The Official 2011 Oakland Raiders offseason thread
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Good News my fellow Raider fans, Boss signed!!
http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/6836272/oakland-raiders-kevin-boss-agree-contract-source-says
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The New York Giants lost a key player when tight end Kevin Boss agreed to join the Oakland Raiders on Friday.
ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reports that Boss reached an agreement on four-year, $16 million deal according to a league source. The Raiders were looking for a tight end after losing Zach Miller to the Seahawks. The Raiders expect to complete the signing later Friday. Boss' asking price was clearly too high for the Giants, who have been trying to re-sign him and wide receiver Steve Smith. Boss, who worked out for the Raiders on Wednesday, was fifth in receptions on the Giants last season with 35 for 531 yards and five touchdowns. The 6-foot-6 tight end was one of Eli Manning's most trusted targets and had caught a total of 16 touchdowns in the past three seasons. Losing Boss hurts because he provides Manning with a tall safety valve across the middle. If the Giants re-sign Smith, he may not be ready for the season opener due to microfracture knee surgery he underwent last December. So the Giants will be searching for someone who can go across the middle for Manning. The Giants now could look to free agency to sign another tight end. At the moment, they have Travis Beckum, newly-signed former Cardinals tight end Ben Patrick, Jake Ballard and Bear Pascoe, who could play fullback this season, among others in camp.
http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/6836272/oakland-raiders-kevin-boss-agree-contract-source-says
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The New York Giants lost a key player when tight end Kevin Boss agreed to join the Oakland Raiders on Friday.
ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reports that Boss reached an agreement on four-year, $16 million deal according to a league source. The Raiders were looking for a tight end after losing Zach Miller to the Seahawks. The Raiders expect to complete the signing later Friday. Boss' asking price was clearly too high for the Giants, who have been trying to re-sign him and wide receiver Steve Smith. Boss, who worked out for the Raiders on Wednesday, was fifth in receptions on the Giants last season with 35 for 531 yards and five touchdowns. The 6-foot-6 tight end was one of Eli Manning's most trusted targets and had caught a total of 16 touchdowns in the past three seasons. Losing Boss hurts because he provides Manning with a tall safety valve across the middle. If the Giants re-sign Smith, he may not be ready for the season opener due to microfracture knee surgery he underwent last December. So the Giants will be searching for someone who can go across the middle for Manning. The Giants now could look to free agency to sign another tight end. At the moment, they have Travis Beckum, newly-signed former Cardinals tight end Ben Patrick, Jake Ballard and Bear Pascoe, who could play fullback this season, among others in camp.
D Moore is shutting shit down in camp:
Raiders training camp highlights, notes and quotes
By Steve Corkran
Thursday, August 4th, 2011 at 7:36 pm in Oakland Raiders.
Denarius Moore, folks. Learn the name, commit it to memory and keep an eye on the rookie whenever he’s on the field.
On Thursday, for the second straight day, Moore stole the show during practice with his acrobatic catches and big-play ability. At this rate, people are going to forget about Darrius Heyward-Bey missing so much practice time.
“I’m not going to keep using the word you guys write I keep using all the time,” Jackson said. “I’m gonna have to come up with another one. I don’t want to say the W word (Wow!). So, what I’m going to say is, oh, boy! The young man can make some plays, can’t he?
“Oh, my gosh, is he something? He’s fun to watch. Every day there’s something. A ball goes up, he comes down with it and makes a play. He has tremendous talent. The game is not too big for him. He has that factor of making plays. There’s no fear in the young man. I’m glad he’s on our team.”
Moore delivered the most memorable play of camp so far when he leaped for a high pass in the back of the end zone and snared the ball above cornerback DeMarcus Van Dyke and safety Stevie Brown, while having the composure to get his feet down before he stepped out of bounds. Touchdown.
Moore didn’t have to worry about running back to the huddle. The huddle ran to him near the 10-yard line, with players hooting and hollering and congratulating him on his spectacular catch.
“Yes, sir, just another day, another catch, another play,” Moore said in his aw-shucks manner.
