OTA quick hits
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Wednesday, May 26th, 2010 at 12:12 pm in Oakland Raiders.
A few impressions from the just-concluded OTA practice in Alameda:
– Can’t roll my eyes anymore when Tom Cable tells how much Darrius Heyward-Bey has improved. Best practice I’ve ever seen him have, and there isn’t anything else that’s even a close second.
Cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha said it was the best he’d seen Heyward-Bey play.
– The dominant figure on the field continues to be offensive coordinator Hue Jackson, who fortunately isn’t muzzled when he is on the field.
Jackson is talking trash, calling out defenders as targets (including Asomugha), putting pressure on his offense to make plays.
Haven’t seen a Raiders passing offense look this good in years. I realize it’s just OTAs and non-contact drills, but even in those situations the pass offense has been subpar since 2006.
– Great moment at the close of practice when Jailen Cooper, age 10, flattened his favorite Raider, Darren McFadden, in the midst of a gauntlet of Raiders chanting his name.
Jailen had surgery to remove a tumor from is pituitary gland in December of 2008 and has undergone a rough road with chemotherapy. His visit was arranged by the Raiders and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Jailen’s mother, Jessie, reports her son is doing fine, a recent MRI showed no tumor and the prognosis is good for a full recovery.
The Raiders sent Jailen a No. 1 jersey with his name on the back and he addressed the media following practice along with Cable. Raiders CEO Amy Trask said there were a lot of lumps in a lot of throats at the reaction of Jailen when he saw a locker which was set up for him in the Raiders’ locker room.
More to come later . . .
[You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.]
May 26th, 2010 at 12:12 pm
Yeah buddy!
May 26th, 2010 at 12:14 pm
One last thing, Darren McFadden looked like a beast out there! Expect 1200 rushing yards from him in 2010!
about 1 minute ago via PockeTwit .
May 26th, 2010 at 12:15 pm
Go Jailen!!
May 26th, 2010 at 12:15 pm
Via David White:
Raiders considering joint training camp practice with Dallas before they meet in preseason opener. Cowboys open camp in San Antonio.
14 minutes ago via web
May 26th, 2010 at 12:17 pm
[...] dhb best practice yet OTA quick hits – Inside the Oakland Raiders – A look inside the world of the highly classified Oakla… [...]
May 26th, 2010 at 12:18 pm
– Can’t roll my eyes anymore when Tom Cable tells how much Darrius Heyward-Bey has improved. Best practice I’ve ever seen him have, and there isn’t anything else that’s even a close second.
Cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha said it was the best he’d seen Heyward-Bey play.
+++++++++
Hope so…but didn’t he have a practice last year where he caught like 13 straight passes or something like that? If he can come through this year it would change everything…..
May 26th, 2010 at 12:25 pm
Via DMAC:
Raiders will kick ass this season!!
2 seconds ago via web
May 26th, 2010 at 12:25 pm
Dakotex, I’m glad to hear about your big score.
So I’m sure you will be thankful to me for giving you an opportunity to even up with me from the LAST TIME I beat you.
Same bet as last time when the Fakers went down like the chokers they are?
Celtics over the Lakers in the Finals, AGAIN.
What do you say?
I’ll give you a chance to even up.
Unless you have no faith in “your” Fakers?
May 26th, 2010 at 12:27 pm
still would like to see DHB do it in a meaningful game before i heap praise.
May 26th, 2010 at 12:29 pm
Dakotex still a coward,
about 1 minute ago via PokeTwit.
May 26th, 2010 at 12:35 pm
It is no surprise DHB is improving,he has an actual NFL QB working with him.
May 26th, 2010 at 12:36 pm
Jailen!!!
Really nice Jerry. Thanks for adding that.
Make a Wish has been one of my fav charities since working a gig for them back in the 90’s.
May 26th, 2010 at 12:37 pm
Good for DHB!
He’s been puttin’ in the work this off.
Hope it pays
May 26th, 2010 at 12:43 pm
It certainly hasn’t happened yet,but if DHB improves like any Raider fan would want him to,who will be the new player everyone loves to hate?
