Silver and Black Report

The Oakland Raiders (2-0) will host the San Francisco 49ers (2-0) on Saturday evening. Both teams are expected to go with their starters for extended periods in the yearly Bay Area match-up. For San Francisco, two of their cornerstones on offense will see action for the first time. As for the Raiders, expect Jason Campbell to see first half action and then give away to Bruce Gradkowski who is fired up to finally get on the field. “Yeah, I feel good. I’m ready to rock and roll,” Gradkowski commented this week. “Shoot, I miss it. I’ve been champing at the bit. I’m just excited to get back out there this weekend.”

OAKLAND RAIDERS

On Offense:

Breaking News: Hue Jackson has spoken – publicly. Yesterday, the first year Raiders offensive coordinator briefed the media and gave a lot of insight on the 2010 offense for the Silver & Black.

“I hope it’s already looking different,” said Jackson when asked if the attack looked different. “The most important thing is we’re striving for balance. We want to be a team that we can run the football when we need to run it and we can throw it when we need to throw it. We’re a multiple formation team. We have some no huddle. We do a little bit of everything. We do whatever it takes to win football games. That’s the most important thing that I’ve stressed from our coaches to our players that whatever it takes to win that’s what we’re going to do.”

One of his more eye-popping statements was: “Honestly, we’re trying to build a bully here.”

This third pre-season game will go a long way in doing that. Oakland will start Jared Veldheer at centerfor the injured Samson Satele. Satele and the rest of the line has not been punishing opposing front-seven’s and if they want to run the ball as Jackson will like, they have to assert themselves quickly. Veldheer is a project and the transition to the pros as a rookie along the trenches is very daunting. But if Oakland can get any tough play in the interior with their mammoth draft pick, he may be their best option to start bullying opponents.

On Defense:

Everyone is all smiles on defense, so far. Oakland’s best player believes that this edition of the Raiders is headed into the campaign with as much positivity as any other club he has been on.

“We’ve accomplished a lot, and being able to put out good practices and win games in the preseason, it goes a long way,” Nnamdi Asomugha said. ` Just getting the wins, even though it’s preseason, it’s just getting those wins builds your confidence and gets you used to it.”

One player with loads of confidence right now is Kamerion Wimbley. His four-sack performance has injected a lot of high expectations for the rebuilt linebacker unit. “I’m just happy we got him,” Tom Cable stated  “I’m glad they didn’t want him, if that’s the case, and he’s ours.”

“Since I have been in the league, that’s what teams have been trying to stop with me,” Wimbley said. “Pressuring the quarterback. The momentum-changing sack. Beating up their quarterback.”

Oakland has pounced on quarterbacks 12 times this pre-season – most in the NFL.

A reason the Raiders look better on defense is the addition of Mike Waufle. His tutelage and experience has added a lot to a staff that already consisted of solid teachers such as, Defensive coordinator John Marshall, linebackers coach Mike Haluchak and secondary coach Lionel Washington.

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

On Offense:

Quarterback Alex Smith will have a full complement of starts around him this Saturday. Running back Frank Gore and second year target Michael Crabtree are expected to make their pre-season debuts against the Raiders.

“I just want to see our guys continue to take another step — just continue to execute and continue the progression,” head coach Mike Singletary stated.

Newly acquired running back Brian Westbrook is also slated to take some reps, but the athletically gifted tight end Vernon Davis will be out after an injury to his knee during the team’s first pre-season game.

On Defense:

One of the concerns for the 49ers in 2010 is their secondary and ability to defend the pass. Oakland does not feature a potent aerial attack so this could be a good match-up for them to start building their confidence.

Veteran linebacker Takeo Spikes has noticed that the defensive backfield is getting feistier this summer. “In the back end, guys are more competitive,” Spikes said. “I think we’ll have a better idea of what’s expected from us. And that’s the big thing. Everybody is playing together and everybody is understanding.”

Aubrayo Franklin is still unsigned. And the 6-foot-1, 317-pound defensive lineman is a vital cog to the defense. “I’m not going to try and dictate one thing or another,” Singletary said at the start of camp. “I’m just going to let him do what he has to do, and at the same time, we’re going to do what we have to do as a football team.

“But we will not sit back and say, ‘Is he coming in today? Is he coming in tomorrow?’ The most important thing we have to do is really continue to focus on what we control.”

