Silver and Black Report

Today, the Raiders got one step closer to tomorrow’s 75-man roster limit, making a series of moves, including some expected, some surprising and some in-between.

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.

At the end of the week, the Oakland Raiders will face their first live opponent in game action when they host the San Francisco 49ers.

But on Monday, they’ll have an opportunity to get most of their training camp angst and camp hostility out in drills versus their bay area rivals.

Structured practices are on schedule; with the likelihood of scripted activities per head coach Lane Kiffin, which will give the Raiders an indication of there progress since camp opened and what units may need the most work.

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Training camp notes (7/29/08)

• Wide receiver Drew Carter fought off hits from the defense and still managed to fight in the endzone for a touchdown after hauling in a toss near the goal line.
• Offensive tackle Kwame Harris worked out with the team and looked much better. He also appears to be healthy.
• Tight end Zach Miller will likely be the training camp MVP (if there is such an award). He has been snatching every catch his way as both the ‘go to’ guy and as JaMarcus Russell’s security blanket.
• Receiver Marcel Reece worked out with his unit today and came up big by completing a goal line pass for a touchdown.
• Quarterback JaMarcus Russell was calling more audibles today. On one audibled pass play, he had the perfect read, but fullback Justin Griffith missed his assignment on Michael Huff who came clean on a safety blitz which would have sacked Russell.
• Malik Jackson laid a solid hit on Oren O’Neal who tried to block the linebacker on the play. O’Neal ended up on his backside.
• Tight end John Madsen made an acrobatic juggling grab for a sizeable completion to the dismay of the defense.
• The defense would get payback for Madsen’s catch however. On the next offensive series, Isaiah Ekejiuba blew up Madsen on a dump off pass. The hit was a shoulder to midsection blow that that dropped Madsen to the turf. The loud “thud” of the impact could be heard for miles! Both players were fine afterwards.
• Tight end, right guard, and now right tackle. That’s right. Fred Wakefield got in some time working out as a right tackle during line drills.
• JaMarcus Russell injured his right elbow (throwing arm) during offense/defense drills. Russell came of the field immediately after the play was over and could be seen bending over and holding the elbow. He would later be fine, but had ice applied to that elbow after practice to avoid any swelling.
• Safety Jarrod Cooper laid a big hit on rookie Darrell Strong. There was supposed to be no tackling in camp thus far. Cooper admitted that he shouldn’t have done it and that he was upset that the offense had made three plays in a row against them.
• Also, regarding the 49ers coming to Napa next Monday, Jarrod Cooper called out former teammate DeShaun Foster. “I’m looking for DeShaun Foster…make sure you put that on there. We used to play together in Carolina. We used to fight all the time…I’m not looking for anyone but DeShaun Foster…that’s it!”

Javon Walker securing a pass during practice in Alameda last week 

By Victor Cotto, S&B Report Staff Columnist

What should be the biggest concern on offense for the Oakland Raiders?

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JARROD COOPER

• STRONG SAFETY
• No: 40
• Height: 6’1
• Weight: 215
• Birth date: 03/31/1978
• College: Kansas State
• Acquired: Claimed off waivers midway through the 2004 season (10/29)

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Stuart Schweigert

On Tuesday, the Oakland Raiders cut free-safety Stuart Schweigert, a three-year starter who became expendable after the Silver & Black over-hauled their secondary this off-season. After his ups and downs and inconsistencies in the defensive backfield, Oakland decided to go with youth, proven veterans and big money personnel to round out a defense that took a step back in 2007 after a promising 2006.

The former third round draft selection in the 2004 draft started 42 games during his career with the Raiders. Schweigert had his 37-game starting streak end after sustaining a hip injury Nov. 18 against the Minnesota Vikings and was never able to retain his job after Hiram Eugene took over at free-safety as 2007 wound down.

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