May 26th, 2010 at 12:49 pm
D-Mac
May 26th, 2010 at 12:49 pm
LOL!
Look at my new favorite player already lighting it up!
May 26th, 2010 at 12:50 pm
# Dakota Says:
May 26th, 2010 at 11:54 am
LMN, did you read that article I posted for you yesterday? Great breakdown of the Dane’s mindset wasn’t it?
Here it is again in case anyone wants to take a look.
It is a must read for you Bo.
http://www.rense.com/general79/brave.htm
_______________________________________________________
he seemed very angry, and mad about we didnt have any english groceries on the shelves, and he thought that crime was low was a bad thing, whats weird to me, when you consider he was a policeman…
I think his views was clouded by him longing for England…
if you travel to a country and you are pissed that its not like home you shouldnt go in the first place…
I think his hostility towards Denmark simply made people tired of him, so he didnt get a proper taste of how we are..
At least of all the Englishmen and Americans I know that have lived here in DK, all loved it.
May 26th, 2010 at 12:51 pm
Sorry bout the break down Jerry!
I like this though…
“Brandon Rodd, Des Bryant in scrap, Lemarr Houston joins in”
Houston likes to scrap. GOOD.
He and Seymour may lead the league in fighting fines.
May 26th, 2010 at 12:51 pm
who will be the new player everyone loves to hate?
——————————————————
I think the rebuilding process might finally be over.
I think the thing to watch is CB opposite Nnamdi. Especially if we mix it up and not be so predictable of defense with our coverages.
Don’t think there is anyone left to hate, so to speak.
May 26th, 2010 at 12:54 pm
Did I read that wrong or did Jerry say that Dmac got flattened by a ten year old?
BSJ should have fun with that one.
May 26th, 2010 at 12:56 pm
DHB, Ford, Murphy, Bush, DMC, McClain, Houston, Matt S, T Scott, and MM will do well this year. Ford as a KR/ PR!
May 26th, 2010 at 12:57 pm
Don’t worry Jhill,they will find someone.Look at Nick Miller-camp star last year,gets injured,and now they all want him gone for a lower rd draft pick whom they have never seen play a down.They have to have somebody to hate on.
May 26th, 2010 at 12:58 pm
Bo Schembechler Jackson Says:
May 26th, 2010 at 12:55 pm
Dakota Says:
May 26th, 2010 at 12:09 pm
One last thing, Darren McFadden looked like a beast out there! Expect 1200 rushing yards from him in 2010!
about 1 minute ago via PockeTwit .
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Read my propoganda post from the last thread, PockeTwit
May 26th, 2010 at 12:58 pm
edward teach Says:
May 26th, 2010 at 12:54 pm
Did I read that wrong or did Jerry say that Dmac got flattened by a ten year old?
BSJ should have fun with that one.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Are you kidding? I am ecstatic because he didn’t fumble.
May 26th, 2010 at 1:00 pm
Trade DMAC for Jailen Cooper!
- 1 minute ago via ElbowTitty
May 26th, 2010 at 1:00 pm
Edward Teach..
I pasted this in last thread.. you read it?
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/26/sports/cycling/26cycling.html?ref=sports
May 26th, 2010 at 1:01 pm
I still think Nick Miller can be a valuable asset to the this team. I like what little I saw from his last summer. Obviously someone on the coaching staff likes what they saw too to keep him around all year like that.
May 26th, 2010 at 1:01 pm
Good call though Jhill.Whether it is Rhout,Johnson,or the new McFadden-they could be the one.
May 26th, 2010 at 1:01 pm
Nnamdi,
I think you’re wrong about the WRs being the weak link. Only issue I see is Chaz’s health.
May 26th, 2010 at 1:02 pm
Jerry,
Instead of telling posters to slow down and not repeat their posts, maybe you should focus on improving your posts.
Keep up this work, and you will be unemployed sooner than you think!
Good luck Jerry.
May 26th, 2010 at 1:03 pm
lefty12 Says:
May 26th, 2010 at 12:57 pm
Don’t worry Jhill,they will find someone.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Condo!