GAME NOTES

Darrius Heyward-Bey on the game Saturday: “I mean, you always want to battle for it, you know, a team that’s in the same area as you,” Heyward-Bey commented in comparing it to Navy vs. Maryland . “At Maryland, we never had a chance to do that because we’re the only team in Maryland. Matter of fact, we play Navy this year so I guess that will be something.”

Tom Cable on the end of Camp: “We came with our plan, we got through everything, we installed everything that we wanted to. The mission was to try and get better every day, not have those days where you’re really disgusted or disappointed as a coaching staff, that, ‘Man, we really went backward today.’ We didn’t have any of those days.

“So, well done by this football team. Now the real issue is to continue that when we go home. Eliminate the distractions that come with living back at home and all those kinds of things, travel and such, and being able to handle that and eliminate those distractions.”

GAME INFO

When: Saturday, August 28 – 9:00 pm ET

Where: Oakland Coliseum, Oakland, California

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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

Per press releases by the Oakland Raiders:

LB Thomas Howard visited The Bay Area After-School All-Stars at Horace Mann Elementary in San Jose. The Bay Area After-School All-Stars is a program that provides free after school programming for underserved youth. The program currently serves 26 schools in San Jose and is looking to expand to more schools in the future. Students attend the program for four hours each day after school, doing their homework creating art and playing sports.

Raiders cornerback and United Way ambassador Nnamdi Asomugha participated in the United Way/Matchbridge Dress for Success Work-Readiness Fair. Young people had the opportunity to select donated business clothing to wear for job interviews, and also take part in mock interviews to learn how to enter the business world and land a job. Asomugha helped the participants choose clothing and served as a mock interviewer.

QB Bruce Gradkowski surprised Napa High School senior Michaela Lambert by presenting her with the Bay Area All-Star Scholarship Award during class. This was Napa High’s first student to receive the scholarship. The Bay Area All-Star Scholarship Program receives applications from schools in nine Bay Area counties annually. Student advisors recommend two female and two male seniors who display outstanding achievement in the classroom, community, and in sports.

LB Thomas Howard and safeties Michael Huff, Jerome Boyd, Tyvon Branch and Mike Mitchell, went head to head against the 5th graders of Anna Yates Elementary School in Emeryville for an “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader” showdown. The Thomas Howard Foundation partnered with the Bay Area After-School All-Stars to demonstrate to students that learning can be fun. As standardized testing approached, Howard wanted to motivate the students to be successful in school. Students were on the edge of their seats for the opportunity to prove to the NFL players that they could beat them in this educational competition.

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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

Oakland Raiders cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha is one of two athletes bestowed the Jefferson Award.

Along with Tyrus Thomas of the Charlotte Bobcats, Asomugha will be honored in Washington D.C. along with 14 others, as the award recognizes public service and has been labeled the Nobel Prize for those that give their time in a special way.

“It’s something I am very humbled by,” Asomugha said on Monday. “And very grateful of. People are paying attention to people helping out in the community, and it would be something if someone else saw that and they went out and did something positive.”

Past recipients include General Colin Powell, Oprah Winfrey and Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor.

The Jefferson Awards are “a prestigious national recognition system honoring community and public service in America. The Jefferson Awards are presented on two levels: national and local. They began in 1972 to create a Nobel Prize for public service. Today, their primary purpose is to serve as a ‘Call to Action for Volunteers’ in local communities.”

Here’s a link to their web site:

http://www.jeffersonawards.org/

SBReport.net salutes Asomugha for his charitable work and inspirational presence within the community.

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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

OAKLAND — Oakland Raiders cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha speaks to the media following today’s OTA about offensive coordinator Hue Jackson and today’s crisp practice that was filled with constructive banter/competitive trash talking.

Archived from 2008: Raiders K Sebastian Janikowski

The Oakland Raiders began their three-day minicamp on Friday with two practice sessions. They will continue with two more sessions today before they wrap up with one more on Sunday. Here are highlights, news and notes from Friday:

JaMarcus Russell was sheltered by the Silver & Black, specifically Eddie Anderson, who was a mediator and ring leader in controlling what questions were asked and what direction media members wanted to take the question and answer session. The former Raiders safety cut off any questions that had to do with any of the newsworthy issues surrounding the embattled passer.

As expected, Richard Seymour was not in Alameda, as Tom Cable stated that the team is trying to hammer out a long-term deal with the defensive lineman. He has not signed his exclusive franchise tag either. “We’re trying to get it done so he’s all ours,’’ Cable stated.

