Raiders minicamp news, notes, quotes
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Saturday, May 1st, 2010 at 3:50 pm in Oakland Raiders.
News, notes and quotes from Saturday morning’s minicamp practice:
– Wide receiver Chaz Schilens is sitting out practice because of a postseason surgery on his left foot.
“There was some follow-up work done,” coach Tom Cable said. “And this is just really taking care of it, so that everything is fine and he is doing great. Probably could have gone, but chose not to do it. I think this team is going to need that guy.”
Schilens missed the first eight games of the season after sustaining a metatarsal fracture in his left foot during training camp.
Also sitting out were wide receiver Nick Miller (shin splints), quarterback Bruce Gradkowski (pectoral surgery), wide receiver Louis Murphy (ankle), linebacker Trevor Scott (trap cramp) and cornerback Chris Johnson (lower back cramp).
– Yes, the Raiders will be primarily a zone blocking team in 2010. But not exclusively.
“There’s some things that we’re doing that are a little different,” Cable said. “There’s maybe more of the down scheme, the gap scheme. But if you saw us all day yesterday, it was all zone the whole day. So, it’s still what we do, it’s still how we make our say, but we’re going to complement it. And those are some of the things that Hue brings to the table that are going to help us.”
– Hue, as in Jackson, is the biggest difference in practice from last year to this year. He has taken hold of the offense in a way Cable couldn’t because he wore too many hats.
Jackson, who hasn’t received clearance to talk with the media as yet, is the loudest voice on the field and isn’t shy about letting players know it when they’ve either made an error or been careless with the ball.
When Louis Murphy made an impressive deep catch Friday with a nice adjustment and headed for the end zone, Jackson, rather than complimenting the catch, chastized Murphy for failing to properly secure the ball as he advanced the ball.
Quarterback Charlie Frye said Jackson has emphasized tempo while at the same time installing plays at a dizzying pace.
“Everything we’re doing inside, he’s put in in these three days. It’s on overload as far as guys being able to go out there and do it. It makes you think,” Frye said. “He’s very demanding and expects perfectionon Day 1.”
Said tight end Zach Miller: “He definately pushes everyone. He’s all about competition, he’s all about guys being fast out there and show what you can do and it’s showing out here on the field. We’re trying to keep a good tempo while still executing, not making mistakes.”
Wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey said “we’re a little bit more on edge. Hue has us being responsible for our actions on the field. We can’t mess up, and that’s good for everybody because we’re all accountable.”
– Heyward-Bey was appreciative of Cable’s support _ he called him a “new person” but said he doesn’t feel much different than he did as a rookie or feel he was doing anything out of the ordinary in terms of putting in the work.
“I’ve been here doing what everybody is supposed to be doing,” Heyward-Bey said. “Nothing special. They open up the doors at 9, I’m here at 9, so that’s what I do.”
– Since the Raiders host the 49ers in the preseason on Aug. 28 and play them again on Oct. 17, might the two teams suspend their two-year tradition of a joint workout in Napa?
“I don’t know. I’m not sure I would feel that way, but let’s see how they feel and sit down with them and talk about it,’’ Cable said.
– Although Cable has stressed that minicamp depth charts mean little, Langston Walker has been running ahead of Khalif Barnes through three practices at right tackle and could reclaim the job he left in 2006.
“I think that Langston has done a lot to kind of rework himself physically, and has done a lot of work since the end of the season,’’ Cable said. “I think he has a freshness about him, kind of a new start if you will. He’s going after it.’’
– While the Raiders continued to work exclusively in a 4-3 defense, Cable didn’t exactly rule out a 3-4.
“Oh, I don’t know. I think it depends,’’ Cable said. “We haven’t talked a lot about it. We have a plan for different things that we haven’t done. I think once we see what we can handle, what we can do, I probably could answer that better down the road.”
The Raiders don’t appear to have at true nose tackle, but Cable identified Desmond Bryant and Tommy Kelly as possibilities.
– Even with Scott out injured Thomas Howard as been running with the second team as a strong side linebacker.
“It’s a competition and that’s what I was told,’’ Howard said. “That’s what I see out here, it’s just competition right now.”
Howard’s impression of top draft pick Rolando McClain?
“Man, he’s bigger than I thought he was,’’ Howard said. “He works hard, he’s a smart player and he jumped right in and he was able to control the defense. Like a middle linebacker is supposed to, he has great feet to be such a big guy, humble, hard worker.”
Howard is experiencing his first camp without his trusty sidekick and Twitter partner Kirk Morrison.
