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

Gary Russell in pre-season action against the Saints

Gary Russell, who led the Oakland Raiders in rushing during the pre-season (28 carries for 155 yards and 3 scores) will see action on Sunday versus the Philadelphia Eagles at fullback. Oren O’Neal was ineffective, fell into the doghouse, was waived when Langston Walker signed this week and Luke Lawton is doubtful to play with an ankle injury.

At first glance, Russell is not your typical looking fullback. At 5’11” and 215 pounds, the 23-year old will have to use his quickness to hit holes and pave lanes for Raider running backs. That may be a welcomed sight after seeing the slow trotting O’Neal have his difficulties all season. Oakland has to worry about his use on passing downs, and if they are smart, they will avoid using him as a key protector when JaMarcus Russell drops back to pass versus a blitz happy Eagles defense.

Rookie tight end Brandon Myers, who lined up at fullback in big packages during the summer, could see action back there as well.

Defensive end Greg Ellis missed practice again late in the week, which could cut into his time on the field on Sunday. The first year Raider had his knee drained on Monday and was very outspoken this week with the media stating, “The mood we’re going to be in or should be in, right now we’re kind of the laughingstock of the NFL,” on Thursday. “This isn’t anything new. Teams have been that way before. New England wasn’t always winning Super Bowls and Dallas wasn’t always the team they are. So, it goes in cycles. When you’re in that down cycle, you got to fight and claw to get back out of it and that’s what we’re doing here right now in Oakland.”

Linebacker Ricky Brown

Ricky Brown will wear a cast on his right ankle for a few weeks before doctors decide whether or not they opt for surgery. If surgery is needed, Brown will be lost for the season.

Wide receiver Chaz Schilens is listed as questionable and will be a game time decision. Tom Cable stated that Javon Walker would be active. It will be the first time he sees game action since week-two.

Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

OAKLAND RAIDERS

On Offense:

The Raiders just keep on getting worse by the week on offense. Tom Cable for weeks has said that they are working hard, getting better and trying to move in the right direction, but they have lost by 20, 23 and 37 in consecutive weeks. The team ranks 31^st in scoring (9.8 per game), 28^th in rushing (83.0 yards per game), 32^nd in passing (108.6 yards per game) and 31^st in 3^rd down conversion rates (25%). They are last in the league in time of possession as well, all signs of a grounded rush attack and a passing game that is non-existent.

With the offensive line also re-shuffled the last few games, Oakland must get back to basics versus the Eagles and run the ball with Michael Bush and Justin Fargas.

Oakland brought back Langston Walker on Wednesday after a few seasons away from the club. They re-signed him to try to sure up the right side of the line, but that may not happen this week. Ironically, Walker was on the 2006 Raiders; the worst scoring team in franchise history, but that team may be ousted from the top of the record books by this current crop.

“Hopefully I can come in and help this team at some point,” Walker said.

What to Expect:

So far, it appears that Chaz Schilens may be seeing action on Sunday. “He looked good in what he did so we’ll see,” Tom Cable stated on Wednesday after practice. His return alone will not be the cure for this offense. But at this point, any injection of energy will be welcomed to this gloomy bunch. Oakland will try to run often against the Eagles in hopes of loosening a unit that can bring the heat (13 sacks) and likes to put quarterbacks in third and long situations. JaMarcus Russell can’t carry this offense, his wide receivers are not very good and his tight end is their lone threat. So they need big games on the ground the rest of the year if they expect to win any games. If Schilens is on the field, the best they can hope is that he can make plays, push back the rookie targets down the depth chart to lesser roles and that his presence frees up Zach Miller for Russell to make plays.

On Defense:

Greg Ellis will take aim at another NFC East this week; the Philadelphia Eagles.

Jon Alston will replace Ricky Brown in the starting line-up on Sunday after the starting strong side linebacker injured his ankle last week versus the Giants.

