The Official 2013 Raiders Offseason Thread

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Jun 23, 2005
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Vic Tafur ‏ V @VIC Tafur 3m
Raiders just said Hayden had a procedure done to clean out some scar tissue in his abdominal region

Ian Rapoport ‏@RapSheet 3m
On DJ Hayden's surgery: My understanding is it's not related to the circulatory system. It's related to the abdominal muscle. Big difference


Ian Rapoport ‏@RapSheet 2m
Any surgery is serious. But cleaning up scar tissue was more toward the precautionary side for Hayden. Raiders believe he'll be OK for camp


looks like its not directly related to the hear but just the scar tissue, a normal procedure after surgery
 
Mar 8, 2008
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JaMarcus Russell Reportedly Drawing Significant Interest From Multiple NFL Teams

By Tyler Conway on May 28, 2013


Former Oakland Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell's journey back to the gridiron hasn't culminated in him landing an NFL contract, but the former top pick is reportedly closer than ever to finishing his comeback.

According to NFL.com's Ian Rapoport, Russell has drawn "significant" interest from multiple teams across the league.

Rapoport was unable to disclose which teams have reached out to Russell due to conditions of anonymity, but did say it was more than one NFL franchise.

Though teams have known for months that Russell, the Raiders' No. 1 overall pick in the 2007 draft, is interested in making a comeback, they are reportedly starting to take his efforts more seriously after major signs of progress. According to Rapoport, Russell has lost 50 pounds since beginning his comeback attempt and is down to 265 pounds—what he weighed at the combine six years ago:


Now 27 years old, Russell has been out of football since being cut by Oakland in May 2010 following three disappointing seasons with the club. Thought to be the Raiders' next franchise quarterback, Russell started only 25 games with the club, compiling a 7-18 record, and became known across the league as a talented, yet frustrating player.

In his final season with the Raiders, Russell threw for only 1,287 yards and three touchdowns against 11 interceptions while completing only 48.8 percent of his throws. His QBR of 11.7 was the lowest among qualifying quarterbacks in 2009, per ESPN.

Three years later, though, Russell has embarked on a journey to fulfill his massive promise. He's been working out at the TEST Football Academy in San Diego and honing his skills as a quarterback with former Pro Bowl quarterback Jeff Garcia. Many media outlets, including Bleacher Report NFL lead writer Aaron Nagler, have been covering Russell's road to redemption.

Should an NFL team take a chance on JaMarcus Russell?

With Russell back down to playing weight and looking strong in throwing sessions, the interest around the league is understandable. Rapoport noted that Russell's ideal situation is sitting behind a veteran NFL quarterback to learn and get reacclimated to the game, and that he's willing to try the CFL if NFL teams fail to extend a formal offer.

That being said, Russell will certainly pique teams' interest due to the dearth of talented arms around the league. The question with Russell was never about talent, but about whether he was willing to put in the work.

With his weight down and his commitment fully to the game of football, perhaps Russell's comeback has hit the perfect storm.
 
Props: Tony

Tony

Sicc OG
May 15, 2002
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Colin Kaepernick almost became a Raider? Wow, the Raiders were headed in the right direction...

Colin Kaepernick nearly became Raiders quarterback, says Peter King - SBNation.com

Rick Kaepernick, Colin's dad, told me he'd heard Al Davis threw a glass across the room when it was announced San Francisco had taken him.

"I don't know that he threw anything,'' said Jackson. "But he was upset. So was I. Scouting him, I fell in love with the kid. Leader, won a ton of games at Nevada, really impressive when you talked to him, strong, all the tools to win in the NFL. No doubt in my mind he was going to be good.''
 

Meta4iCAL

Raider Nation
Feb 21, 2005
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Colin Kaepernick almost became a Raider? Wow, the Raiders were headed in the right direction...

Colin Kaepernick nearly became Raiders quarterback, says Peter King - SBNation.com

Rick Kaepernick, Colin's dad, told me he'd heard Al Davis threw a glass across the room when it was announced San Francisco had taken him.

"I don't know that he threw anything,'' said Jackson. "But he was upset. So was I. Scouting him, I fell in love with the kid. Leader, won a ton of games at Nevada, really impressive when you talked to him, strong, all the tools to win in the NFL. No doubt in my mind he was going to be good.''
You didn't know the raiders wanted kaepernick?
 
Apr 26, 2003
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East Oakland, USA
JaMarcus Russell Reportedly Drawing Significant Interest From Multiple NFL Teams

By Tyler Conway on May 28, 2013


Former Oakland Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell's journey back to the gridiron hasn't culminated in him landing an NFL contract, but the former top pick is reportedly closer than ever to finishing his comeback.

According to NFL.com's Ian Rapoport, Russell has drawn "significant" interest from multiple teams across the league.

Rapoport was unable to disclose which teams have reached out to Russell due to conditions of anonymity, but did say it was more than one NFL franchise.

