THE OFFICIAL OAKLAND RAIDERS 2009 OFFSEASON THREAD
- Thread starter Meta4iCAL
- Start date
I agree with radiostationrep and S1.... we gotta give the kid a chance and everytime he drops a ball the media is on it but at the sametime he's gotta stop dropping balls because if he continues to do it in practice he's going to do it in games. I wonder was it just one drop? Chree (out of all people) made a good point too. Coverage is going to be tighter in the NFL so he's gotta step up and adjust. I think/hope he will but he gotta show us and soon.
S1 is right about Russell... In my opinion Garica shouldn't play this season unless Russell gets hurt. He's our franchise qb and we need to stick with him even when times get tough but check this article out (cough, cough, mooreblock and the rest of the Russell doubters)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/06/11/SPB2184HUF.DTL
Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell was in the zone Wednesday, and a red one at that.
With one laser after another, Russell laid aside his accuracy woes with the best red-zone drills of his offseason. He threw touchdown passes on four consecutive plays and got high-fives all around in workouts in Alameda.
"You might retard a young guy by trying to be too cautious, so let's rip it right now as you learn how to do this," Raiders coach Tom Cable said. "It's good to see him turn it loose and find out who can make those plays."
Yes, the Raiders are adding the vertical passing game to the playbook to make better use of Russell's strong arm and the roster's fast receivers. But what good is it to strike deep in enemy territory if they can't punch it in once inside the red zone?
This was a major problem last year, when the Raiders ranked 29th in NFL scoring with 16.4 points per game. They were also 29th in red-zone offense and 32nd (last) in goal-to-go scoring - all despite having a top-10 rushing offense.
"We can run the ball all day," Russell said. "Once you get inside the 20, we're going to take shots at the end zone. That's what we were lacking. We'd get down there sometimes and try to run the ball all three downs and had to kick a field goal.
"If you don't take a chance at the end zone, how are you going to get there?"
Thus, red-zone drill after red-zone drill. They started 2-for-32 in the first week of practice, by Cable's account, and improved to 11-for-32 last week. Cable didn't give a score on this week's efforts, but there was clear improvement with each passing score.
"Cut it loose and give everybody a chance to see what we can come up with," Russell said.
HE'S BACK: Russell's day was all the more impressive considering the return of Pro Bowl cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, who made his voluntary-workout debut this week.
Russell didn't throw at Asomugha, who shut down rookie wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey the one time they faced each other.
"Nnamdi being the top guy, I think it's making us work more," Russell said. "You never know what he's going to do over there."
BRIEFLY: Heyward-Bey returned to practice after missing a month with a sore hamstring. He caught one pass and dropped two in tight coverage. ... Wide receiver Chaz Schilens (hamstring) and defensive tackle Gerard Warren (pectoral) were limited in practice. ... Robert Gallery's benefit car cruise drew 300 cars and raised $20,000 Saturday for the families of four Oakland police officers slain in March.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/06/11/SPB2184HUF.DTL
Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell was in the zone Wednesday, and a red one at that.
With one laser after another, Russell laid aside his accuracy woes with the best red-zone drills of his offseason. He threw touchdown passes on four consecutive plays and got high-fives all around in workouts in Alameda.
"You might retard a young guy by trying to be too cautious, so let's rip it right now as you learn how to do this," Raiders coach Tom Cable said. "It's good to see him turn it loose and find out who can make those plays."
Yes, the Raiders are adding the vertical passing game to the playbook to make better use of Russell's strong arm and the roster's fast receivers. But what good is it to strike deep in enemy territory if they can't punch it in once inside the red zone?
This was a major problem last year, when the Raiders ranked 29th in NFL scoring with 16.4 points per game. They were also 29th in red-zone offense and 32nd (last) in goal-to-go scoring - all despite having a top-10 rushing offense.
"We can run the ball all day," Russell said. "Once you get inside the 20, we're going to take shots at the end zone. That's what we were lacking. We'd get down there sometimes and try to run the ball all three downs and had to kick a field goal.
"If you don't take a chance at the end zone, how are you going to get there?"
Thus, red-zone drill after red-zone drill. They started 2-for-32 in the first week of practice, by Cable's account, and improved to 11-for-32 last week. Cable didn't give a score on this week's efforts, but there was clear improvement with each passing score.
"Cut it loose and give everybody a chance to see what we can come up with," Russell said.
HE'S BACK: Russell's day was all the more impressive considering the return of Pro Bowl cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, who made his voluntary-workout debut this week.
Russell didn't throw at Asomugha, who shut down rookie wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey the one time they faced each other.
"Nnamdi being the top guy, I think it's making us work more," Russell said. "You never know what he's going to do over there."
BRIEFLY: Heyward-Bey returned to practice after missing a month with a sore hamstring. He caught one pass and dropped two in tight coverage. ... Wide receiver Chaz Schilens (hamstring) and defensive tackle Gerard Warren (pectoral) were limited in practice. ... Robert Gallery's benefit car cruise drew 300 cars and raised $20,000 Saturday for the families of four Oakland police officers slain in March.
Ex-Raider says he's respnsible for Super Bowl loss
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4256326
Former Oakland Raiders center Barret Robbins is in a halfway house following court-mandated drug rehabilitation and said in an interview with Fox 26 in Houston he's finally "sick and tired of being sick and tired."
Robbins disappeared from the Raiders two days before Super Bowl XXXVII in 2003, and said he now blames himself for the team's 48-21 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Robbins said he was responsible for the pass-protection calls and also was key for the Raiders' running attack.
"It's a hard thing to look back on because it was such a hard thing to overcome," Robbins said in the interview.
[+] EnlargeAP Photo/J. Pat Carter
Barret Robbins says he's done with court appearances and arrests and is focused on maintaining his sobriety.
"It was such a hard thing to forgive myself for. As much as you want to do it, forgive yourself that is, it's the hardest thing in the world to do.
"I felt that if I had played that game, we had a lot better chance to win. I felt we would have been able to win that game. It was an extremely exhausting event and put me down as far as I probably ever had to go at that point in my life."
Robbins regained his spot in the starting lineup the next season after undergoing treatment at an alcohol rehabilitation center, but it was a short honeymoon. The Raiders released Robbins in 2004 after he tested positive for steroids.
In addition to stays in alcohol and drug rehabilitation programs, Robbins has had several run-ins with law enforcement. He was ordered into the last rehab center following a probation violation in the spring of 2008.
Now, he says, he's straightened himself out and doesn't want to re-enter the haze of those days.
"When you get to a point where you are sick of jails, institutions, near-death experiences, things of that nature, God allows you to see things in a different light and he has for me," Robbins said to Fox 26.
Robbins faces many changes beyond just his sobriety. He was shot three times and seriously wounded during the 2005 brawl with police, who were answering a burglary call at a Miami Beach building.
AFC West blog
ESPN.com's Bill Williamson writes about all things AFC West in his division blog.
• Blog network: NFL Nation
Three police officers were injured in the melee, including one whose head was rammed into a wall. There's pending litigation for that run-in, and two bullets remain inside his body. Robbins has filed a federal civil-rights lawsuit alleging the police used excessive force.
The millions he earned as an All-Pro center are gone.
"When you are not responsible for your money as an adult, it shows how much you care about your life," Robbins said to Fox 26. "Obviously back then I didn't care that much about my life."
Robbins said he feels "real good" about the fact he's still alive to tell his story. One thing he says that would make him feel better about what he's been through is serving as both a warning tale and an inspiration to others.
"That would mean a great deal," Robbins said to Fox 26. "I would love for people to be able to look at my life and be able to get something out of it where they didn't have to make the mistakes I made or do some of the things I've done.
"If someone can look at me and say man if he can do it, I can do it, then I would be real happy about that."
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4256326
Former Oakland Raiders center Barret Robbins is in a halfway house following court-mandated drug rehabilitation and said in an interview with Fox 26 in Houston he's finally "sick and tired of being sick and tired."
Robbins disappeared from the Raiders two days before Super Bowl XXXVII in 2003, and said he now blames himself for the team's 48-21 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Robbins said he was responsible for the pass-protection calls and also was key for the Raiders' running attack.
"It's a hard thing to look back on because it was such a hard thing to overcome," Robbins said in the interview.
[+] EnlargeAP Photo/J. Pat Carter
Barret Robbins says he's done with court appearances and arrests and is focused on maintaining his sobriety.
"It was such a hard thing to forgive myself for. As much as you want to do it, forgive yourself that is, it's the hardest thing in the world to do.
"I felt that if I had played that game, we had a lot better chance to win. I felt we would have been able to win that game. It was an extremely exhausting event and put me down as far as I probably ever had to go at that point in my life."
Robbins regained his spot in the starting lineup the next season after undergoing treatment at an alcohol rehabilitation center, but it was a short honeymoon. The Raiders released Robbins in 2004 after he tested positive for steroids.
In addition to stays in alcohol and drug rehabilitation programs, Robbins has had several run-ins with law enforcement. He was ordered into the last rehab center following a probation violation in the spring of 2008.
Now, he says, he's straightened himself out and doesn't want to re-enter the haze of those days.
"When you get to a point where you are sick of jails, institutions, near-death experiences, things of that nature, God allows you to see things in a different light and he has for me," Robbins said to Fox 26.
Robbins faces many changes beyond just his sobriety. He was shot three times and seriously wounded during the 2005 brawl with police, who were answering a burglary call at a Miami Beach building.
AFC West blog
ESPN.com's Bill Williamson writes about all things AFC West in his division blog.
• Blog network: NFL Nation
Three police officers were injured in the melee, including one whose head was rammed into a wall. There's pending litigation for that run-in, and two bullets remain inside his body. Robbins has filed a federal civil-rights lawsuit alleging the police used excessive force.
The millions he earned as an All-Pro center are gone.
"When you are not responsible for your money as an adult, it shows how much you care about your life," Robbins said to Fox 26. "Obviously back then I didn't care that much about my life."
Robbins said he feels "real good" about the fact he's still alive to tell his story. One thing he says that would make him feel better about what he's been through is serving as both a warning tale and an inspiration to others.
"That would mean a great deal," Robbins said to Fox 26. "I would love for people to be able to look at my life and be able to get something out of it where they didn't have to make the mistakes I made or do some of the things I've done.
"If someone can look at me and say man if he can do it, I can do it, then I would be real happy about that."
Drawing to a close
Offseason workouts conclude in the next week, and players and coaches will be off until training camp begins July 30 in Napa.
With that in mind, here's a look at the winners and losers after one minicamp and 12 voluntary practices. Winners are defined as those who gained the most and losers as those who gained the least.
WINNERS
** Left tackle Mario Henderson. Unable to crack the starting lineup last offseason, Henderson has gotten the lion's share of first-team snaps at the premier offensive line position this offseason.
The signing of veteran Khalif Barnes did nothing to change that. It's impossible to gauge how Henderson is faring in non-contact drills. But, he isn't getting embarrased pass protecting on the edge and looks agile getting to the second level for run blocks.
Tom Cable said Henderson and Barnes will have an open competition in camp, and he's adamant the depth chart means nothing right now, but it looks like Henderson's job to lose.
** Wide receiver Chaz Schilens. He looked lost as a seventh-round rookie last offseason. Now, he's carrying himself as a lead receiver in an offense bent on going vertical like never in years.
Schilens had just 15 catches last season despite starting half the season, so he is anything but a made man. But, he runs the most powerful routes on the team and has displayed the most sure hands.
Darrius Heyward-Bey won't be the opening day starter if this keeps up which is fine because he needs the time to develop.
** Strongside linebacker Jon Alston. He started midway through last season only because Ricky Brown got hurt. With both free agents, Brown got a bigger deal to re-sign than Alston.
So, what ends up happening? Brown got moved to middle linebacker while Alston manned the first-time outside job -- and looked better than ever doing so.
Alston has constantly been spotted breaking up passes and causing trouble in third-down situations. No idea what they're going to do with Brown, but consider Alston's playing time earned.
LOSERS
** Left tackle Khalif Barnes. He signed a one-year deal to prove he belongs as a starting left tackle, but didn't get any first-team snaps until recently.
Here's the bigger problem: if Henderson wins the job, there has been talk of Barnes going to the right side. Only, he hasn't yet and the adjustment isn't as easy as it sounds for someone who has played on the left side virtually his entire NFL career.
If Barnes is going to be flopped over, he won't get a chance to adapt until training camp. Even then, it might not come until weeks into it as Cable lets the left-tackle competition play out.
** Safety Mike Mitchell. The Raiders have just five safeties on the roster and they expect Mitchell to get some serious playing time as a rookie.
He'll have to catch up in a major hurry. Mitchell didn't get through minicamp because of fatigue and soreness. Then, he missed all but the last week of OTAs because of an NFL rule barring rookies from practicing until their school is out -- and Ohio's quarter system didn't end until Friday.
Mitchell will have to get all his learning and adjusting done in training camp, and that's a late start for a small-school player who is sure to struggle initially with the NFL pace. The archaic NFL rule has done nothing but get in Mitchell's way.
** Injured players.
Fullback Oren o'Neal figured to be the starter when he returned from major knee surgery, but his recovery has been slow. The Raiders signed Pro Bowl great Lorenzo Neal, who has become an instant leader on an offense lacking vocal stars. If O'Neal is back by camp, he will be hard-pressed to beat out Neal.
Wide receiver Javon Walker had a surprise knee surgery after agreeing to a major restructured contract. He could be the odd-man out when the raiders pick their six receivers. As for Arman Shields, he may never get a chance to show what he can do after missing his rookie year with a knee injury.
Honorable mention winners
RB Darren McFadden ... Looking fantastic in the slot and wide right.
TE Zach Miller ... Finding open spaces underneath in vertical game.
DE Trevor Scott ... He gets to the quarterback and is working on his run game.
Honorable mention losers
S Michael Huff ... Perhaps a fresh start elsewhere would help him best
QB Andrew Walter ... Behind camp arm Danny Southwick at this point.
QB JaMarcus Russell ... Not for on-the-field reasons within his own control, so calm down. He lost his uncle Ray Russell, a mentor and father figure, in April, half a year after losing a godmother who was like a spiritual mother to him. Off the field, he was implored repeatedly by his head coach to become more consumed with work. His team owner said his development was too slow. They brought in Jeff Garcia to push him from behind on the depth chart and overturned his offensive coaching staff. Russell was given a free pass for two years. The honeymoon is over and the scrutiny is on.
** Speaking of losers ...
The end of offseason workouts means the real offseason is here. I'll be taking some time off and covering other things until the week before training camp. Staff reductions mean no more year-round coverage. Thus, the reent baseball and auto racing stories.
Offseason workouts conclude in the next week, and players and coaches will be off until training camp begins July 30 in Napa.
With that in mind, here's a look at the winners and losers after one minicamp and 12 voluntary practices. Winners are defined as those who gained the most and losers as those who gained the least.
WINNERS
** Left tackle Mario Henderson. Unable to crack the starting lineup last offseason, Henderson has gotten the lion's share of first-team snaps at the premier offensive line position this offseason.
The signing of veteran Khalif Barnes did nothing to change that. It's impossible to gauge how Henderson is faring in non-contact drills. But, he isn't getting embarrased pass protecting on the edge and looks agile getting to the second level for run blocks.
Tom Cable said Henderson and Barnes will have an open competition in camp, and he's adamant the depth chart means nothing right now, but it looks like Henderson's job to lose.
** Wide receiver Chaz Schilens. He looked lost as a seventh-round rookie last offseason. Now, he's carrying himself as a lead receiver in an offense bent on going vertical like never in years.
Schilens had just 15 catches last season despite starting half the season, so he is anything but a made man. But, he runs the most powerful routes on the team and has displayed the most sure hands.
Darrius Heyward-Bey won't be the opening day starter if this keeps up which is fine because he needs the time to develop.
** Strongside linebacker Jon Alston. He started midway through last season only because Ricky Brown got hurt. With both free agents, Brown got a bigger deal to re-sign than Alston.
So, what ends up happening? Brown got moved to middle linebacker while Alston manned the first-time outside job -- and looked better than ever doing so.
Alston has constantly been spotted breaking up passes and causing trouble in third-down situations. No idea what they're going to do with Brown, but consider Alston's playing time earned.
LOSERS
** Left tackle Khalif Barnes. He signed a one-year deal to prove he belongs as a starting left tackle, but didn't get any first-team snaps until recently.
Here's the bigger problem: if Henderson wins the job, there has been talk of Barnes going to the right side. Only, he hasn't yet and the adjustment isn't as easy as it sounds for someone who has played on the left side virtually his entire NFL career.
If Barnes is going to be flopped over, he won't get a chance to adapt until training camp. Even then, it might not come until weeks into it as Cable lets the left-tackle competition play out.
** Safety Mike Mitchell. The Raiders have just five safeties on the roster and they expect Mitchell to get some serious playing time as a rookie.
He'll have to catch up in a major hurry. Mitchell didn't get through minicamp because of fatigue and soreness. Then, he missed all but the last week of OTAs because of an NFL rule barring rookies from practicing until their school is out -- and Ohio's quarter system didn't end until Friday.
Mitchell will have to get all his learning and adjusting done in training camp, and that's a late start for a small-school player who is sure to struggle initially with the NFL pace. The archaic NFL rule has done nothing but get in Mitchell's way.
** Injured players.
Fullback Oren o'Neal figured to be the starter when he returned from major knee surgery, but his recovery has been slow. The Raiders signed Pro Bowl great Lorenzo Neal, who has become an instant leader on an offense lacking vocal stars. If O'Neal is back by camp, he will be hard-pressed to beat out Neal.
Wide receiver Javon Walker had a surprise knee surgery after agreeing to a major restructured contract. He could be the odd-man out when the raiders pick their six receivers. As for Arman Shields, he may never get a chance to show what he can do after missing his rookie year with a knee injury.
Honorable mention winners
RB Darren McFadden ... Looking fantastic in the slot and wide right.
TE Zach Miller ... Finding open spaces underneath in vertical game.
DE Trevor Scott ... He gets to the quarterback and is working on his run game.
Honorable mention losers
S Michael Huff ... Perhaps a fresh start elsewhere would help him best
QB Andrew Walter ... Behind camp arm Danny Southwick at this point.
QB JaMarcus Russell ... Not for on-the-field reasons within his own control, so calm down. He lost his uncle Ray Russell, a mentor and father figure, in April, half a year after losing a godmother who was like a spiritual mother to him. Off the field, he was implored repeatedly by his head coach to become more consumed with work. His team owner said his development was too slow. They brought in Jeff Garcia to push him from behind on the depth chart and overturned his offensive coaching staff. Russell was given a free pass for two years. The honeymoon is over and the scrutiny is on.
** Speaking of losers ...
The end of offseason workouts means the real offseason is here. I'll be taking some time off and covering other things until the week before training camp. Staff reductions mean no more year-round coverage. Thus, the reent baseball and auto racing stories.
WTF, we signed Greg Ellis? Isn't he a 3-4 linebacker? Not saying it's a bad signing but I wonder how he's going to fit and who he's going to replace. Are we going to twinker with the 3-4? What y'all think?
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4260643
Linebacker Greg Ellis has agreed to a three-year deal with the Oakland Raiders.
Ellis was released June 2 by the Dallas Cowboys.
Ellis, the Cowboys' first-round pick in 1998, has played in 162 games, all with Dallas, starting 156. He has 634 career tackles, including 77 sacks. He won the NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award in 2007, the same season he was named to the Pro Bowl.
He had 36 tackles, 8 sacks and 1 interception last season.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4260643
Linebacker Greg Ellis has agreed to a three-year deal with the Oakland Raiders.
Ellis was released June 2 by the Dallas Cowboys.
Ellis, the Cowboys' first-round pick in 1998, has played in 162 games, all with Dallas, starting 156. He has 634 career tackles, including 77 sacks. He won the NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award in 2007, the same season he was named to the Pro Bowl.
He had 36 tackles, 8 sacks and 1 interception last season.
GREG ELLIS SIGNS 3 YEAR DEAL WITH THE RAIDERS... SOLID VETERAN SIGNING..
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/199668-free-agent-greg-ellis-signs-with-the-raiders
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/199668-free-agent-greg-ellis-signs-with-the-raiders