Yeah, right. This wasn’t Ronald Curry spectacular from that Monday night game against the Denver Broncos in 2004. But it was close.
“It was overwhelming for a rookie to make a play like that and then get supported by the whole team,” Moore said. “The support and the love I was getting, I was real happy from it.”
Naturally, Moore was just getting warmed up. A short while later, Moore did an out-and-up that left cornerback Sterling Moore flat-footed, out of position and out of luck, as Moore sprinted into the open for a long touchdown reception from Jason Campbell.
“I swear, if (Denarius Moore) runs one more out-and-up, double move or corner-and-up, I’m (going to ) kill someone!!!” Sterling Moore Tweeted after practice.
*Moore isn’t the only receiver making plays on a conistent basis in camp.
“Look at Chaz Schilens, too.” Jackson said. ”What a tremendous catch over the middle of the field. Those guys are getting better. Once we get them all back out there and playing together, we have a pretty good group.”
Schilens made it through his seventh straight practice without any setbacks or any signs of setback from foot and knee injuries last season.
*Assistant offensive line coach Steve Wisniewski rarely spoke during his standout career for the Raiders. Seeing his nephew, center Stefen Wisniewski, get beat badly by defensive end Lamarr Houston in a one-on-on pass-protection drill prompted Steve Wisniewski to blurt out:
“Where has that been for three days?” Wisniewsk said. “I love it. Get juiced up.”
For the most part, though, the offensive line fared better than the defensive line in the pass-protection drills.
Raiders Pro Bowl defensive tackle Richard Seymour already is a big fan of Little Wiz.
“The thing about a rookie, they don’t know what they don’t know, and it’s not their fault,” Seymour said. “But he’s showed a lot of toughness. As an interior offensive lineman, that’s what you want to see, because you can coach up the rest. So, he definitely has all the qualities. I see why he was a top pick.”
*Jackson said the Raiders haven’t given up in their pursuit of free agent tight end Kevin Boss.
“He did a good job,” Jackson said of Boss’ workout Wednesday. “Everybody is an option until they decide what they’re going to do. We’ll see how that unfolds. Nothing happened today. We’re going to continue to search to always put good players on this team. We’ll continue to do so, and I know that’s what we’re attempting to do.”
Boss reportedly is being pursued by the New York Giants, as well, the team that drafted him and employed him the past four seasons.
In the interim, Jackson sang the praises of the four tight ends he has on his roster in light of Zach Miller’s defection to the Seattle Seahawks.
“We have some very talented young players,” Jackson said. “Richard Gordon is doing a heck of a job. The kid (David) Ausberry is a tremendous talent. Even Kevin Brock, who’s been around a little bit but never had too many plays. Guys are playing well. Obviously, Brandon Myers, who has played.
“We do have a bunch of guys. What I’m trying to do every day is trying to figure out what are their strengths, what are their weaknesses so that I can accentuate their strengths and leave their weaknesses alone. Let them be what the can be.”
*Sterling Moore is making quite an impression himself. Twice, he ran stride for stride with Denarius Moore and prevented him from making even more backbreaking plays.
Moore is the kind of player the Raiders are looking for in light of Nnamdi Asomugha signing with the Philadelphia Eagles. He is competing against the likes of Van Dyke, Chimdi Chekwa, Walter McFadden and Jeremy Ware for backup spots and playing time.
*Quarterback Kyle Boller is serious about doing everything he can to make the 53-man roster.
On one play, he darted for the end zone, split two defenders and drilled Brock in the back, even though Brock was trying to help pave the way.
*The Raiders welcomed 15 players to practice for the first time this season — linebacker Kamerion Wimbley practiced for a few days before he was forced to sit out because of a restructured contract.
Back in the mix are: Wimbley, Jarvis Moss, Desmond Bryant, Stephon Heyer, Khalif Barnes, Sam Williams, Trent Edwards, Bruce Davis, Darryl Blackstock, Jon Condo, Michael Huff, Marcel Reece, Samson Satele, Seth Wand and Justin Smiley.
