Tom Cable addresses the media on the team’s injuries, gives a look back at the Jacksonville game and what to possibly look for with the Denver Broncos coming to town this Sunday.
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Oakland Raiders head coach Tom Cable had his weekly press briefing this afternoon. Here are some excerpts from the conference:
On injuries yesterday:
CABLE: Johnnie Lee Higgins has an ankle issue; we’ll know more about it come Wednesday. Don’t know the severity of it…
CABLE: Stinger for Jason Campbell, all was well today, we checked it out. He feels fine.
On his rookie middle linebacker:
CABLE: [Rolando] McClain was feeling better today, but there’s still some issue in there that has to be researched and we’ll continue to do that.
CABLE: It’s just a foot, today in his rehab stuff, was really pretty good. But he still has an issue in it and we are going to continue to research on it and figure out exactly what’s going on here.
On game, team’s fight and playoff feel to the contest:
CABLE: We played very hard, did a lot of good things but, it’s not good enough in a game that you have to finish the deal.
CABLE: Very pleased though about our effort, our intensity and all of that, but you can’t give up big plays and you cant turn the ball over.
CABLE: It was good for us to be involved in that and be a part of that.
On playoff hopes:
CABLE: We got to win out and we need some help.
CABLE: Well, I mean, let’s be real about it; you have to be a 49ers fan on Thursday and a Rams fan on Sunday.
On team learning how to win and if this is a successful year:
CABLE: I think it hardens you and it makes it that much more of a big deal when your opportunity comes. And when you cease it, you can look back on it and say, that was a stepping-stone.
CABLE: Yeah, there’s a lot of success, but not in my book. My book is getting to the playoffs. You could improve a lot, which we’ve have, you could change the attitude, which we’ve have. We’re on the step now in becoming one of those teams that talks about getting in the final group of twelve, but you have to do it. You have to do it.
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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist
Both the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Oakland Raiders had several gut-checks during yesterday’s contest.
Either club had opportunities to put the game out of reach, but both responded with rallies or game tying drives, ultimately ending in the Silver & Black falling short and going back to Oakland defeated, 38-31.
“They’re a chippy team. They try to bully you,” defensive tackle Terrance Knighton said of the Raiders.“We’ll fight. We fought a little better today. They throw a punch, we throw a punch back. They kick, we kick back. That’s the kind of team we are. You’re not going to come into our house and bully us.”
Down 17-7 to start the second half, it took Jacksonville four plays to get back into the game after the giddy Raiders scored with 00:19 left in the 2nd quarter. On 2nd and 18, David Garrard’s 48-yard bomb to Jason Hill revitalize the team and crowd, inching his team to 17-14.
Oakland probably felt that they had deflated Jacksonville’s balloon 3 plays later when Darren McFadden sprinted 51-yards into the end zone to extend the Silver & Black’s lead, 24-14.
But two drives later, Rashad Jennings’ 74-yard romp crept the Jaguars closer, 24-21. “There were a lot of moments that we showed a lot of gritty determination,” coach Jack Del Rio, stated. “That’s what this team has been about all year. That’s what we have and we’re going to hang onto it.”
Even after blowing the lead when rookie Jacoby Ford’s fumble set up a Jaguars’ possession at the Oakland 22-yard line, which ended in a Mike Sims-Walker score and being behind 31-24 in the closing minutes, the Raiders recovered, stuffing Maurice Jones-Drew on a 2nd and 2 and then Garrard on a 3rd and 3 to set up a game tying drive.
McFadden ultimately ran it in from 36-yards out to tie the back-and-forth battle at 31, giving the Raiders a shot to come away with a road victory. “We came out and played hard, but they had a bunch of big plays, and I felt that cost us,” McFadden said after the game.
“Heck of a game,” Raiders coach Tom Cable said.
Both teams demonstrated grit and determination. The one that’s looking like a playoff contender got the job done at the end.
“We’ve really had some growth through the course of this year,” Del Rio said. “Not only in terms of playing better football, but the culture we have in our locker room that guys really believe we’ll continue to fight and hang together.”
MCFADDEN, A MVP CANDIDATE
Yesterday, McFadden looked every bit of a MVP candidate. The Raiders running back tallied 209-yards of total offense and three scores, but he took no solace in his performance, stating, “A game like that means nothing if we don’t win. I felt we played hard the whole game, but it didn’t bounce our way at the end.”
McFadden became the fourth Raider in franchise history with two touchdowns of at least 50 yards in the same game and the first with a 50 yard or more scoring run and a 50 yard or more touchdown reception in the same game since Clem Daniels in 1963.