May 26th, 2010 at 1:04 pm
Yeah Lefty …
I think Marshall is going to get pressure on the QB, so the CBs will have a good opportunity to do something. Remember Nnamdi played some S last year too, so Routt and CJ are going to get a lot of action.
Will probably see Huff play some CB too.
Really excited about the possibilities from our secondary. Again, hope we mix up the coverages to give the QB some different looks.
May 26th, 2010 at 1:05 pm
Miller was playing with a cracked bone in his shin and playing well.Though he had shin splints-which,by the way,hurt like hell if you’ve had them.I’d like to see what the kid can do if he is healthy.If he gets hurt again,maybe he just can’t take the rigors of the game at this level.
May 26th, 2010 at 1:06 pm
Bo,I think you are on an island with that one!!!!!!!
May 26th, 2010 at 1:07 pm
DHB, Chaz, Murphy, JLH, and Ford are all locks to make the team and that’s a pretty good group.
I think Nick Miller is competing with Watkins for the last spot. I think his STs ability will give him the edge over Watkins if as you correctly point out he can stay healthy.
May 26th, 2010 at 1:07 pm
Jhill,
I like our WRs too, but they didn’t much so far! No WR on this roster had 50 catches in a season, 8+ TDs, Or 1000 yards.
May 26th, 2010 at 1:08 pm
Have they named Gradkowski starter yet?
May 26th, 2010 at 1:08 pm
LMN,
I just read it. I tink it’s the first time I’ve heard of that in this country, but in Italy it’s standard practice to prosecute a person that has failed a dope test or been caught with doping products in that manner. The crime over there is called “Sporting Fraud”.
Of course, to be convicted of Sporting Fraud you have to have failed a drug test and/or been caught with something.
You can’t be prosecuted over hearsay.
May 26th, 2010 at 1:09 pm
LOL!
Look at my new favorite player already lighting it up!
***
good for you Jhill. good for me too!
May 26th, 2010 at 1:09 pm
BSJ,
lol. I guess that means he’s making progress.
May 26th, 2010 at 1:10 pm
Just because they haven’t doesn’t mean they can’t or won’t.
May 26th, 2010 at 1:11 pm
Our WRs are young, unproven, and that makes me worry. They do have talent, but they lack exp!
May 26th, 2010 at 1:12 pm
I think the thing to watch is CB opposite Nnamdi. Especially if we mix it up and not be so predictable of defense with our coverages.
***
CB Chris Johnson = breakout year.
May 26th, 2010 at 1:12 pm
No WR on this roster had 50 catches in a season, 8+ TDs, Or 1000 yards.
——————————————————-
I think a lot of that had to do with the play caller and QB. QB didn’t give a shyt, and the play caller ignored all of that and acted like he had Peyton Manning back there.
DHB will EASILY get 3 catches a game which should translate to the 50 catch mark if my math is decent. I don’t think we have a 100 catch guy on the roster, or the offense to produce those kinda #’s. At least I hope we don’t try that.
Run the ball, run it again, and then run it some more. Mix in some play action, screens, and misdirection with that and that should be head and shoulders better than anything we’ve seen around here in quite some time.
May 26th, 2010 at 1:13 pm
Wassup RRS …
You think the Suns should just start their bench 5? They might actually be able to put us away, lol!
May 26th, 2010 at 1:13 pm
CB Chris Johnson = breakout year.
——————————————————
Isn’t dude like 35 or something?
May 26th, 2010 at 1:14 pm
I understand that Lefty. I like Chaz more than most of you here (he is an Aztec), but we can’t crown him yet! Same goes for DHB, Murphy, and the others.
May 26th, 2010 at 1:14 pm
Have they named Gradkowski starter yet?
——————————————————-
LOL!
Gradkowski better hope he makes the team. Think he can beat out Boller?
May 26th, 2010 at 1:15 pm
DHB = Touchdown leader in 2010
May 26th, 2010 at 1:15 pm
CJ is 31.