Though teams have known for months that Russell, the Raiders' No. 1 overall pick in the 2007 draft, is interested in making a comeback, they are reportedly starting to take his efforts more seriously after major signs of progress. According to Rapoport, Russell has lost 50 pounds since beginning his comeback attempt and is down to 265 pounds—what he weighed at the combine six years ago:


Now 27 years old, Russell has been out of football since being cut by Oakland in May 2010 following three disappointing seasons with the club. Thought to be the Raiders' next franchise quarterback, Russell started only 25 games with the club, compiling a 7-18 record, and became known across the league as a talented, yet frustrating player.

In his final season with the Raiders, Russell threw for only 1,287 yards and three touchdowns against 11 interceptions while completing only 48.8 percent of his throws. His QBR of 11.7 was the lowest among qualifying quarterbacks in 2009, per ESPN.

Three years later, though, Russell has embarked on a journey to fulfill his massive promise. He's been working out at the TEST Football Academy in San Diego and honing his skills as a quarterback with former Pro Bowl quarterback Jeff Garcia. Many media outlets, including Bleacher Report NFL lead writer Aaron Nagler, have been covering Russell's road to redemption.

Should an NFL team take a chance on JaMarcus Russell?

With Russell back down to playing weight and looking strong in throwing sessions, the interest around the league is understandable. Rapoport noted that Russell's ideal situation is sitting behind a veteran NFL quarterback to learn and get reacclimated to the game, and that he's willing to try the CFL if NFL teams fail to extend a formal offer.

That being said, Russell will certainly pique teams' interest due to the dearth of talented arms around the league. The question with Russell was never about talent, but about whether he was willing to put in the work.

With his weight down and his commitment fully to the game of football, perhaps Russell's comeback has hit the perfect storm.
Jeff Garcia said the exact opposite on a 95.7 interview last week. That not a single team has showed any interest at all, and the only call he's gotten is from the CFL.
 

Chree

Medicated
Dec 7, 2005
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SI's Peter King believes Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie "will be in trouble" next offseason unless the team's 2013 season is "significantly brighter" than 2012.
Owner Mark Davis recently made a power move above McKenzie's head by firing McKenzie's hand-picked PR man, Zak Gilbert. Gilbert's firing has become a big story, as by all accounts he had done an outstanding job of turning around the Raiders' public relations. It's perhaps a sign of things to come. McKenzie's first season on the job was abysmal. Numerous free-agent signings were busts, and the Raiders went 4-12. And we'd be shocked if their 2013 season were "significantly" better. There isn't a team in the NFL with less talent.
 
Props: Tony

Chree

Medicated
Dec 7, 2005
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Asked about third-year QB Terrelle Pryor's progress during OTAs Monday, Raiders coach Dennis Allen replied "he's not there yet."
The Contra Costa Times reported in May that Pryor was struggling in the non-contact practices, which didn't surprise us. Pryor is not an accurate passer of the football. Allen did credit Pryor with solid work ethic, but he's unlikely to beat out rookie Tyler Wilson for Oakland's primary backup job behind Matt Flynn. The notion that Pryor might push for the Raiders' starting position -- a popular idea in some Oakland fan circles -- was nothing short of ludicrous.
 
Jan 29, 2005
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PHX
Former Penn State QB Matt McGloin has 'made a huge impression' on Oakland Raiders, Chris Mortensen says | PennLive.com

Former Penn State quarterback Matt McGloin is in the mix to land a roster spot with the Oakland Raiders, ESPN's Chris Mortensen said on NFL 32 yesterday, per Rotoworld.com. McGloin is battling with Matt Flynn, Terrelle Pryor and Tyler Wilson for three spots on Oakland's roster.

"He's actually made a huge impression in the first two weeks of OTAs, to the point where he's pushing Tyler Wilson and Terrelle Pryor," Mortensen said. "So watch out for Matt McGloin to climb up the depth chart if he continues this."

There's no reason to believe that McGloin won't continue to impress. He's made it to this point as an unheralded prospect largely because of ordinary measurables, but he's also consistently found a way to exceed his "ceiling" in competitive situations.

See also: The Matt McGloin-Terrelle Pryor dynamic

McGloin, who signed with the Raiders as an undrafted free agent, has never been one to back down from a fight. He walked on at Penn State and ascended from backup to occasional starter to the Big Ten's leading passer as a senior.

McGloin showed improvement along the way, capped by one season under coach Bill O'Brien, who installed a pro-style offense that accentuated McGloin's strengths. He threw for 3,266 yards, 24 touchdowns and five interceptions in 12 games as a senior, for the first time taking the field with any semblance of job security.

McGloin wasn't invited to the NFL combine and didn't hear his name called during the 2013 NFL draft. He tried out for the Washington Redskins and Carolina Panthers before finding the right fit in Oakland.

And now in Oakland, he finds himself competing with projected starter Matt Flynn, ultra-athletic Terrelle Pryor and fourth-round draft choice Tyler Wilson. The odds, it seems, are stacked against him, but he's refused to go away.

It's like his Penn State career all over again.