THE OFFICIAL OAKLAND RAIDERS 2009 OFFSEASON THREAD
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These rookies have made a good first impression at offseason camps
By Steve Wyche | NFL.com
Raiders WRs Darrius Heyward-Bey and Louis Murphy
Coach Tom Cable believes Heyward-Bey, Oakland's criticized seventh-overall pick, will be just as effective running intermediate and short routes as he will be using his speed on straight-line go patterns. And Cable also believes Heyward-Bey could have some company at wide receiver with fellow rookie Murphy, a fourth-round pick from Florida.
"He's probably the surprise of our (rookie) class," Cable said of Murphy. "He has all the makings to be a very special football player at this level -- mainly because he was impressive on a daily basis. We really think we found one."
That's great news for the Raiders, who have really struggled on offense in recent years, particularly in the passing game. They've finished among the bottom two in passing offense, including last in 2008, the past three seasons. Having two young wideouts and a stable of running backs to grow with quarterback JaMarcus Russell, might actually give the perpetually rebuilding Raiders some optimism for the long-term. Oakland just has to hope the receivers have the mental makeup to match their physical skills.
By Steve Wyche | NFL.com
Raiders WRs Darrius Heyward-Bey and Louis Murphy
Coach Tom Cable believes Heyward-Bey, Oakland's criticized seventh-overall pick, will be just as effective running intermediate and short routes as he will be using his speed on straight-line go patterns. And Cable also believes Heyward-Bey could have some company at wide receiver with fellow rookie Murphy, a fourth-round pick from Florida.
"He's probably the surprise of our (rookie) class," Cable said of Murphy. "He has all the makings to be a very special football player at this level -- mainly because he was impressive on a daily basis. We really think we found one."
That's great news for the Raiders, who have really struggled on offense in recent years, particularly in the passing game. They've finished among the bottom two in passing offense, including last in 2008, the past three seasons. Having two young wideouts and a stable of running backs to grow with quarterback JaMarcus Russell, might actually give the perpetually rebuilding Raiders some optimism for the long-term. Oakland just has to hope the receivers have the mental makeup to match their physical skills.
Davis released, Sulak reportedly waived
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Monday, July 13th, 2009 at 2:20 pm in Oakland Raiders.
Safety Keith Davis, signed as a reserve safety and special teams player during the offseason, was released according to the transactions page on Raiders.com
In a more surprising development, Profootballtalk.com reports the Raiders have waived defensive end Stryker Sulak, a sixth-round draft pick out of Missouri.
When Sulak was drafted, Raiders coach Tom Cable said the plan was to play him as a strongside linebacker along with fourth-round pick Slade Norris.
However, during the mandatory minicamp and OTAs, Sulak was instead lined up exclusviely as a defensive end and was getting reps with the second and third teams.
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Monday, July 13th, 2009 at 2:20 pm in Oakland Raiders.
Safety Keith Davis, signed as a reserve safety and special teams player during the offseason, was released according to the transactions page on Raiders.com
In a more surprising development, Profootballtalk.com reports the Raiders have waived defensive end Stryker Sulak, a sixth-round draft pick out of Missouri.
When Sulak was drafted, Raiders coach Tom Cable said the plan was to play him as a strongside linebacker along with fourth-round pick Slade Norris.
However, during the mandatory minicamp and OTAs, Sulak was instead lined up exclusviely as a defensive end and was getting reps with the second and third teams.
http://espn.go.com/videogames/features/madden/madden10?teamId=23
here go the raiders ratings for madden kinda weak but i still cant wait to play with them.
here go the raiders ratings for madden kinda weak but i still cant wait to play with them.
Oakland Raiders camp battles--offensive line
There was some consternation in the Raider Nation over the offseason when the Raiders took a fairly hands off approach to their offensive line. With the only major new addition being Khalif Barnes, it is up to the the guys to insure that JaMarcus Russell is allowed to remain upright.
Here is how the offensive line looks to shake out during training camp, which starts out with classroom time Wednesday morning.
TACKLE:
Projected left side starter: Mario Henderson
projected right side starter: Khalif Barnes
Henderson impressed the Raiders' brass when he was inserted as the starter at left tackle over Kwame Harris for the last few games of 2008. He will be battling it out with Khalif Barnes, with the loser likely moving over to the right side. Henderson has the inside track, so look for Barnes to start on the right side.