But that is the least of the Raiders worries right now, as their rush defense is allowing 185 yards per game during their three-game losing streak. After a promising week-one versus the Chargers, Oakland’s defense has gotten worse and looking like the team that has been poorest against the run since 2003. The addition of Richard Seymour was supposed to fix some of the issues they had along the trenches, but that has not been the case lately.

With losses piling up and the performances getting worse, its hard for some on this team not to go into panic or give up mood since they have seen this play out the same way for many years. “I think as a professional you have to be able to, whether a good play happened or a bad play, you have to move on to the next,” Seymour commented. “We can’t move forward looking to our rearview mirror. I think that’s going to help us being able to put things behind us and move forward.

What to Expect:

The Raiders just don’t have enough firepower on either side of the ball. And pride alone many not be enough when you face a team like the Eagles who can put up points in bunches. Oakland does not always play with pride, and this is why facing a team like the Eagles with players that are dynamic on offense could be too much to handle. Philadelphia is getting in a groove with their quarterback, a rookie wide receiver who made his mark last week, a multi-dimensional rusher and a back-up passer that has made a play or two in this league with his arm, and more dangerously, his feet.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

On Offense:

The Eagles got Donovan McNabb back last week and he threw for 264 yards and three touchdowns; demonstrating that all is well since hurting his ribs in the season opener.

Philadelphia will lean on running backs LeSean McCoy and Brian Westbrook this week, as both have combined for 296 yards rushing this season and two scores on the ground. The tandem has caught 8 passes each for 101 yards, displaying the diversity of this Eagles attack.

DeSean Jackson (13 receptions 260 yards 2 touchdowns), Jeremy Maclin (12 rec. 187 yards 2 TD) and Jason Avant (11 rec. 123 yards 1 TD) round out McNabb’s options at wide receiver. But the team’s leading target has been Brent Celek with 26 grabs for 303 yards and two scores.

What to Expect:

The offensive line, featuring tackles Winston Justice and Jason Peters, should manhandle the Raiders front four. The Eagles will be able to run the ball and confuse Oakland with their wide array of screens, misdirection plays and any trickery they have in their playbook. Jackson has 6 carries for 48 yards this season and Michael Vick, who saw action in the 4^th quarter last week, could be used in some plays to exploit an aggressive Raider defensive line.

On Defense:

Philadelphia’s pass defense currently ranks 4^th in the league allowing 171.5 yards per game. The vertically impaired Raiders will not challenge that facet of their defensive unit.

So their rush defense (ranked 13^th) should expect a heavy workload their way. Leading tacklers, linebackers Akeem Jordan and Omar Gaither and safety Quintin Mikell will try to blockade the Raiders rush attack.

Defensive end Trent Cole leads the team with 4-sacks, while his bookend Darren Howard has 2. Cole likes blowouts, and he stated this after last week’s win commenting, “I don’t ever want to have a close game.”

“That’s the worst, having a close game. We want to be on top all the time. We want to go out there and win and have no problems. We want to have a smooth, clean game, get on top and pull away as far as we can and don’t let up.”

What to Expect:

This team may have a shot at putting away this game early and enjoying another easy victory. The Eagles will stack the line of scrimmage, pressure Russell at any point they can and keep the Raiders in 3^rd and long situations. The secondary is not afraid of their wide receivers and their aggressiveness may pay off with turnovers.

GAME NOTES

• Although they never played together while at California, DeSean Jackson and Nnamdi Asomugha, good friends, will be matched-up several times on Sunday. “He’s a great player,” Jackson said this week. “I respect him, but I still have to do my job and go out there and get open as a wide receiver. I know him personally, so we’ll go out there and we’ll see how it goes.”  ”I know DeSean very well,” Asomugha said. “We’re both from the Los Angeles area. We keep in contact here and there and I’ve known him since Cal because I was out here. I’m very happy for him. I’m very impressed with the way he plays. He’s a playmaker.”Jackson is a threat on special teams, and the Raiders have been lackluster there too this season. The speedy Eagle has a touchdown already on a punt return, so Oakland will have to be at their best even though they have allowed the most punt return yards in the league so far in 2009.
• The Raiders waived fullback Oren O’Neal when they signed Walker this week. If he goes unclaimed, O’Neal will return to the Raiders on injured reserve.
• Oakland failed to sell out the game 72-hours prior to the contest, so the game will be blacked out. It’s the Raiders second consecutive blackout and 71^st since the team returned to Oakland in 1995.

