THE OFFICIAL OAKLAND RAIDERS 2009 OFFSEASON THREAD
- Thread starter Meta4iCAL
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Dudes been hurt with a hamstring problem for like four weeks now so there is no word and his still not a practice. And about Frantz they never seen him in full pads only some non contact drills and workouts and I guess he was one of the slowest LB's in camp and it seems thats why they might have cut him for. That some real bullshit to me would of like to have seen him on the field at least threw the preseason to get a real look at the kid. Drills and workouts don't mean shit if you can't do it out in a real game and they should have gave him a chance before they just dropped him. I found this acticle yesterday about when he got cut.
Oakland Raiders waive Frantz Joseph
July 14, 4:48
Roster moves provoke head scratching
Following up with Frantz Joseph
The Oakland Raiders continued to trim their roster by cutting undrafted free agent linebacker Frantz Joseph.
Since his post draft signing, Joseph's personal story as well as his intense style of play had made him a favorite of Raider fans to not only make the team, but become an impact player.
After the organized team activities, Joseph was just looking forward to putting the pads on to show what he cold really do. However, he won't get that chance in Silver and Black.
His release is most likely due to his lack of "Raider Speed," as it was obvious in many of the speed drills that he was not as fast as his teammates.
That is some gay shit because we all know whats most important about a LB is his speed that shit kills me
Oakland Raiders waive Frantz Joseph
July 14, 4:48
Roster moves provoke head scratching
Following up with Frantz Joseph
The Oakland Raiders continued to trim their roster by cutting undrafted free agent linebacker Frantz Joseph.
Since his post draft signing, Joseph's personal story as well as his intense style of play had made him a favorite of Raider fans to not only make the team, but become an impact player.
After the organized team activities, Joseph was just looking forward to putting the pads on to show what he cold really do. However, he won't get that chance in Silver and Black.
His release is most likely due to his lack of "Raider Speed," as it was obvious in many of the speed drills that he was not as fast as his teammates.
That is some gay shit because we all know whats most important about a LB is his speed that shit kills me
Miller aims to build on Raiders' tradition
August 25, 2009 3:47 PM
Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson
Zach Miller was not an expert on the Oakland Raiders' history of brilliant tight end play when the team drafted him two years ago. He has since become an authority on the subject.
AP Photo/Paul Sakuma
Tight end Zach Miller could be poised to have a huge year for the Raiders.
Watching video and reading about the success of Dave Casper, Raymond Chester and Todd Christensen have inspired Miller and given him a feeling of responsibility. He wants to carry on the tradition of Silver and Black tight ends.
"There is a great tradition here," Miller said. "I've talked to Al Davis about the history and how important the tight end has been in Oakland. I've talked to Raymond Chester about it, and it's really important to me to continue what all those great players did. It's my turn now."
If the first two seasons of Miller's career are any indication, the Raiders have found themselves another star at the position. Miller caught 100 passes in his first two NFL seasons and has quickly developed into one of the best young players at his position. He's an easy choice as this season's AFC West emerging star.
Miller certainly has his backing from those in the organization. Oakland head coach Tom Cable offered this: "Good choice. He can be special."
Said Oakland star left cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha: "There's no doubt that Zach deserves that label. He's that guy."
As Oakland tries to emerge from a miserable six-season span, it is young players like Miller who give Oakland hope.
Miller has great hands. Asomugha swears he's never seen him drop a ball, even in practice. He is a precise route runner and a fine blocker.
Miller and Oakland quarterback JaMarcus Russell have already built an outstanding rhythm together. Miller is by far Russell's favorite target. They bonded as rookies, Miller said, and when all else fails, Russell always looks for him.
Last season, Miller caught 56 passes for 778 yards for a respectable 13.9 yard per catch average. Miller feels like he is ready to take the next step in his career.
"I have a lot of confidence and really feel good in this offense," Miller said. "I think my game is ready to grow."
He has set high goals. With superstar Tony Gonzalez now in Atlanta, Miller knows there is an open spot on the AFC Pro Bowl team.
"That's where I want to get to -- I want to get to that level," Miller said. "The Pro Bowl is the next step for me, I hope."
Miller surely has his supporters. San Diego tight end Antonio Gates, now the best tight end in the conference with Gonzalez out of the mix, lauded Miller earlier this year. He said Miller is one of the most exciting tight ends to come into the league in recent years.
Asomugha said what makes Miller so effective is his combination of natural gifts and his work ethic.
"When you combine Zach's talent and how hard he works, great things are going to happen," Asomugha said. "We really have a great one in Zach."
Asomugha is most excited about Miller because he knows what his presence means to Russell. Asomugha laughed about how Russell and Miller tried to get extra work together during the first four days of camp, when Cable kept the actual plays to a minimum in order to stress the fundamentals of the game.
"Even in those days, JaMarcus was trying to throw the ball to Zach -- and they would get in trouble because they weren't supposed to be doing that," Asomugha said. "There is a great chemistry there."
