answered. They won’t happen in this first game, but some of the reserves or players on the fringe could take a big step forward to being key contributors in 2010.

DALLAS COWBOYS

On Offense:

In his cameo last week, Tony Romo was 5-of-10 passing for 59 yards. The Cowboys want to be a tough running club with Marion Barber and dynamic down the field with their wide receivers.

But with their top rookie out of action, veteran Roy Williams (1 reception for 21 yards, last week) and break out target Miles Austin (1 reception for 16 yards vs. the Bengals) will have to generate some big plays in the coming weeks so they have a good feeling going into the regular season.

Tight end John Phillips, who tallied four catches for 60 yards last week, sustained a torn ACL in his right knee during the contest and will miss the entire regular season.

What to Expect:

Dallas will test Oakland’s batch of defenders along the line of scrimmage this week. They have one game under their belt, so getting the offensive line more reps against a Raiders unit that is seeing their first action could be in the mix. The Cowboys will probably run the ball effectively, as they’ll keep their starters in longer than Oakland will.

On Defense:

This side of the ball played well against Cincinnati, holding them to 179 total yards. In limited action, Carson Palmer was knocked around a few times and the Dallas defense looked like they were in regular season mode.

Marcus Spears will be missing for a few weeks, but teammates are optimistic about his return. “He’ll be back,” inside linebacker Bradie James said. “This gives him a chance to rest his legs and get ready for the season. We’ll need him.”

The Cowboys focus on being stout against the run. They finished fourth against the run last season, allowing 90.5 yards per game. They gave up 3.97 yards per carry, ninth-lowest average in the league.

What to Expect:

The Cowboys first team defense wants to derail any hopes for the newly installed Raiders offense. They are familiar with Jason Campbell, so it will be interesting to see how that will effect the ex-Redskins performance early in the contest.

GAME NOTES

• Oakland holds a 17-9 edge in the preseason series against Dallas; winning at home 31-10 last summer. Both clubs met on Thanksgiving Day during the 2009 regular season, a 24-7 Cowboys victory in Arlington.
• RB Darren McFadden will not play on Thursday. “Hamstrings can be tricky injuries,” he said. “I didn’t want to try to get back on it too fast. I’m just trying to make sure it’s 100 (percent) before I do.”
• Jason Witten and DajLeon Farr are the only healthy tight ends for the Cowboys. The Raider linebackers need to be tested in coverage, but Martellus Bennett will also be out.

GAME INFO

When: Thursday, August 12, 2010, 6:00 p.m. PT

Where: Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, TX

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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

Luke Lawton during training camp drills

Here are some highlights of the Oakland Raiders training camp session on Saturday:

• Chaz Schilens was dressed, but did not participate in drills.
• Louis Murphy was “kicked in the head” per Tom Cable and sustained a concussion that will keep him from contact drills.
• With Luke Lawton’s suspension looming at the start of 2010, Marcel Reese looks ‘particularly confident per SBReport.net journalist DeMarcus Davis.
• Tyvon Branch picked off a Jason Campbell pass intended for Zach Miller. A few plays later, the tight end hit paydirt against the young safety.
• Monday, the team will be in full pads and go all out…
• Raiders owner Al Davis made an appearance on the practice field. Several players walked over to shake his had; RB Rock Cartwright, WR Jacoby Ford, RB Michael Bennett, OL Bruce Campbell, QB Kyle Boller, and OL Jared Veldheer.

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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

The Oakland Raiders issued a statement to the Associated Press on Wednesday regarding their ex-quarterback, JaMarcus Russell.

Russell, who was charged Monday with possession of a controlled substance, after being arrested at his home in Alabama, is widely regarded as one the league’s biggest draft bust; a player that amassed $36.4 million by the Silver & Black during his tenure.

The statement read:

“We did all we could to intervene and assist with a myriad of issues with JaMarcus Russell. NFL policy restricts our ability to comment publicly at this time.

“Therefore, those in the media who declare what the Raiders knew or should have known, or did or should have done, are reckless, irresponsible and offensive and do a disservice to all concerned, including the public.”