KEY MATCH-UPS

How to contain DeSean Jackson?

The Eagles can line him up anywhere, use him as a ball carrier, a receiver and with Oakland most likely punting often again this weekend, his exploits as a returner will be on display.

Westbrook and McCoy vs. The Raiders Front-Seven

If the Eagles run for big yardage with that tandem, they’ll coast to an easy victory.

Fight or Flight?

Will Oakland fight till the end in front of their home crowd? Or will they play lackadaisical football again and fold if the Eagles jump out to an early lead? The Raiders must play from in front and get the crowd into the game.

PREDICTION

Eagles 27 – Raiders 10

TV & RADIO

The game will be televised on FOX with Sam Rosen providing play-by-play and former NFL player Tim Ryan handling color analysis. If sold out per NFL blackout rules, the game will air in the Bay Area on KTVU Channel 2. The game will air on Raiders Radio originating on KSFO 560 AM, the Silver and Black’s Flagship for the multi-state Radio Network. Greg Papa and former Raiders player, assistant and head coach Tom Flores will man the booth for the 12th straight year. The radio pregame show and postgame show will feature Raider Legends George Atkinson and David Humm along with KSFO’s Rich Walcoff. (Broadcast information cited from the Oakland Raiders official web site)

GAME INFO

Sunday, October 18, 2009, 1:05 p.m. PT | Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, OAK

Home Team: Oakland Raiders (1-4) Home: 0-2 Road: 1-2

Road Team: Philadelphia Eagles (3-1) Home: 2-1 Road: 1-0

Point Spread: Raiders are 14½-point underdogs

Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

For the New York Giants; wide receiver Ramses Barden, running back Danny Ware, cornerback Aaron Ross, linebacker Michael Boley, tackle Adam koets, linebacker Bryan Kehl, tight end Kevin Boss and defensive lineman Chris Canty.

Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report.net Columnist

Best Offensive Player:

Zach Miller, TE

He’s the best blocker on the line of scrimmage and the most reliable pass catcher. In two seasons, he’s compiled 100 catches for 1,222 yards and 4 touchdowns – very productive for a tight end in a miserable offense. At 6-5, 255 pounds, he’ll be JaMarcus Russell’s ‘go to’ target until Chaz Schilens gets back. After that, his value may increase when the Raiders can actually field better talent at wide receiver and then vary what they can do on offense.

Mr. Reliable; Flying under the radar is…

Robert Gallery, LG

The former 1^st round draft choice has settled in at guard and has become the Raiders most consistent lineman. Oakland would have loved for him to pan out at tackle, but Gallery who was considered a can’t miss prospect coming out of college suffered through growing pains, a lot of movement along the line early in his career and a revolving door of coaches. He is the motor along the trenches, the Silver & Black’s best run blocker and a player that would be a pro-bowl contender on any other team.

Player ready to make his own highlight reel…

Darren McFadden, RB

Hand it off to him, pass it to him, wildcat formations…anything to see the football in his hands more often in 2009. That will equate to big plays, exciting moments, more points and an offense that will keep defensive coordinators on their toes. McFadden is one of the few multi-dimensional threats around the league that can legitimately score from anywhere on the field. But Oakland has to commit to giving him the ball at a higher frequency, or use him as a decoy to free-up others on offense.

Player that must take it to the next level…

JaMarcus Russell, QB

It’s time for Russell to start showing why he was deserving of that no. 1 overall selection. He has to show leadership, help this team win games with his abilities, elevate the play of others around him and give the organization hope of a brighter future.