“They have a pretty good run defense, but we have a pretty good rushing offense,” he said. “It was a battle of the titans out there.”
GAME NOTES
John Henderson played his best game as a Raider, against his former club. His ex-teammate Terrance Knighton did not restraint himself after the win, saying, “He’s over there yapping. We’re over there yapping. We won. Ha, ha,” in a comment directed to Oakland’s defensive tackle.
Kirk Morrison wants more respect. “Everybody keeps saying Indy, Indy,” stated the linebacker, who beat his former team on Sunday. “What about us? What about the Jacksonville Jaguars? What about us going out and executing and holding everything we want in our own hands? Not worrying about they do, but worrying about what we do. We know what’s at stake.” Did he take a pot shot at his old team? I’ll let you dissect this comment: “I’m playing meaningful December football and it’s a great feeling.”
With the loss and fledgling playoff aspirations, could this be the end of the line for Tom Cable? He deserves a lot of credit for leading this team to six-wins so far and meaningful football this late in the season. Changing the culture in that locker room and navigating through the JaMarcus Russell era was quite the task. But with no contract past the end of this campaign, the struggles of the offensive line and the owner’s high expectations, could the Raiders just let the coach walk? This could be an interesting off-season, as Oakland could just operate without having to announce a ‘firing’ because Cable’s deal runs out once the season ends. Hue Jackson has made quite the impression and according to Yahoo’s Jason Cole, both the coach and offensive coordinator have ‘butted heads’ and that Cable is trying to under cut the assistant. Cable disowned any responsibility when a reporter asked is his star rushers should’ve had more carries yesterday, stating, “I don’t know. That is not for me to decide right now.”
Jackson has been receiving much of the credit for the offense. When the former Ravens assistant was brought in, it freed Cable to be more of a leader and work with the offensive line, a group that has been shaky in 2010. Oakland could cite the team’s inability to get over the hump and transform themselves into a playoff contender and the struggles of the offensive line for not bringing back Cable. Stay tuned…
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QUARTERBACKS
Jason Campbell: A
The Oakland Raiders got another outstanding performance out of their starting passer today. On 3rd and 3 during Oakland’s first possession of the 2nd quarter, Campbell was poised rolling away from pressure towards the sideline and finding Darren McFadden for 16-yards. Later on that drive, Campbell his Zach Miller for 7-yards and eventually, Oakland took a 10-7 lead. At that point, the Raiders needed a sustained drive to give their defense a breather. The following offensive possession, Campbell led a 9-play scoring drive with passes to Miller for 12-yards, a toss to Marcel Reece for 11 after evading pressure and a exquisite play fake on 3rd and 2, followed by another pass to his fullback for 13-yards. He ended the drive with a dart to Louis Murphy in the back of the end zone to give his club a 17-7 advantage. At halftime, Campbell had a perfect rating (158.3%), 204-yards on 11-of-14 completions with 2 scores. He missed some reps in the 4th quarter after being sacked and driven into the turf. But he came back to lead the Raiders to a game tying score with 1:53 remaining in the contest. The Raiders knotted it at 31 after Campbell hit Reece with two-completions for 20 yards and Murphy for gains of 12 and 10-yards. He ended 21-of-30 for 324-yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions.
Kyle Boller: Incomplete
The back up had a tough task, entering the game late with the Raiders down seven. On his first play, Boller completed a pass to Miller for 20-yards and then on 2nd and 9, he smartly scrambled for 6-yards. On 3rd and 3, Boller was too high on his slant to Murphy and on 4th and 3, while drifting backward, Don Carey picked him off and returned it for seven-yards.
RUNNING BACKS/FULLBACK: A
Darren McFadden looked like an MVP candidate versus the Jaguars. He gave Oakland a 7-0 lead in the 1st quarter on a 3rd and 8 dump off he took to paydirt from 67-yards out (career long reception). After the Jaguars sliced into the Raiders lead [17-14] to start the second half, McFadden cut, weaved and speeded into the end-zone, tallying 51-yards on a run that extended the Silver & Black’s lead to 24-14. McFadden struck for his third-score of the game with 1:53 left in the contest, scampering 36-yards, bouncing off defenders and stiff-arming his way into the end zone to tie the game at 31. He finished with 123-yards rushing and 86-receiving. Marcel Reece was a vital safety valve most of the day, compiling 48-yards on four catches.
WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS: D
Zach Miller had his best outing in weeks. He ended with fur catches for 68-yards. Miller’s lone miscue was a holding infraction that negated a McFadden 14-yard run. Murphy recorded six-catches for 59-yards and a score. His back-to-back receptions for 12-yards on 2nd and 15 and 10-yards on 3rd and 3 in the 4th quarter helped the Raiders move the chains. But it was too little too late for a team in need of more consistent pop at wide receiver. Murphy did run a nice route and showed solid awareness with his feet on his touchdown grab and provided a solid block on one of McFadden’s big plays. Chaz Schilens played again, but was a ghost with Campbell targeting him once on the opening drive on a pass that was almost intercepted by Rashean Mathis when the often-injured receiver was late coming out of his break. Darrius Heyward-Bey hauled in a 16-yard pass in the 2nd quarter and a 26-yard toss right before halftime. On a deep ball in the second half, Heyward-Bey let a long toss sail right through his arms. Jacoby Ford’s best play was a deep cross in which he hauled in for 27-yards.
OFFENSIVE LINE: C+
Far too often, this group let defenders tee off on their passers. The Jaguars tallied three sacks, the most important one coming with 18-seconds remaining Jeremy Mincey as Oakland attended to tie the game. Khalif Barnes was flagged for a false start, Campbell was drilled on a play in which the Jaguars picked up a fumble and ran it into the end zone, but was nullified due to a personal foul flag on Terrance Knighton. Cooper Carlisle and Samson Satele has stellar blocks on McFadden’s 51-yard scamper and the team did amass 153-yards on the ground (6.1 a carry). But it failed to stay consistent enough to give Campbell a comfortable pocket on a day he was very effective. Langston Walker appeared slow at the point of attack consistently at right tackle.
DEFENSIVE LINE: C-
This group got consistent pressure on David Garrard. Richard Seymour (1) and Matt Shaughnessy (0.5) tallied sacks. At the half, Jacksonville was held to 52-yards rushing and Maurice Jones-Drew had little room to roam when the Raiders were playing from in front. But things changed in the second half, as Jones-Drew (23 carries for 101 yards 1 TD) and Rashad Jennings (5 car. 109 yards 1 TD) exploded for big gains and pounded away at the Silver & Black’s front-seven. Jennings’ 74-yard run for a score cut into the Raiders lead, 24-21. Jones-Drew 30-yard run with less than two minutes left in the game clinched the victory. Lamarr Houston was the Raiders best lineman today with a couple of run-stuffs on short down and distances.
LINEBACKERS: C
With Rolando McClain inactive, Ricky Brown started at middle linebacker. He had a fine play covering Jennings out of the backfield down the field on a 3rd and 22 and stalling Garrard on a reverse option to end another drive. Kamerion Wimbley had 0.5 sack, but struggled at times in space. Quentin Groves was sidelined a few times, and his reps were given to rookie Travis Goethel.
SECONDARY: C-
Michael Huff started the game with a stellar 8-yard tackle for a loss on an end around by Mike Thomas. He also busted a wide receiver screen on a 2nd and 10 in the 1st quarter. But the starting free-safety was torched by Jason Hill for 48-yards and a score to open the 3rd quarter and did very little in run support when the Jaguars began to roll. Huff was also beat on Sims-Walker’s score to give the Jaguars a 28-24 lead. Marcedes Lewis beat Tyvon Branch on a gain of 20-yards and on the 1-yard score that tied the game at 7. Branch drilled Thomas on a play in which Mike Mitchell recovered for a key turnover that Oakland parlayed into a 17-7 lead. Stevie Brown was beaten in coverage on what could’ve been a long touchdown to Zach Miller, but Garrard failed to connect with his tight end. Nnamdi Asomugha continues to look limited at times due to his injured foot. Chris Johnson returned to the line-up and had a nice pass defended in a 3rd and 6 while covering Mike Sims-Walker.
SPECIAL TEAMS: F
Shane Lechler had one his worst games in recent years. Yes the wind was treacherous, but he looked awful in his five-punts, never drilling one solidly for an average of 42.0 yards per. Johnnie Lee Higgins provided little on punt returns (3 ret. 9 yds.) and Jacoby Ford’s fumble on a kickoff after Jacksonville cut the Raiders lead to 24-21, was a momentum swinging event. The Jaguars took their first lead at the end of the 3rd quarter five-plays later. The kickoff unit failed again after Oakland tied the game at 31. Deji Karim’s 65-yard returned was the defining moment in a game full of big plays. On three Jaguar scoring drives, they either started at midfield or deep in Raiders’ territory. Stevie Brown had a solid tackle on one punt covered and Mike Mitchell almost got his hands on a punt block.