The number one overall choice in the 2007 draft was arrested as part of a two-month undercover narcotics investigation.

Oakland filed a grievance seeking nearly $10 million from the former LSU star. “We have filed a grievance against JaMarcus Russell and that’s all we’re going to say at this time,” Raiders attorney Jeff Birren said.

Part of the guaranteed $32 million was originally in the form of salary advances for the 2010, 2011 and 2012 seasons. The Raiders contend that the contract was altered at one point during Russell’s three-year stint with the club and that he’s not allowed to keep all of the money he had collected prior to his May 7 release.

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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

The arrest on Monday of ex Oakland Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell should spell the end of his NFL career.

Anyone who saw him play and viewed his ineptness could have proclaimed that. His football prowess was atrocious, Russell had no leadership qualities or desire to be great and ultimately, all he cared about was cashing a check and leaning on that $36.4 million he hoodwinked from Al Davis.

The 24-year old was charged with possession of a controlled substance – codeine syrup – arrested at his home in Alabama. The $2,500 bond was posted per online records and now chatter of what will happen next will begin.

Just recently, reports surfaced that the New York Jets may be interested in taking a look at the bust. Russell’s former passing coach, Tom Martinez, has stated that the former LSU star could still have a chance to strive in this league.

“He was never wanted there [Oakland] by any of the coaches,” Martinez told the New York Times “The only one who wanted him there was Al Davis.”

“With the Jets, they run the ball and that will help him, it will open up the passing game,” Martinez said. “If he gets that and actually has receivers who can get open, then the Jets will have a steal.”

What was a steal was the money Oakland put in his pocket. Russell had no yearning to be a professional when he didn’t have money, why would he now after pocketing a small fortune?

Russell is the classic case of the young athlete who was given too much too fast. He is also the epitome of many new age athletes that look at the wads of money and fast life as the reward for being talents that NFL prospects drool over in trying to find the next savior of an organization. That is their goal; not to be stellar on the field and build a legacy on the field, but to savor the material things and perceived power they may have as public figures.

He wont be the last NFL bust, but he may be undoubtedly the biggest one now.

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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

Tom Van Riper, a reporter and writer for Forbes.com, published a piece that appeared on Yahoo! Sports regarding the most disliked figures in sports.

Former dog abuser and current Philadelphia Eagles passer Michael Vick headlined that list. At number three resided Pittsburgh Steelers frat boy Ben Roethlisberger, followed by Tiger Woods and Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.

But sandwiched in between those characters at number two was Oakland Raiders renegade owner Al Davis. He stated in the piece: “…a longtime maverick with a history of clashing with the NFL, coaches and politicians in Northern and Southern California over stadium deals that have led him to move the club twice.”

Per the article, “To measure public opinion of sports figures, E-Poll surveyed 1,100 people nationwide, aged 13 or older. Forbes limited eligibility to those currently active in sports as a player, coach, manager, broadcaster, agent or owner. A 10 percent minimum awareness level was also a prerequisite (that eliminated drug-using cyclist Floyd Landis and money-grubbing baseball agent Scott Boras, both very much disliked by the few but anonymous to the many).”

Davis has been a target for a large sector of Raider fans over the years. And within the last two campaigns, a growing number of followers within the Raider Nation have grown more and more impatient with increased venom towards the figure that was once looked at as the embodiment of the Silver & Black during their zenith.

But a stretch of seven straight seasons with 11 or more losses and a record of 29-83 since 2003 could sour anyone.

What’s surprising is that Davis has that type of impression nationally at this point, since the Raiders have been irrelevant in the landscape of the NFL for many years now and mainly the butt of many jokes since their Super Bowl defeat at the hands of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

With the exception of Davis’ press conferences, Tom Cable’s off the field news and their yearly appearance atop the NFL draft every April, the Raiders have done very little to attract any attention nationally.

This poll within the fan-base would definitely yield similar results – as the owner will be under the gun again in 2010 after an off-season of perceived stability and solid moves.

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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

Oakland Raiders head coach Tom Cable was featured on the NFL Network tonight. In the taped piece, Cable talked about defensive lineman Richard Seymour and what he meant to the club, off-season goals and ultimately, what he expects his team will achieve in 2010. The coach will work this upcoming campaign with no security, as Cable is a lame duck on the final year of his contract.

On Rebuilding:

Well I think, you know, we are not so far away now. We are very competitive now. Primarily, is to get our young guys to grow up. We’ve kind of gotten a little bit younger in the last year and a half, at the same time, more talented, which is a key.

On the Richard Seymour acquisition:

When we first got Richard last year, he jumped right into that role. A guy in the league for quite some time; he’s won the world championship a number of times, been to the pro-bowl a number of times…

He’s come in and showed this young team how you prepare, how you take notes, how you work every week, how you take care of your body, you know, all the things that are really critical to being good for a long period of time. He was fantastic with that.

On key issues being addressed this off-season:

I think there’s two things. Confidence number one, and number two is ball security and the turnover takeaway deal, which effects the entire football team. Those are the two big things that need to get done for this team to take the next step.

On running back Darren McFadden:

I hope so. I think he’s been so close and then an injury issue comes up. He’s not been able to stay healthy for an extended period of time. He’s flashed. Big time flash. But I hope he’s ready to put it all together, we need him to.

Is this his team?

Yeah, I think going into last year I did. The ’08 thing was a lot of work, a lot of adversity, a lot of things getting used to. I was a [offensive] line coach one minute, the next minute I’m coaching the line and coaching the whole team. So you kind of, get through that, to survive. You try to improve it and the last six weeks of ’08 we played pretty good football and last year, we didn’t get off to the start we wanted to and I think that’s a key in this league.

But I certainly think its my team.

On the playoffs and Al Davis’ patience:

He’s not at all. You know, and shouldn’t be and neither am I. That’s what I see this team being in 2010. That’s a team that can get to the playoffs. That’s the next step.

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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

“Doing a documentary is a lot different than doing a movie,” – Ice Cube

Yesterday, ESPN aired Ice Cube’s “30 for 30″ documentary “Straight Outta L.A.” The nostalgic look back at the now Oakland Raiders stint in Los Angeles would have fit right at home on VH1 or MTV, but it was out of place on the sports network and quite frankly, did nothing but prove to be a self indulgent piece for the rapper, actor and director who professes his love for the franchise.

It was a look back at the influence the Silver & Black had on the city of Los Angeles, mostly during the West-Coast rap movement where it seemed that every rapper who catapulted onto music videos had some sort of Raiders fan-gear. How both that rap scene and the Los Angeles football team were synonymous; spreading like wildfire during an era in which Ice Cube rose to popularity.

Quite frankly, unless you are a completely out of the loop and had no recollections of what went on during that period, there was nothing in this ‘documentary’ that would enlighten the viewer.

The associations with the street life, violence and many negatives aspect that arose from those donning Silver & Black and the relationship with the team were overly emphasized. “That team represented the L.A. I knew,” Cube explained. “It wasn’t the ‘Showtime’ Lakers, where people saw the glitz and the glamour. It wasn’t the ‘84 Olympics. It was a little more grimy, and the Raiders represented that, in South Central [where they played]. They had the whole city on lock. To me, [this project] is the true representation of music and sports.”

Yes, the player’s accounts of what happened during that period were a nice touch. The footage presented and presentation were adequate, but it failed to really engage, while being manic and painfully disappointing with its lack of direction and objective.

If Ice Cube was trying to self promote, give his personal account and views, gratify himself  by boasting about his career and emphasize the importance of the team to his life – then mission accomplished.

Otherwise, NFL Films and other stellar presenters of sports documentaries have nothing to worry about after seeing Ice Cube’s effort and none of those other creative and very appealing presenters of history won’t ever be asking the former gangsta rapper to produce or direct any future features.