Best RB not named McFadden is…

Michael Bush, RB

With all due respect to Justin Fargas, and what he has been able to demonstrate in recent years, but Bush needs more touches. He is a better pass catcher than Fargas and is the perfect complement to the explosive McFadden. Fargas is a relentless runner, but he does not have the game-breaking abilities of Bush, nor the size to move piles on short yardage situations.

What to look for…

Two Tight End formations

Miller is a stud and Oakland has high hopes for the nimble Brandon Myers. His 9 receptions for 131 yards and a score in the pre-season opened many eyes and gave the Raiders a legitimate secondary threat in a big formation with two tight ends. Both are adept at blocking and can get depth in their routes. Add McFadden into the mix in the backfield, and Russell has a nice grouping to move the chains.

A slow start to the speedy receiver’s career…

Darrius Heyward-Bey was named the starter and now faces the daunting task of making a splash at wide receiver in his initial season. Oakland must incorporate him on shorter routes; slants, hitches and crossing patterns, before opponents start fearing his ability to stretch the field. Once he becomes a reliable route runner, opponents will have more to deal with and be more surprised when he actually bolts down the field.

Can Chris Morris settle in at Center?

What he lacks in physical attributes, he makes up with technique and smarts. That is good, but ultimately, will he be able to handle the rigors of playing in the trenches and will he be able to play physical enough to help this run game evolve?

O’Neal and Lawton mixing it up at FB

Oren O’Neal’s knee is fine, but he looked slow at times and not as bruising as he did in the past. Luke Lawton will play mainly on special teams, but if he can be quicker to the line of scrimmage and find his assignments faster as a fullback, expect him to take reps away from O’Neal.

Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

Raiders win the toss, and received the opening kickoff.

Justin Miller’s return was out to the 24 yard line. Raiders open up the game with a Darren McFadden rush off the right side for 1 yard. On the second play, McFadden gets no gain, as Oren O’Neal is also in the backfield with the second year pro. The fullback was ineffective on his first few plays getting to the second level; the line was not able to get push either. On 3^rd and 9, JaMarcus Russell’s first pass, an out patter was wildly incomplete intended for rookie Darrius Heyward-Bey. On the punt, Hiram Eugene made a nice tackle.

On the 49ers opening play, Alex Smith rolls out and gets pressured by Greg Ellis. The Raiders blitzed on 3^rd and 7, but Vernon Davis gets open for 1^st down yardage, safeties Hiram Eugene and Tyvon Branch were not on the same page, as the linebackers attacked the line of scrimmage. Frank Gore picks up 4 yards, up the gut of the Raider defense a couple of plays later. Then on 3^rd and 5, Kirk Morrison blitzes, the 49er offensive line protects Smith, but the intended receiver dropped a would be 1^st down.

Oakland’s second possession opens on their own 20-yard line. A quick screen to McFadden is set up nicely, and the rusher’s patience on the play got him 5 yards. Russell hits TE Tony Stewart on the next play for 20 yards. After two rushes that net minimal yardage due to an ineffective offensive line, the Raiders faced a 3^rd and 5, Russell appeared to change the play at the line of scrimmage, but as he dropped back, the quarterback tumbled to the turf and was sacked for a loss. It appeared that his feet were cleared from the center, and he stumbled on his own as he stepped back into the pocket. Oakland on the punt again played swarming coverage.

Gerard Warren made the first stop on the ensuing drive on RB Glen Coffee. Coffee on the next play, a pitch on the left side, tallied 16 yards. Raiders continue to struggle on the edges versus the run. Ellis again pressured Smith, as the 49er tossed the ball away incomplete. Warren also had pressure, and Ricky Brown blitzed. The 49ers faced a 3^rd and 7, Smith had time, and he connected with Arnaz Battle for a 1^st down. Battle on the next play was given the ball on a end around, but the play was stuffed by William Joseph for a loss of 6 yards. Ellis was lit up by Smith,; blocking on the play. On 3^rd and 9, the 49ers sent 4 receivers out on routes, the ball was tipped by one of Smith’s intended targets, but LB Ricky Brown came down with the interception and he returned it for 46 yards.