COACHING: C
Oakland played a gutsy game. They fought back to stay in the contest when it appeared that Jacksonville was ready to put them away. But on a day where Jones-Drew was controlled early and the Raiders had a ten-point lead at halftime, with their playoff lives on the line, the Silver & Black had to find a way to go home with a victory. Jacksonville took many jabs from the Raiders, but they never were able to knock them out. Once the Jaguars got back into the game, were balanced on offense and could rely on their running back duo, they felt comfortable and at ease. Special teams faltered and the defense was a sieve in key spots. This a totally different defense when they force teams to be one-dimensional and playing with a lead. Tom Cable had his group prepared to take the field on Sunday, but not equipped to come away with a road victory.
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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist
Oakland Raiders rookie middle linebacker Rolando McClain will be inactive when they face the Jacksonville Jaguars.
His foot injury (tendonitis), kept him limited in practice all week and wearing a protective boot.
Here are the rest of the inactives for the Silver & Black:
CB Walter McFadden, CB Jeremy Ware, RB Michael Bennett, G Daniel Loper, G Bruce Campbell, WR Nick Miller, QB J.T O’Sullivan (3rd QB).
Ricky Brown will start at linebacker for McClain.
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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist
The Oakland Raiders have won 4 of the past 5 road games in December.
The Jacksonville Jaguars are 4-1 at home against the AFC this season.
Quarterback Jason Campbell is 4-1 and has completed 54.8 percent of his passes. This Sunday will mark his first career start versus the Jaguars.
With 130-yards rushing, Darren McFadden will become the Silver & Black’s first 1,000-yard rusher since Justin Fargas (2007 – 1,009).
Jacoby Ford is aiming for a third straight contest with a touchdown.
Jaguars’ wide receiver Mike Thomas is averaging 91-yards receiving per game the last three contests at home.
Jacksonville has scored fewer points (257) and have a worse point differential (minus-43) than four last-place teams.
Since 2003, the Silver & Black are 5-17 in day games at east coast sites.
The Jaguars are 12-1 the last two seasons when scoring more than 20-points.
In their six victories, Oakland has averaged 133.5 more ground yards than their opponent. During the six losses, they’ve been outgained in the rushing department by 84.2 yards per contest.
Sebastian Janikowski is 2nd in the NFL in touchbacks (27), 3rd in scoring (101) and 3rd in field goals made (24).
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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist
The Jacksonville Jaguars clinched a playoff spot back in 2007 when they thrashed the Oakland Raiders, 49-11.
It was the first game in which JaMarcus Russell got some extended reps after Oakland opted to start Josh McCown. “Obviously, there’s a lot of things to learn from today,” Russell said. “Things didn’t go the way we wanted to, but I learned things and that’s what you want.”
Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew combined for 155-yards rushing. Early in the 1st quarter, Taylor scored from 62-yards out and the game was completely discombobulated when the Raiders failed on a 4th and 2 from the Jaguars 20 with 1:48 in the 2nd quarter, trailing 28-3.
Matt Jones then stole the football from a Raider defender on a 37-yard score to expand the lead to 35-3.
Russell was 7-of-23 for 83-yards and 3 interceptions. His first career touchdown pass was recorded with 6 seconds remaining – a 2-yard toss to Zach Miller.
“The whole game was out of control, from … when [Taylor] took that run in,” Raiders cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha said. “It wasn’t embarrassing. It was mortifying if I can use that word. That’s probably the most disappointing loss I’ve had, especially this late in the season when everybody’s been preaching finish strong, we can spoil (things for) Jacksonville.
“And they come out and put those points up on us? That’s very disappointing.”
Dominic Rhodes was one of the few Raiders that showed up that afternoon, rushing for 115-yards on 25-carries.
Warren Sapp was ejected during the defeat, in a game that the Raiders compiled 11-penalties, had four turnovers and were 3-15 on 3rd downs.
Here are photos from that game, captured by Bob Carr, SBReport.net photographer:
Warren Sapp (99) arguing with referees before his departure.
CB Nnamdi Asomugha pleads his case for ejected teammate.
Jay Richardson (98) making a play on Jones-Drew (32).
Dominic Rhodes rushed for over 100-yards vs. the Jaguars.
DE Chris Clemons gets his hands on David Garrard.