Even the interview with Al Davis lacked depth and seemed very shallow, only made interesting by the aging owner who is quite frank and is very captivating whenever he talks. And with his declining age, anytime he speaks, all Raider fans listen, whether they love or despise him.

Ultimately, the best part about it was Los Angeles Times sports columnist Bill Plaschke, who has worked for the publication since 1996. The regular ESPN contributor, who has displayed quite a personality working such shows as ‘Around the Horn,’ poignantly stated what the Raiders meant to Los Angeles and how that melting pot embraced everything Raiders. In closing the presentation, the best was delivered when Plaschke stated:

When I think of the L.A Raiders, I think of a hidden L.A. I think of the L.A that nobody notices. I think of the LA that showed up every Sunday madder than hell, wanting to take on the world. The kind of L.A that you don’t see on TV, the kind of L.A that comes from Mexico, the kind of L.A that comes from inner cities all over this country. When I think of the Raiders I think of the heartbeat of Los Angeles. And some if it we didn’t like, and some of it wasn’t very pretty, and some of it wasn’t very fun but it was who we are and just like that it was gone.

Oh, in reply to Ice Cube’s statement: “The silver and black might call another place home, but the Raiders will always belong to L.A.”

This may be true in your eyes, but the Raiders are Oakland.

The history of the Raiders was beautifully depicted in HBO’s documentary, ‘Rebels of Oakland: The A’s, the Raiders, the ’70s,’ aired in 2003.  If you want to see the social, economical and civil attachment that is deeply rooted in the city of Oakland and how the Raiders are part of the fabric of that town, please view that special and enjoy a real perspective on what the Raiders are all about and how they will always belong to the Bay Area.

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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

Is he in shape? Is he really taking this off-season serious?

Oakland Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell is the hot topic right now, especially since reports about his off-season conditioning have surfaced and Comcast SportsNet’s Kate Longworth chased down the elusive passer after Tuesday’s work out session.

Willie Brown boasted about Russell saying, “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.”

Just because Russell has taken the first steps to back respectability and to possibly salvaging a career does not mean that he’s on his way to greatness or that he can still be trusted.

Russell is far from being a capable NFL starter.

Losing weight will help out his mobility. Shedding those excessive pounds will help in trying to instill trust in a fan-base and more importantly, a squad that has little hope in the lackadaisical signal caller.

But that does not change the fact that he is still shouldering a major burden: being the number one overall pick, getting paid a brinks truck full of dollars and being the savior of a bottom feeding organization.

And his new work-out regimen does not mean that he will be accurate. Nor does it make him trustworthy in handling a complex NFL playbook and being able to integrate that on the field on Sundays.

Russell has a long way to go.

But because he is making these first steps, that will be enough to titillate Al Davis and give the former LSU product the benefit of the doubt.

This will likely keep Bruce Gradkowski at the bottom of the hill, trying to go against a passer that will have the owner’s side when they face each other in the coming months for starting supremacy. And you know how that will end, unless Russell is injured, just tanks it completely or the team revolts publicly, Gradkowski may never see a fair shake in Oakland.

It may take Russell bombing early in 2010 and a atrocious start to the campaign before we ever see the quarterback that stated last week, “Yeah, I think that’s the way it always has to go [open competition for the job]. I believe that in any business that you are on, any field of work, competition just makes you better and the best person should be out there for the job,” on the field.

Gradkowski continued, “I think that’s the way it should take place. That’s the way it will take place and I’m looking forward to it. I’m just excited for getting this opportunity and like I’ve said, competition makes you better and there’s going to be competition everywhere. It’s just the nature of the game. So I’m looking forward to it this year and I’ll love to get it from the start and see what we can do with it.”

He may not see that action early, but that’s because Russell is saying and doing all the right things now.

There’s no guarantee that Russell will continue this. And there is no reason to think that all the ills that he has brought on to the football team and his organization will cease.

So I wouldn’t be too giddy just yet about what Russell has done.

What he will do at the start of the summer and in the fall will be far more important, even though he may be finally realizing that major changes were needed for him to become a professional.