May 26th, 2010 at 1:15 pm
http://www.rock967.com/cc-common/mainheadlines3.html?feed=299911&article=7165462&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
Cut!! Do it again. and again and again
May 26th, 2010 at 1:17 pm
but we can’t crown him yet!
——————————————————-
A bit of perspective here young man!
Asking our WRs to go out and get 3 or 4 catches a game isn’t worthy of a crown. Not asking them to be pro bowlers yet.
May 26th, 2010 at 1:17 pm
That’s right O,but they aren’t going to get any exp. sitting on the bench while some past his prime WR gets their reps.
May 26th, 2010 at 1:17 pm
DHB, Chaz, Murphy, JLH, and Ford are all locks to make the team and that’s a pretty good group.
I think Nick Miller is competing with Watkins for the last spot.
***
Nick Miller will also be fighting Figurs, Holland, Bodiford & Hubbard. and there’s no guarantee we keep a 6th WR this year (unless Chaz can’t go by preseason).
I like Watkins as a WR better than Miller and if Ford & Cartwright are returners why on earth do we need the little undrafted white dude?
Keeping Nick Miller on the roster all season while he was hurt was almost as dumb as keeping Javon Walker in the doghouse with Chaz injured and 2 rookies starting for the worst starting QB in the league! 2 of those mistakes have been fixed. 3’s a charm, as they say
cut Nick Miller!!!
May 26th, 2010 at 1:17 pm
CJ is 31.
—————————————————-
A bit old for a “breakout”.
May 26th, 2010 at 1:19 pm
You think the Suns should just start their bench 5? They might actually be able to put us away
***
I promised BSJ I wouldn’t bring up the Suns/Lakers series again today …
I missed his memo that NBA talk was off-limits for 24 hours (apparently you did too!)
May 26th, 2010 at 1:19 pm
Jhill,
I agree with most of what you said, but I don’t know about DHB getting 50 catches. Murphy and Chaz can do that, but I’m not sure he can.
May 26th, 2010 at 1:19 pm
cut Nick Miller!!!
——————————————————-
You must really feel the heat on JLH’s arss, lol!
Relax man, we need this guy at #6 instead of Holland, Watkins, or any other fodder.
May 26th, 2010 at 1:20 pm
FAKERS $UCK!!!
Just Win Baby.
May 26th, 2010 at 1:21 pm
Think he can beat out Boller?
**********************************
Easily. Will be #2 within days of his arm out of the sling.
May 26th, 2010 at 1:21 pm
I doubt if DHB leads the team in TD catches this year,but he doesn’t have to.Hopefully Zack, Chaz, and Murphy will be the guys once we get inside the 20.
May 26th, 2010 at 1:21 pm
I missed his memo that NBA talk was off-limits for 24 hours (apparently you did too!)
——————————————————
What’s the problem BSJ?
You mad the Lakers lost and don’t want to talk about it?
Lakers losing against the Suns will pretty much cement LeBron coming to LA, so either we win a ring or we get Lebron.
Win-Win …
May 26th, 2010 at 1:21 pm
Did someone say “BREAK OUT” season?????????????
DMAC IS IN THE BUILDING!!!!!!!!!!!
HOLLA!!
May 26th, 2010 at 1:22 pm
Watkins, Holland, Figurs = better than Nick Miller.
pick one!
May 26th, 2010 at 1:22 pm
Lefty,
I like the idea of a getting a vet WR as a backup, so he doesn’t take time away for the young guys, and be can still teach them a few things from exp. I don’t want TO, but more vet WRs will be available after the roster cuts.
May 26th, 2010 at 1:23 pm
By Jerry McDonald – NFL Writer
Wednesday, May 26th, 2010 at 12:12 pm in Oakland Raiders.
A few impressions from the just-concluded OTA practice in Alameda:
– Can’t roll my eyes anymore when Tom Cable tells how much Darrius Heyward-Bey has improved. Best practice I’ve ever seen him have, and there isn’t anything else that’s even a close second.
======================================================
Funny what happens when someone actually WANTS it, AND puts the work in.
May 26th, 2010 at 1:23 pm
I’ll take Watkins. Dude has good hands and makes a few catches every now and then.