Projected depth: Cornell Green and Erik Pears.
James Marten and Mark Wilson will work hard to unseat Green and/or Pears to grab a roster spot. Of the two, Green is the more veunerable, as he was a weak link on the Raiders line for much of 08. Pears's experience as a starter in the zone blocking scheme in Denver makes him a valuable commodity off the bench.
GUARD:
Projected left side starter: Robert Gallery
Projected right side starter: Cooper Carlisle
These two are locks to break camp as starters. Gallery will miss the beginning of camp since he had to have an emergency appendectomy, but that will give the Raiders a chance to get a good look at the depth they have at guard, since they already know that Gallery is one of the top guards in the game. Carlisle fell off a bit last season after having a superb 2007, however, he is currently the best option on the roster for the right guard position.
Projected depth:
Paul McQuistan will be the primary backup at the guard positions. He has shown promise, including in a stint as a starter at right tackle in 2007, but he missed all of last season due to an injury. Head coach Tom Cable has announced that Marcus Johnson will be moving inside to guard, and he will likely be the other depth player. Jonathan Compas is likely headed for the practice squad.
CENTER:
Projected starter: Samson Satele
Satele was acquired from the Miami Dolphins for a sixth round pick and the Raiders are high on this kid's athletic abilities. They believe that he will thrive in the Raiders zone blocking scheme.
Projected depth: Chris Morris
Chris Morris and John Wade will be locked in a heated battle for the reserve center spot. There is an outside possibility both make the team if either Marcus Johnson or Paul McQuistan have an epic failure of a training camp, as they would double as a reserve guard.
ONCE AGAIN YALL ITS ALL UP TO THE O-LINE, THIS IS THE BEST IVE FELT ABOUT THE LINE SINCE THE GANNON DAYS, BUT IF THEY CANT PROTECT JAMRAM THEN PREPARE FOR ANOTHER LONG SEASON.
There was some consternation in the Raider Nation over the offseason when the Raiders took a fairly hands off approach to their offensive line. With the only major new addition being Khalif Barnes, it is up to the the guys to insure that JaMarcus Russell is allowed to remain upright.
Here is how the offensive line looks to shake out during training camp, which starts out with classroom time Wednesday morning.
TACKLE:
Projected left side starter: Mario Henderson
projected right side starter: Khalif Barnes
Henderson impressed the Raiders' brass when he was inserted as the starter at left tackle over Kwame Harris for the last few games of 2008. He will be battling it out with Khalif Barnes, with the loser likely moving over to the right side. Henderson has the inside track, so look for Barnes to start on the right side.
Projected depth: Cornell Green and Erik Pears.
James Marten and Mark Wilson will work hard to unseat Green and/or Pears to grab a roster spot. Of the two, Green is the more veunerable, as he was a weak link on the Raiders line for much of 08. Pears's experience as a starter in the zone blocking scheme in Denver makes him a valuable commodity off the bench.
GUARD:
Projected left side starter: Robert Gallery
Projected right side starter: Cooper Carlisle
These two are locks to break camp as starters. Gallery will miss the beginning of camp since he had to have an emergency appendectomy, but that will give the Raiders a chance to get a good look at the depth they have at guard, since they already know that Gallery is one of the top guards in the game. Carlisle fell off a bit last season after having a superb 2007, however, he is currently the best option on the roster for the right guard position.
Projected depth:
Paul McQuistan will be the primary backup at the guard positions. He has shown promise, including in a stint as a starter at right tackle in 2007, but he missed all of last season due to an injury. Head coach Tom Cable has announced that Marcus Johnson will be moving inside to guard, and he will likely be the other depth player. Jonathan Compas is likely headed for the practice squad.
CENTER:
Projected starter: Samson Satele
Satele was acquired from the Miami Dolphins for a sixth round pick and the Raiders are high on this kid's athletic abilities. They believe that he will thrive in the Raiders zone blocking scheme.
Projected depth: Chris Morris
Chris Morris and John Wade will be locked in a heated battle for the reserve center spot. There is an outside possibility both make the team if either Marcus Johnson or Paul McQuistan have an epic failure of a training camp, as they would double as a reserve guard.
