`Super Mario’ making things interesting
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Thursday, August 6th, 2009 at 4:15 pm in Oakland Raiders.
It wasn’t quite a year ago when Lane Kiffin took one of his many jabs at tackle Mario Henderson as the Raiders were preparing to face the Tennessee Titans in the second week of the preseason.
“Mario against Kyle Vanden Bosch,” Kiffin said with sarcasm as dry as a sawdust sandwich. “That’ll be interesting.”
Not long before, he had called Henderson “Super Mario” and gone into detail about how the 2007 third-round pick wasn’t ready to challenge for a starting role at either tackle position.
“I guess they were trying to make him tougher because you’ve got to be a tough dude to play left tackle,” tight end Zach Miller said. “You’re seeing all the great defensive ends in the NFL every week and you really have to be able to bounce back if you give up a sack or that sort of thing. I think they were trying to harden him a little bit.”
Truth be told, coach Tom Cable wasn’t necessarily sold on Henderson, either. Henderson started against Kansas City and Buffalo when Kwame Harris was injured, seemed to perform capably enough, and then watched from the bench as Harris was reduced to a quivering, false-starting disaster protecting the blind side of the future of the franchise.
Cable once considered replacing Harris, only to emphatically claim, “Kwame Harris is our left tackle.”
Whether it was Harris’ continuing struggles or a nudge from Al Davis, Henderson started over the final three games of the season against New England, Houston and Tampa Bay. Richard Seymour, Mario Williams and Gaines Adams did little or no damage and Henderson didn’t commit a penalty.
It was a point duly noted by Davis after the season, and the first clue that even after the acquisition of Khalif Barnes, the job was Henderson’s to lose.
Barnes’ loss from six to eight weeks with a broken ankle removed the last sliver of doubt. Henderson is the Raiders left tackle. He even thinks being Kiffin’s pinata may have accomplished something.
“It kind of drove me a little bit, that somebody would say this, or somebody would call me (out),” Henderson said. “I want somebody to stay on butt, so I’d say, `Mario, yeah, you got to get your stuff together.”
Actually, Henderson didn’t say “stuff,” the first time, but in a group presence he seemed embarassed at having let a swear word slip and said, “Excuse me.”
It’s in keeping with the personality of someone who coaches thought may be too nice a guy to succeed in the nasty world of the NFL.
Miller, part of Henderson’s draft class, has seen a big change in his demeanor.
“He was just nervous and afraid to mess up,” Now he’s not afraid of making calls, making dummy calls and messing with the defense so it’s good to see.”
Cable has promised Henderson he’ll continue with the tough love, even if he doesn’t make it as public as Kiffin did.
“As I told him, ‘We’ll continue to press you,’ That’s my job,” Cable said. “I have to continue to keep pressing him, keep demanding that he gets better all the time. And he will. He’s young enough that he knows that he has a lot of improvement yet.”
More news, notes and observations:
– No hard information on what Oakland received for Burgess. Former Raiders exec Mike Lombardi of the National Football Post and the NFL.network is saying it’s third- and fifth-round draft picks in 2011. “Draft considerations” would indicate some sort of sliding scale, and various reports differ in the compensation.
– If the Raiders can get their program turned around, the instances of having to dump talented malcontents won’t be an issue any longer. Bottom line Moss and Burgess felt the team was so bad they wanted no part of it and refused to play. If they did stick around, it would have been cancerous.
Still think the best option would have been to get someone to appeal to Burgess that it would be in his best interests to play as a nickel pass rusher, pile up double-digit sacks and then hit the free agent market. But that would have taken some finesse. Davis doesn’t finesse money situations involving disgruntled personnel, he “dominates” them.
The way it played out, Burgess had to go. If Burgess came back for his $2 million in salary at the end of camp, his mere presence would undermine what Cable is trying to achieve. Even if Burgess would have sit out the season, better to get something in return than make him burn a year out of his career out of spite.
– It’s no lock Burgess will immediately rejuvenate himself in New England as Moss did, based on his dwindling production (16-11-8-3.5 sacks in four years) and inability to stay healthy. He could be more of a LaMont Jordan, who was just another back after he got his wish and was cut.
– Cable once again said the Raiders have discussed moving Kirk Morrison to strong side linebacker but aren’t inclined to act on it. If that’s the case, Morrison will be relieved.
“It’s just something I’ve never done before,” Morrison said. “So to ask me to do that now would be, it’s kind of different. I’ve played that position my whole life.
“I know what the inside box, guard, center, and two backs look like since . . . forever. So to change that is a whole different look, so I don’t think it’s something you kind of want to experiment with going into a season.”
Morrison said he’s played middle linebacker since he was 9 years old, apparently blotting out the memory of a strong rookie season at weak side linebacker with Danny Clark in the middle.
– Cable believed the Raiders put another exceptional practice in the books the heels of an electric session Wednesday night. Zach Miller thought it was a good practice but perhaps a little less intense because of the types of drills and sessions which were run.
The most hotly contested team sessions were at the opposite end of the field from the media and difficult to see because players were in the way. In past years, media members could move up and down the sideline to see drills and team sessions at both ends.
– Quarterback JaMarcus Russell likes what he’s seen of undrafted free agent wide receiver Nick Miller.
“He needs to be in there,” Russell said. “He has a great outlook on his routes. He can go up and get the ball, no matter how tall he is.”
Russell appeared to be high with a lot of his throws for the second day, but had one beautiful strike in the right corner of the end zone to a receiver who may or may not have been Louis Murphy. Murphy was the one who was running back to the offense holding the ball, getting pats on the helmet, after he disappeared from view.
– Slade Norris flung a half-full bottle of Gatorade in between some media-types and a member of the Raiders administrative staff. He returned during a break a short time later with a big smile and an apology.
“Didn’t know it had so much left in it,” Norris said.
– Heading out to second practice shortly and will post a blog later this evening.
[You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.]
August 6th, 2009 at 4:18 pm
Al rules!
August 6th, 2009 at 4:20 pm
Go Raiders!!
August 6th, 2009 at 4:21 pm
Interested in seeing how all those wash-outs do w/ the New England Raiders.
August 6th, 2009 at 4:22 pm
priesttj Says:
August 6th, 2009 at 4:14 pm
There is a very good interview on KNBR .com of Tom Cable going over the entire team especially Russell and DHB and MM. Go to the Murph and Mac show and download the interview very interesting insights.
^^^^^I heard that interview and what concerned me was him saying the O-Line is lacking depth….which I agree with. Lets hope him and Michalczik keep this O-Lien focused and develop the 2nd teamers into servicable backups or spot starters when needed.
Gallerys’ should be to able to make the Pro Bowl this year and Carlisle should work toward that as well has Mario and Satele.
August 6th, 2009 at 4:22 pm
I hope Walter has to start at some point this year. He’ll fall flat on his face.
August 6th, 2009 at 4:22 pm
Cable once considered replacing Harris, only to emphatically claim, “Kwame Harris is our left tackle.”
——————-
Cause Al Davis was paying him 5 million dollars, that’s why.
August 6th, 2009 at 4:23 pm
Go Mario. Lock it down for the next decade.
August 6th, 2009 at 4:24 pm
Old man better have made a goo deal with the Pats and not just GIVEN away Burgess for a lousy 3rd rounder. The draft pick compensation should be a a 2nd and 4th or a 3rd and 5th and maybe a player.
I don’t see how the old man couldn’t just trade Burgess and Walter to the Pats for Wilfork and a 3rd Rounder?
Sheesh….
August 6th, 2009 at 4:25 pm
Walter sucks…you should be able to google that fairly easy.
August 6th, 2009 at 4:28 pm
I like the Mike Mitchell interview KNBR had on there yest.
August 6th, 2009 at 4:29 pm
Old Raiders never die they just re sign with the Pats.
August 6th, 2009 at 4:29 pm
raidertay Says:
August 6th, 2009 at 4:28 pm
I like the Mike Mitchell interview KNBR had on there yest.
=====================================================
Agreed.
MM sounds grounded, smart, and motivated.
August 6th, 2009 at 4:32 pm
Old Stubborn Man Al better have made a good deal with the Pats and not just GIVEN away Burgess for a lousy 3rd rounder like he just gave away Moss to them for a lousy 4th!
The draft pick compensation should be a a 2nd and 4th or a 3rd and 5th and maybe a player.
I don’t see how the old man couldn’t just trade Burgess and Walter to the Pats for Wilfork and a 3rd Rounder?
Sheesh…..
August 6th, 2009 at 4:33 pm
sup NATION??
August 6th, 2009 at 4:33 pm
Updating a previous report, the New England Patriots have given up a third-round pick in 2010 and a fifth-round pick in 2011 to the Oakland Raiders in exchange for defensive end Derrick Burgess.
August 6th, 2009 at 4:34 pm
Hey Jerry,
Quit your whining about not being able to see whats going on. Here’s an idea, take turns with D. White, or that dude from raiderbeat, sitting on each others shoulders when they’re at the other end. Problem solved.
August 6th, 2009 at 4:34 pm
Taylor Mays is 6′3 230, and runs a 4.3 +!!!
Don’t do it Al!!!!
August 6th, 2009 at 4:36 pm
Lynn from Snot Says:
August 6th, 2009 at 4:33 pm
Updating a previous report, the New England Patriots have given up a third-round pick in 2010 and a fifth-round pick in 2011 to the Oakland Raiders in exchange for defensive end Derrick Burgess.
^^^^^^
A 5th round pick in 2011?? WTF?!? Terrible…
Hopefully if Burgess plays and does decent that 3rd rounder next year becomes a 2nd.
August 6th, 2009 at 4:37 pm
raidertay Says:
August 6th, 2009 at 4:25 pm
Walter sucks…you should be able to google that fairly easy.
================
Interesting how Raider fans point out how much former players sucked.
How bad former coaches are.
Ever consider that when you state how horrible Walter is, you basically are completely dissing the Raiders for keeping him on the bench, paying him a salary all this time?
It’s like stating what a horrible joke of a coach Norv is, failing to realize that not only did Al hire Norv, but kept him around for more than one year, indicating that Al doesn’t have a clue for hiring Norv, much less keeping him.
Now everyone is stating how bad Burgess is..”glad he’s gone”.
Isn’t selective memory cool?
August 6th, 2009 at 4:39 pm
Our young guys will deffinately need to step up big time! Scott, and matty ice, someone needs to bring the heat this year… with that said I sure hope we blitz and blitz often
August 6th, 2009 at 4:39 pm
909RaiderLifer Says:
August 6th, 2009 at 4:34 pm
Hey Jerry,
Quit your whining about not being able to see whats going on
——————-
Don’t YOU want to know what’s going on???????????????
August 6th, 2009 at 4:39 pm
What up Raccoon?? Cable is just continuing one of the jobs Kiffin started which is to get some of the dead wood, malcontents, and all around pains in the ass out of here. Burgess was a very good player when he wasn’t complaining about his contract. Problem was he was complaining about his contract the last three years.
August 6th, 2009 at 4:40 pm
I always liked Walter… he did act like a whiny b1tch tho
August 6th, 2009 at 4:41 pm
You can get very very good players in the 3rd round. We should be happy to have that pick. If Burgess really excels, hopefully a 2nd.
August 6th, 2009 at 4:42 pm
Lets hope that 3rd next year becomes a 2nd if Burgess does decently which he probably will!
A 5th in 2011?? WTF old man Al?
Come on! Sheesh…
August 6th, 2009 at 4:43 pm
Henderson we are all pulling for ya man! Classic example of taking lemons and making lemonade…..Kid kiffin busted ass disrespected henderson by sarcastically calling him “super mario”, funny that name has had a different meaning since he dominated the games he played and with out penalty!!!! Eat crow mthfkr!!!!
August 6th, 2009 at 4:45 pm
Good deal for Burgess. Nest years draft is really deep and we will obviously be concentrating on RT, RG, and DT.
August 6th, 2009 at 4:45 pm
DirtyRaccoon Says:
August 6th, 2009 at 4:40 pm
cen.val.raid Says:
August 6th, 2009 at 4:35 pm
The old FOOL did it again! Watch Burgess revive his career with the Pats. I just don’t understand how he conducts buisness, WOW!! It is said the older one gets the wiser one gets, in this case the older he gets the stupider he gets! INCREDIBLE!!!
********************************
So if Al just ignored his dumb azz, and let him ride the pine, or stay at home, and lost him for nothin next year, that would have been better??
Your are prob the same simplton that would call up Grant Nappy and cry about how/why Al did not pick Craptree.
You get what you can get, turn the page and move forward!
DKnight007 Says:
August 6th, 2009 at 4:40 pm
Lets hope that 3rd next year becomes a 2nd if Burgess does decently which he probably will!
A 5th in 2011?? WTF old man Al?
Come on! Sheesh….
DirtyRaccoon Says:
August 6th, 2009 at 4:42 pm
So I guess Al is a dummy for getting D. Burg to play for peanuts the last 4 years??
He got a he!! of a steal for a pro bowl player for 4 years. Then when the guy came up lame, and stopped producing, Al let the guy go for some picks. O yeah and he drafted Scott.
Dummy!
DirtyRaccoon Says:
August 6th, 2009 at 4:43 pm
DKnight007,
What it be?
August 6th, 2009 at 4:45 pm
Ricochet…How’s them contract talks with the DIVA going?
August 6th, 2009 at 4:47 pm
Mario is one cool cat. He deserved better than that sh!t he got from Kittin. Mario will end all doubts about him this season.
August 6th, 2009 at 4:47 pm
Oakglenn/Beecham, weren’t you saying we needed to draft a Left Tackle?
August 6th, 2009 at 4:48 pm
DKnight,
I’m surprised we actually got a #3 for Burgess. He hasn’t done squat the last 2 years except get hurt. They got the most they could for him. It’s just silly that they didn’t package Walter in there and at least get that #5 up to another #3. It was just too obvious that they wanted him.
August 6th, 2009 at 4:50 pm
Now everyone is stating how bad Burgess is..”glad he’s gone”.
Isn’t selective memory cool?
=======================================================
Burgess has been a non factor for 2 years. That’s not selective, it’s fact.
Al has blundered plenty in recent years, so Ya, Norv does suck, as a HC, as evidenced by the SD slide into mediocrity. Walter was Ruined by the Art Shell, Kiffin,coaching carousel. The result of Al Davis hires.
This is acknowledged fact by most “balanced” people here.
Not selective memory, rather from my perspective an observation of the truth.
August 6th, 2009 at 4:51 pm
I wonder if Shaugnessy will challenge Scott for the RDE position, or if he will back up Ellis on the left side. Just thank goodness that we won’t have to deal with Burgess playing out of position over there.
August 6th, 2009 at 4:55 pm
jhill Says:
August 6th, 2009 at 4:45 pm
Good deal for Burgess. Nest years draft is really deep and we will obviously be concentrating on RT, RG, and DT.
^^^^^^Hopefully! Getting a beast of a LB would be nice as well in next years draft!
August 6th, 2009 at 4:55 pm
Well at least the “story” of DHB’s hands has quieted down. What will they ever think to talk about next?
August 6th, 2009 at 4:57 pm
Quarterback JaMarcus Russell likes what he’s seen of undrafted free agent wide receiver Nick Miller.
“He needs to be in there,” Russell said. “He has a great outlook on his routes. He can go up and get the ball, no matter how tall he is.”
********
Miller #5?
August 6th, 2009 at 4:57 pm
I think they like Ricky Brown for next year. Certainly won’t be Kirk Morrison with his top LB salary demands that are sure to come. I like this Ricky Brown kid from last year. He was easily our most physical LB.
August 6th, 2009 at 4:58 pm
Good Luck Walter
Sorry we never gave you any time in the pocket.
Carry On Nation
try not to hate
August 6th, 2009 at 4:58 pm
Oakglenn Says:
April 22nd, 2009 at 10:06 pm
The only way Jamarcus is going to have a big year is if we can get the Offensive tackle position solidified. And as much as I hate to say it, it has not happened yet.
August 6th, 2009 at 4:59 pm
I was going 2 respond but it seems Jhill and Len already took care of it… Nice job Men.. Oh and they’re bashing crabs big time on 680 today… The guysaid he was willing to hold out 4 the year…
August 6th, 2009 at 4:59 pm
Oakglenn Says:
April 22nd, 2009 at 10:18 pm
Raider O, I am not saying I’m right. Just my opinion. I am not high on Mario Henderson becoming a stellar LT. We should take a page out of the Falcons play book:
August 6th, 2009 at 5:00 pm
Raider O Says:
August 6th, 2009 at 4:34 pm
Taylor Mays is 6′3 235, and runs a 4.3 +!!!
Don’t do it Al!!!!
************************************
Do it Al!
Then play him at SOLB
August 6th, 2009 at 5:00 pm
I’m glad to see we finally traded Burgess. I don’t really care what we got for him, because he wasn’t going to come into camp. This was the last year on his contract. I do care that we traded him to the Pat’s though. I would have made the trade to Philly, but I’m sure Burgess wanted to go nowhere near them.
August 6th, 2009 at 5:01 pm
Jhill,
I forgot about Burgess playing out of position. That alone is worth the Trade.
August 6th, 2009 at 5:01 pm
Oakglenn Says:
August 6th, 2009 at 4:39 pm
What up Raccoon?? Cable is just continuing one of the jobs Kiffin started which is to get some of the dead wood, malcontents, and all around pains in the ass out of here. Burgess was a very good player when he wasn’t complaining about his contract. Problem was he was complaining about his contract the last three years.
*********************
Agree, agree.
August 6th, 2009 at 5:03 pm
Don’t worry everyone – having identity delusions is common for a senior citizen overdosing on Benadryl. Krappy probably thinks the Lady Raccoon and Rosie O’Donnell are the same woman as well.
As we all know, the Lady Raccoon isn’t nearly that butch of a broad.
August 6th, 2009 at 5:06 pm
April 22nd!!!!!
KK,
lol, we were talking about OT vs. Other players. WR, DT, DE, and LB.
August 6th, 2009 at 5:07 pm
Raccoon,
Not bad!!!!!
Draft him Al!!!!!
lol
August 6th, 2009 at 5:13 pm
408 CHECK YOUR E-MAIL OK???
August 6th, 2009 at 5:14 pm
DirtyRaccoon Says:
August 6th, 2009 at 5:00 pm
Raider O Says:
August 6th, 2009 at 4:34 pm
Taylor Mays is 6′3 235, and runs a 4.3 +!!!
Don’t do it Al!!!!
************************************
Do it Al!
Then play him at SOLB
**************************
Just send him to T.Sands house for dinner, and let him work out with J. Parella for a year, then boom, 6′3″ 245# of rip with 4.3 speed SOLB. lol
August 6th, 2009 at 5:16 pm
In the prime of his Hall of Fame career, Marshall Faulk was traded for only a 2nd round pick. A 3rd and 5th is more than appropriate for an aged “specialist” with one year on his contract.
August 6th, 2009 at 5:17 pm
909RaiderLifer Says:
August 6th, 2009 at 4:45 pm
Ricochet…How’s them contract talks with the DIVA going?
lmfao!!!
August 6th, 2009 at 5:17 pm
I have to say I am seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Are we there yet? Ahhh, we are still kinda young, and have issues on the right side of the line, so I’d say no. But personell wise, everything else seems to be in place. I feel confident that the days of not scoring points in the 1st quarter are over, and our offense will certainly put up some points. The jury is still out on our front 7, but we are better at LDE and RDE than we were last year. It should be a pretty competitive season, and we haven’t been able to say that in a while.
August 6th, 2009 at 5:19 pm
bydavidwhiteBurgess update: both picks are 2010, not fifth in 2011, per Ian Rapoprt of Boston Herald
August 6th, 2009 at 5:22 pm
Let it go . Burgess didn’t want to be here anyway addition by subtraction. This is a young and talented team ready to reach it full potential.
`
August 6th, 2009 at 5:23 pm
and another thing about Big Al:
Al paid Jmac,Nnamdi,Lechler 4 less than the Redskins paid 4 Haynesworth and the giants just paid Eli Manning.And guess what???Next year is going 2B uncapped and some here think those saleries are big now;just wait
August 6th, 2009 at 5:26 pm
ya gotta know when 2 hold em and know when 2 cut em
August 6th, 2009 at 5:26 pm
`
http://www.frankvincent.com/bio.htm
Now go home and get your shinebox.
August 6th, 2009 at 5:27 pm
You are posting comments too quickly. Slow down.
August 6th, 2009 at 5:27 pm
4eva check yours..hahaahahahaaa
August 6th, 2009 at 5:28 pm
yo vegas…. Sup bro..
August 6th, 2009 at 5:28 pm
Burgess will probably do well initially, until the inevitable injury. We’ve seen this movie before. No big loss.
August 6th, 2009 at 5:29 pm
JerrymcdAnother flag. Caelisle for holding.
2 minutes ago from PockeTwit
bydavidwhiteUndrafted rookie Desmond Bryant up middle so fast, Carlisle could have been flagged for 3 holds. 5 penalties in 16 plays.
JerrymcdJay Richardson blows up pitch to RB Nick Miller before flag . . . 4th in six plays.
—————————————————–
CMON right side!
August 6th, 2009 at 5:30 pm
http://www.sierracountyprospect.com/Editorial_Weekly.html
August 6th, 2009 at 5:32 pm
If both picks are a 3rd and a 5th for the 2010 draft….than that’s a MUCH better deal!
Hearing about a 5th in 2011 pisses me off!
August 6th, 2009 at 5:34 pm
touche 408 =)
August 6th, 2009 at 5:35 pm
3rd and 1 inside 10, JaMarcus flubs throw into Ricky Brown’s hands, no one to stop a TD return. Follows with TD to Holland
5 minutes ago from mobile web Haven’t mentioned it yet, but the more McFadden lines up at wideout, the more obvious his drops are.
6 minutes ago from mobile web
August 6th, 2009 at 5:37 pm
jhill Says:
August 6th, 2009 at 5:29 pm
JerrymcdAnother flag. Caelisle for holding.
2 minutes ago from PockeTwit
bydavidwhiteUndrafted rookie Desmond Bryant up middle so fast, Carlisle could have been flagged for 3 holds. 5 penalties in 16 plays.
JerrymcdJay Richardson blows up pitch to RB Nick Miller before flag . . . 4th in six plays.
—————————————————–
CMON right side!
^^^^^^Oh boy….step it up right side…..or put James Marten at RG!
August 6th, 2009 at 5:38 pm
hey 4eva Jerry tweets now…
August 6th, 2009 at 5:38 pm
I was hpoeing 4 Mark Wilson from CAL 2 step it up
August 6th, 2009 at 5:40 pm
bydavidwhiteChaz Schilens with two goal-line TDs, wrestles one down with Ike Ekejiuba all over him.
—————
thats my boy
August 6th, 2009 at 5:40 pm
man Wilson is a BIG KID
August 6th, 2009 at 5:41 pm
JerrymcdWhen Burgess meets the NE media: `I just want to say I’m a big fan of the tuck rule.’
———————-
what a punk
August 6th, 2009 at 5:42 pm
man we got the bomb WR’s,imo
August 6th, 2009 at 5:43 pm
does any 1 know where LMN is???
August 6th, 2009 at 5:43 pm
4evaRaider Says:
August 6th, 2009 at 5:40 pm
man Wilson is a BIG KID
******************
Yep, I thought he was gonna be a LT ala B. Sims
August 6th, 2009 at 5:45 pm
I guess tha zebras are throwing mad flage on our guys… ufck the zebras
August 6th, 2009 at 5:50 pm
he will be better than Sims,in fact I think we have our T’s of the future,Wilson just has 2 stay healthy
August 6th, 2009 at 5:51 pm
Last I heard of LMN is that there was a lay-off at Mearsk and he was having 2 work double shifts
August 6th, 2009 at 5:52 pm
You are not posting fast enough!!
August 6th, 2009 at 5:53 pm
that never stopped him from postin comments LOL
August 6th, 2009 at 5:53 pm
that slow down thing is hella annoying
August 6th, 2009 at 5:53 pm
And a Tommy Kelly offsides with offense backed inside the 5. Followed by Kelly/Warren jumps on hard count.
less than a minute ago from mobile web Everybody, meet WR Shawn Bayes, an undrafted rookie with a 50-yd catch from Gradkowski from Oak 5.
2 minutes ago from mobile web
August 6th, 2009 at 5:55 pm
so how long till the fix??? BBL NATION gotta feed the Princess…
August 6th, 2009 at 5:56 pm
Shawn Bayes
COLLEGE: Four-year letterwinner at Kent State…Led team with 39 receptions for 642 yards and five touchdowns as a senior…Averaged 16.5 yards per catch and had an 82-yard touchdown reception…Started four games as a junior, making 14 catches for 234 yards…Shared team lead with three touchdowns…Returned three kickoffs for 129 yards, including one for a 95-yard score…Led the team with a 29.2-yards per game average…Ranked 10th in the MAC with 18.8 yards per kick return as a sophomore…Appeared in 11 games as a freshman, catching 15 passes for 182 yards…Communications major.
PERSONAL: Received all-state honorable mention honors in senior year as a receiver and defensive back at Craigmont (Memphis, Tenn.) High School…Also recorded seven touchdowns and seven interceptions…Totaled 548 yards and 15 interceptions during his prep career…A track and field standout, winning the state championship in the 200-meters as a junior.
August 6th, 2009 at 6:02 pm
thwitter rocks
August 6th, 2009 at 6:04 pm
From Jerry Mac
“McFadden rediscovers his hands, over the top sidelinw touch pass from Russell over JMiller. Follows with strike to TStewart.”
Yeahh! That’s what I’m talking about!
McFadden’s been dropping some passes, but I think he’ll be fine.
August 6th, 2009 at 6:09 pm
Oakglenn Says:
April 22nd, 2009 at 10:18 pm
I am not high on Mario Henderson becoming a stellar LT. We should take a page out of the Falcons play book:
August 6th, 2009 at 6:10 pm
Nick Miller runs down sideline TD with tumble, and so practice ends. 330 tomorrow for one-a-day.
3 minutes ago from mobile web Murphy backs it up with diving, outstretched hands. Incredible hands.
5 minutes ago from mobile web Murphy to nearby reporters: “The defense knows the (freaking) plays. Don’t you go overrate them.”
6 minutes ago from mobile web Tyvon Branch beat once, then knocks down goal-liner to Louis Murphy.
7 minutes ago from mobile web McFadden opens red zone w/ basket catch as wideout into end zone. That’s more like it.
12 minutes ago from mobile web RT Cornell Green false start at 5, pulled for a play. These penalties have been going on forever, intensive teaching or otherwise.
15 minutes ago from mobile web
August 6th, 2009 at 6:12 pm
Yep twitter ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 6th, 2009 at 6:14 pm
Frye swing pass to NMiller for TD as three horns sound. Practice over.
August 6th, 2009 at 6:20 pm
Until Al Davis starts drafting linemen in the first round, we will continue to suck. We should have drafted Eugene Monroe.
We should use McFadden the way we used to use Charle Garner.
But Bush should be the starter.
August 6th, 2009 at 6:27 pm
HOW ARE THOSE S.F. / CRABTREE CONTRACT-TALK’S COMMING ALONG ? THIS STUFF IS 2 GOOD,LOL
August 6th, 2009 at 6:29 pm
I thought the defense was supposed to dominate early in camp.
August 6th, 2009 at 6:31 pm
Oakglenn/Beecham
I told you Henderson proved himself last year, and there was no need to draft a LT, no?
August 6th, 2009 at 6:33 pm
NICK MILLER IS THE WHITE VERSION OF PERCY HARVIN
WR – RB – KR
August 6th, 2009 at 6:38 pm
[...] Read more. [...]
August 6th, 2009 at 6:42 pm
408, Been a minute buddy, I thought you were a goner, lol! Hope all is good, about to go watch this prom night in mississippi thing.
Cable’s got the troops going in the right direction.
August 6th, 2009 at 6:43 pm
This team has definitely gotten better. Last TC, I remember them having difficulties moving the ball consistently. RBs couldn’t pass block. etc. Now I’m reading about catch after catch, TD after TD ….it will be interesting to see this supposed improved product on the field.
August 6th, 2009 at 6:47 pm
Where did all the Garcia fans go?
August 6th, 2009 at 6:52 pm
Kool, just got today’s SI, and they highlight 5 “camp stories” in traiming camps around the league, and yup, the demise of Jamarcus’ starting job to Garcia is one of them. Amazingly, they just brush over the last few weeks of the season for Jamarcus, and don’t mention anything about Garcia’s disastrous end to ‘08.
August 6th, 2009 at 6:53 pm
Yeah. Thats a valid pt. KK. The defense is supposed to be well ahead of the offense. It can float either two ways: (1) The defense isn’t that good or (2) The offense is just that much better.
With JR seeming to grow into what may be a dominating QB, a dominant TE, 2 possibility dominating RBs, a good LT with WRs that can fly …its not hard to see how this would be tough for any D to contain.
Still its all speculation at this point until we see the visual evidence.
August 6th, 2009 at 6:54 pm
One funny thing about the Burgess trade …
I thought he couldn’t play in the 3-4?
August 6th, 2009 at 6:57 pm
Garcia just had to win one of two remaining homes games against sub .500 teams (Chargers at the time, Raiders), and his team laid two-stinkers and lost both. His D did him no favors, but Jamarcus outplayed Garcia, and Garcia threw a pick 6 in the 4th quarter against the Chargers as well. I don’t think Tampa is going to miss him.
With the emergence of Frye, potentially we could listen to offers to trade Garcia as well. I don’t think there will be any, point blank.
August 6th, 2009 at 6:57 pm
Seems to me Russell & Co are blooming. All the receivers are getting action.
But, as you say we’ll see.
August 6th, 2009 at 6:58 pm
That picture of the O I painted is a nightmare to face now that I think about it. I can only think of the Colts/Patsies/Steelers having so many weapons.
The O does have its weaknesses though: namely, they’re young and the right side is weak.
August 6th, 2009 at 7:03 pm
“5 minutes ago from mobile web Murphy to nearby reporters: “The defense knows the (freaking) plays. Don’t you go overrate them.”
LOL
Damn Murphy give me wood! This dude is going to have a Tim Brown like career.
August 6th, 2009 at 7:25 pm
This just in from John Madden:
“They just got a good thing going there. They got this Bush that’s running over everything, I tell you, you don’t want to get run over by a bush because you get all those sticks and leaves in your mouth, and then this guy Mitchell who reminds me of a young Ronnie Lott with all his fingers and toes, but don’t let that fool you, cause I think he’ll gonna knock the snot out of a lot of people. Then out of nowhere comes this kid Murphy who catches the ball, and really has no fear, if it’s up there he’s going to get it.
Of course you can’t not talk about the big guys, I mean you got an offensive lineman who throws the ball like Elway, and a line that has a lot to prove, but I think we’re going to see something that reminds the fans of the old nastys, the Mosbar’s and Wisnewski’s and the Gogan’s.
The only thing that concerns me is the tight end position. I’m not sold on the guy Miller, I think his missing something, like a perma-mullet and a porn mustache. You get all those ingredients and I think you’re cooking something. So hopefully by thanksgiving we’ll be giving the Raiders a turducken or two and they can use it to clobber guys, especially that bush, because no one thinks they’re going to find a turducken hiding in a bush, that’s really the last place anyone would look, and I think that’s to the raiders advantage.”
August 6th, 2009 at 8:31 pm
For sake of discussion, let’s just say Russell struggles, can’t hit water from a boat, bumbling fumbling fool..and Garcia takes over??
Garcia got canned by SF, Cleve, Detroit, Eagles, and TB..a qb who just can’t get it done when needed to…and that’s your backup.
Ouch.
If Garcia gets in, you best hope it’s not for more than a series or two.
Here’s what to expect, as if you didn’t already know….
1. great scrambling (unfortunately, he does it even when he doesn’t need to, preventing him from letting plays develop, and receivers getting open)
2. a throw on the money (making you all cheer for Al’s brilliance)
3. A wide open WR deep, that Garcia doesn’t see, where he dumps it off for a short gain (you’ll tell yourself “well, it’s better than a sack, BUT how did he miss that guy who was open?”)
4. Wide open receivers who have a step, where the ball is badly thrown, most likely behind the receiver, or too high, both leaving the receiver hung out to dry, taking a vicious hit..
and 5..those “bounce the ball off the turf”..the “wtf was that?” throws that will drive you nuts..that will kill a drive…where you will scream out “WHY DID WE EVER SIGN THIS GUY?”.
That’s not smack, Raider fan…mark the above..it WILL happen IF Garcia gets in.
August 7th, 2009 at 4:53 am
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August 7th, 2009 at 5:37 am
im glad mario is playing so well but i think we should have drafted monroe or orakpor and brace in the 2nd round but thats just my opinion Look what whats going on at wr dhb jlh schillens murphy and miller heres the problem it seems walker is hell bent at being the comeback player of the year great for us bad for miller again we should taken monroe or orakpor imagine ellis and orakpor appling pressure or monroe at lt and mario at rt making life much easier for russell