Miller doesn't just help his quarterback in the passing game. When Russell is called to hand the ball off to one of Oakland's trio of running backs -- Darren McFadden, Michael Bush or Justin Fargas -- he can rely on Miller as well. He is developing into a stalwart blocker.
Unlike many catch-first tight ends, Miller relishes the opportunity to block. He said the reason why he spends time on the blocking aspect of his game is simple.
"You can't be an elite tight end unless you block," Miller said. "I see a lot of tight ends with great hands, but they won't want to block. That won't work here. We run the ball a lot in Oakland. You have to know how to block."
A former offensive line coach, Cable bursts with pride when talking about Miller's blocking chops.
"That's what makes Zach so special because he isn't afraid to help in the blocking game," Cable said. "He understands blocking. He's understands the entire game."
And he understands the history of the tight end in Oakland as he tries to become the next great Raider at the position.
August 25, 2009 3:47 PM
Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson
Zach Miller was not an expert on the Oakland Raiders' history of brilliant tight end play when the team drafted him two years ago. He has since become an authority on the subject.
AP Photo/Paul Sakuma
Tight end Zach Miller could be poised to have a huge year for the Raiders.
Watching video and reading about the success of Dave Casper, Raymond Chester and Todd Christensen have inspired Miller and given him a feeling of responsibility. He wants to carry on the tradition of Silver and Black tight ends.
"There is a great tradition here," Miller said. "I've talked to Al Davis about the history and how important the tight end has been in Oakland. I've talked to Raymond Chester about it, and it's really important to me to continue what all those great players did. It's my turn now."
If the first two seasons of Miller's career are any indication, the Raiders have found themselves another star at the position. Miller caught 100 passes in his first two NFL seasons and has quickly developed into one of the best young players at his position. He's an easy choice as this season's AFC West emerging star.
Miller certainly has his backing from those in the organization. Oakland head coach Tom Cable offered this: "Good choice. He can be special."
Said Oakland star left cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha: "There's no doubt that Zach deserves that label. He's that guy."
As Oakland tries to emerge from a miserable six-season span, it is young players like Miller who give Oakland hope.
Miller has great hands. Asomugha swears he's never seen him drop a ball, even in practice. He is a precise route runner and a fine blocker.
Miller and Oakland quarterback JaMarcus Russell have already built an outstanding rhythm together. Miller is by far Russell's favorite target. They bonded as rookies, Miller said, and when all else fails, Russell always looks for him.
Last season, Miller caught 56 passes for 778 yards for a respectable 13.9 yard per catch average. Miller feels like he is ready to take the next step in his career.
"I have a lot of confidence and really feel good in this offense," Miller said. "I think my game is ready to grow."
He has set high goals. With superstar Tony Gonzalez now in Atlanta, Miller knows there is an open spot on the AFC Pro Bowl team.
"That's where I want to get to -- I want to get to that level," Miller said. "The Pro Bowl is the next step for me, I hope."
Miller surely has his supporters. San Diego tight end Antonio Gates, now the best tight end in the conference with Gonzalez out of the mix, lauded Miller earlier this year. He said Miller is one of the most exciting tight ends to come into the league in recent years.
Asomugha said what makes Miller so effective is his combination of natural gifts and his work ethic.
"When you combine Zach's talent and how hard he works, great things are going to happen," Asomugha said. "We really have a great one in Zach."
Asomugha is most excited about Miller because he knows what his presence means to Russell. Asomugha laughed about how Russell and Miller tried to get extra work together during the first four days of camp, when Cable kept the actual plays to a minimum in order to stress the fundamentals of the game.
"Even in those days, JaMarcus was trying to throw the ball to Zach -- and they would get in trouble because they weren't supposed to be doing that," Asomugha said. "There is a great chemistry there."
Miller doesn't just help his quarterback in the passing game. When Russell is called to hand the ball off to one of Oakland's trio of running backs -- Darren McFadden, Michael Bush or Justin Fargas -- he can rely on Miller as well. He is developing into a stalwart blocker.
Unlike many catch-first tight ends, Miller relishes the opportunity to block. He said the reason why he spends time on the blocking aspect of his game is simple.
"You can't be an elite tight end unless you block," Miller said. "I see a lot of tight ends with great hands, but they won't want to block. That won't work here. We run the ball a lot in Oakland. You have to know how to block."
A former offensive line coach, Cable bursts with pride when talking about Miller's blocking chops.
"That's what makes Zach so special because he isn't afraid to help in the blocking game," Cable said. "He understands blocking. He's understands the entire game."
And he understands the history of the tight end in Oakland as he tries to become the next great Raider at the position.
Oakland Raiders’ News & Notes: Cable will be questioned, Parker gone & more
By Victor Cotto • Aug 26th, 2009 •
Samie Parker will not wear Silver & Black this season
According to several reports, the Napa Police Department has plans to question head coach Tom Cable about the alleged role he played in an encounter with assistant Randy Hanson.
Hanson was treated at the Queen of the Valley Hospital for a broken bone in his face. Cable stated on August 17th, “It’s an internal issue that we are dealing with, and that’s all I’m going to say. He continued, “I’m not going to comment on [what happened to Hanson].”