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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist
The Oakland Raiders (6-6) took a major step forward last weekend with a victory at San Diego, making themselves a playoff contender in the AFC. The Jacksonville Jaguars (7-5) are sitting pretty atop the AFC South, looking to control their own destiny as the season winds down. “This isn’t about anyone but us,” said tight end Marcedes Lewis. “We set our goals high before the season and we have a chance to make those a reality.” The Silver & Black have altered their practice schedule and are fully aware of what it will take to fly east and come away with a victory. “Just looking at the history of us, just in my time here, we’ve really struggled,” Tom Cable stated. “When you look at the records of teams going west to east it’s not very good. The only thing we could come up with was try to get their body clocks on something similar to that.”
OAKLAND RAIDERS
On Offense:
When the Raiders run the football effectively, they usually win. In their six victories, Oakland has averaged 133.5 more ground yards than their opponent. During the six losses, they’ve been outgained in the rushing department by 84.2 yards per contest.
“If we just keep running the ball and doing what we do, then I think that’s the Raiders,” running back Michael Bush commented this week. “We come out, pound you, pound you, pound you, throw the ball, then I think we’ll get a lot accomplished.”
What to Expect:
The Jaguars have the 17th ranked (109.5) rush defense in the NFL. It’s imperative Oakland runs the ball with consistency and keeps Jason Campbell in manageable 3rd down situations on the road. The quarterback was masterful in his decision-making, scrambling and mastery of the offense last weekend. Maybe he feels completely comfortable knowing Bruce Gradkowski is no longer looking over his shoulder? If that’s the case, Oakland will then be able to open up the passing attack a bit more against a Jacksonville secondary that allows 253 yards a game via the air (27th in the NFL).
On Defense:
The Raiders are now tied with the Steelers for the most sacks in the NFL (36).
Oakland can get into the backfield with a four-man rush, but it’s their blitzing mentality that can rattle opponents, and that shows on how the sacks are distributed throughout the team.
Tommy Kelly leads the team with 6.5 and linebacker Kamerion Wimbley has 5.5, but starting safeties Tyvon Branch and Michael Huff have combined for 7.
Their rush defense is aided whenever they can jump ahead; which has been the case in many of their wins, especially last week versus the Chargers, when Oakland allowed a measly 21-yards on the ground.
What to Expect:
Shutting down Maurice Jones-Drew is imperative. If Oakland can stack the box and be successful in slowing down the league’s second-leading rusher, Jacksonville’s targets pose no threat to a very active Raiders secondary. The Jaguars rank 29th in passing offense. More importantly for Oakland, the Jaguars have the most giveaways in the AFC (16 interceptions, 10 fumbles).
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
On Offense:
The Jaguars deploy a simple game-plan; run the ball with Jones-Drew and feed off that. The fifth year talent out of UCLA has tallied 1,177-rushing yards in 2010.
“I like our physical approach,” head coach Jack Del Rio said. “… The team that controls the line of scrimmage wins the game a large percentage of the time.”
Jacksonville’s passer David Garrard has thrown 11 interceptions and has been sacked 26-times this season. He is turnover prone, but his mobility and ability to break containment could give the pass-rush happy Raiders some problems.
What to Expect:
Mike Sims-Walker has been limited in practice. Leading receiver Mike Thomas and Marcedes Lewis need to be factors in this contest. Oakland will commit to stopping Jones-Drew, so if Garrard can draw the safeties in and get the ball down the field a few times, it could soften the defense enough where they can pound away in the ladder stages of the game with their powerful run game.
On Defense:
Kirk Morrison was moved to Jacksonville in the off-season for a fourth round draft choice. The former middle linebacker for the Raiders is excited to play against his ex-teammates and the team he grew up cheering for.
“Because you grew up there, you want to play as a Raider for your whole entire life but sometimes change is good. And, definitely, for me, it has helped me out tremendously,” said Morrison.
He sees a change in Oakland and is anticipating a tough contest on Sunday.
“Both teams really like to run the football, both teams are going to be physical. It’s December football. I know how excited we are here for the opportunity that we have. I can only imagine what’s going on in that locker room down in Oakland . Guys are playing inspired football this late in the season. You haven’t seen that over there, I know I didn’t. We didn’t have that opportunity in the five years that I was there to be playing December with so much at stake and with so much on the line. It’s going to make for a nice atmosphere on Sunday afternoon.”
