Silver and Black Report

Oakland Raiders running back Michael Bush underwent surgery to insert screws into his left thumb to repair a fracture. There has been no immediate timetable for his return.

The Raiders also cut tight end Eric Butler to reach the 75-man roster limit. The next cut will get the Silver & Black to 53-players after the contest against the Seattle Seahawks.

ESPNs Adam Schefter reported that three clubs have discussed trading for Arizona Cardinals quarterback Matt Leinart. Oakland was one of the teams mentioned, along with the New York Giants and Buffalo Bills. With Kyle Boller and Bruce Gradkowski cementing themselves as back-ups in Oakland this summer, there is no reason for Oakland to bring in a struggling young NFL arm, even though it is to store away in the depth chart.

“The team’s a little tired, that’s the only thing,” head coach Tom Cable stated this week. “At the same time, we’re working to freshen them up.” The starters won’t see much action against the Seahawks, which will give them a shot to take a breather and prepare themselves physically for week-one against the Titans.

Jason Campbell was a spectator during the Raiders practice session open to the media.

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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

FB Marcel Reece in action versus the 49ers

Oakland Raiders wide receiver Chaz Schilens continues to show fragility and is expected to be out for three-to-six weeks after arthroscopic knee surgery. Head coach Tom Cable had a media session yesterday and stated it’s a “three to six week issue.”

Schilens would have been a starter, even though he has not been able to prove himself as a starter since entering the league and has spent more time on the sidelines injured than on the field. This guarantees more playing time for Louis Murphy, who is Oakland’s best wide receiver. Darrius Heyward-Bey would have seen time out there regardless being a first round pick last year and the owner wanting to see his speedy receiver in action. Oakland was very thin and had many questions along this unit to begin with, now, without a player they depended on, Hue Jackson will face some major hurdles in the passing game unless the youngsters develop quickly.

Running back Michael Bush will undergo a procedure on his fractured left thumb, but will not likely miss the opener. Bush will get the bulk of the load of the ground if healthy.

Jared Veldheer will dabble at center and tackle this week. He’s too raw and very inexperienced at both spots. More maturations will be needed, but expect the rookie to be in the line-up sometime this year, especially if Samson Satele or Langston Walker cannot entrench themselves at their respective positions. Tom Cable said of Satele, “ want to look at it. There were some things from last night’s game that I was not pleased with but there were also a lot of good things at the center position. I think the fact that Samson is ready to go is the most important thing right now.”

DE Jay Richardson and DL Alex Daniels will miss the final game of the pre-season.

Cable gave very little when talking about his special teams: “I felt like we were getting closer to that. I don’t know after last night that it’s any clearer than it was before but I’ve got an idea.” There is little indication on who will grab the return duties, but at this point, the veteran Yamon Figurs provides more consistency and a better option at wide receiver. Johnnie Lee Higgins has not been the same since getting rocked in the home opener in 2009.

Cable on Marcel Reece:  ”Well, I’ll say this: He just continues to get better. That’s the thing that he’s shown us is that, from one week to the next he’s going out and improving on whatever his negatives were from the week before. It’s starting to show up more and more that this guy, you can coach him, he’ll take it and he’ll go get it again. I certainly think that he’s really showing himself the right way.”

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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

Oakland Raiders quarterback Bruce Gradkowski was antsy to get on the field and stake his claim to the back-up role behind Jason Campbell. Last night against the San Francisco 49ers, Gradkowski convinced new offensive coordinator Hue Jackson and solidified what the head coach already knew – that the depth chart at quarterback is a strength.

“Bruce Gradkowski was one of the bright spots in terms of going in there and having some efficiency and move the club around fairly well,’’ Tom Cable commented. “I think that’s what you want from your backup quarterback and he showed himself very well that way.’’

“I haven’t been out there so it was good to get the feel of the first team,’’ Gradkowski said. “It was good to play almost three quarters. It was really good to get back out there and get a feel.’’

Gradkowski ended 14-of-22 for 202 yards and two scores. We also saw the continued chemistry between Louis Murphy and the passer when they both hooked up for a 74-yard scoring strike in the second quarter.

As for Jason Campbell, the expected starter got Oakland out of the gate quickly with four completions on their 81-yard scoring drive. After the sack by 49ers defender Travis LaBoy, an organization and fan-base held their collective breath seeing Campbell on the turf and seated on the passenger seat of a cart.

“It felt a lot worse at the time that it happened, but … they don’t think it’s going to be really, really serious,” Campbell said. “But at the same time it’s something we’ve got to take care of before the season starts.”

Campbell suffered a stinger, but Cable stated he expects to have his starter under center week-one versus the Titans.

Running back Michael Bush sustained a fractured left thumb and audio of his post-game chat can be found here on SBReport.net.