“It’s definitely something new but in this league you have to adapt to change,’’ Howard said. “It’s not the first time we’ve seen a player come and go. It’s the first time it’s been someone as close to home as Kirk is. But it’s the league, it’s a business.”
– Check for Twitter updates on the 4 p.m. practice . . .
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May 1st, 2010 at 3:55 pm
1ST
May 1st, 2010 at 3:57 pm
2nd
May 1st, 2010 at 3:59 pm
“Everything we’re doing inside, he’s put in in these three days. It’s on overload as far as guys being able to go out there and do it. It makes you think,” Frye said. “He’s very demanding and expects perfectionon Day 1.”
Were back everybody!
May 1st, 2010 at 4:01 pm
Big Fan. Gotcha.
Like what I’m hearing about Hue. Might be the biggest offseason acquisitian of them all. Push em hard. Hold em all accountable. Make everybody earn their keep.
That was the word in Cincy. Firm but fair. Very popular with the players.
May 1st, 2010 at 4:01 pm
“The Raiders don’t appear to have at true nose tackle, but Cable identified Desmond Bryant and Tommy Kelly as possibilities.”
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Sigh……
I hope they score a lot of points then…because last year teams elected to run at the Raiders 500+ times.
Hope Campbell can turn into Manning.
Also hope that McClain can shed those blockers…because there is no space eater up front. And when teams run the ball…the results have been pretty clear cut around here.
Hopefully Heard can make the same impression as Bryant.
Kelly – UFA
Bryant – UFA
Why won’t they invest in this position?
May 1st, 2010 at 4:03 pm
I like the sound of how Hue is workin’ with the offense. We need that!
Need a DT bad!
May 1st, 2010 at 4:04 pm
Thanks for the FIX, Jerry..
May 1st, 2010 at 4:06 pm
Cable didn’t exactly rule out a 3-4.
The Raiders don’t appear to have at true nose tackle, but Cable identified Desmond Bryant and Tommy Kelly as possibilities.
***
LOL!
29th ranked run defense last year?
two undrafted 3-4 DE / 4-3 UT types are going to play nose tackle ???
gosh. I hate Ryan Mathews already!!!
May 1st, 2010 at 4:08 pm
I hope McClain, as leader of the defense, lobbys hard for a nose tackle up front … like Ray Lewis once did
May 1st, 2010 at 4:09 pm
We need DTs! It has and will continue to be the biggest issue with the Defense.
May 1st, 2010 at 4:10 pm
Hue Jackson is running very uptempo. Good. THAT is something that has been missing.
May 1st, 2010 at 4:10 pm
Al Davis is too stubborn. He has not selected a new DT in years.
May 1st, 2010 at 4:11 pm
Rockstar,
Let’s see if this 6-5, 355 lb kid is a player. Maybe he went undrafted because of his attitude. He certainly appears to have a mean streak. LOL.
May 1st, 2010 at 4:12 pm
Woooo hoooo, I’ve jsut been to a social function, now I realize im not drunk enough an not tired at all, waaay to early to go to bed…
should i meat up with my friends?
Jerry, now this is an acceptable fix!
May 1st, 2010 at 4:14 pm
Why won’t they invest in this position?
***
don’t forget Sands was a former 7th rounder. dumped by 2 teams
Warren was a 1st round bust.
Joseph is a 1st round bust.
I think sometimes we go a little overboard trying to find late round gems. or sorting through other team’s castoffs thinking they’ll do something in Oakland that they never dreamed of for thier former team
I gave the Raiders something less than an “A” grade after the draft because I wanted Cody (NT) instead of Houston (DE) and I got blasted for it.
We’ll see how well the Raiders run D measures up to the Ravens run D this season (even with a MLB who turns 35 years old in two weeks)
May 1st, 2010 at 4:14 pm
Howard’s impression of top draft pick Rolando McClain?
“Man, he’s bigger than I thought he was,’’ Howard said. “He works hard, he’s a smart player and he jumped right in and he was able to control the defense. Like a middle linebacker is supposed to,
====================
“Like a middle linebacker is supposed to”
May 1st, 2010 at 4:18 pm
RaiderRockstar Says:
May 1st, 2010 at 4:06 pm
Cable didn’t exactly rule out a 3-4.
The Raiders don’t appear to have at true nose tackle, but Cable identified Desmond Bryant and Tommy Kelly as possibilities.
***
LOL!
29th ranked run defense last year?
two undrafted 3-4 DE / 4-3 UT types are going to play nose tackle ???
gosh. I hate Ryan Mathews already!!!
===================
I hope Ryan Mathews in on IR by week 5.
May 1st, 2010 at 4:19 pm
Rockstar, I wanted Cody too. I was watching up until that pick seeing if Cody would be available and he was and was mad at first that we didn’t take him, but I’m ok with it now.
