The S&B Report had an opportunity to catch up with recently re-signed tight end John Madsen. After being released on September 20^th, Oakland brought him back this week to help out a wide receiver/tight end unit that is looking for some pop. The undrafted free agent in 2006 is a capable route runner and more adept in the passing game as a target, which could help the Raiders at this point, as they are struggling averaging 153.0 yards passing per game (29^th in the NFL). Here is what Madsen had to say about his return:

Did you already ‘turn it off’ for the season after you got cut initially? Were you staying in shape?

I was staying in shape. I had a workout with Baltimore. I had another one scheduled with Cleveland and if that didn’t work out, Atlanta in the very next week. So I was continually on the phone with my agent trying to find a situation that would be best for me and meanwhile, the Raiders call me back, before I was going to go to Cleveland. They said they were going to sign me; it worked out good ‘cause I was staying in shape, doing all the necessary things.

It was just one of those things they let the agent know they really liked me back and I felt comfortable coming back. I have a lot of friends on the team. The coaches are very receptive of me. The other day when I came back in, right after I signed, they said they were glad to have me back. And hopefully, that works out for the best.

I already know the playbook. I’ve been here for two years now, so there is no learning curve or anything. It’s basically; pick up where I left off.

 On playing playing special teams:

 I do whatever I’m asked to do. Wherever they are going to throw me in, I’m going to do my best to get the job done.

About playing wide receiver:

 I haven’t personally said anything to [Cable], but that’s something I definitely feel comfortable doing. Using me as a tight end, maybe getting some mismatches on the other side using my size against some other [defensive backs]. Hopefully we can implement some of that stuff into the offense, it would help me out a lot. 

The Oakland Raiders brought back a familiar face on Monday, signing tight end John Madsen and adding him to the 53-man roster.

Madsen, 25, was waived on September 19^th, after the Silver & Black inked Ben Troupe, who has been inactive since his arrival.

As a rookie in 2006, Madsen made a name for himself against the San Diego Chargers, hauling in three receptions for 69 yards and scoring his first NFL touchdown. Since, the Raiders have attempted to mold Madsen into a better blocker in order to round out his game.

During an interview with SBReport, Madsen stated, “As a wide receiver, running routes and catching the ball are my strong points. I don’t concentrate on that as much as run blocking.”

With the Raiders recent passing woes, expect the Raiders to escalate the competition in practices in hopes of finding live targets for JaMarcus Russell. Madsen may not be the edge blocker they need to let loose Zach Miller from those duties, but his ability to run routes and get down the field may aide a team looking to diversify its pass attack.

 Oakland placed OT Seth Wand on injured reserve due to a knee injury, thus ending his season. 

The Oakland Raiders released tight end John Madsen and added Ben Troupe to the 53-man roster.

Troupe, 26, was originally a second round pick for the Tennessee Titans in the 2004 entry draft.

In his career, Troupe has compiled 105 receptions for 1,056 yards and 7 touchdowns.

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!”

JOHN MADSEN

• TIGHT END
• No: 85
• Height: 6’5”
• Weight: 240
• Birth date: 05/09/1983
• College: Utah
• Acquired: Signed as an un-drafted free-agent in 2006

As a rookie in 2006, John Madsen was able to make a splash during a heated contest between bitter rivals. Against the San Diego Chargers, Madsen hauled in three passes for 69 yards and scored his first NFL touchdown. The Oakland Raiders lost that contest 21-14 partly due to a controversial call in the 4^th quarter, but Madsen was able to leave a good impression on Raider fans in a game he got his most extensive look of the season.

In his first 10 games that year, he caught only three passes for 43 yards and was used sparingly as Oakland went with the likes of Randall Williams and Courtney Anderson at tight end.

In 2007, the Raiders drafted Zach Miller, which forced Madsen into a back-up role. Last year, he recorded 8 receptions for 102 yards and one score. Madsen has started on 4 occasions for Oakland, contributing in 31-league games on offense and special teams.

During an interview with Raiderfans.net, Madsen stated, “As a wide receiver, running routes and catching the ball are my strong points. I don’t concentrate on that as much as run blocking.”

The Raiders in 2008 are looking for help at wide receiver and tight end, and with so many talents with similar attributes, how Madsen is able to evolve as a blocker could separate himself from the rest of the competition once training camp begins and when final cuts are made when the season approaches.