ONCE AGAIN YALL ITS ALL UP TO THE O-LINE, THIS IS THE BEST IVE FELT ABOUT THE LINE SINCE THE GANNON DAYS, BUT IF THEY CANT PROTECT JAMRAM THEN PREPARE FOR ANOTHER LONG SEASON.
Raiders Sign Three Draft Picks
by Adam Caplan of ScoutNFLNetwork.com, July 29, 2009 at 8:53am ET
Michael Mitchell Profile
The Oakland Raiders have signed second-round pick S Michael Mitchell, Scout.com has confirmed. According to a league source, Mitchell signed a four-year deal that includes a $1.6 million signing bonus with $2.028 million in guaranteed money.
The former Ohio University defensive back was the surprise of this year's draft since most teams had a fifth or sixth-round grade on him. But the athletic safety had a great pro day which catapulted his draft stock.
Mitchell, a non-combine invitee, should compete for playing time at strong safety because of his size. He projects to be more of an in the box player.
The team also has signed two more players from their 2009 draft class.
Fourth-round pick Louis Murphy agreed to a four-year deal. According to a league source, the former University of Florida Gator will sign a four-year deal worth $2.2 million deal that includes a signing bonus worth roughly $448,000.
Murphy (6-2, 203) put together really good 40-yard dash times (4.32/4.32 handheld/4.43/4.44 electronic) at the NFL combine which helped his draft value and did so with a knee injury.
Murphy performed well during OTA practices and could see significant playing time this season.
Also signing a four-year deal was fourth-round pick OLB Slade Norris. The former Oregon St. University linebacker signed a four-year, $2.19 million deal that includes a signing bonus worth roughly $441,000.
Norris figures to compete for playing time on the strong side.
by Adam Caplan of ScoutNFLNetwork.com, July 29, 2009 at 8:53am ET
Michael Mitchell Profile
The Oakland Raiders have signed second-round pick S Michael Mitchell, Scout.com has confirmed. According to a league source, Mitchell signed a four-year deal that includes a $1.6 million signing bonus with $2.028 million in guaranteed money.
The former Ohio University defensive back was the surprise of this year's draft since most teams had a fifth or sixth-round grade on him. But the athletic safety had a great pro day which catapulted his draft stock.
Mitchell, a non-combine invitee, should compete for playing time at strong safety because of his size. He projects to be more of an in the box player.
The team also has signed two more players from their 2009 draft class.
Fourth-round pick Louis Murphy agreed to a four-year deal. According to a league source, the former University of Florida Gator will sign a four-year deal worth $2.2 million deal that includes a signing bonus worth roughly $448,000.
Murphy (6-2, 203) put together really good 40-yard dash times (4.32/4.32 handheld/4.43/4.44 electronic) at the NFL combine which helped his draft value and did so with a knee injury.
Murphy performed well during OTA practices and could see significant playing time this season.
Also signing a four-year deal was fourth-round pick OLB Slade Norris. The former Oregon St. University linebacker signed a four-year, $2.19 million deal that includes a signing bonus worth roughly $441,000.
Norris figures to compete for playing time on the strong side.
NAPA, Calif. -- Two-time Pro Bowl defensive end Derrick Burgess and first-round draft pick Darrius Heyward-Bey were no-shows as the Oakland Raiders opened training camp.
The team held meetings Wednesday, one day before hitting the practice field in Napa under coach Tom Cable. Burgess, who didn't take part in any offseason practices, decided to stay away from the start of training camp as he looks to be traded.
Heyward-Bey, the seventh overall pick in April's draft, hasn't signed a contract, although Cable expressed optimism that a deal could be done quickly. Heyward-Bey is in the Bay Area and could make it to Napa soon after a deal is signed.
The team held meetings Wednesday, one day before hitting the practice field in Napa under coach Tom Cable. Burgess, who didn't take part in any offseason practices, decided to stay away from the start of training camp as he looks to be traded.
Heyward-Bey, the seventh overall pick in April's draft, hasn't signed a contract, although Cable expressed optimism that a deal could be done quickly. Heyward-Bey is in the Bay Area and could make it to Napa soon after a deal is signed.