Oakland started at the 49ers 7-yard line. Zach Miller hauled in a 3-yard catch on the first play of the drive. On 2^nd and goal, Justin Fargas gets no gain, as the offensive line is not able to get any push near the goal line. On 3^rd and goal, the Raiders are not able to hit paydirt; Russell to Louis Murphy was incomplete. On 4^th down, again, Russell is not able to hit Murphy, on a spread formation; the timing on the play appeared off and the toss was not optimal for the rookie.

The 49ers first play was nullified by a neutral zone infraction penalty on the Raiders. On 1^st and 5, Coffee gets stuffed by the interior of the Raiders’ defensive line. Coffee picks up first down yardage on the ensuing play. Smith gets pressured by the front four on the next play, rolls out and throws incomplete. Coffee ends the 1^st quarter with a big gain of 18 yards, Eugene was the last person between the rusher and the end zone.

Score: Raiders 0 – 49ers 0

Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

Two areas that the Oakland Raiders do not need to fill with prospects in next week’s draft are quarterback and running back.

JaMarcus Russell will either make or break the organization with his development or lack thereof, Jeff Garcia signed this off-season, giving the Raiders a reliable veteran presence behind their most expensive commodity and Bruce Gradkowski, Andrew Walter and Marques Tuiasosopo bring up the rear for the battle at the bottom of the depth chart.

Garcia knows that Russell has been chosen to lead this team in the near future. And he also knows that he is in Oakland to support and push him in any way to get the best out of his massive potential. The Raiders are in good hands with Garcia if any injuries keep Russell out of the line-up; really the only way the former 49er, Eagle, Brown, Lion and Buccaneer will see action on the field in 2009.

There is no need for the Raiders to even glance at any passers in this draft with the mix of veterans and youth in their crowded quarterback corps.

The same can be said at running back.

Justin Fargas, Darren McFadden and Michael Bush can all stake their claim to getting the majority of the carries on any given Sunday.

Fargas’ durability is always a concern, especially with his reckless style of running. His body takes a pounding every year, and because of this, the Raiders can make the case that keep all three in rotation will be imperative.

McFadden needs to be utilized more as a rusher, and not just a gimmick player. You don’t draft a rusher number four overall and just use him as a change of pace ball carrier.

As for Bush, his performance late in the season versus Tampa Bay opened up eyes and demonstrated what he can do at this level. His size and skill set adds another dimension to this offense.

Fullback may be the only position in the backfield the Raiders will try to improve next week.

Last year, Oakland lost Oren O’Neal for the season with a knee injury, but Tom Cable has stated that he expects him to be ready at the start of camp. With Marcel Reece and Luke Lawton being the only two other fullbacks on the roster, the Raiders may have to add some competition to this unit.

Justin Griffith, released in the off-season, was a steady veteran who understood the zone-blocking scheme and was an outlet for the quarterback on short dump offs. O’Neal is more of bulldozing blocker, so if they do fill the fullback spot in the draft, expect a player with similar attributes to what Griffith had.

PROSPECTS TO WATCH

Will Ta’ufo’ou, FB, California

Big blocker, great work ethic and a leader type. Just the type of player Tom Cable likes. And if they feel O’Neal won’t be ready at the start of camp, this California prospect could be surprise addition to the roster.

Eddie Williams, FB, Idaho

More of the Griffith type with soft hands, good route running and ‘tweener’ skills.

Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

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.

Huff hovering in the secondary

The Oakland Raiders finally have the right alignment in the secondary. One reason for the optimistic outlook in the defensive backfield is the return of Michael Huff to his natural free safety position. Now, his athleticism will be on displayed, not shackled by the rigors of playing closer to the line of scrimmage, a duty that belongs now to Gibril Wilson.

Huff recorded an interception against the Arizona Cardinals last night during the Silver & Black’s 24-0 defeat. A sight many fans hope to see more often now that he is at that spot where he was most effective as a collegiate.

“I’m getting more chances to make plays,” Huff stated. “Instead of focusing on one guy, worrying about being in the box covering tight ends, I can just read the quarterback and make plays.”