Running back Michael Bennett was trying out for the club. The veteran running back has played for the Minnesota Vikings, Kansas City Chiefs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and San Diego Chargers.

Tom Cable’s observations:

“We had two weeks before we did that minicamp, there was kind of a lull in there and that was a reason for doing it right after the draft,’’ Cable reflected after last year’s bad start to camp. “I think it’s reflected in that the ball’s not on the ground and we don’t look like the Keystone Cops out there.’’

Jason Campbell’s impressions:

“I’ve been through about 10 of them, so somewhere along the like I’ve run a lot of these plays, trying to find the rhythm, get used to the guys around me and get back into the groove.”

“I’m just here to work. Just here to work, get better every day,’’ Campbell said. “ I’ll let coach Cable make that decision and Mr. Al Davis. My job is to come out here every day and compete, keep working on things and try to improve the offense.’’

What did the defense look like?

To start the camp, the defensive alignment looked like this: DE Jay Richardson, DT Tommy Kelly, DT Desmond Bryant, DE Matt Shaughnessy, LB Kamerion Wimbley, LB Rolando McClain, LB Trevor Scott, CB Nnamdi Asomugha, CB Chris Johnson, SS Tyvon Branch and FS Michael Huff.

“I was looking at the playbook and there are some things that we didn’t do last year.,’’ Asomugha said. “Like always, it’s a matter of how well we do it at this time of the year and then in the summer as to whether we actually play it. So it’s going to depend on us and then how comfortable the coaches feel.’’

Hue Jackson…

One of the hardest working men on and off the field…

Bruce Campbell and Chris Cooper battle in the trenches, a little bit feisty for a minicamp…

Quarterbacks, JaMarcus Russell, Jason Campbell, Charlie Frye and Kyle Boller all got their reps in: “It means nothing. Don’t look anything into that. If you do, you’re wasting ink,” said Cable.

Oren O’Neal was waived. The fullback was slowed down significantly after his knee injury in 2008. Oakland’s fullback competition is wide open…

Ricky Brown will be limited all weekend…

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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

Everyone from ESPN’s Adam Schefter to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio has talked about the potential deal between the Oakland Raiders and the Philadelphia Eagles.

The deal obviously circles around quarterback Donovan McNabb, with the Eagles pushing out of town the veteran to clear a jam at that position. But just recently, Nnamdi Asomugha’s name has been added to the equation.

Reports state that the Silver & Black would be willing to deal the cornerback, but the Eagles may be reluctant due to the massive contract attached to Asomugha.

From Oakland’s perspective; getting Asomugha’s landmark deal off the books could be enticing. He has one year left on a contract that will ensure him $16 million next season with a provision that could net him up to $20 million including an $8 million roster bonus at the end of this month.

The Eagles will be hesitant to take on such a burden, even though they’ll be relieving themselves of a quarterback that they may have to move at this point due to the poor handling of this matter.

And Oakland also makes for a good partner in this scenario due to the report that was disseminated by The Associated Press, which stated that a person close to the discussions gained knowledge about the Eagles insistence that whomever they deal with, must have a pick among the 42 selections in next month’s draft. The Raiders have the 8^th overall selection in the draft and the 39^th overall.

So far, the Raiders, St. Louis Rams, Buffalo Bills and Minnesota Vikings have been linked as potential suitors.

The Rams can potentially snag a passer in the draft, Buffalo as well, and the Vikings are eagerly anticipating any word on Brett Favre’s future.

McNabb has led the Eagles to five NFC Championship Games in 11 seasons. He continues to be very productive at 33-years old and is still a highly capable starter in this league.

As much as the Raiders love Asomugha and all he has done for the organization and community, this deal makes a lot of sense, especially if they can bring back a cornerback in the deal off the Eagles roster.

The Eagles shouldn’t have to break the bank to jettison McNabb. Financially, it makes no sense for them.

And as intriguing as this move would be, Oakland could use the financial relief and the sure handed presence at quarterback.

Asomugha exemplifies everything good in professional sports. He’s one of the few bright spots in this current era of Raider football that can be looked at with pride & poise. Since he arrived in 2003, Oakland has been on a monumental down swing. But he has established himself as a Pro Bowler and a philanthropist.

A fan favorite, Asomugha’s departure could be met with mixed reviews. Many will like the fact that his contract being off the payroll will only help the team gain more flexibility as they move forward. Others will scoff at that notion of trading away one of the lone bright talents that were developed during this time of misery.