Just like last year, hoping Monroe would fall to us and picking someone else over him.
May 1st, 2010 at 4:20 pm
is Dick Seymour the NFL’s highest paid defensive player yet ???
May 1st, 2010 at 4:21 pm
Trevor Scott working on separate field with training staff 2 minutes ago via PockeTwit
May 1st, 2010 at 4:22 pm
Thanx Jerry…
May 1st, 2010 at 4:26 pm
Jerry McD “Woosh . . . McFadden races arounf left end with pitch. He’s a non-contact MVP”
=====
This is what I’m saying. Russell takes too long picking a recevier and holds the ball.
DMC is only good when he’s untouched with open spaces.
Answer?
Fix the O line.
I hope thats under way as we speak. New blood, but who knows…
May 1st, 2010 at 4:28 pm
The Godfather just arrived at practice. This should be good.
May 1st, 2010 at 4:28 pm
later gents! have a great evening
May 1st, 2010 at 4:30 pm
Nnamdi21 Says:
May 1st, 2010 at 4:14 pm
Howard’s impression of top draft pick Rolando McClain?
“Man, he’s bigger than I thought he was,’’ Howard said.
===============================================
Everyone says that. hehehe. They had him covering Zack Miller in the am practice. I wonder about the speed to cover TE’s crossing the middle.
May 1st, 2010 at 4:30 pm
i think it’ll be way better than last year…
last year we ran with a 4-3… but… it was more like a 2-5…
because we had a couple of 300 lb DTs sandwiched between two 270 DEs (often)… backed up by a group of three 230 lb linebackers…
this year looks like our 4-3 will be manned by four 300 pound linemen… backed up by a much larger group of linebackers…
short story… solid run defense 1st and 2nd downs…
May 1st, 2010 at 4:35 pm
[...] [...]
May 1st, 2010 at 4:44 pm
It sounds like Hue is taking charge of the offense, I love it.
Now, if Cable can keep steering Al in the right direction, we might be alright.
I’ve always felt that the Raider head coach had to be more of a diplomat than a X’s and O’s guy.
May 1st, 2010 at 4:56 pm
I wonder if, since Hue is OC, if he chooses who plays & who doesn’t. If that’s the case, Barnes can get comfy over on the sidelines. And Bush better get in shape – doesn’t sound like that taking himself out of games is going to fly with this guy. I like it! Hold each player accountable and get everything out of them. I also think it’s going to finally either make or break Russell. He doesn’t seem like he’ll sit idly by while Russell doesn’t go hard all the time – #1 pick, Al Davis favorite or not…at least I hope so.
“When Louis Murphy made an impressive deep catch Friday with a nice adjustment and headed for the end zone, Jackson, rather than complimenting the catch, chastized Murphy for failing to properly secure the ball as he advanced the ball.”
I love it! Don’t be happy just to make a great catch. Secure the ball & score. Murph had a couple plays that could’ve been TDs but he fumbled. Not gonna cut it this year. Beautiful!!!!
May 1st, 2010 at 4:56 pm
Best year ever!
May 1st, 2010 at 5:03 pm
Didn’t know Pacino was a football fan!
What about Al, any sign of him?
______
# Seymour Bush Says:
May 1st, 2010 at 4:28 pm
The Godfather just arrived at practice. This should be good.
May 1st, 2010 at 5:06 pm
Hmmmmmmm…. RRibbbs…
May 1st, 2010 at 5:08 pm
How long til training camp????????
May 1st, 2010 at 5:13 pm
Jerry, get to the electronics store asap, and get a back up device for the twitter reports..
A dead battery is unacceptable!
May 1st, 2010 at 5:24 pm
unacceptable !!!
May 1st, 2010 at 5:31 pm
Seymour,
Thanks for bringing back those represses memories. I had those blacked out for a reason. LOL. Now that you mention it, I do remember those calls. The 15 yd unsportsmanlike against the Raider sideline.
That’s an example of the culture of negativity and losing that Tom Cable is talking about changing with this team.
They nhave been beaten down by the last seven years, and tend to go “Oh NO, Here we go again” and go in the tank.
Another example was the Houston game. The bizzare ruling on the challenge, and the whole team just deflated. Has to change.
With that, I’m out.
Later fellas.
May 1st, 2010 at 5:35 pm
Unacceptable:
# Russell high and outside to JLH, Routt gets hand on it 11 minutes ago via PockeTwit
# Russell intercepted by Walter McFadden . . . wind has picked up considerably 12 minutes ago via PockeTwit
May 1st, 2010 at 5:37 pm
McFadden split wide right, Frye sees LB David Nixon in coverage. Easy read and completion
5 minutes ago via PockeTwit
Routt beaten again deep, this time by JLH. He’s lucky, pass slightly o-thrown
7 minutes ago via PockeTwit
Campbell fires 50-yd sideline strike to diving Hubbard over Routt, Branch
9 minutes ago via PockeTwit
Russell high and outside to JLH, Routt gets hand on it
12 minutes ago via PockeTwit
Russell intercepted by Walter McFadden . . . wind has picked up considerably
13 minutes ago via PockeTwit
Rolando McClain picks off Campbell pass over middle in 7-7
15 minutes ago via PockeTwit
Rock Cartwright angry at being flung to grounf by Lamarr Houston. ‘We dont got no (bleeping) pads on.’
17 minutes ago via PockeTwit
May 1st, 2010 at 5:37 pm
If we use Mcfadden properly that gives us another 3-5 points a game on offense. If our recievers can produce that is another seven. If we can average 21 points a game on offense i think we will be a playoff team with our new look on defense. Raiders allday baby!
May 1st, 2010 at 5:38 pm
Al is at minicamp today and just saw…………
Campbell fires 50-yd sideline strike to diving Hubbard over Routt, Branch
May 1st, 2010 at 5:40 pm
I bet that got the hair coming out of his ears standing up
May 1st, 2010 at 5:46 pm
Cool, Russell picked off by McFadden, cut him!
May 1st, 2010 at 5:48 pm
Sounds like Campbell is beating out JMR
May 1st, 2010 at 5:50 pm
Russell picked off by McFadden, Campbell is picking on Routt. Is he our second corner with CJ out or is McFadden?
May 1st, 2010 at 5:51 pm
Rock Cartwright angry at being flung to grounf by Lamarr Houston. ‘We dont got no (bleeping) pads on.’
May 1st, 2010 at 5:53 pm
#41 LMFAO
May 1st, 2010 at 5:54 pm
there’s two good things that can come out of the “spew baby spew” in the Gulf of Mexico.
first, the algal bloom emanating from fertilizers and pollutants that renders the waters at the mouth of the Mississippi a dead zone may die from being coated in oil. (hmmm. an ultra-dead zone.)
second, JaLarge can be used as a plug 5,000 feet ‘neath the sea to cap the oil leakage thereby making him even more heroic to the people of the Gulf coast.
May 1st, 2010 at 5:55 pm
DHB makes nice outside adjustment on deep corner route from Campbell, makes the catch. Pretty play
May 1st, 2010 at 5:55 pm
but then there is McFumble-itis. what’n'da’hell to do with him?
May 1st, 2010 at 5:56 pm
DHB makes nice outside adjustment on deep corner route from Campbell, makes the catch. Pretty play
Atta boy Darius!
May 1st, 2010 at 5:57 pm
DHB drops an easy one from Boller . . real easy
Darrius, Darrius, Darrius…
May 1st, 2010 at 6:07 pm
Somebody should tell DHB that he’s already made all the money he’s gonna make so he might as well grab the ball like someone’s life depended on it. Nothin’ to lose.
May 1st, 2010 at 6:12 pm
Basically you can plug in any guy off the street and he can pick off JaMarshmallow.
May 1st, 2010 at 6:14 pm
Anyone? Even the one armed man? LOL
Sounds like the QB comp is heating up…haha!
May 1st, 2010 at 6:15 pm
[...] SOURCE: Oakland Tribune [...]
May 1st, 2010 at 6:26 pm
Campbell throws too deep for Ford down left sideline as practice ends
So, One more practice tomorrow?
May 1st, 2010 at 6:28 pm
You mean Campbell out threw Jacoby? He must have an arm too!
May 2nd, 2010 at 7:27 am
# M Lonetree Says:
May 1st, 2010 at 5:54 pm
there’s two good things that can come out of the “spew baby spew” in the Gulf of Mexico.
first, the algal bloom emanating from fertilizers and pollutants that renders the waters at the mouth of the Mississippi a dead zone may die from being coated in oil. (hmmm. an ultra-dead zone.)
second, JaLarge can be used as a plug 5,000 feet ‘neath the sea to cap the oil leakage thereby making him even more heroic to the people of the Gulf coast.
___________________________________
If we throw JaMarcus in the Gulf, that would further taint the wildlife there!
May 3rd, 2010 at 12:07 pm
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June 17th, 2010 at 8:56 pm
[...] Oakland Tribune reports that Langston Walker has worked with the first team at right tackle through three minicamp [...]
November 29th, 2011 at 8:53 pm
hot fun…
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