Silver and Black Report

William Joseph getting work in during the summer

The Oakland Raiders again signed defensive tackle William Joseph. This marks the third time this season the former New York Giant has landed in Silver & Black. And to make room on the roster, they released offensive lineman Paul McQuistan.

McQuistan has been serving as a back-up mainly since Oakland drafted him in the 3^rd round of the 2006 entry draft.

He started six games in 2006, but was benched for the remainder of the season due to poor play. The following season, he played in all 16-games, starting six of them when the Raiders sustained injuries along the trenches. In 2008, he spent most of the campaign on injured reserve.

Oakland got some of their injured players back on the practice field on Monday. Running back Darren McFadden, wide receiver Chaz Schilens and right tackle Cornell Green participated during Monday’s session. All three are expected to be ready for their match-up against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.

“This is the healthiest this football team has been, there’s no question, particularly on offense,” head coach Tom Cable commented. “In terms of having them all back and into sync and the energy in the huddle and all those things, it was good to have them back.”

On the defensive side of the ball; end Greg Ellis did not practice, as he had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee last week and Tommy Kelly was exempt due to personal matters.

Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

On 2^nd and 8 in the 2^nd quarter, Gradkowski rolls out, hits Schilens to set up a 1^st goal at the five-yard line. Gradkowski a few plays later finds a wide-open Tony Stewart in the back of the end zone after a very nice play fake. The Raider quarterback showed nice patience in the red zone and after giving the Raiders a 9-7 lead, he jumped into the arms of Samson Satele. The PAT was good, and the Raider offense showed something rarely seen in 2008 – bounce back ability. The Cowboys scored fairly easily, but Oakland came right back with their back up in the 2^nd quarter. Schilens so far has been the star of the contest.

Ricky Brown, playing at MLB, blitzed and Jon Kitna went down, as Jay Richardson came over to finish off the play. On 3^rd and 18, rookie LB Slade Norris flew to the football on a RB screen, ending the feeble Cowboy drive.

Gradkowski opens his next drive with a nice pass to Louis Murphy near the sideline that was not hauled in by the rookie. The play was negated due to a tripping penalty. On the next play, Heyward-Bey snags a slant for an 8-yard gain. Gradkowski does a good job with his cadence on the next play, and gets Dallas to jump offsides. Michael Bush on the next play picked up a blitz very nicely, but his QB was under pressure due to an all out Dallas attack. Gradkowski on 3^rd and 7 steps up in the pocket and fires a bullet to Murphy, but the rookie from Florida was not able to hold on to what would be a first down as a Cowboy safety jars the ball loose.

At this point the Raiders have raked up 142 total yards on offense and both of their passers have looked very good.

Miles Austin dropped a perfect pass from Kitna that would have led to a big gain. Kitna on the next play rolls out on a designed bootleg and hits his WR Sam Hurd for 21-yards. DT William Joseph jumps offside prior to the snap.

Michael Huff sighting: Kitna lobs a bomb down the field and the former 1^st round draft choice played centerfield perfectly coming over to make the interception at the 8:17 mark of the 2^nd quarter. Huff was where he needed to be in support down the field. Oakland takes over at their own 7-yard line.

Gradkowski again delivers a perfect pass, this time over the middle to Murphy, who is able to hold on to it for a gain of 18 yards. A draw to the nimble Michael Bush on the next play goes for 1^st down yardage, but a hold on Paul McQuistan negates the big gain. Gradkowski bounces one low to Murphy on the infield dirt. Alone in the backfield, Bush gets the carry for 7 yards after hurdling over the left side of the line. On 3^rd and 13, Gradkowski fails to connect with Johnnie Lee Higgins over the middle.

Ricky Brown missed a key tackle on a big gain by the Cowboys, but a flag on Dallas negates the run.

Slade Norris shows some fierceness, tossing aside a Cowboy after a short reception.

Hurd makes another good catch, 30 yards, as Kitna lobed the pass over Ricky Brown. Justin Miller was also in coverage. The Cowboys are killing the Raiders with ball fakes and mis-directions on play action.

On 3^rd and 4, Huff gets flagged for pass interference in the end zone. Isaiah Ekejiuba made a solid stuff on 1^st and goal when the Cowboys tried to run it in. Jay Richardson recorded an easy sack after Kitna was not able to handle an errant snap that sailed over his head. The Cowboys faced a 3^rd and goal on the 18-yard line with 24 second left in the half, but Miller and Jerome Boyd were in coverage.

Nick Folk missed a 36-yard field goal with 15 seconds remaining.

Bush ends the half with a solid run.

Score: Raiders 10 – Cowboys 7

Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

Offensive lineman Paul McQuistan’s season ended on Wednesday when the Oakland Raiders placed him on injured reserve.

McQuistan injured his knee during the opener after replacing starter Kwame Harris, who also injured his knee. Harris did not practice today with the team as they prepare to face the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.

Replacing McQuistan on the roster will be Seth Wand, who was waived on Monday after Oakland claimed tackle James Marten.

The Raiders also announced on their official site that they re-signed tackle Brandon Torrey to the practice squad.

In other news, receiver Javon Walker was seen working out lightly on the practice  field and may see action on Sunday. Others that worked out lightly or that did not participate during team sessions were Derrick Burgess and Tyvon Branch.