The expected:

Wide receiver Drew Carter and fullback Oren O’Neal, both out for the season after suffering knee injuries in this weekend’s preseason game, were placed on injured reserve.

The surprising:

Special teams ace Jarrod Cooper was released, amid reports the popular safety intends to retire.

The in-between:

Veteran defensive end Greg Spires, like Carter a free agent signed this off-season, and linebacker Grant “Game Ready” Irons, attempting to make a comeback from back troubles, were waived.

Cornerback John Bowie, forever known for being drafted with the “Randy Moss pick” in 2007, was placed on injured reserve, his knee injury rendering him unable to go. Like Carter and O’Neal, Bowie’s season is over.

The additions:

The Raiders claimed fullback Luke Lawton, last of the Philadelphia Eagles, off waivers to replace O’Neal. They also signed defensive back Marviel Underwood.

The transactions leave the Raiders with 76 players on the roster (80 minus six plus two), meaning one more player must be cut to reach the limit tomorrow, and more if other players are added.

Huff hovering in the secondary

The Oakland Raiders finally have the right alignment in the secondary. One reason for the optimistic outlook in the defensive backfield is the return of Michael Huff to his natural free safety position. Now, his athleticism will be on displayed, not shackled by the rigors of playing closer to the line of scrimmage, a duty that belongs now to Gibril Wilson.

Huff recorded an interception against the Arizona Cardinals last night during the Silver & Black’s 24-0 defeat. A sight many fans hope to see more often now that he is at that spot where he was most effective as a collegiate.

“I’m getting more chances to make plays,” Huff stated. “Instead of focusing on one guy, worrying about being in the box covering tight ends, I can just read the quarterback and make plays.”

OH BOY – O-Line woes

JaMarcus Russell is a statuesque quarterback. He doesn’t go down easily and is mobile enough to scamper away from pressure. But the Raiders have to be very worried about what his protection will be like in his first season as a pro.

Last night, the Cardinals sacked him four times, and it could’ve been six if not for his physical attributes.

With his ongoing development, which is one of the major keys to this organizations resurgence, a lack of quality depth at quarterback and the need for him to stay on the field and provide the team a big-armed passer, it is imperative that the offensive line plays a lot better in pass protection.

“I was very discouraged,” Lane Kiffin said of the pass blocking. “It just kind of reminded me of who we are.”

Tackles have struggled all pre-season and if last night was an indicator of what could occur, Russell will have a tough season in the pocket evading pressure and looking for anyone to step up down the field to make plays for him. Or worse, Raider fans may have to see their prized passer on the sideline injured.

OUCH – Injuries to key contributors

“Very disappointing night, right from the start,” Kiffin stated. “That’s the last thing you want to have happen in a preseason game. It wasn’t a very good sign.”

Fullback Oren O’Neal who was expected to be a key contributor on short yardage situations and goal line packages at fullback was injured on the opening kickoff and will likely miss the entire season. A proto-typical lead blocker, O’Neal is just the opposite of what Justin Griffith is as a fullback, and that variation of style was going to help the Raiders change up the pace as needed in their powerful rushing attack.

The left knee injury will be revaluated, but early signs are not promising.

Free-agent acquisition Drew Carter was also lost to a left knee injury in the 1^st quarter.

When he went down, it appeared to have deflated the Silver & Black’s night before it even got started.

“The outcome really doesn’t matter,” Kiffin said. “We lost two significant parts of what our offense hoped to be, so not very good from that perspective.”

Justin Griffith elaborated: “Aw man, those are frontline guys. Just to see those guys go down, that takes the air out of the team.”

GAME NOTES:

• Javon Walker had his best outing of the summer, compiling 60-yards on four receptions.
• Huff was not the only one to record an interception. Cornerback Stanford Routt and safety Rashad Baker picked off Matt Leinart also.
• Johnnie Lee Higgins bounced back from his last effort versus the Titans, this time on kickoffs, amassing 88-yards during three returns.
• Sebastian Janikowski and Shane Lechler were given the night off again, and replaced with Aaron Elling and Glenn Pakulak.
• Oakland felt they needed to put a jolt in their passing game last night. That led to the smallest output in rushing yards all season (54-yards) and a shutout defeat. After losing Carter and the offensive line being so shaky, it is clear that if this team doesn’t emphasize the run and cannot pound away at opponents on the ground, it will have many problems putting up points in 2008.
• Conversely, the rush defense that appeared a lot better over recent weeks and that has been troublesome for the Raiders in recent years allowed 215 yards last night.
• DeAngelo Hall played briefly with his injured hand.

