Back off the ledge, no boot for DHB
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Sunday, August 9th, 2009 at 8:24 pm in Oakland Raiders.
For the record, Darrius Heyward-Bey walked out of the field house behind the Napa Marriott with no sign of a limp and was not wearing a protective boot.
Tom Cable said as much after Sunday’s heat-is-on practice, easily the hottest session of the season. Heyward-Bey, although suited up, did not participate in team sessions and worked on a separate field doing hands drills with intern/quarterback Danny Southwick.
Following practice, Heyward-Bey first spent five or 10 minutes on a bench talking with Sanjay Lal, at one point showing him a push-off maneuver.
“Heyward-Bey’s got a sore toe,” Cable said, later adding that it was nothing serious and they simply wanted to be smart about it and not “prolong” anything.
Which immediately brought to mind Darren McFadden, who looked to be among the best rookie backs in the league during training camp only to be rendered average because of nasty cases of turf toe on each foot.
McFadden’s injury started innoncently enough in Week 2 and dragged on throughout the season. So it was worth the wait just to make sure Heyward-Bey didn’t emerge wearing one of those protective boots which came to symbolize the rookie season of their 2008 big money draft pick.
“Just being smart,” Heyward-Bey said, echoing Cable. “I’ve had this injury before, on the other foot, you’ve just got to be smart with it. Don’t want to do something stupid.”
Heyward-Bey is told that toe injuries are a sensitive subject, given McFadden’s rookie year, and asked if his condition was “turf toe.”
“Trust me. I know all about feet and toes,” Heyward-Bey said. “I know what turf toe feels like. This is just a sore toe.”
Heyward-Bey said he didn’t know if he would be available to face Dallas Thursday night and would find out Monday.
More news, notes and observations from Sunday’s padded practice:
– Cable, who had been hoping for more heat, apparently has some juice. It was above 90 degrees Sunday afternoon.
The Raiders started a bit slow during drills, and were exhorted on by assistant coaches to pick up the tempo and the enthusiasm. Things picked once they got to more competitive team sessions, and play was spirited (Stanford Routt and Nick Miller scuffled) if not exactly crisp.
“We needed a little bit warmer weather, we got it, and we did a nice job today of pushing through and dealing with that so it was good to see that happening,” Cable said. “Now, with the weather the way it’s going to be in the next few days, that should really help us.”
Team sessions and seven-on-seven sessions were heavy in red zone and third downs, with lots of blitzing. Cable, as coaches usually do, claimed it a good day for both sides.
– JaMarcus Russell, who ran hot and cold with his passing at the Raider Nation Celebration, was inconsistent again Sunday and at no point strung together more than three good passes in a row during team sessions.
The hot weather, if it holds up, could be a good thing for Russell. When he arrived at camp, Russell admitted to being “a little heavy,” rather than falling back on the “he’s a just a big guy” company line espoused by the organiation as well as teammates who have his back.
You’d prefer that Russell arrive in top shape, but short of that, conceding he has a ways to go is better than disregarding the issue as irrelevant. Fighting through the heat could bring him out the other end in better condition, even if his performance suffers for a few days.
– Still no Jeff Garcia (calf), meaning it’s unlikely he’d play against Dallas. Meanwhile, Bruce Gradkowski keeps getting reps with the second team, but to the untrained eye he seems to be being outplayed decisively by Charlie Frye.
– Impressive play in coverage drills between running backs and linebackers _ Oren O’Neal made an inside fake on a pass rout that flummoxed Kirk Morrison to the point where O’Neal made the catch with Morrison a good seven yards away. Caught it away from his body, as smooth as Jon Ritchie, too.
– Another offsides for Tommy Kelly. Seems to me I remember this being an issue with Chester McGlockton, and to a lesser extent, Darrell Russell. They attempt to anticipate the snap, and when they happen to hit it right, they blow the play up from the outset.
But it’s annoying as hell to the coaches when it doesn’t happen.
“Watch the ball, please!,” defensive line coach Dwaine Board said following the play.
– In the middle of practice, Gerard Warren had his hands and knees on the ground gasping for air. He arose and looked a little like George Foreman staggering to his feet in Zaire, only to get back in the mix and finish practice.
Not only did Warren finish, but he kept up a running commentary which would have done Warren Sapp proud, at one point telling Board, “PeeWee, the tackle is stabbing me.”
No evidence of weaponry was found.