May 26th, 2010 at 1:24 pm
but I don’t know about DHB getting 50 catches. Murphy and Chaz can do that, but I’m not sure he can.
——————————————————-
I think Chaz and Murpy might be good for 4 or 5 catches a game. To ask DHB to bring down 3 balls per game is NOT asking much. A quick slant, an out pattern, and maybe a bubble screen.
I GUARANTEE you that Cable is going to have DHB targeted at least 5 times per game to justify the pick. I have all the faith in the world that Hue will not have him running all these deep routes, but shorter routes allowing him to RAC.
May 26th, 2010 at 1:25 pm
# RaiderRockstar Says:
May 26th, 2010 at 1:22 pm
Watkins, Holland, Figurs = better than Nick Miller.
pick one!
===========================================
Watkins. Watkins practices really well, but just cannot seem to put it together in games, altho he has had one or two big receptions.
May 26th, 2010 at 1:25 pm
Damn the Fakers and their princess leader!
Go Suns!!!!
May 26th, 2010 at 1:26 pm
Watkins, Holland, Figurs = better than Nick Miller.
——————————————————-
I’m rolling with the little white dude!
May 26th, 2010 at 1:26 pm
Chris Johnson will turn 31 in September.
Champ Bailey will turn 32 in June.
I guarantee you that CJ will outplay Chump this year …
May 26th, 2010 at 1:26 pm
jhill Says:
May 26th, 2010 at 1:21 pm
I missed his memo that NBA talk was off-limits for 24 hours (apparently you did too!)
——————————————————
What’s the problem BSJ?
You mad the Lakers lost and don’t want to talk about it?
Lakers losing against the Suns will pretty much cement LeBron coming to LA, so either we win a ring or we get Lebron.
Win-Win …
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
SOLID
May 26th, 2010 at 1:27 pm
We had a vet,ex pro bowl WR who we never played and everyone hated his guts-because we never played him.If we were to sign a vet,we’d have to get rid of one of the younger,promising guys.No thanks.
May 26th, 2010 at 1:27 pm
Campbell had 18 touchdowns, no interceptions, and a QB rating of over 100 in the red zone last year.
I don’t know who’s going to lead the team in TD receptions, but at least we can feel reasonably certain that if somebody’s open down there the quarterback isn’t going to screw it up.
Which, as we all know, is a huge improvement over last year already.
May 26th, 2010 at 1:27 pm
Nick Miller > JLH, Watkins, Figurs, Holland, DMAC
May 26th, 2010 at 1:29 pm
RRS, you did not respond when I asked if you noticed me pulling your leg earlier.
May 26th, 2010 at 1:29 pm
And Nick Miller can longsnap too.
May 26th, 2010 at 1:30 pm
I don’t know who’s going to lead the team in TD receptions,
=================================
Zack Miller will lead the team in TD receptions.
Pro Bowler for sure if he stays healthy.
May 26th, 2010 at 1:31 pm
Nick Miller will have turf toe at the end of OTA’s and miss the entire season.
May 26th, 2010 at 1:32 pm
What happen to that big douche troll ‘ReadMaddenRaider’
I haven’t seen him around these parts since the Raiders made a few moves that made sense.
May 26th, 2010 at 1:32 pm
Jhill,
CBs get paid too. lol
Just because we target him 5 times a game, it doesn’t mean he will have 3 catches.
QB can miss his target
CB can make a play
WR can drop the pass
How many times should we target Murphy, Chaz, Z Miller, JLH, RBs, and how many times are we going to pass the ball in a 1 game?
I say he gets 35-40 catches. Avg of 2 per game.
May 26th, 2010 at 1:32 pm
Bo Schembechler Jackson Says:
May 26th, 2010 at 11:46 am
RRS, are you following me?
***
no. work blocks twitter
Raider O wants me to follow him. he wants everybody to
thats why he says “make me your leader!”