What to Expect:
The Jaguars rank 24th in points per game allowed, 17th in run defense and 27th in pass defense. So you wonder, how they have got atop the AFC South? “We’ve got a pretty good story going on in a year when this city really needed it,” said Del Rio. The defense was stout against Arian Foster (56 yards), Peyton Hillis (48 yards) and Chris Johnson (53 yards). If they can slow Darren McFadden, Oakland will struggle to move the chains
GAME NOTES
PREDICTION
Raiders 24 – Jaguars 17
The Jaguars are too one-dimensional on offense. Jones-Drew could carry them, but against a Raider team that is motivated and finding ways to fly east prepared and working to get acclimated to the time-zone, Garrard and the rest of the team must keep John Marshall’s unit off-balance. Something they won’t be able to do if the Raider team that showed up in San Diego shows up in Jacksonville.
BROADCAST INFORMATION (cited from official Raiders web site)
TELEVISION: The game will be televised on CBS with Kevin Harlan providing play-by-play and former NFL player Solomon Wilcots handling color analysis. The game will air in the Bay Area on KPIX Channel 5 and in Sacramento on KOVR Channel 13.The game also airs on KHSL in Chico, KION in Monterey and KJEO in Fresno. RADIO: Greg Papa and Tom Flores will call the game live on Raiders Radio Network originating on KITS LIVE 105.3 FM and KFRC 1550 AM, with pre and post-game analysis on KFRC. Papa and Raiders two-time Super Bowl winning head coach Flores will man the booth for the 13th straight year. The radio pregame and postgame shows will feature Raider Legends George Atkinson and David Humm as well as local veteran radio personalities Bruce Magowan and Jason Ross.
GAME INFO
Sunday, December 12, 2010 1:00 p.m. ET | EverBank Field, Jacksonville, FL
Home Team: Jacksonville Jaguars (7-5) Home: 4-2 Road: 3-3
Road Team: Oakland Raiders (6-6) Home: 4-2 Road: 2-4
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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist
Last time the Oakland Raiders faced the Jacksonville Jaguars; our photographer was able to capture images of the home clubs’ cheerleading squad. Coincidentally, Oakland went to Jacksonville in December of 2007, so SBReport.net is happy to bring to you Holiday Greetings with pictures from that contest:
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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist
There’s quite a few storylines between the Oakland Raiders and the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Both teams are looking to land playoff spots. Both teams aren’t looked at as threats in a top-heavy American Football Conference. And both share connections with ex-teammates.
John Henderson, Quentin Groves and Khalif Barnes used to play for Jacksonville. Kirk Morrison and Slade Norris used to don the Silver & Black.
“Big John was one of my favorites,’’ said Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio. “Big, strong, powerful guy and a lot of fun to be around. It’s not easy to let go of guys like that. In the end we felt we did what we had to do as an organization.’’
In April, Jacksonville cut the two-time pro bowl defensive tackle opening up a starting spot for first-round draft pick Tyson Alualu.
“He can be nice all he wants,’’ Henderson said jokingly about his former coach and the complimentary comments Del Rio had for him. “I’ll put it up on the bulletin board. He knows it.’’
Del Rio reportedly slighted Henderson for pulling out of off-season drills, suggesting he wasn’t dedicated and faking a shoulder injury to steer clear of work.
“It’s going to feel good to go and whip somebody’s you know what,’’ Henderson said. “I wasn’t laughing. I hope he goes and puts it on his bulletin board, too. Because I know what he’s going to do.”
As for the match-up against the league’s second leading rusher – Maurice Jones-Drew, Henderson commented, “Powerful. Great running back. Going down Sunday. 1 o’clock, Jacksonville, Florida. Sixty-six degrees. Maybe 20. Maybe a little bit of rain. It’s going down.’’
Groves talked about his time in Jacksonville: “I mean, they gave me chances, they gave me opportunities, you know, at the same time, but it’s whatever they want to say. If they want to say they didn’t put me in position, then they didn’t put me in position. I’m not gonna go tit for tat with these guys. Like I said, I strap it up on Sunday at 1:05 in Duval County and I’ll be ready. I’ll just tell you that I’ll be ready.’’
‘Captain’ Kirk, a mainstay in Oakland for a few seasons talked to Bay Area reporters about his former team coming to Jacksonville and his observations of this edition of the Silver & Black:
“Both teams really like to run the football, both teams are going to be physical. It’s December football. I know how excited we are here for the opportunity that we have. I can only imagine what’s going on in that locker room down in Oakland . Guys are playing inspired football this late in the season. You haven’t seen that over there, I know I didn’t. We didn’t have that opportunity in the five years that I was there to be playing December with so much at stake and with so much on the line. It’s going to make for a nice atmosphere on Sunday afternoon.” – Morrison
OTHER NOTES
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