Silver and Black Report

On Wednesday, the Oakland Raiders got some work in during their Organized Team Activities. Here is a breakdown of the highlights and lowlights:

After a year of inactivity where Oakland waited to place him on injured reserve as the season wound down – yet they continually placed him on the inactive list throughout the entire campaign – Nick Miller was observed working at wide receiver and battling Johnnie Lee Higgins and rookie Jacoby Ford for what will be one of the few spots at the bottom of the depth chart and special teams. Per SBReport.net journalist DeMarcus Davis, “It looks like none of his speed is missing and seems 100%.”

First rounder Rolando McClain held his own against pro linemen, looking every part the middle linebacker Oakland has needed in some time.

Newly acquired Quentin Groves demonstrated very good speed to the edge, tracking down Darren McFadden on a sweep toss.

Rookie Stevie Brown picked off quarterback Charlie Frye after Thomas Howard deflected the toss in the end zone. Frye bounced back with a touchdown pass to Michael Bush.

Chaz Schilens will be out till training camp after undergoing a procedure on his left foot. “I think we’ll take our time with that, just to be smart,” Cable said. “I don’t want to do anything to set it back. If he’s there when we go to camp – which he will be – I’ll be happy with that.” This is one of the biggest reasons why the Raiders WR unit is a major question mark. If Schilens is expected to be a top contributor, how can he be expected to perform as a starter when he misses so much crucial time for development? Schilens is not a proven commodity and one of their starters – not exactly a guy that would start for the majority of the teams around the league – but a guy that Oakland will lean on with such a raw unit. If he can stay healthy during these days of learning, why should he be expected to finally ‘break-out?’

Tom Cable made it clear today. Terrell Owens is not being looked at as a possible enhancement to the questionable wide receiver corps. “We really haven’t had any discussion about that,” Cable said to the San Francisco Chronicle. “We’ve got a good, young receiving corps; it’s never been a point of conversation.”

What about Richard Seymour? “I don’t know that at this point,” Cable said, in regard of his future participation in OTAs prior to training camp. Seymour and the Raiders have been trying to negotiate a long-term deal. Cable talked about his defensive linemen recently, stating, “He’s come in and showed this young team how you prepare, how you take notes, how you work every week, how you take care of your body, you know, all the things that are really critical to being good for a long period of time. He was fantastic with that.”

Walter McFadden working during drills

Walter McFadden displayed his speed and shiftiness, covering Darrius Heyward-Bey when lined up against last year’s first round draft choice.

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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

ESPN’s John Clayton posted an article today regarding Terrell Owens and how he would be a good fit for the Oakland Raiders.

Clayton states, “Owens would make sense now that the Raiders have turned over their offense to Jason Campbell.”

“Still, he’s the best receiver on the street. He had 829 receiving yards last season, more than any other receiver without a job. His average of 15.1 yards per catch was respectable. But price is the problem. He might not be willing to sign for less than $5 million, and it’s doubtful this year’s free-agent market will deliver that kind of windfall.”

The mercurial target could easily become the Raiders best target if they chose to go that route. Oakland’s wide receivers are either raw, un-proven or in the infancy stages of their development.

Their best wide receiver in 2009, Louis Murphy, was a rookie who had his ups and downs and only managed 34-receptions for 521-yards and 4 touchdowns.

Chaz Schilens is considered their number one guy, but that’s by default considering the weakness of the corps.

SBreport.net analyzed the current wide receiver situation for the Raiders in a piece published on May 5^th, located here:

http://www.sbreport.net/raider_news/008/3520.html

And on March 11^th, Owens being bantered as a possible destination was detailed here:

http://www.sbreport.net/raider_news/008/3090.html

Here is a link to Clayton’s article:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=clayton_john&id=5194336

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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

Talk about chatter that can facilitate a media storm…

ESPN anchor Linda Cohn Tweeted today that mercurial wide receiver Terrell Owens could become a member of the Oakland Raiders.

Now, this rumor and the coupling of Owens and the Raiders has always been bantered about – especially when he has become available. But today, in the tweet world we live in, a comment can illicit quite the reaction.

“Next stop for Terrel Owens could be the black hole and the Oakland Raiders! This according to Espn’s John Clayton,” read the twitter message.

The same Owens that has alienated Jeff Garcia and Donovan McNabb. The same ‘T.O’ that reportedly was at odds with Tony Romo due to his jealousy of the quarterback’s relationship with tight end Jason Witten.

To his credit, he went to Buffalo last off-season on a one-year deal and at 35 years old, he amassed a very respectable 55 receptions for 829 yards and 5 TD grabs.

The Cincinnati Bengals flirted with the idea of pairing Owens with the other outlandish receiver in the league, but that was put to rest when they inked Antonio Bryant instead.

At 36, he’s a far superior target than any of the unproven wide receivers the Raiders have currently under contract. But he did look slower this past season even though he put up adequate numbers and was on his best behavior.

You know he’ll always be in good shape. And that he’ll give it his all while on the field when happy.

But can the Raiders afford to bring him in with a shaky quarterback situation and a crop of young targets that need seasoning? How would Louis Murphy, Chaz Schilens and Darrius Heyward-Bey get the reps needed and consistent chances to get better? Could ‘T.O’ be a model citizen for the Silver & Black?

The Cleveland Browns and St. Louis Rams could also be landing spots.

Justin Fargas will visit the Philadelphia Eagles on Friday per Adam Schefter.

Let the Terrell Owens to Oakland rumors begin!

Yes, the Dallas Cowboys made the right move in cutting the controversial drama queen and salvaging a locker room that probably was not going to handle another year of ‘TO’s’ presence.

In his career, he has alienated Jeff Garcia, Donovan McNabb and in 2008, Owens reportedly was at odds with Tony Romo due to his jealousy of the quarterback’s relationship with tight end Jason Witten. Since, Owens name has come up as a key antagonist in the demise of the Cowboys chemistry in their lackluster effort to attain a playoff spot this past season.

Owens, 35, signed a $34 million extension last June that included a $12.9 million signing bonus. But with the Cowboys needing more stability and some sanity within their inner circle, they decided to part ways with a player that in the past has even questioned offensive coordinator Jason Garrett’s play calling while in Dallas and has been in the middle of run ins with coaches at his other stops.

This is the last thing the Raiders need on their roster.

Owens is a big target, a legitimate ‘go to’ receiver and in football terms, exactly what they need for a quarterback like JaMarcus Russell.

What they don’t need is the baggage, diva mentality and me first attitude he comes with.

Owens will never change. He has not shown the ability to do so.

Even after proclaiming his love and weeping after a playoff loss in defending his last quarterback in front of the media.

How quickly things change…

And this dysfunctional behavior is what Al Davis must pass on, as it will just hang a dreary cloud over Tom Cable’s program, with hopes in finally turning the Raiders around.

He has a young quarterback that is starving for some playmakers at wide receiver and an offense in dire need of explosiveness.

Even with these missing components, there is no need for them to gamble on Owens. Eventually, he’ll come back to bite you. And after dealing with a disgruntled Randy Moss a few years back, the last thing the Raiders want is an aging loudmouth who will demand the ball, disrupt the team’s chemistry and hinder any chances of progressing with sanity.

Owens has all world talent. He takes care of his body and even at the latter stages of his career; the six-time all pro can demonstrate brilliance on the football field.

Some will question his ability to continue his dominance on the football field. I won’t question that.

But I will question is his presence on any football team that will look to brighter days. And with Owens on any roster, especially this Raider one, the chance of storms is always in the forecast.

Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist