`Learning phase’ nearly complete
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Sunday, August 2nd, 2009 at 12:27 pm in Oakland Raiders.
Some quick hits from Sunday morning’s practice:
– Seven down, one to go before Raiders put the pads on for the first time Monday afternoon. They’ll have a brief morning walkthrough before getting serious at 3:30 p.m.
– Quarterback Jeff Garcia has done very little in the last two days, mostly being a spectator while JaMarcus Russell, Bruce Gradkowski and Charlie Frye get all the work.
Nothing to be concerned about, coach Tom Cable said. It’s simply the way Garcia, 39, does things at this point in his career. Garcia said he was simply making sure he would be fresh for Monday.
– There were at least two more circus catches by wide receiver Chaz Schilens, who goes in to Monday’s padded practice as “Most likely to succeed” among the wideouts.
– Also some smooth work from top draft pick Darrius Heyward-Bey, who has clanked a a few in previous sessions nd trapped some passes against his body rather than get him with his hand.
During team drills, where passes weren’t thrown, Heyward-Bey found himself running a lot of snaps with the first team against Nnamdi Asomugha.
– Looks like some players are getting anxious to start hitting. Passing game coordinator Ted Tollner was dissatisfied with how the skill position were aligned in a seven-on-seven drill.
“Line up again! Solo-left-twin, let’s go again,’’ Tollner said.
As the play unfolded, Tollner said, “There’s the window right there! . . . C’mon guys, let’s wake up.’’
– On the next play, good news.
“Good Marcel (Reece), we like that matchup!’’
OK, the bad news. He was matched against second-round draft pick Mike Mitchell.
– Quarterback JaMarcus Russell twice came away from a seven-on-session workout to have his leg stretched and looked uncomfortable for a few snaps, but returned later and Cable said there were no issues with anybody.
– Undrafted rookie free agent rookie Jonathan Compas was being pushed by _ of all people _ place kicker Sebastian Janikowski.
“Let’s go (No.) 62, I’m watching you!,’’ Janikowski said.
— Chris Morris got in a lot of work with the first team at left guard in place of Robert Gallery.
— More news, notes and quotes to come later . . .
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August 2nd, 2009 at 12:30 pm
For all you guys who love to harken back to the Gannon days…Well, the guy that saved Gannon’s career:
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OAKLAND – When America tuned in last night to watch the Jets and Raiders, it caught two of the best quarterback stories in the NFL – the precocious Chad Pennington and the ageless Rich Gannon.
Also in attendance was the man who taught them both, Jets offensive coordinator Paul Hackett.
If football were music, the game would’ve been called Mr. Hackett’s Opus.
http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/sports/2002/12/03/2002-12-03_gannon__chad_are_pass_and_pr.html
August 2nd, 2009 at 12:31 pm
“It’s like a big cycle, a circle,” said Pennington, marveling at the connection.
Long before Hackett started teaching Pennington his version of the West Coast offense, he was schooling Gannon on how to play quarterback in the NFL. Hackett was the Chiefs’ offensive coordinator in 1995, when they plucked Gannon off the league’s scrap heap. They spent three years together.
Hackett molded the talented but raw Gannon into viable NFL quarterback, and he also played a small role in the Raiders’ decision to sign Gannon as a free agent in 1999. Then-coach Jon Gruden, checking references, called Hackett, an old friend.
“Jon said, ‘I’ve got a chance to get him. Do I do it?’ ” said Hackett, the Southern Cal head coach at the time. “I said, ‘Pay as much money as you have to. Get him.’
“That’s what turned the Raiders around,” Hackett added. “He’s a franchise quarterback. He’s the best quarterback in the league right now. He’s at the top of his game.”
Gannon, who took to the West Coast offense like Bill Gates to a computer, galvanized the Raiders with his precision passing and leadership. At 36, he’s playing the best ball of his career.
Earlier in the season, Gannon set an NFL record with 21 straight completions and tied a league record with six straight 300-yard passing days. He went into last night’s game with 3,535 yards, only 1,550 shy of Dan Marino’s single-season record. At his current pace, Gannon will shatter the record.