But with JaMarcus Russell casting a dark shadow on this club and Bruce Gradkowski, an underdog, as possible candidates to lead this team going into 2010, a trade for McNabb makes almost too much sense.

McNabb undoubtedly wants to go to a contender. Oakland is not one.

And that could put a snag in his possible future in Silver & Black, as he’ll work under a one-year deal till he becomes a free agent in 2011. Then like Richard Seymour, the Raiders will have to convince McNabb to stick around.

So it will be imperative for Oakland to get an extension if any deal for McNabb does down.

If not, there could be quite a mess in trying to keep Seymour and McNabb past 2010.

The cons of a deal of this magnitude; you’ll be getting a quarterback who is aging, playing on a team that has a unsteady offensive line and questionable skill position talent around him.

The names are big, the stakes are high…

Oakland and Philadelphia have many reasons to make this deal – and to reject such a trade.

One team is operating under the gun; the other has millions of fans feeling like they’ve been looking down the barrel of one for seven years.

Photo courtesy of NFL.com

The NFL combine is under way, the Oakland Raiders are scouting potential draftees and the ball will begin to roll towards free agency and altering the roster.

COMBINE

Maryland left tackle Bruce Campbell is looking like first round talent after his workouts. Oakland has a need for offensive linemen, and when you see his vitals; an unofficial 4.78 40-yard dash, prototypical size (6-6, 314 pounds) and the physical traits he possesses, you quickly get the idea that this is the type of specimen the Raiders fall in love with. He just started 17-games in college and is getting attention for his attributes. You see this unfold and start thinking whether this guy is another Mike Mamula in the making. At least he’s saying all the right things.

“I feel everyone has room for improvement,” Campbell said. “But I feel like I have a little more. My first year, I’m really going to work on it because I really want to get in and play. I’m not the type of person who comes to the N.F.L. and is satisfied with just being here. I actually want to do something in the N.F.L.”

And Oakland has already talked to the prospect.

Rolando McClain is the top linebacker in this class. And he knows it.

“I think everybody’s pretty much interested,” McClain commented to reporters Saturday in Indianapolis. “The question is if I’m going to be available.”

The 6-3, 254 pound talent looks to be a lock to transition well to the next level. Oakland has a desperate need to upgrade their linebacker unit. But its hard to see Al Davis put that much value in a position so high in the first round that he generally fills in later rounds or through free-agency.

Last year, the Silver & Black tabbed Slade Norris in the 4^th round. In 2006, they selected Thomas Howard in the 2^nd round and in 2005, Kirk Morrison was chosen in the 3^rd round. The last time Oakland selected a linebacker in the first round was Napoleon Harris in the 2002 draft, but that was 23^rd overall. Prior to that, the last player at that position to get drafted that high by Oakland was Rob Fredrickson in 1994 (22^nd overall).

Russell Okung, another prospect the Raiders have been linked to suffered a groin injury at the combine. He had a good showing with a 5.17 second 40-yard dash and bench pressing 225-pounds for 38 repetitions. The Detroit Lions took a long look at him, but they are still expected to go with a defensive tackle.

If there is a trade atop the draft, and the Lions feel that Okung is their guy, this is where it could happen with the Buccaneers or Redskins moving up to Detroit’s spot.

TRADE TALK…

“Ah, there we go. You are trying to get me,” Rex Ryan said after asked whether or not Nnamdi Asomugha could be paired up with Darrelle Revis. “I get myself in enough trouble, alright. So I really don’t need your help to get me in trouble. I think I will pass on talking about any player that is under contract.”

Don’t look for the Raiders to move up the draft, unless someone they are targeting slips past the top three spots.

Oakland’s draft board could be the hardest to figure out in all the NFL. But due to the economic times, their inability to generate revenue like other top clubs and the amount of high first rounders they currently have under contract, the Raiders will feel comfy sitting at 8 overall and letting the chips fall where they may.

SEYMOUR TAG

Richard Seymour’s ‘exclusive’ franchise tag will net him at least $12.398 million for 2010 if he signs the one-year tender. The exclusive designation excludes the former New England Patriot to negotiate with another club. Seymour can’t sign the contract until March 5, the official start of free agency. Oakland will like to get the valuable lineman inked to a long-term deal.

Clancy Pendergast will not be working with Nnamdi Asomugha

Clancy Pendergast was added to the Oakland Raiders coaching staff in early February. This week, he decided to bolt the Silver & Black and become the defensive coordinator at California.