That helped offset the absence of 15 players sidelined because of injury, or as Jackson is fond of saying, “nicks.”
Those out of action were: Bruce Campbell, Lou Eliades, Trevor Scott, Alan Pelc, Rolando McClain, Jacoby Ford, Louis Murphy, Darren McFadden, Joe Porter, Michael Bennett, Mike Mitchell, Chekwa, Taiwan Jones and James McCluskey. Receiver Derrick Jones was carted from the field with a leg injury early in practice.
“I had to take some of these guys (out) because I don’t know where they are physically,” Jackson said.
Part of Jackson’s worry is learning the shape of his players after being away from them for so long during the lockout.
“I have a huge concern because I wasn’t with these guys when they were working out off campus or anything that they did to prepare themselves,” Jackson said. “So, some guys are mad at me today. And that’s OK because I didn’t want to put them out there until I know for sure that they’re able to go.”
*Seven league officials are in town to brief the players and coaches on the rules changes from last season and to work several practices.
Jackson has made getting the penalty problem under control one of his top priorities. Last season, the Raiders were the league’s most-penalized team.
“Throw the flag. Throw the flag,” Jackson said he has instructed the officials. “I don’t care what it is. We were the most-penalized team in football. We have to get that solved. Today wasn’t a good day that way. We still have some things that we have to correct. I’m going to lay it on our players, I’m laying it on our coaches. It’s an emphasis for this football team. … It’s something we have to continue to harp on. I know the officials are going to be here. We’re going to keep grinding them on that. We’re going to get that solved.”
*Cornerback Stanford Routt restructred his contract Thursday as a means of helping the Raiders reach compliance with the salary cap by 1 p.m. on Friday.
Routt signed a three-year deal during the offseason that guarantees him $20 million over the next two seasons. He stopped short of saying his deal has been reworked.
“Oh, yeah, I’m down to do anything to help the team,” Routt said.
Defensive tackle Richard Seymour declined to talk specifics about his contract. ESPN reported Thursday morning that he and the Raiders agreed to a restructured contract that helped the Raiders save $11 million agaings the cap this year.
Jackson dismissed any such talk about the Raiders having difficulty getting down to the $120.4 million maximum by Friday afternoon.
“Tomorrow, we’ll be there,” Jackson said. “That’s the number one thing. When it’s all said and done, I know our organization, when they say it’s time for us to be in compliance, we will be in compliance.”
Salary-cap issues haven’t precluded the Raiders from making any roster addition, Jackson said.
“I don’t think so,” Jackson said. “We got done what we felt like we had to get done. Again, ’coach’ (Al Davis, managing general partner) does a tremendous job with all of that, making sure that we have good players. We have good players on this team. We’ll continue to put good players on this team. He knows that cap as well as anybody in this league.”
*Roy Schuening filled in for an injured Cooper Carlisle (foot) at right guard. Again, Schuening played as if he is serious about earning a roster spot. He has spent time on the Raiders practice squad.
Raiders training camp highlights, notes and quotes
By Steve Corkran
Thursday, August 4th, 2011 at 7:36 pm in Oakland Raiders.
Denarius Moore, folks. Learn the name, commit it to memory and keep an eye on the rookie whenever he’s on the field.
On Thursday, for the second straight day, Moore stole the show during practice with his acrobatic catches and big-play ability. At this rate, people are going to forget about Darrius Heyward-Bey missing so much practice time.
“I’m not going to keep using the word you guys write I keep using all the time,” Jackson said. “I’m gonna have to come up with another one. I don’t want to say the W word (Wow!). So, what I’m going to say is, oh, boy! The young man can make some plays, can’t he?
“Oh, my gosh, is he something? He’s fun to watch. Every day there’s something. A ball goes up, he comes down with it and makes a play. He has tremendous talent. The game is not too big for him. He has that factor of making plays. There’s no fear in the young man. I’m glad he’s on our team.”