And some of the credit goes to Hackett.
“Paul Hackett had a tremendous impact on my career,” he said. “He really taught me the system of football. He really molded me. I feel like he made me into the quarterback I am today.”
Gannon is a lot more accomplished than Pennington, who is just starting out, but many of their statistics are remarkably similar:
http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/sports/2002/12/03/2002-12-03_gannon__chad_are_pass_and_pr.html
August 2nd, 2009 at 12:35 pm
Paul Hackett created Rich Gannon and Chad Pennington. He instilled in them how to study the playbook etc… Remember, GAnnon was on his way out of the league before Hackett rescued him.
Now Pennington and Gannon don’t have the physical skills of Russell either.
This could get downright scary for opponents in 2009. Look at the transformation from a few of these walkthroughs from last yr. to now. He’s getting all that coaching on the fine points of the game. He’s telling receivers where to be….so far so good
Wide receiver Johnnie Lee Higgins sees a difference in the way Russell carries himself.
“He’s more vocal. He’s more animated. He’s more into reads,” Higgins said. “If he does something wrong, he’ll say `My bad.’ If you do something bad he’ll tell you. It’s more of a relationship.”
August 2nd, 2009 at 12:48 pm
Sup NATION??
LMAO….
Mr53Do you know how long it takes to piss test 25 dudes, at one time, with a 2 man crew, and only 2 urinals?about 1 hour ago from UberTwitter
August 2nd, 2009 at 12:48 pm
I hope you are right SNB.
As long as Fargas doesn’t play, our offense should be fine.
August 2nd, 2009 at 12:52 pm
nice link S&B… thanx…
August 2nd, 2009 at 1:03 pm
“Quarterback Jeff Garcia has done very little in the last two days, mostly being a spectator while JaMarcus Russell, Bruce Gradkowski and Charlie Frye get all the work.”
– What’s wrong with this guy’s work ethic. He needs to get serious about bring a pro quarterback. He better step it up or Charlie Frye is going to take the No. 2 spot on the depth chart.
August 2nd, 2009 at 1:04 pm
SnB…
you’re not going to start playing “the circle of life” or some schitt are you???
August 2nd, 2009 at 1:05 pm
SNB Defense Says:
August 2nd, 2009 at 12:35 pm
Paul Hackett created Rich Gannon and Chad Pennington. He instilled in them how to study the playbook etc… Remember, GAnnon was on his way out of the league before Hackett rescued him.
Now Pennington and Gannon don’t have the physical skills of Russell either.
This could get downright scary for opponents in 2009. Look at the transformation from a few of these walkthroughs from last yr. to now. He’s getting all that coaching on the fine points of the game. He’s telling receivers where to be….so far so good
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I agree. Hackett is a great mentor for JaMarcus. But based on watching some of Hackett’s offenses in the past, I just hope he sticks to mentoring JaMarcus and not calling plays at any point. Most frustratingly conservative play-caller ever.
August 2nd, 2009 at 1:13 pm
All I want for Christmas is the post season ticket package at my door!
August 2nd, 2009 at 1:15 pm
“Hackett molded the talented but raw Gannon into viable NFL quarterback” — Soon to read: Hackett molded the talented but raw Russell into a Pro-Bowl quarterback
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Florida Pete,
What wrong with a cycle like that….Two greatest QBs in 25 yrs of Raider football all guided by the same guy…coincidence? I think not!
August 2nd, 2009 at 1:15 pm
Pete this is for you
From the day we arrive on the planet
And blinking, step into the sun
There’s more to see than can ever be seen
More to do than can ever be done
There’s far too much to take in here
More to find than can ever be found
But the sun rolling high
Through the sapphire sky
Keeps great and small on the endless round
It’s the Circle of Life
And it moves us all
Through despair and hope
Through faith and love
Till we find our place
On the path unwinding
In the Circle
The Circle of Life
It’s the Circle of Life
And it moves us all
Through despair and hope
Through faith and love
Till we find our place
On the path unwinding
In the Circle
The Circle of Life
August 2nd, 2009 at 1:17 pm
Chris in NY,
Hackett is 100% on building up Russell. They started on the ground floor and basically started over starting in February.