– Strong safety Mike Mitchell slapped himself in the helmet and uttered an expletive on a play in which John Paul Foschi broke five yards into the clear in the flat and caught a pass for a gain. Mitchell, an impressive physical specimen, is struggling in coverage and spending a lot of time talking to defensive backs coach Lionel Washington.
– Cable said he had not begun to work out playing rotation for the Dallas game Thursday night. The Raiders have a single practice Monday at 3:30 p.m., a double session (8:30 a.m., 4:20 p.m.) on Tuesday and a walkthrough Wednesday.
– Johnnie Lee Higgins (leg soreness) was held out of team sessions although he suited up. Zach Miller left practice with his left leg wrapped from below the knee to just above his ankle. Linebacker Jon Alston, running second team at strong side linebacker behind Ricky Brown, left for a time with an ankle injury but returned.
Justin Fargas and John Bowie did not finish practice with unspecified injuries, but both seemed fine as they left the field house. Mark Wilson (back) was working with the training staff and given his spot on the depth chart, is nearing the “can’t make the club in the tub” classification.
– Lal, the first year wide receivers coach, met with the media for the first time, and I’ll post that interview later . . .
– Additonal practice observations can be found on my Twitter page.
[You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.]
August 9th, 2009 at 8:32 pm
First and loving it
August 9th, 2009 at 8:33 pm
These guys need to toughen up. DHB sets out because of a sore toe? Damn man.
August 9th, 2009 at 8:35 pm
I’m glad to see Warren finish the practice. He seemed like he was tired a lot last year. ALways played, never stopped but seemed tired. Maybe that’s because there were only 3 interior lineman last year, who knows.
August 9th, 2009 at 8:37 pm
lol I feel you 75.
August 9th, 2009 at 8:39 pm
“Tom Cable said as much after Sunday’s heat-is-on practice, easily the hottest session of the season. Heyward-Bey, although suited up, did not participate in team sessions and worked on a separate field doing hands drills with intern/quarterback Danny Southwick.”
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Cable just wants his future star WR to get a little extra time with his future star QB!
August 9th, 2009 at 8:42 pm
“The refs are gone, but defensive tackle Tommy Kelly kept the offsides coming.
One starting linebacker was overheard complaining about yet another Kelly jump. Defensive line coach Dwaine Board yelled with a tint of contempt, “Watch the ball, please.”
August 9th, 2009 at 8:48 pm
I think the raiders should have dhb working on hands drills up until the third preseason game because after the rnc I believe he needs it.lol
August 9th, 2009 at 8:48 pm
“PeeWee, the tackle is stabbing me.”
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That was no shank, that was a mop handle. About time we had some toughness on the O-line…
August 9th, 2009 at 9:03 pm
Run the ball
August 9th, 2009 at 9:10 pm
[...] Read more. [...]
August 9th, 2009 at 9:11 pm
===================================
Bo Schembechler Jackson Says:
August 9th, 2009 at 8:48 pm
“PeeWee, the tackle is stabbing me.”
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
That was no shank, that was a mop handle. About time we had some toughness on the O-line…
==============================================
Fear the mop handle b!tches.
August 9th, 2009 at 9:17 pm
John Bowie is still here? Damn.
August 9th, 2009 at 9:27 pm
BFD
August 9th, 2009 at 9:35 pm
# The Real MaddenRaider Says:
August 9th, 2009 at 5:18 pm
John Madden hates Al Davis, and just gives him props for giving him his shot. Madden avoids Al.
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MR is Right. Which is why Al Davis gave John Madden his introduction speech into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Because John Hates Al. And because John Madden got into the Hall because of his announcing career and because of his video game, not because of his beat down of all the other Hall of Fame coaches head to head. And I have a unicorn in a cage. With the Loch Ness monster. They’re friends. You guys want to see them?? Anything else??
August 9th, 2009 at 9:44 pm
# RaiderRon Says:
August 9th, 2009 at 4:07 pm
Your out your damn mind! How could you even type that garbage? The Raiders D is decent? WTF? Chiefs are in dissaray? The Raiders are the dictionary def of dissaray. The Raider d-line is and has been one of the worst in the NFL for years. Its one thing to be a homer dude, but come on. Your throwing stones from a glass house with you comments on the Chiefs. Unreal.
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Once again you prove you don’t have a clue dude. Whatever you are on, cut the dose. The Raiders Dline has NOT been one of the worst for years pal. In fact they were in the top 3rd of the league in sacks last year. And that was with Burgess out, who they shipped out. You actually might want to LEARN something before you post crap.
August 9th, 2009 at 9:51 pm
# RaiderRon Says:
August 9th, 2009 at 4:12 pm
And dont get it twisted, I am no fan of the Chiefs and dont think they are very good, but to suggest the Raiders are head and shoulders better is laughable. Didnt the Chiefs beat the Raiders at the end of the year last year?
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I don’t know the Chiefs won two games last year. TWO. The Raiders won five. And one of those games, here in the Coliseum, that I watched on from the sidelines, was one of the two Chief wins. And we tried a trick play, that resulted in a 10 point swing. The reason we tried that play was we were beating them down so badly, we COULD try it. And then late in the game, Gabril Wilson DROPPED a game winning INT. Right in his hands. And even with that loss, we have 250% more wins than they did. And we have better mo. And we have better players. And they traded their best player cause he wanted outta that dump. And they have a completely new unproven staff. Now, what was your point?? Or are you just plain stupid??
August 9th, 2009 at 9:54 pm
Hows that run d? Top 3rd in sacks? Wow! Thats awesome! Check the run d stats the last few years and get back to me arse hole
August 9th, 2009 at 9:57 pm
Got any more excuses? LOL! If ifs and buts were candy and nuts wed all have a merry christmas! Why dont you tell me the point I was trying to make that you are disputing so much.
August 9th, 2009 at 9:59 pm
Hey Ron, you stupid, or you just play a dummass on TV?? Which is it??
August 9th, 2009 at 9:59 pm
I don’t have one excuse. I am stating the facts. You know. Facts. Something you might want to look into. Moron.
August 9th, 2009 at 10:00 pm
Hey Ron, you don’t know what the fook you are talking about. But how bout dem Chiefs huh???
August 9th, 2009 at 10:01 pm
Facts- Raider run d NFL rank
2008-31
2007-31
2006-25
2005-25
Like those facts?
August 9th, 2009 at 10:02 pm
Tell me the point I was making? You know the one your arguing over.
August 9th, 2009 at 10:04 pm
When you’re not scoring points, teams are going to run at you. We didn’t score points those years. But if you knew what the fook you were talking about, you would know that. Clearly, you don’t.
August 9th, 2009 at 10:05 pm
Anything else Ron?? Or are you done embarrasing yourself? Anymore stats?? Stats are the last refuge of the moron.
August 9th, 2009 at 10:06 pm
And we have MORE excuses. Well done!! Clap, clap, clap.
The point your arguing IS………
August 9th, 2009 at 10:08 pm
If you are a peewee team, and you are not going to get any points, the opponent pee wee team is going to run at you. It’s called peewee 101. Look it up Ron. Maybe you can learn something about peewee football.
August 9th, 2009 at 10:09 pm
Figures. You missed the point. Not the smartest guy are you Ron?? Yeah. Stay out of the fast lane.
August 9th, 2009 at 10:10 pm
Colts, Packers, Broncos and Texans also reside at the bottom of the RUSH D rankings, pretttttttttttty sure they all score points in bunches. Hmmmmmmm………..Again I say. Well done! LMFAO
August 9th, 2009 at 10:10 pm
yes the raiders did have problems against the run last year but when it came to playing the cheifs I don’t believe either of their backs ran for 100 yards. check the stats of both games. I know for sure they shut down larry johnson pretty badly that first game in arrowheaD.
August 9th, 2009 at 10:11 pm
# RaiderRon Says:
August 9th, 2009 at 10:06 pm
The point your arguing IS………
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RaiderRon Says:
August 9th, 2009 at 10:02 pm
Tell me the point I was making?
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Ron, you clearly don’t know the point you or I was making. Maybe stick to playdough with you three year old. That is more your level.
August 9th, 2009 at 10:11 pm
Hes on fire!! This is some good stuff. Keep bringing it. Im watching Seinfeld right now and its not near as funny as your posts.
August 9th, 2009 at 10:13 pm
Keep quoting stats Ron. Maybe they will eventually make sense to you. Maybe.
August 9th, 2009 at 10:14 pm
You’re not making sense Ron. You’re watching Seinfeld and glossing yourself. You’re a loser moron. What else ya got??
August 9th, 2009 at 10:15 pm
20,
Believe me bro, I am no fan of the Chiefs and they are obviously not a good club. The only point I made was to act as if the Raiders are head and shoulders ahead of them is rediculous. This clown Oakglenn didnt think I was on the board and started talkn sheet and now looks like a fool and fact is…He had no idea what he was even arguing about.
August 9th, 2009 at 10:16 pm
Dmac20, the Raiders had trouble against the run last year, because teams could run at them all day long. the reason teams could run at them all day long, was they didn;t put up points. Once the Raiders start scoring, teams can’t rely on the run. Once they can’t do that, they play into the Raiders strength, which is their pass defense. Until the Raiders start putting up points, we are going to see teams run the ball. See post #27.
August 9th, 2009 at 10:17 pm
But the Raider run D is on only bad because they dont score points on offense right?? I wonder why the teams with big time offenses still cant stop the run? Hmmm…..
August 9th, 2009 at 10:19 pm
This is just too easy.
August 9th, 2009 at 10:20 pm
# RaiderRon Says:
August 9th, 2009 at 10:17 pm
But the Raider run D is on only bad because they dont score points on offense right?? I wonder why the teams with big time offenses still cant stop the run? Hmmm…..
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ron you seem to know, why don’t you tell us??
August 9th, 2009 at 10:21 pm
It’s easy for you ron, tell us. Why is the Colt defense no good?? Or the Bronco defense??
August 9th, 2009 at 10:24 pm
RaiderRon Says:
August 9th, 2009 at 10:10 pm
Colts, Packers, Broncos and Texans also reside at the bottom of the RUSH D rankings,
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Yeah, Minnesota was the best run D team in the league and they won the Super Bowl didn’t they Ron??
August 9th, 2009 at 10:25 pm
Oh I dont know, maybe cuz their D lines suck? Just a guess….. But not the Raiders. Tommy Kelly, Gerard Warren and Sands are just BEASTS!!
August 9th, 2009 at 10:27 pm
Dont recall making the corolation between a stout run d and winning the Superbowl, but, whatever. LOL!!
August 9th, 2009 at 10:31 pm
RaiderRon Says:
August 9th, 2009 at 10:25 pm
Oh I dont know, maybe cuz their D lines suck?
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Well, there you have it. We see this with the more ignorant posters in here. They see a run stat and immediately assume it is the interior defensive tackles assigment. Well, it might be the SAM, the MIke, maybe the strong safety is supposed to make that play. Thank you ron. You have proven you have NO IDEA what you are talking about. Keep quoting stats. And learn to spell. lmao. My job is done here.
August 9th, 2009 at 10:33 pm
# RaiderRon Says:
August 9th, 2009 at 10:27 pm
Dont recall making the corolation between a stout run d and winning the Superbowl, but, whatever. LOL!!
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And Correlation is spelled like this. Turn off the tv, and learn how to read and write. Or at least get a spell check. Jeez. you are embarrassing yourself.
August 9th, 2009 at 10:35 pm
50!!!!
August 9th, 2009 at 10:36 pm
# RaiderRon Says:
August 9th, 2009 at 10:33 pm
Yep, the Raider d-line is one of the better units in the league. LMAO! Another job well done by Oakglenn. Everybody on your feet! Clap. clap, clap, clap, clap ,clap.
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Well, I never said they are one of the Better units in the league, so now you are grasping for straws as you circle the drain, but that’s what happens when you have no game. Stay out the fast lane!!
August 9th, 2009 at 10:37 pm
worried about the RT spot as well as thr RG. Concerns on the right side.
August 9th, 2009 at 10:38 pm
Just like I never made the run d/superbowl corolation. LMAO! Man, you been drinkn? Cuz you are just feeding me tonight.
August 9th, 2009 at 10:38 pm
No. You haven’t responded to my arguments. You have just glossed yourself and said how great you are. Even tho all your points have been refuted, and you can’t even spell. What else you got?? You sure don’t have any game?? You’re just a loud mouth dummass.
August 9th, 2009 at 10:41 pm
Nope. I havent destroyed ANY of your arguments. AT ALL! Sheet, bro. The only thing uglier than your posts is the kid in your facebook page.
August 9th, 2009 at 10:42 pm
RaiderRon Says:
August 9th, 2009 at 10:38 pm
Just like I never made the run d/superbowl corolation.
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Ron, you said our run defense sucked. Then you said the Packers, Colts, Broncos, And texans run D also sucked. Other than the Packer everyone of those teams was at least 8-8 and the Colts were 12-4 even tho their run D sucked because their offense was excellent which completely proves my point. You are not much on thinking are you Ron??? Stay out of the fast lane. You just got run over.
