Silver and Black Report

Oakland Raiders Stevie Brown & Travis Goethel talked to nearly 80 kids from the Boys & Girls Club of Conejo & Las Virgenes at Sequoia Middle School in Newbury Park.

Their appearance on Tuesday was detailed by the Ventury County Star’s web site.

“You need to do your work before you play, because too many times in my life, I’ve played before I’ve worked,” said the linebacker Goethel. “Especially in college and in high school. If I can connect with one kid, then I’ve been successful today.”

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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

Oakland Raiders defensive lineman Richard Seymour was fined $25,000 for his open handed punch to the face of Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. In his first season with the Silver & Black, Seymour was fined $7,500 for pulling the hair of Ryan Clady and $10,000 for a hit after a play was blown dead.

With Trevor Scott out for the season with an ACL injury, Oakland will have to find ways to mix it up at the linebacker and defensive end spots. Quentin Groves could see action at end and the rookie Travis Goethel may be propelled up the depth chart. It speaks volumes to how far Thomas Howard has fallen out of favor along the defense that he’s not being mentioned as an option at linebacker.

Howard was replaced by Scott along the weak side late last season and since, has been relegated to special teams duties and a handful of reps on defense as a reserve.

Yesterday, left tackle Jake Long and quarterback Chad Henne practiced for the Miami Dolphins. Wide receiver Brandon Marshall, linebacker Karlos Dansby and center Joe Berger did not.

Head coach Tony Sparano stated, “Well I mean [Henne] took some work today. You guys saw him out there I’m not going to really get into any injuries right now I don’t need to do that until Wednesday so that’s when I’m going to do it but he did work today.”

The Dolphins have struggled to run the football this season. Neither Ronnie Brown or Ricky Williams have surpassed the 100-yard  mark in a game and the offensive line has been slowed by injuries. Against the Chicago Bears, Miami only ran the ball seven times, facilitating this remark from ESPNs Mark Schlereth, “I could’ve put this game plan together with a box of Crayolas and a pizza box.”

Both the Raiders and Dolphins are sitting at 5-5 and since 1990, twenty clubs have been at .500 or worse after 10-games and have earned wild card berths.

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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

Quentin Groves is ailing days before Oakland faces Antonio Gates

Steve Corkran first confirmed that the Oakland Raiders had signed linebacker Bruce Davis and cut lineman Jay Alford on Tuesday.

Because of injuries to Thomas Howard (knee) and Quentin Groves (hamstring), Oakland was thin at linebacker to start the week. If they don’t get healthy on that unit quick, Davis may be thrown out there for Sunday’s match-up against the San Diego Chargers. Ricky Brown has been inactive due to a hamstring injury and Travis Goethel has been sidelined since the summer with a back impediment.

That’s not a good sign for the Raiders as they face arguably the best tight end in the NFL. Antonio Gates has 24-receptions for 386-yards and 6 scores in 2010. Howard in the past has faced the all-world tight end, but he’s been a reserve this season and now has an injury to deal with. Mike Mitchell could be used in a ‘Big Nickel’ package, but playing in coverage is not a strength of his. Michael Huff may land the assignment for a few reps, but Oakland has to mix it up and not get one player worn down by Gates.

Why wouldn’t Oakland just line up Nnamdi Asomugha versus Gates? At this point, Oakland should try to put their best defender on Philip Rivers’ favorite target.

Malcom Floyd has 14-catches for 285-yards and Legedu Naanee has 11-receptions for 181-yards. If Chris Johnson is healthy, with Stanford Routt also out there, it may be in Oakland’s best interest to lock-up Gates with Asomugha. It’s unconventional to line-up a cornerback over a tight end and shadow someone like Gates with a defensive back. But Asomugha at 6’2 and 215 pounds could handle Gates who is 6’4 and 260 pounds – something that should be schemed even if it’s only for a few snaps on Sunday.

Oakland also waived cornerback Joey Thomas from injured reserve.

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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

Here are today’s inactives for today’s contest between the Oakland Raiders and the Houston Texans:

HOUSTON

Kevin Bentley LB – inactive

Ryan Denney DE – inactive

Garrett Graham TE – inactive

Andre Johnson WR – inactive

Matt Leinart QB – inactive (3^rd QB)

Darryl Sharpton LB – inactive

Kasey Studdard G – inactive

Eugene Wilson FS – inactive

OAKLAND

Robert Gallery G – inactive

John Henderson DT – inactive

Walter McFadden CB – inactive

Jeremy Ware CB – inactive

Travis Goethel LB – inactive

Ricky Brown LB – inactive

Chaz Schilens WR – inactive

Kyle Boller QB – inactive (3^rd QB)

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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

The Oakland Raiders waived offensive lineman Erik Pears to make room for recently signed defensive lineman Jay Alford.

Yamon Figurs got the opening day nod for kickoff and punt returns. “Probably just the explosiveness. He touches it, and you got a chance for something big every time. That’s a dimension, as we talked about at the end of last season, all through the spring, OTAs, through camp, was developing a return game. We have a number of good returners here. I just think right now, he’s the guy we’ll go with.,” said Tom Cable on why Figurs gets the first shot to revitalize and all but dead special teams in 2009.

Figurs deserves the start. Johnnie Lee Higgins is way too inconsistent and the veteran played well enough on special teams and on offense in the summer, earning his way onto the roster.