The defensive assistant reportedly told the police in a statement that a member of the Oakland coaching staff at the team’s hotel initiated the attack. Other news outlets have stated that Cable attacked Hanson during a meeting.
Just last week, Cable replied, “When all the facts come out, everything will be fine.”
Hanson has not been at the Raiders’ facility since the incident occurred and since, the case has taking a new turn because of his willingness to collaborate with the authorities.
This cannot be good news for the team, who is heading into their third preseason game and is wrapping up a summer of optimism.
Cable seems confident in his statements that all will be worked out and that his name will be cleared of any wrongdoing. But you tend to think that there is fire where you see smoke, and with the police now involved, and Hanson retaining an attorney specializing in employment law, you could see some more drama coming out of Oakland as the pre-season winds down and the regular season begins.
Never a good thing for any team, especially one that has the recent on the field track record that this one has.
WR OUT, DB IN
Oakland waived WR Samie Parker and inked DB Michael Hawkins.
The speedy DB has been with Cleveland, Minnesota, Dallas and Tampa Bay after being Green Bay’s fifth round selection (167th overall) in the 2005 draft. Hawkins made his debut in 2004-2005 with the Dallas Desperados of the Arena Football League.
Parker did not distinguish himself in camp and will move on once again, as he has been with 5 clubs in the last 3 years. The Raiders don’t have a lot of quality depth at wide receiver, but with the return of Javon Walker this week, and the expected return of Chaz Schilens in the first quarter of the season, keeping Parker seemed a long shot.
RAIDERS CLAIM DEFENSIVE TACKLE
In another transaction, the Raiders claimed DT Joe Cohen off waivers from the Miami Dolphins. They also waived CB Jason Horton in the process.
At this point, they are looking for any willing bodies to compete at defensive tackle. The front four does look good heading into the season; especially after the San Francisco 49eers torched them last weekend. Tommy Kelly, Gerard Warren, Terdell Sands and William Joseph were expected to be tackles rotating time once the regular season began.
But Sands looks to be a player near the cut-line with his ineptness and contract. Joseph was one of the few on that defense that had good glimpses last weekend.
NEAL NEWS
On the official Raiders web site, Lorenzo Neal is listed as “released.” And it appears both sides agreed on a injury settlement, ending any curiosity about the move.
By Victor Cotto • Aug 26th, 2009 •
Samie Parker will not wear Silver & Black this season
According to several reports, the Napa Police Department has plans to question head coach Tom Cable about the alleged role he played in an encounter with assistant Randy Hanson.
Hanson was treated at the Queen of the Valley Hospital for a broken bone in his face. Cable stated on August 17th, “It’s an internal issue that we are dealing with, and that’s all I’m going to say. He continued, “I’m not going to comment on [what happened to Hanson].”
The defensive assistant reportedly told the police in a statement that a member of the Oakland coaching staff at the team’s hotel initiated the attack. Other news outlets have stated that Cable attacked Hanson during a meeting.
Just last week, Cable replied, “When all the facts come out, everything will be fine.”
Hanson has not been at the Raiders’ facility since the incident occurred and since, the case has taking a new turn because of his willingness to collaborate with the authorities.
This cannot be good news for the team, who is heading into their third preseason game and is wrapping up a summer of optimism.
Cable seems confident in his statements that all will be worked out and that his name will be cleared of any wrongdoing. But you tend to think that there is fire where you see smoke, and with the police now involved, and Hanson retaining an attorney specializing in employment law, you could see some more drama coming out of Oakland as the pre-season winds down and the regular season begins.
Never a good thing for any team, especially one that has the recent on the field track record that this one has.
WR OUT, DB IN
Oakland waived WR Samie Parker and inked DB Michael Hawkins.
The speedy DB has been with Cleveland, Minnesota, Dallas and Tampa Bay after being Green Bay’s fifth round selection (167th overall) in the 2005 draft. Hawkins made his debut in 2004-2005 with the Dallas Desperados of the Arena Football League.
Parker did not distinguish himself in camp and will move on once again, as he has been with 5 clubs in the last 3 years. The Raiders don’t have a lot of quality depth at wide receiver, but with the return of Javon Walker this week, and the expected return of Chaz Schilens in the first quarter of the season, keeping Parker seemed a long shot.
RAIDERS CLAIM DEFENSIVE TACKLE
In another transaction, the Raiders claimed DT Joe Cohen off waivers from the Miami Dolphins. They also waived CB Jason Horton in the process.
At this point, they are looking for any willing bodies to compete at defensive tackle. The front four does look good heading into the season; especially after the San Francisco 49eers torched them last weekend. Tommy Kelly, Gerard Warren, Terdell Sands and William Joseph were expected to be tackles rotating time once the regular season began.
But Sands looks to be a player near the cut-line with his ineptness and contract. Joseph was one of the few on that defense that had good glimpses last weekend.
NEAL NEWS
On the official Raiders web site, Lorenzo Neal is listed as “released.” And it appears both sides agreed on a injury settlement, ending any curiosity about the move.