August 9th, 2009 at 11:04 pm
I know its total coincidence that an idiot registered his twitter acct as Oakglenn also using his real name of Glenn Knowlton and theres a Glenn Knowlton in Georgia with a facebook who just HAPPENS to be a Raider fan. What a coink eee dink!
August 9th, 2009 at 11:06 pm
do you have problems with Raider fans?
August 9th, 2009 at 11:08 pm
Shut up Lefty. Raider fans are the most dillusional group of idiots in all of sports.
August 9th, 2009 at 11:09 pm
aren’t you a Raider fan?
August 9th, 2009 at 11:10 pm
# lefty12 Says:
August 9th, 2009 at 10:56 pm
Oak-you had to realize that earlier.
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Actually lefty I hadn’t. But, in hindsight I should have. hahahahahaha. BTW, new post
August 9th, 2009 at 11:10 pm
Sure am Al. Just not a dillusional one.
August 9th, 2009 at 11:22 pm
are you also MR and richochet?
August 10th, 2009 at 12:21 am
Oakglenn Says:
August 9th, 2009 at 10:16 pm
Dmac20, the Raiders had trouble against the run last year, because teams could run at them all day long. the reason teams could run at them all day long, was they didn;t put up points. Once the Raiders start scoring, teams can’t rely on the run. Once they can’t do that, they play into the Raiders strength, which is their pass defense. Until the Raiders start putting up points, we are going to see teams run the ball. See post #27.
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Well gosh, Glenn..I thought the reason teams ran on the Raider all day long was because the D line totally sucks.
Wait.
Yep, just checked. They really..REALLY…suck.
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
See, when you have success running it, and you’re ahead, you don’t risk turnovers in the air. The fact teams run, pretty much at will, AND were ahead indicates the D line was pathetic.
Saying “the Raiders had trouble against the run last year, because teams could run at them all day long.” was posted incorrectly. Dumb statement. Borderline asinine.
Try this: “Raiders had trouble against the run last year.”
“Team could run at them all day long.”
IF you have a good D line, opponents can’t run on you PERIOD. Regardless of whether Raiders are ahead by 20, or behind by 20. If the defensive line was solid, teams can’t run on them.
Basic principle.
At this point, opposing teams game plan, drooling at the prospect of running, knowing it’s one of the Raiders most glaring weaknesses.
August 10th, 2009 at 3:49 am
[...] [Raiders] Oakland Raiders Safety Mike Mitchell Continues To Struggle Oakland Rainder strong safety Mike Mitchell slapped himself in the helmet and uttered an expletive on a play in which John Paul Foschi broke five yards into the clear in the flat and caught a pass for a gain. Mitchell, an impressive physical specimen, is struggling in coverage and spending a lot of time talking to defensive backs coach Lionel Washington. Source: Oakland Tribune [...]
August 10th, 2009 at 4:22 am
[...] off the ledge, no boot for DHB Back off the ledge, no boot for DHB – Inside the Oakland Raiders – A look inside the world of the hi… __________________ [...]
August 10th, 2009 at 5:19 am
ron and oak i been reading what your saying and im sure ur gonna bash meabout it but im gonna play devils advocate u both got your points. Ive been bitching that we should have taken brace in the 2nd round and im standing buy it we need a run stuffer and brace was there but as far as the offense goes cmon man its a young group that improved last year as the season went on and with a healthy DMAC they r going nowhere but up and as far as russell goes tkae a look at other first year starters the last few years big ben flacco eli even ryan nothing spectacular as far as stats go
August 10th, 2009 at 8:25 am
[...] SOURCE: OAKLAND TRIBUNE [...]
August 10th, 2009 at 12:40 pm
Raiders did nothing to address stopping the run. Again they hired a 3-4 deffensive coordinator to run a 4-3! There lies the problem! Why does AL DAVIS do this? It’s like hiring a Fullback to coach the QB’s. Ryan came from a 3-4 and was made to run a 4-3= failure! Now you do remember Seattle ran a 3-4 and hence He will run a 4-3 go figure. So you have coaches who have to learn with the players instead of teaching them. makes no sense at all!
Russell being inconsistant in camp? Go figure. Russell is His own worst enemy. He doesn’t want to learn, He has no DESIRE!!!!!!! I will never be sold on Russell EVER! I will comment later on Him and other issues, no time at this moment.
August 10th, 2009 at 6:17 pm
[...] The toe injury sustained by Oakland rookie receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey is not considered serious. [...]