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.

On Friday, the inevitable occurred, as the Oakland Raiders finally released running back LaMont Jordan.

The 29-year-old rusher signed a five-year deal worth $27.5 million in 2005 after backing up Curtis Martin in New York the first four seasons of his career.

He appeared to be the perfect fit for Norv Turner’s run friendly offense, but after a productive 2005 campaign that saw him rush for 1,025 yards and compile 70-receptions for 563 yards, the boisterous running back struggled to stay healthy and was ineffective during his final two seasons in Oakland.

In November of 2006, he tore his left MCL, an injury that catapulted Justin Fargas to the forefront and began his ascension within the Raider roster. At the onset of the 2007 campaign, head coach Lane Kiffin elected to go with Jordan as his starter, and the former Maryland star responded by posting 424-rushing yards in the team’s first four games. But a back injury dampened Jordan’s season and Fargas once again grabbed headlines and the starting role.

Jordan’s conditioning has always been in question during the off-season. Earlier this year, former Raider Warren Sapp stated that Jordan “is like the worst off-season running back I’ve ever been around.”

“After three games last season, LaMont Jordan led the NFL in rushing,” Sapp said. “But…he was out of shape and couldn’t keep it going.”

Fans throughout his tenure in Oakland critiqued his putrid 3.8 yards per carry. Especially when Fargas and other rushers ran successfully behind the same offensive lines with more effectiveness.

The Raiders have told Jordan to stay away from the team and that his presence was not needed during mini-camps and training camp.

Jordan’s agent, Alvin Keels, received permission from the Raiders to seek a trade during the off-season. But teams bypassed the idea of trading for a player that would eventually be let go. The Detroit Lions were reportedly one of the suitors for his services, along with the Chicago Bears.

There were reports as early as last season that Oakland was looking to move the eight-year veteran, but with a log jam at running back and his contract status, teams around the league were hesitant to give up any compensation for a player that could be available in free-agency as training camp began.

It is believed that the Raiders would save $4.7 million in 2008 cap space after severing ties with Jordan.

Since the start of camp, head coach Lane Kiffin avoided elaborating on the situation, simply stating that owner Al Davis and Jordan’s agent have been in talks regarding the resolution of this matter.

With Jordan now gone, Oakland can now focus on giving reps to the younger rushers on the roster. And with the settlement, Jordan can now move on and shop himself without any strings attached.

Update: Several media reports indicated the Raiders re-signed quarterback Jeff Otis to fill Jordan’s roster spot. Otis was one of three players waived the day before camp began to make room for Nnamdi Asomugha re-signing and rookies Arman Shields and Trevor Scott signing. ~ES

Cut were quarterbacks Sam Keller and Jeff Otis, and defensive lineman Tranell Morant.

The three waived players freed up roster spots for draft picks Arman Shields and Trevor Scott, as well as “franchise” free agent Nnamdi Asomugha, who signed his contract tender.

Keller was recently signed, after participating in the Raiders’ rookie minicamp. Morant also won a contract as a tryout at the camp. Otis was with the Raiders in camp last season, waived, and re-signed this offseason.

It’s possible one of the three, likely a quarterback, could be re-signed once persona non grata running back LaMont Jordan’s fate is decided, freeing up a spot.

The Raiders have 80 players participating as camp opens, with Jordan in limbo and international practice squad player Mauricio Lopez taking part. (Lopez will be on the practice squad all year, does not count against the 8-player limit, and is ineligible to be called up.)

The cutdown to 75 players follows the third preseason game, with the cutdown to the final 53-man roster due between the final preseason game and Opening Day.