Jared Veldheer started for the injured Samson Satele. “I think you have to look at the film for that. I can remember one, there was a run through by a linebacker, (Patrick) Willis, one time that was on him but overall I think he directed the protections well,’’ Cable said of his center. “He really didn’t show up as the game went on so that’s a good sign. But we’ll have to look at the film.”

Neither Johnnie Lee Higgins nor Yamon Figurs distinguished themselves on special teams. But Figurs tallied two more catches for 18-yards while the inconsistent Higgins was shut-out on offense.

For the first time this pre-season, the Raiders did not record a sack. Rookie Rolando McClain led the team with 8 total tackles.

Both specialists are in pro-bowl mode; Sebastian Janikowski booted a 57-yard field goal and Shane Lechler bombed a 61yard punt, averaging 53.0 yards on his 4 attempts.

Darren McFadden played and was ineffective on the ground with 9-yards on 7-carries. He managed two receptions for 16-yards.

Defensive tackle Desmond Bryant had an elbow injury.

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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

During coach Tom Cable’s post game press conference, he listed the injuries sustained during tonight’s Raiders/49ers game. He also touched on what he liked from the play of his two quarterbacks, (Jason Campbell and Bruce Gradkowski), as well as some of things he didn’t like such as the poor special teams play and the shoddy tackling.

Oakland Raiders offensive coordinator Hue Jackson finally talked to the media yesterday and divulged his thoughts on varying topics surrounding the club. Here are some highlights:

What do you look for in a quarterback?

Hue Jackson: His ability to lead men. I think it’s very important that the quarterback is able to take players and get those guys around him to follow him, to understand exactly what the message is that’s being sent, not just on the field but also off the field. And I think we’ve got four very capable guys, and they’re working at it each and every day, and I feel good about direction that we’re going in.

Who is backing up Jason Campbell?

Hue Jackson: Who’s our number 2 quarterback? Well that’s yet to be determined. Obviously Jason is our starter at this point in time. Obviously Bruce is going to play I this game. Kyle has done a wonderful job. We’re just kind of going to let this thing sort itself out over the next couple of weeks.

On the backfield carries; Michael Bush and Darren McFadden:

Hue Jackson: Well I don’t know. Darren hasn’t played yet. Obviously he’ll get an opportunity in this game and then we’ll kind of see where it goes from there. I’m excited about getting a lot of our pieces out on the football field and watching them play. I have not seen Darren play in a game. That’s going to be exciting. I haven’t seen Bruce perform in a game. That will be exciting for me as a coach finally seeing the other pieces we have to have an opportunity to go out and compete in a game-type environment.

On Darrius Heyward-Bey:

Hue Jackson: I think the sky’s the limit for the young man. I just think he needs to go play and I think he will this week. Obviously we’ve been in one game with him, he didn’t play very much the first game, didn’t make it to last week’s game. I’m looking forward to watching him play. Again, that’s what I’m saying. I’m excited about watching a lot of our pieces finally come out and play together for an extended period of time and see where we are.

Working with Tom Cable cohesively:

Hue Jackson: There’s no question. Tom’s one of those old throwback coaches. He likes to get down in the dirt and get after it, and so do I. We kind of do it with a little flair. There’s a flair to what we do. I think our players enjoy it. I think you guys have talked to our players. I think they like the direction we’re heading. That’s the biggest thing. There’s a confidence about this football team. It permeates everywhere. It’s not just our team. It’s in the equipment, it’s in the weight room, it’s with our media people. It’s everywhere. This is a different time in Raider football, and I’m excited about it, and we all are.

What does the team lack?

Hue Jackson: I think the biggest thing for our football team right now is just game experience with me and them, just us spending time together and them understanding exactly what I’m looking for and how I want it done. And I think our guys are doing that. I really believe that. I’m not just saying it. Our players to a man, it’s been very fun for me. Sometimes you can go places and people put up a stop sign until they get to know you. Our guys have really embraced my attitude and the things that I’m looking for because the bottom line is we want to win, and we expect to win here. And that’s the difference. There is an expectation here. The Raiders are supposed to win. And that is our expectation and that’s what we are going to do.

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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

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

The Oakland Raiders took Monday off and will get back to work today as they plan to wrap up training camp within the next three days.

Chaz Schilens, who has been sidelined the last two years during the summer, may miss action at the start of the campaign as he did in 2009. Head coach Tom Cable informed the media yesterday that the wide receiver may need an arthroscopic procedure on his knee.

“I’m very concerned. It’s been a tough road for him,” Cable said. “We get through the foot thing now and something else has kind of reared up on us. We’ll take care of it and get him back as soon as we can.”