Moore delivered the most memorable play of camp so far when he leaped for a high pass in the back of the end zone and snared the ball above cornerback DeMarcus Van Dyke and safety Stevie Brown, while having the composure to get his feet down before he stepped out of bounds. Touchdown.
Moore didn’t have to worry about running back to the huddle. The huddle ran to him near the 10-yard line, with players hooting and hollering and congratulating him on his spectacular catch.
“Yes, sir, just another day, another catch, another play,” Moore said in his aw-shucks manner.
Yeah, right. This wasn’t Ronald Curry spectacular from that Monday night game against the Denver Broncos in 2004. But it was close.
“It was overwhelming for a rookie to make a play like that and then get supported by the whole team,” Moore said. “The support and the love I was getting, I was real happy from it.”
Naturally, Moore was just getting warmed up. A short while later, Moore did an out-and-up that left cornerback Sterling Moore flat-footed, out of position and out of luck, as Moore sprinted into the open for a long touchdown reception from Jason Campbell.
“I swear, if (Denarius Moore) runs one more out-and-up, double move or corner-and-up, I’m (going to ) kill someone!!!” Sterling Moore Tweeted after practice.
*Moore isn’t the only receiver making plays on a conistent basis in camp.
“Look at Chaz Schilens, too.” Jackson said. ”What a tremendous catch over the middle of the field. Those guys are getting better. Once we get them all back out there and playing together, we have a pretty good group.”
Schilens made it through his seventh straight practice without any setbacks or any signs of setback from foot and knee injuries last season.
*Assistant offensive line coach Steve Wisniewski rarely spoke during his standout career for the Raiders. Seeing his nephew, center Stefen Wisniewski, get beat badly by defensive end Lamarr Houston in a one-on-on pass-protection drill prompted Steve Wisniewski to blurt out:
“Where has that been for three days?” Wisniewsk said. “I love it. Get juiced up.”
For the most part, though, the offensive line fared better than the defensive line in the pass-protection drills.
Raiders Pro Bowl defensive tackle Richard Seymour already is a big fan of Little Wiz.
“The thing about a rookie, they don’t know what they don’t know, and it’s not their fault,” Seymour said. “But he’s showed a lot of toughness. As an interior offensive lineman, that’s what you want to see, because you can coach up the rest. So, he definitely has all the qualities. I see why he was a top pick.”
*Jackson said the Raiders haven’t given up in their pursuit of free agent tight end Kevin Boss.
“He did a good job,” Jackson said of Boss’ workout Wednesday. “Everybody is an option until they decide what they’re going to do. We’ll see how that unfolds. Nothing happened today. We’re going to continue to search to always put good players on this team. We’ll continue to do so, and I know that’s what we’re attempting to do.”
Boss reportedly is being pursued by the New York Giants, as well, the team that drafted him and employed him the past four seasons.
In the interim, Jackson sang the praises of the four tight ends he has on his roster in light of Zach Miller’s defection to the Seattle Seahawks.
“We have some very talented young players,” Jackson said. “Richard Gordon is doing a heck of a job. The kid (David) Ausberry is a tremendous talent. Even Kevin Brock, who’s been around a little bit but never had too many plays. Guys are playing well. Obviously, Brandon Myers, who has played.
“We do have a bunch of guys. What I’m trying to do every day is trying to figure out what are their strengths, what are their weaknesses so that I can accentuate their strengths and leave their weaknesses alone. Let them be what the can be.”
*Sterling Moore is making quite an impression himself. Twice, he ran stride for stride with Denarius Moore and prevented him from making even more backbreaking plays.
Moore is the kind of player the Raiders are looking for in light of Nnamdi Asomugha signing with the Philadelphia Eagles. He is competing against the likes of Van Dyke, Chimdi Chekwa, Walter McFadden and Jeremy Ware for backup spots and playing time.
*Quarterback Kyle Boller is serious about doing everything he can to make the 53-man roster.
On one play, he darted for the end zone, split two defenders and drilled Brock in the back, even though Brock was trying to help pave the way.