As the first pre-season NFL game nears, the Oakland Raiders depth chart is beginning to take shape. With that, players who see themselves on “the bubble” begin to prepare for what might be their last dress rehearsal.

Here are some of the highlights of Tuesday’s practice:

• Wide receiver Jonathan Holland hauled in an intermediate pass for a completion. This would normally not be a note-worthy reference, but the fact is that Holland has been dropping several sure-handed attempts since camp began.
• Wide receiver Drisan James caught a well thrown play-action touchdown pass in between two defenders from quarterback Marques Tuiasosopo.
• Cornerback Chris Johnson dropped an easy interception in the end zone that slipped past his hands and bounced off his chest then fell harmlessly to the ground. Teammate DeAngelo Hall ran from the back of the end zone, where he was observing the play to slap Johnson on the helmet yelling, “We just talked about that!”, in order to get Johnson to concentrate on completing the interception.
• Wide receiver Javon Walker practiced with the team. He didn’t look extraordinary, but managed to make a reception.
• JaMarcus Russell’s arm looks to be in fine shape. After practice, Russell confirmed that he will be fine and will be ready to go this Friday.
• Nnamdi Asougha was still out while suffering from what head coach Lane Kiffin called a “bug” and that it also seems to be spreading amongst the players.
• Jarrod Cooper also is listed as out with a (flu) “bug”.
• Wide receiver Drew Carter is getting a veterans break. No injury suffered. Coach Kiffin wanted Carter to get some rest to keep him from getting tired/fatigued.
• Safety Gibril Wilson sat out today’s practice with what coach Kiffin called and “aggravated knee.”
• Former Kansas City Chief safety Greg Wesley did not work out today.
• Tackles Tommy Kelly, Terdell Sands, and Gerard Warren practiced today.

• 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.

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.

Drew Carter has been all smiles since arriving in Oakland

By Victor Cotto, S&B Report Staff Columnist

Carter’s Commitment

All signs are positive in Oakland for one of their acquisitions this off-season. Drew Carter inked a one-year $2 million contract in March and has been a fixture at the team’s facility working out and getting in sync with JaMarcus Russell. Last season, for a second year in a row, Carter set career marks, posting 38-receptions, 517-yards and four touchdowns. And that was on a team with an unstable situation at quarterback that ended the season with the 29^th ranked pass attack in the league.

Now Carter looks to boast an aerial attack that was 31^st in the league, but unlike in Carolina, he has a strong-armed passer to match his best attribute – getting deep.

“Drew has been here the whole off-season and working with [Russell], so I think you are starting to see them gel a little bit,” said head coach Lane Kiffin.

Carter will be one of the four pass catchers that Kiffin will depend on to ignite a dormant passing game.

His speed and strengths as a down field target were needed to compliment Russell and add some diversity to a unit that was in dire need of big plays from that spot. Ronald Curry should feel more comfortable in a complimentary role, Javon Walker they hope can bounce back after injuries slowed him down in 2007, and with the development of Zack Miller, who looks to already have a connection with Russell, the Raiders passing game should be able to hold up their end of the bargain and round out an offense that already has a very formidable ground attack.

1^st round talents are their handling their workload

With Russell and Darren McFadden, Oakland has the foundation to an explosive attack. And so far, both have hit it off and begun the learning process together.

“It’s been good to have them together. I think they’ve hit it off pretty well,” commented Kiffin during last week’s practice.

The second year coach wants them to absorb much of the playbook now in preparation for training camp and the pre-season when they can implement their education to the football field.

“We’re going to keep throwing more stuff at ‘em,” said Kiffin. McFadden has been talked about as a multi-dimensional weapon that will be utilize as a receiver and runner once he gets a good grasp of the offense. But with his natural abilities, Oakland will surely hand the ball to the 4^th overall choice on many downs and let him do what he does best.

What will make him a true star is when the Raiders open up the playbook and let him showcase his many skills. And the building blocks for that will occur now during organized team activities.