The Golden Bears had a vacancy on their staff when Bob Gregory departed to Boise State. Cal head coach Jeff Tedford filled the void with Pendergast and stated, “He has been a defensive coordinator on football’s biggest stage and will be a tremendous asset to Cal football.”

Pendergast has worked for Cleveland, Dallas and Houston before spending time in Kansas City (2009) and Arizona (2004-2008).

Although no specific role was assigned to Pendergast publicly, talked surrounded him working in the secondary with Lionel Washington.

Per ESPN, the Oakland Raiders will use their franchise tag on defensive lineman Richard Seymour if both sides cannot agree on a long-term contract extension.

Oakland acquired the five-time Pro Bowler prior to the start of the 2009 campaign for a 2011 first round draft choice.

If he is tagged, Seymour could make $12.398 million – the cost of the franchise label for a defensive end this upcoming season. Oakland has until next Thursday to decide whether or not to designate him as their franchise player.

Seymour was named in January to the All-Decade team and is a three-time first team all-pro and a three-time Super Bowl champion (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX) with the New England Patriots.

Back in mid-January, he stated, “I’m in a unique situation where obviously, I played out my contract, I’ve one my time there and I’ve talked to Mr. [Al] Davis before I left and he said he would be getting in contact with my agent to try to work a deal out.”

He continued: “I would like to re-sign out in Oakland, because I think its always, when you can be a foundation piece and help turn an organization around, I think that’s a challenge for me.”

In 2004, Oakland utilized their franchise tag on Charles Woodson two days prior to the deadline and after not being able to negotiate on a long-term deal, they took that tact again the following season keeping him around in 2005 with the pricey designation.

In February of 2008, Nnamdi Asomugha got tagged, as Oakland retained exclusive negotiating rights with the cornerback. A year later, he expected to be tagged again stating, “Last year, Al (Davis) called me the day before just to let me know he’s going to do it, and then they waited until the very last possible second.

“I don’t know how they’ll do it this year, but the expectation from my agent is that the tag will happen.”

Asomugha inked a three-year deal worth $45.3 million with $28.5 million in guarantees that off-season.

Seymour ended his first season in Oakland with 47-tackles, one forced fumble and 4-sacks.

He said at seasons end, “I’m willing to take on that responsibility and that challenge and help being a part of bringing in some good guys that really can make a difference. I really enjoyed putting on the Silver & Black.”

Yes – the New York Jets are looking to upgrade their other starting cornerback spot.

New York is not planning to pick-up a $10 million option on Lito Sheppard’s deal. He struggled with injuries all season and was torched in big spots in 2009. Ultimately, he was benched in the AFC Championship Game in favor of second-year pro Dwight Lowery.

And in that Rex Ryan defense where there’s a one-man island at one cornerback spot, and the emphasis is on blitzing with extra defenders from the secondary, Gang Green will be searching through many avenues this off-season to pick-up competent defensive backs that can play in their schemes.

But acquiring Oakland Raiders cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha will not be an option.

This past weekend at the Pro Bowl, both Asomugha and Darrelle Revis flirted with the idea of possibly blanketing the same defensive backfield.

“Me and Revis have been talking to Rex to try to do something,” Asomugha commened. “You may see us in the future. There’s a little bit of talk going on. Either he’s coming to Oakland or something else will happen.”

New York’s shut-down defender stated, “Me and him have talked about it, but I can’t really control that situation. I don’t know if he can either.”

All that talk was just playful banter.

It happens a lot every year in the Pro Bowl.

Neither is a free agent, and talk like that usually occurs when one player is going to be free to test his value in an open market and many other potential teammates try to recruit that player.

But players also envision themselves playing with other talents and conjure up dream scenarios that could lead to them sharing the same field donning the same colors.

This Asomugha/Revis talks is just that. Most likely a pipe dream that neither will probably get to see become reality.

Asomugha just inked the richest deal ever for a cornerback and has two more years remaining in Oakland.

Revis, the arguably NFL’s best cornerback this season, and the Jets will begin talks of an extension that will keep him there for the majority of his career.

So unless the Raiders decide its in their best interest to trade away their most marketable talent, a man beloved by their fan-base, the community of Oakland for his charitable work and his stellar play on the field, this Asomugha to New York talk, or Revis wearing Silver & Black has no chance at happening.

An Asomugha/Revis tandem would be dynamic to see. If you want to check that out, find a way to make that happen on your Madden video game.

“In a league where the art of man-to-man has kind of gone out of style, that could bring it back,” Asomugha said.