*The Raiders welcomed 15 players to practice for the first time this season — linebacker Kamerion Wimbley practiced for a few days before he was forced to sit out because of a restructured contract.
Back in the mix are: Wimbley, Jarvis Moss, Desmond Bryant, Stephon Heyer, Khalif Barnes, Sam Williams, Trent Edwards, Bruce Davis, Darryl Blackstock, Jon Condo, Michael Huff, Marcel Reece, Samson Satele, Seth Wand and Justin Smiley.
That helped offset the absence of 15 players sidelined because of injury, or as Jackson is fond of saying, “nicks.”
Those out of action were: Bruce Campbell, Lou Eliades, Trevor Scott, Alan Pelc, Rolando McClain, Jacoby Ford, Louis Murphy, Darren McFadden, Joe Porter, Michael Bennett, Mike Mitchell, Chekwa, Taiwan Jones and James McCluskey. Receiver Derrick Jones was carted from the field with a leg injury early in practice.
“I had to take some of these guys (out) because I don’t know where they are physically,” Jackson said.
Part of Jackson’s worry is learning the shape of his players after being away from them for so long during the lockout.
“I have a huge concern because I wasn’t with these guys when they were working out off campus or anything that they did to prepare themselves,” Jackson said. “So, some guys are mad at me today. And that’s OK because I didn’t want to put them out there until I know for sure that they’re able to go.”
*Seven league officials are in town to brief the players and coaches on the rules changes from last season and to work several practices.
Jackson has made getting the penalty problem under control one of his top priorities. Last season, the Raiders were the league’s most-penalized team.
“Throw the flag. Throw the flag,” Jackson said he has instructed the officials. “I don’t care what it is. We were the most-penalized team in football. We have to get that solved. Today wasn’t a good day that way. We still have some things that we have to correct. I’m going to lay it on our players, I’m laying it on our coaches. It’s an emphasis for this football team. … It’s something we have to continue to harp on. I know the officials are going to be here. We’re going to keep grinding them on that. We’re going to get that solved.”
*Cornerback Stanford Routt restructred his contract Thursday as a means of helping the Raiders reach compliance with the salary cap by 1 p.m. on Friday.
Routt signed a three-year deal during the offseason that guarantees him $20 million over the next two seasons. He stopped short of saying his deal has been reworked.
“Oh, yeah, I’m down to do anything to help the team,” Routt said.
Defensive tackle Richard Seymour declined to talk specifics about his contract. ESPN reported Thursday morning that he and the Raiders agreed to a restructured contract that helped the Raiders save $11 million agaings the cap this year.
Jackson dismissed any such talk about the Raiders having difficulty getting down to the $120.4 million maximum by Friday afternoon.
“Tomorrow, we’ll be there,” Jackson said. “That’s the number one thing. When it’s all said and done, I know our organization, when they say it’s time for us to be in compliance, we will be in compliance.”
Salary-cap issues haven’t precluded the Raiders from making any roster addition, Jackson said.
“I don’t think so,” Jackson said. “We got done what we felt like we had to get done. Again, ’coach’ (Al Davis, managing general partner) does a tremendous job with all of that, making sure that we have good players. We have good players on this team. We’ll continue to put good players on this team. He knows that cap as well as anybody in this league.”
*Roy Schuening filled in for an injured Cooper Carlisle (foot) at right guard. Again, Schuening played as if he is serious about earning a roster spot. He has spent time on the Raiders practice squad.
I'm lightweight trolling too!lol. The secret is out.
I am excited though, I can't lie. We averaged 25 points a game last year with a mediocre passing game. I think Hue being in charge adds that much more. Lets be real, he is the reason for the improvment, atleast a big part of it. We played solid last year at times, a little more consistency and we are back.
I am excited though, I can't lie. We averaged 25 points a game last year with a mediocre passing game. I think Hue being in charge adds that much more. Lets be real, he is the reason for the improvment, atleast a big part of it. We played solid last year at times, a little more consistency and we are back.