Kiffin was quoted, “I think we are going to try stay with more stuff and slow up a lil’ bit later. He is doing a phenomenal job of mentality being able to handle it. Physical, is being very easy on him.”

JaMarcus Russell on the Raiders practice field Thursday 

In this edition of Five Questions & Answers, the Silver & Black Report assesses some of the highlights from the Oakland Raiders’ practice on Thursday. JaMarcus Russell’s development was one topic of conversation during Lane Kiffin’s media meet-up along with his rapport with one of his newest targets. It’s time to give you the skinny on what’s going and what we can expect in the coming weeks.

 How is JaMarcus Russell progressing entering his second season with the Oakland Raiders?

On Thursday, Lane Kiffin appeared enthused about the development of his quarterback and raved how much difference a year can make. “This is not the same JaMarcus we saw a year ago. The way he is moving around. The way he is zipping the ball in and the confidence he is throwing with”, said Kiffin.

These are fantastic signs for the Raiders who are depending on their no. 1 overall choice last season to lead this offense at such a young age. Russell is practically a rookie, going through his first camps and eventually participating in his first pre-season as a professional after a hold out put a nix to his schooling early on in 2007. Of importance will be how he is able to grab the bull by the horns and become a leader for an offense that will try to find an identity. Russell likes to lead by example and has stated that often in the past. But Kiffin noted that his ability to pilot his club effortlessly at such a young age has been seamless. “His leadership role; I like that he hasn’t tried to fake it. He has let come naturally.”

For Oakland, good signs early on that their franchise passer has embraced and is ready to take on the challenge of being one of the focal points of the organization. It helps also that he is physically fit, looking stronger than he did at any point last season and as imposing as any quarterback in the league with his conditioning.

Why was Stuart Schweigert cut?

The Raiders made it evident that at his salary; Schweigert was a prime candidate to be moved off the roster. After revamping the defensive backfield and investing a lot of money on other components in that secondary that would make Schweigert a back up, coach Lane Kiffin stated on Thursday that it was the right decision for both parties to severe ties. “It was in Stu’s best interest as well to not drag it out any longer than it was. You know how this league works, you never know. He can be back here. Wish Stu the best….”

Oakland has enough depth in the secondary that bringing back the former Purdue star will not be an option. When Kiffin wrapped up the situation by stating, “I think we did the right thing”, he may have hit the nail right on the head and turned the page on a player that fan’s targeted and that needed a change in scenery to get a career back on track that looked promising coming out of college.

 What’s going on with Drew Carter?

The Raiders are happy with their free-agent wide receiver and look to get solid production out of the 26-year old in 2008. So far, he has been healthy, present at the team’s facility in Alameda working on his transition onto a new team and system and more importantly, building a rapport with his young quarterback.

“Drew has been here the whole off-season and working with [Russell], so I think you are starting to see them gel a little bit. They had a really good day yesterday”, commented Kiffin.

 It is imperative that Carter provides Oakland with a deep threat. With questions surrounding Javon Walker’s health and ability to bounce back and Ronald Curry being the other lone wide receiver with any type of success in the league on Oakland’s roster, the Raiders cannot go into the season with erratic play from their receiving unit.

Where will Gibril Wilson play?

The off-season acquisition will play at strong safety. Wilson’s style of play and abilities lend themselves perfect to the position and will compliment Michael Huff, who will be moved ot free-safety. On Thursday, Wilson stated that, “the strong safety position is just a very physical position”, noting the toughness it takes to play closer to the line of scrimmage, something the Raiders will have him doing in order to alleviate some of the issues they have had in the past at stopping the run.

 He continued, “Yeah, I think what I bring is my physical presence, being in the box. I’m used to being in the box….”

 And after a season where he reached the pinnacle of pro football success, Wilson commented on how that felt and what it would take for Oakland to get there.

 “Being in the Super Bowl and winning a Super Bowl is probably the greatest feeling outside of having kids.”

 Wilson elaborated, “It’s what we play for. Once everyone realizes the goal and works hard to get there, we’ll be all right.”

 Can Marques Tuiasosopo win the back-up job?

 Why not? Andrew Walter appears to be his only competitor in a weak crop of quarterbacks. Tuiasosopo knows how to prepare as a back-up, has done it in the past and embraces that role knowing that throughout his whole career, he has needed to engage in that capacity playing behind passers that have been the team’s main option going into the season.