Here is some other excerpts form his conference call:

Cable:  ”The long run [Matt Forte] concerned me obviously. We got cut out of the gap and didn’t play it very well from the back side. That concerned me in that it was really something that could have been prevented. We just didn’t play it very good. I felt like defensively we played team defense for about two-thirds of the game. But about a third of the time just breakdowns here and there. We had a couple of missed assignments, guys not running to the ball, guys came out of coverage on the one touchdown we gave up we took our eyes off the man in man coverage. Things like that. fortunately they’re all things we can definitely fix. I’m excited about that. I’d rather it just happen.”

How is Samson Satele?

We probably won’t know more until this afternoon some time. I know they will do an X-ray today and look at it in depth. But we’ll know more this afternoon.

On Kamerion Wimbley:

I think he is who we thought he was. He played outside linebacker at Cleveland. That’s what he’s been known for. He’s done a fine job with it here. Our plan all along as we talked about was to use him on third down in terms of rushing the passer. He showed up the other night. That’s exciting for our team. He’s exactly what we thought. He’d be a guy who could rush the passer in passing situations and play the Sam linebacker on the other downs.

On the fullbacks:

We’re getting some nice play out of Marcel Reece. He’s improving definitely. Even if you take away the screen play to him he made a nice run on. I just like where he’s going as a blocker. He’s becoming more and more physical with each game. He certainly understands now what we’re asking him to do. He’s been good in pass protection. I think he’s improving and that’s good to see. Manase Tonga, he has shown some things being physical and assert himself that way and caught the ball well the other night. It was good to get Luke Lawton back in the mix. He’d been out for quite some time. I feel like there’s good competition there.

On Rolando McClain:

I’ve seen great awareness. I’ve seen good speed to the ball. I’ve seen excellent pass defense. I’ve seen a guy who is around the ball in the run game. Probably he would be the first to tell you, he needs to pull the trigger a little bit more. But his recognition at the speed of it and getting to the ball has been excellent. The thing that I’m most pleased about is he’s done a nice job of getting us liked up and adjusting and then the pass defense. He’s been more than we thought.

***********

Stevie Brown is earning his way onto the roster. He notched his second interception in as many games and Oakland is happy they hit the nail on the head with his selection in April.

“Certainly, from the time he got here in (offseason workouts) and minicamp and all through camp to this point, he has shown that ability to be around the ball,”  Cable commented.

Isaiah Ekejiuba, who? Slade Norris is cementing his name on special teams. “This is great for us,” Norris said. “Coming into training camp, we knew we had a great team that could do something special, and so far we’re proving it.”

Jim Zorn on Jason Campbell and what he can do in Oakland:

“Watch him,” Zorn said at the Ravens’ training camp. “If they protect him and they give him an opportunity to move the chains and move the ball and not have to go to drastic schemes to protect him, absolutely he’s going to be fine.

“Now, his big growth has got to continue to be decision-making . . . He does have a lot of talent. . . . He’s learned a lot in a couple years.”

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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

Rock Cartwright taking a handoff from Jason Campbell

Oakland Raiders rookie middle linebacker missed practice yesterday to attend a personal family matter. Head coach Tom Cable stated, “He has a personal issue that he has been excused to handle. He’ll be back quick.’’

As for his performance versus the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday: “I think he did fine,’’ Cable said. “He ran the defense like you want him to. He ran to the ball, was in on a number of plays, so I think you could say it was a success, first time out.’’

It appears that Charlie Frye’s recovery has been slower than expected. The quarterback will see a specialist this week to get further news on his ailing right hand. While he’s out, Kyle Boller could snatch that third spot in the depth chart. Boller had mop up duty after Jason Campbell versus the Cowboys, and even though Cable enjoys having the coach-like Frye on the roster, if he can’t shake off his injured hand, Oakland has to go with the more healthy alternative.

Oakland will be very cautious with Darren McFadden the rest of the summer. They want the versatile talent to be a focus in Hue Jackson’s offense with his pass catching and ball carrying skills. Michael Bush will get the bulk of the load, but McFadden provides a vital threat in different formations that opponents have to key on. Cable said, “there’s no injury or anything. We just don’t want to mess with it.’’ In the mean time, Michael Bennett and Rock Cartwright will be able to get reps that will be important in deciding what the rushing unit will look like as they approach week-one. “It’s a good battle,” Cable said. “They’re going neck-and-neck. They both have a little different style. Rock’s maybe a little more physical and Michael may be a little quicker.”

“Walter McFadden is definitely not anything serious at all,” Cable stated on Friday. “In fact, he may be ready to go to work (Saturday).” The rookie DB suffered a minor shoulder injury last week against the Cowboys.

The Silver & Black will practice today at 3:30, with two sessions slated for Monday: 8:30 am and 4:20 pm.

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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

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