Minicamp Highlights

 Posted by at 11:01 PM  No Responses »
Apr 302010
 

How about some one-liners?
- JaMarcus Russell looked good, who knows what that means going forward.
- Russell looked noticeably thinner than last season, not 300 pounds (Shame on NationalFootballPost.com for reporting it)
- Richard Seymour is working on a long-term contract with the Raiders
- Oren O’Neal was waived
- Veteran Michael Bennett is in for a tryout as was rookie DT Allen Smith from Stanford.
- Bruce Campbell has a severe learning disability, which likely aided his fall in the draft. More on that as it becomes available.
- Additions and subtractions to my undrafted rookie list. Add TE John Owens and DB Joey Thomas, remove WR Trent Guy (Panthers).
- Russell hasn’t taken a pay cut…yet.
- The Raiders are still a 4-3 defense, despite much speculation.
- Lamarr Houston is indeed playing left end. He will have a tough time earning a starting role there.
- Russell’s bling necklace inventory: #2 Jersey, The Chosen One, Russell Figure with a cape, a hand giving a middle finger. Of course, all diamond encrusted to the hilt.
- Robert Gallery was participating.
- Chaz Schilens, Nick Miller, and Bruce Gradkowski (obviously) did not participate.

Minicamp: Magic or Misery?

 Posted by at 4:52 PM  No Responses »
Apr 302010
 

There is an elephant in the room and every other sports writer on the planet is going to want to talk about him.
I will attempt to write an entire blog post without mentioning He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.

Minicamp can be the start of a magical season or the start of yet another disaster. For the Raiders, a winning record and/or a playoff appearance would be a magical season.

Seven years of losing takes a toll on any fan base. California’s economy aided the Raiders step backwards in 2009 in regards to television blackouts.

Can the Raiders climb out of the basement and back into respectability? It all starts today with a non-contact minicamp.

Last season minicamp was plagued by injuries, dropped passes and work ethic question. Not a very good way to start of a season; a season in which the Raiders won five games.

This season feels different. There is a positive vibe coming from the Raiders organization, the fans and the media.

There is one black eye on the Raiders organization., but not even “Voldemort” himself can put a damper on those vibes.

Tom Cable was giddy about Darrius Heyward-Bey’s progress. While it is hard to truly believe anything coming from the organization when it comes to a much maligned player, it isn’t often a coach smiles from ear-to-ear about a guy’s progress. He is one player to really keep an eye on this offseason.

The Raiders defensive scheme mystery is among the more interesting “good mysteries” in years. It is something the Raiders should either clear up quickly or sandbag until the regular season.

There is a lot development needed on the offensive line. It will be difficult to see how Jared Veldheer and Bruce Campbell develop if the Raiders are sticking to the zone blocking scheme, but that could be a potential twist as well. Offensive Coordinator Hue Jackson is a smash mouth coach who favors drive blocking. During his pre-draft press conference, for the first and only time, Tom Cable didn’t confirm the Raiders would be a zone blocking only team.

There is plenty of intrigue surrounding this minicamp and it grows by the very minute.

The media turnout for the Raiders minicamp is substantial. The Raiders, if only for a moment, have become relevant again.

More to come…

Position To Watch: Left Tackle

 Posted by at 9:02 PM  No Responses »
Apr 282010
 

There were approximately four major needs the Raiders wanted to address this offseason.

1 – The Quarterback

2 – The Run Defense
3 – The Offensive Line
4 – The Return Game
Time will tell if the offseason moves will actually improve these areas, but the Raiders took significant steps to that end.
The Raiders have done just about as much as they can do to address the quarterback, the run defense and the return game.
The offensive line has some depth, but will Bruce Campbell and Jared Veldheer be immediate starters? Can either play left tackle?
It would make sense at this point for both guys to compete for spots at right tackle and right guard. Tom Cable has made comments alluding to this kind of start for the Raiders young lineman.
This leaves incumbent start Mario Henderson the lone man at left tackle, with very little competition to push him.
The good news:
- Both Bruce Campbell and Jared Veldheer have the potential to be a good left tackle
- The line has depth
- Khalif Barnes and Cooper Carlisle have significant competition.
- Cornell Green will no longer be pass protecting
The bad news:
- It may be a season or more before Campbell or Veldheer have a chance to win the left tackle.
- Cornell Green will no longer be run blocking
- Mario Henderson needs to improve leaps and bounds
I think most people are excited about the Raiders offensive lineman, but given the inexperience and quality of the incumbents, there is room to be cautious.
Jason Campbell needs time to deliver the ball will be very important to the Raiders success this offseason and even more important will be keeping the quarterback healthy.
Bruce Gradkowski was injured, Russell’s big frame was dinged up and Charlie Frye also couldn’t stay 100% healthy in 2009.
The comfort level with a rookie at guard or right tackle is certainly higher than at left tackle, especially one of the non-premium prospects like Veldheer and Bruce Campbell.
A chain is only as strong as the weakest link.

With plenty of depth and competition at RG and RT, this line could take shape quickly. However, there is a complete lack of depth on the all important left side.

Keep an eye on what the Raiders do at left tackle.

I am not sure if the Raiders are even interested, but undrafted rookie Tony Washington, OT, ACU is worth a look, despite a disturbing off-the-field incident six years ago.

10 Lingering Questions For The Raiders

 Posted by at 5:23 PM  2 Responses »
Apr 262010
 

The Raiders had a few basic goals this offseason: Improve the rush defense without sacrificing a pass rush, protect the QB, improve the return game, and acquire a better QB.

I'm not sure even the Raiders believed they could address all these goals like they wanted to, but they did about as good as you could hope for them to do.

There are still lingering questions the Raiders must answer before they play a regular season game in 2010.

1 – Can Rolando McClain play three downs and cover a running back or tight end?

2 – Will Lamarr Houston make an impact against the run in the base 4-3 and 3-4?

3 – How long will it take Jared Veldheer to catch up to the speed of the NFL game?

4 – Will Bruce Campbell put the effort in to improve his technique?

5 – Does Jacoby Ford have the ability and hands to go along with the speed that will make him a good return man and slot receiver?

6 – Will Quentin Groves develop into something more than he was for two seasons in Jacksonville?

7 – Will Jason Campbell continue to improve with yet another offensive coordinator?

8 – Will Kamerion Wimbley turn back into what he was two years ago?

9 – Will there be a three-man front and who will play nose tackle?

10 – Will Mario Henderson keep Jason Campbell healthy and off his back?

The Raiders first mini-camp comes up this weekend; maybe we will get the answers to a couple of these questions then.

Raiders Draft Recap

 Posted by at 9:53 PM  No Responses »
Apr 242010
 

The Oakland Raiders 2010 draft is over and Raider Nation should be happy.

The Raiders selected productive football players early and saved projects with potential for the later rounds.

Round 1 (8) – Rolando McClain, LB, 6-3, 254, Alabama
Round 2 (49) – Lemarr Houston, DE, 6-2, 305, Texas
Round 3 (69) – Jared Veldheer, OT, 6-8, 321, Hillsdale
Round 3 (85) – Traded to Cleveland for Kamerion Wimbley
Round 4 (106) – Bruce Campbell, OT, 6-5, 310, Maryland
Round 4 (108) – Jacoby Ford, WR, 5-9, 181, Clemson (Acquired by trade for Kirk Morrison & a 5th)
Round 5 (138) – Walter McFadden, DB, 5-11, 175, Auburn
Round 5 (153) – Traded to Jacksonville for Quentin Groves
Round 6 (190) – Travis Goethel, LB, 6-2, 240, Arizona
Round 7 (215) – Jeremy Ware, CB, 5-10, 180, Michigan State
Round 7 (251) – Stevie Brown, S, 6-0, 211, Michigan

2012 Round 4 pick – Traded for Jason Campbell

The top undrafted free agents that should be on the Raiders radar:

Tony Washington, OT, 6-6, 311, Abilene Christian
LaGarrette Blount, RB, 6-0, 241, Oregon
Ciron Black, OT, 6-4, 327, LSU
Jevan Snead, QB, 6-3, 219, Mississippi

Here are the thoughts of Mike Mayock:

“Oakland’s last two picks have been interesting. They got Bruce Campbell and Jacoby Ford, who are typical Raiders’ picks, but they got them at the right time this year. Campbell is a developmental left tackle, with huge upside. Ford is the fastest wide receiver in the draft, and he has return ability too. Also like thier first two picks, Rolando McClain and Lamarr Houston, which will instantly upgrade their defense.”

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