May 26th, 2010 at 1:32 pm
RealMaddenRaider…. not “Read”
May 26th, 2010 at 1:32 pm
Jhill,I have to disagree to an extent.The majority of DHBs patterns will still be fly routes,like the Pats do with Moss,so their N Miller or JLH type guy,can catch quick slants and use their speed and elusiveness to make big plays.
May 26th, 2010 at 1:33 pm
Nick Miller will have turf toe at the end of OTA’s and miss the entire season.
***
DMAC: entire season ???
I thought you said he’d be ready by Week 16!!??
May 26th, 2010 at 1:33 pm
RIP Art Linkletter
May 26th, 2010 at 1:33 pm
Not w/ turf toe.
May 26th, 2010 at 1:34 pm
Zack Miller will lead the team in TD receptions.
——————————————————-
I don’t know about leading the team in TD receptions, but he will certainly be representing us in the Pro Bowl after we win the division this year.
I think he easily leads the team in receptions though. Chris Cooley type #s, obviously.
May 26th, 2010 at 1:35 pm
IMO, the only way Nick Miller makes this team is if he can beat out Jacoby Ford on ST.
May 26th, 2010 at 1:35 pm
Afternoon Fellas,
The JMac quote is music to my ears.
============================================
Haven’t seen a Raiders passing offense look this good in years. I realize it’s just OTAs and non-contact drills, but even in those situations the pass offense has been subpar since 2006.
================================================
I agree with Jhill regarding the WR group.
Chaz, Murphy, DHB,JLH,Ford, and yes Nick Miller.
Also love that Hue is talkin trash and runnin a tight ship.
Things are looking up.
May 26th, 2010 at 1:35 pm
sorry DMAC. I missed that
yeah, I agree
shin splints = 10 months?
turf toe = at least a year. maybe PUP list next season too
May 26th, 2010 at 1:35 pm
*In a single game, or in 1 game. Take your pick. lol
May 26th, 2010 at 1:35 pm
Who do you predict J?
May 26th, 2010 at 1:36 pm
the only way Nick Miller makes this team is if he can beat out Jacoby Ford on ST.
***
exactly. I think you proved that
May 26th, 2010 at 1:38 pm
Campbell is going to love Zack in the red zone!!!
May 26th, 2010 at 1:39 pm
Darrius Heyward-Bey had the best practice of his NFL career, in Nnamdi Asomugha’s estimation.
With zero drops, DHB caught three touchdown passes. He’s so confident, he did a choreographed celebration with Louis Murphy after a catch and run over the middle. When Campbell put a perfect arc on a fade route, DHB was all fluid and all hands as he came down with the ball in the back of the end zone.
“Today was a really good practice for him,” Asomugha said. “That’s the best practice since I’ve seen him here. Last week we went through OTAs and he was doing a little better I guess, a little inconsistency, but today was a good day for him to build off of and see how he comes out tomorrow. It’s days like this you want to keep stringing along. You don’t want to fall back after a day like this. He was catching the ball, I don’t know that he dropped a ball. Caught maybe 8 o 9 balls so that was good for him”.
-David White (SF Gate)
May 26th, 2010 at 1:39 pm
RR is right!
Make me your Leader!!!!!
I will cut taxes, Destroy Unions, and promote free trade!!
However, I will tax COs that outsource or offshore! F Them! They can’t have it both ways!!
Make me your Leader!!!
LeaderO!!!
May 26th, 2010 at 1:40 pm
Jason Campbell has pocket presence, incredible accuracy and nice touch on his ball … everything JaMarcus Russell lacked.
No one is happier about this than the wide receivers. Almost every ball caught them in stride, on time, on the money. Suddenly, the Raiders offense has a chance.
“When you have someone throwing the ball where you can catch it and on time and those kinds of things, it gives them a chance to have success, and build their confidence and grow as a unit,” coach Tom Cable said. “I think it’s having a lot to do with what’s going on.”
-David White (SF Gate)
May 26th, 2010 at 1:40 pm
Billing Specialist. 9/2/08 – Present …
May 26th, 2010 at 1:40 pm
You guys must have really short memories.Don’t you remember the good hands and catches Miller showed last year before he got hurt.You can’t blame him because he was kept on the active roster all year.