This Russell kid will not be the same QB as far as his development from last yr.
I also believe that Garcia is not getting a lot of reps because they like how JaMarcus is acting in camp right now. He’s being that leader…and all that other stuff….
Let’s hope it translates to the field starting Monday
August 2nd, 2009 at 1:22 pm
[...] Read more. [...]
August 2nd, 2009 at 1:23 pm
yeah… they probably need to ship Garcia out of town…
Russell needs to know this is his team…
the team needs to know this is Russell’s team…
remember what Jim Fregosi said back in the late 60’s when the phillies started playing him everyday???
he said: “bench me or trade me…”
Russell’s backup needs to be like that…
August 2nd, 2009 at 1:34 pm
SnB this is why ive always liked you. You understand what most dont. Pull up the Gruden quote about Hackett. Russell will be better
August 2nd, 2009 at 1:35 pm
666,..fun to watch?…you been having fun watching Norv humiliating the raiders every time they play?…oh, calling him barbque face isnt 7th grade though..lol,…666, you are just frustrated the raiders bend over for the chargers every game,..inlcluding the opener,..it wont be close, …sd 55-oakland 6
August 2nd, 2009 at 1:44 pm
B.R – I won’t dignify spelling out your name….
Super Bowls matter. I don’t care if its 1969 or 2009..Super Bowls matter. Its the only thing that gets carved into granite.
San Diego is a forgetable franchise that making a couple of playoff runs…So what. No ring! and that matters
You can talk about the last few years all night long…your team has no rings…no championships…no teams worthy of being put into memory.
San Diego is just another team. Sort of like those Houston Oiler teams…or Buffalo teams….nice regular season but no glory.
So live off of what you have too. Your team is the ONLY AFC WEST team with no history!!!
LOL!
August 2nd, 2009 at 1:45 pm
I think the word you are looking for is petitioning (not petioning) I know big people talk is hard for you.
Have you ever seen that documentary on lost rings….you know teams that came close but never won a Super Bowl…..there is one on the Chargers and Dan Fouts and how one year they though they almost went to the Super Bowl.
I love watching that one!!!
You guys should get one of those ALMOST trophies for that year!
August 2nd, 2009 at 1:45 pm
Really nice article on Oren “Mr. Pain” O’Neal, written by noted hater Phil Barber of all people.
Sorry, I don’t have the link for y’all. I saw it over at http://raidernews.com under “Today’s Raiders News”. link.
Look for, “O’Neal elated to be back on the field again” That will get you there.
Well worth the effort.
August 2nd, 2009 at 1:47 pm
GO HOME!!! baby raper
August 2nd, 2009 at 1:48 pm
yo 909… good news Im back.. Bad news is so are the trolls….
Pads go on monday… its on!!!
August 2nd, 2009 at 1:54 pm
# Charlie Says:
August 2nd, 2009 at 8:10 am
Can’t Stand
Impressive research.
The only thing I would offer is that the Raiders have probably countered many times with eight in the box or run blitzes to try to compensate for short yardage downs because our lack of talent on the line.
This is the problem with a weak Dline. You need to scheme all the time and eventually you will get out guessed (see LT racing down the field after catching a swing pass). You must be able to be respectable against the run and pressure the passer with your four down lineman.
I love the teaching approach Cable is taking. We have new coaches, a new system and a relatively young team.
I still am of the opinion that our Dline has some very weak players and they will be weeded out in this camp.
—
thanks charlie.
im on record for bringing up the high padlevel back in 2007, after seeing not one but two QB sneaks from 5(!!!!) yards out. for TDs. vs our goalline at that. yuk! so i also am loving the teachings and the emphasis thats put there and hope it continues to get better.
but its not the lesser talent that forces us, or anybody else to come up and blitz, compensate, or, scheme most of the time. its simply the numbers game that the eight in the box for thre offense, as in 5 OL/TE/FB plus the RB, win vs the two regular fronts used in the league, 3-4 and 4-3. you end up short on defense and better bring up someone and start scheming lol
i actually think we lacked a good scheme and thus were easy pickings, and not because we got outguessed trying to confuse opponents ourselfs. you cant get outguessed too many times playing man to maN and have a guy wide open… only if you cant figure out who you got b4 the snap due to a motion, get tangled up and lose your man, have unfavorable personel matchups, get beat badly of the line or out of the break…
…or, if the QB has all day to find a man. like in the famous prevent RR had us at the end of close games…now there is an example of how the playcalling was once rightfully, and unanimously, considered bad btw.
August 2nd, 2009 at 2:00 pm
408……
I don’t know who to blame for that, you for showing back up, or effin Fargas…….lol
August 2nd, 2009 at 2:03 pm
I like football
August 2nd, 2009 at 2:06 pm
408……
Bet Marshall, and Cable are going to have a short leash on M. Mitchell. Don’t want him knocking our guy’s the eff’ out…
Jerry, must have Moe, Curley, and Larry. Working on the server upgrade….
August 2nd, 2009 at 2:07 pm
hahahahahaha…..
August 2nd, 2009 at 2:09 pm
pontiac
August 2nd, 2009 at 2:12 pm
909….
Im stoked about this year.. (I always am this time of year) My boy Chaz is doing the damn thing.. If Mitchell can do his part and the dline can show up who knows.. The AFC west is there 4 the taking.. Time to man up.. As always It all starts with the run
August 2nd, 2009 at 2:17 pm
And Pete I called JLH 2 breakout not you. I got archives to prove it. And i called chaz n mario as well
August 2nd, 2009 at 2:20 pm
I saw Chaz in college. I aint shocked
August 2nd, 2009 at 2:22 pm
NATION, What is up?????????
408 what up?
B The G, going strong as usual.
909, I guess they let you out, time served for good behavior.
Mike Mitchell = GEM of the draft…..
August 2nd, 2009 at 2:22 pm
brien who u think is the breakout guy this year? russell is obvious but im going with ricky brown as well. bush if he get s enough carries. i know u dont like morrison but im hopin he get some dog in him.
August 2nd, 2009 at 2:24 pm
B the G, Yeah chaz is down here in SD, he kinda flew under the radar as his team was soft. H eis going to keep walker on the bench…..Chaz is a MF to cover.
August 2nd, 2009 at 2:24 pm
408…..
I’ve been staying away from the kool-aid (so far). That being said, I like what I see from the Fat Man up to this point.
Hopefully we’ll know more by next week-end, on how they’re shaping up after a week with the pads on, whether or not all this effort put in on “getting it right”. Was a big waste of time, they best look sharp.
August 2nd, 2009 at 2:25 pm
people r stupid for thinking garcia is ging to push russell. please the one pushing him is hackett. garcia will get all the credit when yung jeezy blows up but we all know it will be because of hack.if we stay healthy there is no excuse for this offense to average atleast 20 a game. cable is callin the plays so he better get it going. he got better at the en dthe year but he was 2 conservative against the donkeys and the bucs.
August 2nd, 2009 at 2:26 pm
M.Mitchell is the absolute truth , he can play the pass coverage, and he can really play the run, mark my word he will be starting week one watch out LT because he is a thumper, and now on to burges if he wanna leav let him go, trade him to the patrots for Vince Wilfork, he wants out of new england , No body is talkin about that , he is a great pass rusher and he can single handedly stop the run by his self , and he will make tommy kelly a great player, lets send burges and fargas to new england for vince wilfork , and with that the raiders will become a instant play off contender!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 2nd, 2009 at 2:28 pm
Thec….
What it do????? Still in the ‘Dago area?
August 2nd, 2009 at 2:31 pm
909
do what I do.. Chase your kool-Aid with a beer…
August 2nd, 2009 at 2:32 pm
trevor scott could be a breakout player this year and burgess needs to get his ass into camp. he ellis could give us o good pass rush duo.
August 2nd, 2009 at 2:33 pm
kirkmorrison52Somebody grab me a banner from the Oakland Coliseum today? Its Rickey Henderson Banner day. As ya’ll can tell Rickey was my favorite player.5 minutes ago from UberTwitter
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cali grown…
now stop the run damn it!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 2nd, 2009 at 2:36 pm
With a little imagination this offense should score and score often. The opposing D’s will be kept honest.
All this talk about JRUSS being a bust is out of fear.
Fear that as he continues to build the NATION will have one of the best offenses in the NFL.
Question how do you stop or attack an offense with this much speed on the field: JLH, DHB, DMAC, Zmiller,and Chaz. I hear DMAC is spending time as a WR
this will cause some matchup problems, you will have speed 1 on 1, doesnt take our guys 5 secs to get behind you.
August 2nd, 2009 at 2:38 pm
408……
HA! That’s how it’s done huh? I’ve always chased my tequila w/ beer, been doing my kool-aid straight up all these years……lol
August 2nd, 2009 at 2:39 pm
tell ‘em thec.. Speed Kills… and my boy bush will grind it out when we have the lead
August 2nd, 2009 at 2:47 pm
You can’t teach speed!
&
You can’t make an athlete a Football player!
August 2nd, 2009 at 2:49 pm
It is tru that the dischargers have owned us the last several years but the real question is what have they won? With charger fan, and the city you get the same noise and it goes like this…………….. we are going to win the super bowl this year. I hear that every year problem is the dischargers dont have the DNA in the franchise to ever win a SB. dischargers will allways be also rans. dischargers need a new head coach, and remove load mouth from qb. You would have been better off with breezie. Lunatic fairymen running around head buting goal post, what is that roid rage?
effin moron…
August 2nd, 2009 at 2:49 pm
thec
2 mo words 4 them haters..
NO RINGS!!!!!
August 2nd, 2009 at 2:50 pm
Whats up 408
He got his little chat feelings hurt. Empty trophy case will do that.
Must be hard living in a town where 1/2 the stadium is full of Raider fans during a home game.
Just ignore the little guy and maybe it will go away.
August 2nd, 2009 at 2:52 pm
Got Rings?!
August 2nd, 2009 at 2:52 pm
Sup O??
Getting some quality time in with the family huh??
August 2nd, 2009 at 2:53 pm
I cant wait till Mike Mitchell lays the wood on that sissy go down before he is hit lt. Oh and dont think any running back is going to be out running
Jack Tatum II, aint gonna happen.
Mike Mitchell = GEM of the draft…..
August 2nd, 2009 at 2:54 pm
O, what up? you on the beach?
August 2nd, 2009 at 2:57 pm
I’m at home with the Family, they are all sick with a cold.
August 2nd, 2009 at 2:57 pm
yo 666
are you the real 666 cuz your link dont match up with the real 666… Im just sayin
August 2nd, 2009 at 2:59 pm
See you…………..at the NEW POST!
August 2nd, 2009 at 3:00 pm
Mother, Wife, and Daughter are all sick with a cold, so you can only imagine how I feel now.
God, help them get better, or take me now!! lol
August 2nd, 2009 at 3:01 pm
Mike Mitchell was a member of the NATION a long time ago.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/161654-oakland-raiders-need-ohio-u-saftey-michael-mitchell
Mike Mitchell = JTII
He is going to f LT up……
August 2nd, 2009 at 3:23 pm
SeabASS KICK HIS ASS!!!!
Lmao!
its sad how we have our kicker pushing people. ohhh the grief.
August 2nd, 2009 at 4:23 pm
It’s simply the way Garcia, 39, does things at this point in his career. Garcia said he was simply making sure he would be fresh for Monday.
Translation…..Garcia’s the only one who knows what he’s doing.
August 3rd, 2009 at 4:49 am
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