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.

The offensive line, especially the tackles, is one area that will be tested when the 49ers come in. With the struggles of Mario Henderson at right tackle and Cornell Green, and the looming black cloud over that spot on the line, Oakland needs to get a grasp of who can be competent enough to warrant that job, or start searching the free-agent wire to see who is out there. Maybe as the summer progresses, there could be a cap casualty elsewhere that can help boost that edge along the line.

As for the rest of the team, there ready for adversary in camp to hit and run through wearing a different color jersey.

Running back Michael Bush was asked by Silver & Black reporter DeMarcus Davis about the bay area rivalry and he downplayed it due to his unfamiliarity and stated, “I’m just ready for [the coaches] to throw out at me whatever they can and try to make the best of it.”

“Basically, my thing is to prove to the coaches that I can play and get physical and play the running back spot as it should be played.”

Chirpy safety Jarrod Cooper did not hold back his emotions regarding the opponent and his desire to get on the field and get physical.

“I don’t know what you mean hold back,” Cooper commented about the impending arrival of the 49ers.

“Hell no, its playing football…”

Cooper continued, “Off course we are going to play smart, but if something happens it happens….”

If something does happen, check in with he Silver & Black Report for our live coverage of training camp and as the first pre-season game approaches, the first edition of Countdown to Paydirt previewing Friday’s match-up.

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?

Without a doubt, it has to be their offensive line. Both tackle spots have major question marks and none of the options assure stability or consistent play while pass protecting or run blocking. With Tom Cable’s run friendly zone-blocking scheme, you feel more confident that he will be able to get the most out of his unit paving lanes for rushers. Especially since Oakland was successful running the football in 2007 and have a fleet of talented ball carriers. But when JaMarcus Russell gets into the pocket, the likes of Kwame Harris (a possible starter at left tackle), Mario Henderson (could land a job at either tackle spot), Cornell Green or Paul McQuistan don’t seem to be the ideal options for a team that will have a still developing and very pricey passer leading the offense. If they struggle in pass protection, Oakland’s aerial attack will sputter. Russell’s development and health could be in jeopardy, and if this club is one-dimensional as it was in 2007, expect the Silver & Black to target both tackle spots as an area for improvement next off-season.  

How worried are the Raiders about Javon Walker?

Not at all…

Walker appears on target for training camp and ready to begin the process of getting in sync with his new quarterback. It’s imperative they get the 2004 and 2006 versions of Walker, when he posted stats indicative of a ‘go to’ receiver. And with the money doled out to the former Packer and Bronco, he better put up those numbers, or Oakland could be strapped with another bad-contract.

 He’s only 29, should be fully healed after an injury plagued 2007, and with a fresh start in a offense that will compliment his abilities with a strong armed passer, Walker could be a candidate for comeback player of the year if all goes well.

When will Oakland part ways with LaMont Jordan?

Adimchinobi Echemandu will make his case to stay on the roster in 2008

 It should be soon. Oakland won’t find a trade partner for Jordan and then ridding themselves of the $4.7 million salary he will be due 2008 will become essential. Michael Bush is healthy, Justin Fargas is primed to continue as the lead rusher, Darren McFadden is now in the mix and Adimchinobi Echemandu is on the roster, a very good find last season prior to being cut and landing with the Houston Texans. Parting ways with Jordan will be cost-effective and clear the clutter in the backfield. Oakland has a young core of rushers that deserve and have earned the right to carry the football without an unproductive veteran getting in their way.

Are special teams still a concern, especially if Jarrod Cooper cannot come back from his rehabilitation?

 Yes! Cooper was an integral part of Oakland turning their coverage teams around midway through the season. With him, Brian Schneider’s bunch shut down Devin Hester and showed some fight in 2007. Without him, teams like Green Bay and Indianapolis ran circles around them. Cooper is their leader, but players like Isaiah Ekejiuba, Ricky Brown and Stanford Routt demonstrated they are key building blocks to the punt and kickoff units.  It’s all about chemistry, so finding a new group of guys that can work, as a functional, unit will be a major concern going into training camp.

Are there any injuries to be concerned about?

 Jake Grove was hindered by a leg/knee injury last week during a practice. Tight end Tony Stewart was back and making nice catches with his large frame and Justin Fargas did not appear to have lingering issues after he missed the final part of 2007 with a knee injury. According to Lane Kiffin, Gibril Wilson had an “aggravated quad”, and was held out of drills last week.

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)

It will be hard to find any player who cherishes being an Oakland Raider more than Jarrod Cooper. Since being claimed off waivers in 2004, the special teams standout has been a fan favorite, one of the more charitable members of the squad who always has time to spread his enthusiasm for everything Silver & Black.

His contributions on the field have been immeasurable as a captain and a key to all the special team coverage units.

Cooper’s influence on the field was evident after he missed the remainder of the 2007 season following a tear to the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during Oakland’s 20-17 victory at Kansas City. Oakland struggled covering kickoffs and punts after his injury, this after Cooper was re-signed by the Raiders on Oct. 12 subsequent to his initial release prior to the start of the season. Oakland parted ways with the back up safety and special teams ace when league officials announced his four-game suspension for a violation of the NFL’s steroid policy.

When he returned, the Raiders special teams received a boost as he played a pivotal role shutting down Devin Hester in their game against the Chicago Bears on Nov. 11, 2007; this after Lane Kiffin boasted the week up to the game that his special teams would not shy away from the dynamic return man.

Cooper re-signed this off-season and will once again be looked at as a key contributor in the locker room and on the field. Teammates and fans have always enjoyed his personable aura and in 2008, Cooper started the HELP Code 597 foundation which is dedicated to providing charitable and educational services, to pet owners to improve the health, safety and lives of their animals.

For more information about the HELP Code 597 foundation, you can visit their web site at: http://www.helpcode597.com.

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.

The 26-year old ends his career in Oakland with 258-solo tackles, 20-passes defended, 2-forced fumbles and 4-interceptions.

Schweigert became the target of fans for his poor tackling and lack of big plays in the secondary after a career in Purdue where he collected 17 career interceptions, surpassing Rod Woodson’s school mark of 11. He was never able to make impact plays in the defensive backfield as a pro and his inability to provide a solid last line of defense versus running backs shooting into the secondary was frustrating for fans during his years as a starter.

Was he to blame for many of the team’s rushing woes? No. But he did not help his cause by taking bad angles and blowing coverage assignments during many significant plays throughout his career.

In 2006, Oakland’s secondary ranked 1^st in the league allowing a miniscule 150.8 yards passing per game. Nonetheless, Schweigert was looked at as the weak link of the unit and a player that would retain his job due to the lack of an adequate replacement.

As his first season as Raiders coach ended, Lane Kiffin hinted at Michael Huff’s return back to free-safety, an indication that Schweigert could be on the way out.

The signing of strong safety Gibril Wilson and the selection of Tyvon Branch gave Oakland enough depth to justify the release of Schweigert. Wilson looks to be the projected starter at strong safety and will tandem with Huff, who will return to free-safety, a position in which he was able to make a name for himself as a collegiate at Texas. Huff moving to free-safety will allow him to roam in coverage and use his athletic ability to make plays on the ball and attack the line of scrimmage in an effort to facilitate more turnovers in the defensive backfield. Branch is looked at as a safety per defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, who stated in April that they like what he brings to the position.

“We think he’s going to be a safety for us. He’s going to be a good, solid player. You talk about his versatility, I mean, that jumps off the tapes when you’re watching. He’s a hard-hitting young man”, he stated.

With DeAngelo Hall and Nnamdi Asomugha firmly cemented as starters at cornerback, Oakland has now the flexibility of using Stanford Routt as a nickel/dime back and playing him at safety as well.

Jarrod Cooper, John Bowie and 5^th year pro Chris Johnson are also members of the secondary that Raider staffers like and that will vie for spots as the summer approaches.

Cooper’s special teams contributions have him ahead of other competitors, and will take away one spot in the secondary that will be available during camp battles. If he is completely healed and primed to continue his role as a standout on special teams, it will be hard for anyone to take his roster spot.

Johnson is always touted for his quickness and mentioned by Ryan during his ramblings of the state of the secondary. Bowie is a long shot and will most likely always be remembered for being the product of the Randy Moss trade to the New England Patriots.

With Schweigert and Fabian Washington gone, half of the secondary that led the league in passing yards allowed in 2006 is now gone.

Oakland can now claim to have the priciest secondary in the NFL with two starting cornerbacks each making more than $9 million, a strong safety that is the third highest paid safety in the NFL, and a former first round draft pick that is still in the midst of his initial rookie deal that is worth $43 million.

What Oakland wont have is a safety that became the whooping boy for a defense that had bigger problems along the trenches than it did in defensive backfield.