OH BOY – O-Line woes

JaMarcus Russell is a statuesque quarterback. He doesn’t go down easily and is mobile enough to scamper away from pressure. But the Raiders have to be very worried about what his protection will be like in his first season as a pro.

Last night, the Cardinals sacked him four times, and it could’ve been six if not for his physical attributes.

With his ongoing development, which is one of the major keys to this organizations resurgence, a lack of quality depth at quarterback and the need for him to stay on the field and provide the team a big-armed passer, it is imperative that the offensive line plays a lot better in pass protection.

“I was very discouraged,” Lane Kiffin said of the pass blocking. “It just kind of reminded me of who we are.”

Tackles have struggled all pre-season and if last night was an indicator of what could occur, Russell will have a tough season in the pocket evading pressure and looking for anyone to step up down the field to make plays for him. Or worse, Raider fans may have to see their prized passer on the sideline injured.

OUCH – Injuries to key contributors

“Very disappointing night, right from the start,” Kiffin stated. “That’s the last thing you want to have happen in a preseason game. It wasn’t a very good sign.”

Fullback Oren O’Neal who was expected to be a key contributor on short yardage situations and goal line packages at fullback was injured on the opening kickoff and will likely miss the entire season. A proto-typical lead blocker, O’Neal is just the opposite of what Justin Griffith is as a fullback, and that variation of style was going to help the Raiders change up the pace as needed in their powerful rushing attack.

The left knee injury will be revaluated, but early signs are not promising.

Free-agent acquisition Drew Carter was also lost to a left knee injury in the 1^st quarter.

When he went down, it appeared to have deflated the Silver & Black’s night before it even got started.

“The outcome really doesn’t matter,” Kiffin said. “We lost two significant parts of what our offense hoped to be, so not very good from that perspective.”

Justin Griffith elaborated: “Aw man, those are frontline guys. Just to see those guys go down, that takes the air out of the team.”

GAME NOTES:

• Javon Walker had his best outing of the summer, compiling 60-yards on four receptions.
• Huff was not the only one to record an interception. Cornerback Stanford Routt and safety Rashad Baker picked off Matt Leinart also.
• Johnnie Lee Higgins bounced back from his last effort versus the Titans, this time on kickoffs, amassing 88-yards during three returns.
• Sebastian Janikowski and Shane Lechler were given the night off again, and replaced with Aaron Elling and Glenn Pakulak.
• Oakland felt they needed to put a jolt in their passing game last night. That led to the smallest output in rushing yards all season (54-yards) and a shutout defeat. After losing Carter and the offensive line being so shaky, it is clear that if this team doesn’t emphasize the run and cannot pound away at opponents on the ground, it will have many problems putting up points in 2008.
• Conversely, the rush defense that appeared a lot better over recent weeks and that has been troublesome for the Raiders in recent years allowed 215 yards last night.
• DeAngelo Hall played briefly with his injured hand.

OREN O’NEAL 

• FULLBACK  
• No: 46
• Height: 5’11”
• Weight: 245
• Birth date: 09/08/1983
• College: Arkansas State
• Acquired: Selected in the 6^th round (175^th overall) of the 2007 NFL Entry Draft  

 In 2007, the Oakland Raiders found a prospect at fullback who could be the bulldozing blocker that they may need to pave lanes for the several talented rushers on their roster.

 Oren O’Neal played in 14 games last year and showed glimpses of being a solid point of attack blocker that can occupy defenders around the line of scrimmage. Veteran Justin Griffith is not your proto-typical fullback, more of a pass catching threat, and this is why O’Neal will prove to be valuable in 2008 in short yardage situations and goal line packages when extra bulk is needed to move the chains or get into the end zone.

 O’Neal also contributed on special teams, but after fighting for a roster spot in camp last year and proving to coaches that he has the potential to be an asset to the blocking schemes with his frame and skills, it appears that the 2^nd year pro will be a contributing member to the 2008 team.