In a surprise, Trevor Scott, who jolted the Silver & Black last season with some solid play at linebacker, will be back at defensive end – starting!

He will get the start over Matt Shaughnessy. Scott was expected to play on the weak side of the formation at linebacker all spring, but Oakland felt better putting Quentin Groves there and moving their former draft pick back onto the line to get the best players on the field.

“It’s just getting the best 11 players on the field. That’s really what it comes down to,’’ Cable said. “And not that Matt Shaughnessy’s not, because he’s a dynamite player. This just gives us more quality depth to have on the field at all times.”

Oakland has been mum on Travis Goethel’s injury. With the league mandated disclosure policy regarding injuries, the club listed him with a lower back ailment.

Walter McFadden (hamstring) and Michael Bush (fractured thumb) are the other Raiders wounded.

Chaz Schilens will be out for Sunday.

Desmond Bryant (elbow) was limited in practice.

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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

Stanford Routt will be a starting CB for the Raiders

The status of Oakland Raiders running back Michael Bush is up in the air right now. Whether or not he plays against the Tennessee Titans is a mystery at this point, but one thing’s for sure, the Silver & Black may not declare his ability to play completely until game time.

“He did some individual work, caught the ball, ran some routs, carried it a little bit,” Cable said after practice on Monday. “Limited.”

Stanford Routt will start at left cornerback after beating out the incumbent Chris Johnson in the summer. His mindset is right and the athletic defensive back appears ready to take on a new challenge in his career: “I think my mind is maybe a little more clear, not so much BS going on mentally,” Routt said. “But I really can’t put a finger on what you’re asking. Everything stayed the same. I’m still the same guy. I still study the same. I eat the same foods. I’m the same.”

The Raiders will take Tuesday off before returning to work on Wednesday, when coaches implement the game plan for the Titans.

Wide receiver Chaz Schilens and linebacker Travis Goethel were not on the practice field on Monday and will probably be locks to be on the inactive list come Sunday.

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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

SBReport.net again takes a look at the Oakland Raiders training camp through the lenses of our photographers.

Quarterback Jason Campbell (#8) working with fullback Alex Daniels (now listed as #39)

Michael Bush appears to be headed to a starting role with the Silver & Black.  Hue Jackson will be primed to use his bulky, yet versatile rusher to get the majority of the carries in 2010.

Matt Shaughnessy’s (#77) – working here versus Erik Pears (#72) – role as a third down and long down and distance pass rusher will be a key aspect to the Raiders defense. Oakland is extremely hopeful that the 2nd year pro will have a larger impact this season after showing glimpses in his rookie season.

Rookie linebacker Travis Goethel (#48) got the leverage advantage against veteran running back Rock Cartwright (#25)

With Campbell at quarterback, Zach Miller is aiming at another season of improved numbers. Since being drafted by Oakland, Miller has put up back-to-back-to-back career highs in reeptions and yards; with offenses that were pitiful, instability at quarterback and a lack of creativity in the play calling, with little to no support around him. In Washington, Campbell worked well with Chris Cooley and Fred Davis. Could this be the year Miller becomes a legitimate pro-bowl candidate?

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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

Here’s a look at the Oakland Raiders working during the summer at their training camp facility:

Chane Moline (#40) and Alex Daniels (#71) working together…

Rookie linebacker Rolando McClain (#55)

Linebacker Quentin Groves (#52) blowing past Darren McFadden (#20)

Rock Cartwright (#25) getting ready to take on Ricky Brown (#57)

Rookies Travis Goethel (#48) and Jared Veldheer (#68), victims of veteran hazing.

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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

Rookies Roland McClain and Travis Goethel

The Oakland Raiders have inked sixth round draft choice Travis Goethel.

Goethel, a 6’2, 240 pound linebacker, was a three-year starter for the Arizona State Sun Devils. The 190^th selection will try to make the squad as a reserve, but mainly on special teams where they could be an opening after the release of Isaiah Ekejiuba.

Oakland has yet to sign their top two picks: Roland McClain and Lamarr Houston, as well as fourth rounder Jacoby Ford and seventh rounder Stevie Brown.

Goethel, a Vista California product, played in all 50 games over his four-year career, with 41 starts, totaling 228 tackles (143 solo), 19.0 tackles for loss (minus 45 yards), 2.0 sacks (minus 13 yards), nine pass break-ups, three interceptions, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.

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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

SBReport.net will be in attendance when the media is allowed in for the Oakland Raiders next Organized Team Activities this week. So far, rookie Lamarr Houston and his aggressiveness, Darrius Heyward-Bey’s work, ethic in trying to rebound from a horrific first season, and Jason Campbell’s presence have been some of the highlights of the work Oakland is putting in this Spring.

Log on to SBReport.net for exclusive images and news from the practice field. Also, head over to www.Raiderfans.net to chat about the off-season and the 2010 Oakland Raiders with thousands of member of the Raider Nation.

Here are more images from our coverage of prior OTAs:

Ricky Brown will try to keep his roster spot as a special teamer and reserve linebacker.

Rookies Travis Goethel and Rolando McClain working against each other. The product out of Arizona State needs to make a statement on the field in pre-season games to sure up his future as a member of the Silver & Black.

Johnnie Lee Higgins is all smiles, all the time.

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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist