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Unfortunately, I'm not at the minicamp today. I've contacted Raiders PR man Mike Taylor and we should get it worked out soon enough. - From the reports I've seen, the Raiders passing game looks better than last year at this time, but the receivers are still dropping too many passes. - Rolando McClain is going to struggle in coverage. - JaMarcus Russell wasn't as sharp today, but still looks much improved. - Jason Campbell was much more comfortable today. - Not easy to judge running backs in non-contact drills - Darrius Heyward-Bey was matching up with Nnamdi Asomugha.

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 ...

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 no...

Now that minicamp has finally arrived, the Raiders will get a chance to take a look at its draft picks and free agent signings. Will JaMarcus Russell participate? Will he be cut? Questions only Al Davis can answer and not something worth speculation. Starting now, the Raiders coaches will begin to shape the depth chart. The coaches may evaluate undrafted rookies and decide to keep a few for the next minicamp and discard a few others after getting a closer look. One of the Raiders' goals was to have every draft pick make the team. The greatest risk will immediately be safety Stevie Brown, but that could end up being 100% wrong come August, there are always surprises. What positions should we keep our eye on? Along the offensive line there should be good competition at right guard and right tackle. Look for who is taking second string reps on the left side, as versatility as a backup is valued. Chris Morris is a prime example. The second position to watch is defensive tackle. Will La...

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 LaGa...

I came down with the Derrick Burgess flu (Chipotle), so I missed the afternoon practice. Also, because I was sick, I'm not going to do a full rundown of the morning practice. Instead, I'll post some links. I'll continue to post on Twitter @Raidersblog and do recaps on the blog. Jerry McDonald's Blog Recap Steve Corkran Article - DHB needs STM and TLC David White Article - Garcia as a Mentor Washington Post Mother's Day Article about DHB and his mother. Thankfully it's not as uncomfortable as the story about Frantz Joseph and his mother. Phil Barber - Mini-Camp Recap Phil Barber - Garcia article DHB had a tough practice so tomorrow will be important to see how he bounces back. Hopefully being held out of the evening practice was a precaution and that he will be fine. Russell has been streaky. Inconsistent might be another word, but so far no one seems to be worried. I like the calmer atmosphere of this coaching staff as opposed to others. It isn't like A...

If you haven't been following @Raidersblog on Twitter, you need to start. There is just too much good stuff on Twitter not to join and I'm posting mini-camp practice updates in real-time. I'll only be posting a wrap-up here tomorrow and the rest of the weekend. This is a compilation of the posts today, wrapped into one post. Participation Report: Lorenzo Neal is a Raider - Welcome aboard. Happy to have you! Derrick Burgess is not practicing for unknown reasons - Holdout? Injury? Zach Miller not practicing - unknown injury Oren O'Neal - dressed, but not practicing Arman Shields - dressed, but not practicing Gary Russell - RB - signs with the Raiders. Javon Walker watching without a helmet. Derrick Burgess is now on the field. Andrew Walter is not getting snaps at QB. Samson Satele not practicing - pre-existing knee injury Gallery and McQuistan sit out for no reason at all. Depth Chart Watch: Wide Receiver: Heyward-Bey and Schilens Running Back: McFadden Offensive Line:...

Some of you may have heard the Sports 1140 interview with Tim Brown live from Fred Biletnikoff's Charity Golf Tournament. Freddie B was interviewed as well and even JT the Brick stopped by to chat. Also, I believe there was a Steve Wisnewski sighting off air. Tim Brown seems to think that Russell is still two years away from being fully developed and that he could struggle this year. That said, Tim Brown said that when he played he did things to help his developing or weak QBs (Lord he knows better than anyone). IF his QB didn't throw a certain pass well he ran routes that played to their strengths, etc. Let us pray that Javon Walker and Drew Carter have that kind of attitude. Tim Brown is a class act, we can only hope any of the players we have are half as classy as Tim Brown. Mini-Camp starts tomorrow, check back for all the late breaking Raiders detail and analysis. Notes: Odell Thurman isn't really the type of guy the Raiders or Kiffin wants on the team. Good talent, bu...

June 3-5. We get three days to see a preview of how the team might look. So what can we expect from a mandatory mini-camp? 1. Will Burgess show up? Yes, he isn't the type of guy who will hold-out. He is unhappy and I suspect he might want to leave when his contract is up, but he isn't going to be a malcontent. 2. Will Nnamdi sign his tender and show up? No, Nnamdi loses his contract negotiation power if he does. The Raiders REALLY need to sign this guy long term. 3. How will the RB rotation look? I'd suspect they go even carries across the board. 4. Which WR(s) will Russell develop chemistry with? Word was Drew Carter was so far. You'd think Curry has the edge, but in my mind Curry needs to get his act together or he is going to find himself as the #3 WR or worse. 5. Who might be in line to return kicks? JLH, Arman Shields, Tyvon Branch, etc We went from having hardly anyone who could do it to having a team full of them, some might be more prospects, but I'd think w...