May 26th, 2010 at 1:42 pm
You People Need Me!!!
Leader O!!!
May 26th, 2010 at 1:42 pm
How many times should we target Murphy, Chaz, Z Miller, JLH, RBs, and how many times are we going to pass the ball in a 1 game?
——————————————————-
Depends on the flow of the game.
Like I said, I think we should run the ball 30-40 times a game and run PA off of that. To be honest, I think the primary targets in the passing game should be DMAC and Miller. The other guys are all “role players”, if you will. DMAC against a S or LB is a mismatch. Miller against a LB is a mismatch. I wouldn’t say that any of our WR are a mismatch. Once the defense adjusts to DMAC and Miller, THEN we should see something from the other guys.
I expect 2-3 catches per game from the top 4 WRs, with MAYBE one of the guys jumping up to 5 or more if the D adjusts to DMAC and Miller. I expect DMAC to get 4 or 5 cathes a game, and Miler to get at least that.
May 26th, 2010 at 1:43 pm
Ever hear those rumors the offense was dummied down for the last quarterback in town (JaMarcus Russell, cough cough)? Here’s what Nnamdi said was the difference between these OTAs and last year’s:
“We’ve always had all these plays. It’s just that now they’re running them. Last year they were taking more time on their basic plays whereas now he’s going straight into everything and it’s helping them out.”
Rookie middle linebacker Rolando McClain looks either lost in coverage or unable to keep up. If he can stop the run as a rookie, the defense can pick him up in coverage.
Of more concern is outside linebackers Trevor Scott and Kamerion Wimbley in coverage at the same time. Not sure man coverage is their thing.
I (heart) Michael Bush. You know, in a manly, football way.
No thoughts on the offensive line in noncontact drills, but outside of OL MVP Robert Gallery at left guard, I don’t know how they’ll put the same cast out there from last year and expect different results.
-David White (SF Gate)
May 26th, 2010 at 1:43 pm
New QB, new offensive coordinator, HC nut sucker Fargas gone, DHB hand transplant went well…9-7 baby!
Oh wait, Cable is still the HC (although his job description is now Timeout Coordinator/assistant o-line coach), and we really don’t know if we addressed the RT, RG and C problems….hmmmmmm…maybe 6-10?
I like some of the changes, but so much more could have been done…
May 26th, 2010 at 1:44 pm
Make me your Leader!!!
::::::::::::::::::::::::
No more Leader Monkeys!
http://rlv.zcache.com/george_bush_monkey_t_shirt-p235746561292884062t5hl_400.jpg
May 26th, 2010 at 1:45 pm
RaiderRockstar Says:
May 26th, 2010 at 1:40 pm
Jason Campbell has pocket presence, incredible accuracy and nice touch on his ball … everything JaMarcus Russell lacked.
No one is happier about this than the wide receivers. Almost every ball caught them in stride, on time, on the money. Suddenly, the Raiders offense has a chance.
“When you have someone throwing the ball where you can catch it and on time and those kinds of things, it gives them a chance to have success, and build their confidence and grow as a unit,” coach Tom Cable said. “I think it’s having a lot to do with what’s going on.”
-David White (SF Gate)
Translation: “I’m so happy we cut that tub of goo we had masquerading as a quarterback, I can’t even put it into words. It probably saved my job.”
May 26th, 2010 at 1:49 pm
IMO, the only way Nick Miller makes this team is if he can beat out Jacoby Ford on ST.
——————————————————-
I’d like to know what happened to cause Nick Miller to fall out of favor? The guy was kept around ALL last year. He obviously impressed someone wouldn’t ya think?
To think Yamon Figurs who can’t play WR, or John Holland who can’t return kicks has a chance to beat out this guy then quite frankly you haven’t been paying attention. If something happens to Jacoby Ford, we are right back where we were last year in the return game.
Nick Miller is your #6 WR unless he’s hurt again in which case it’s Todd Watkins. Those other guys aren’t even in the discussion.
May 26th, 2010 at 1:49 pm
you shouldn’t insult monkeys like that!!!!!!!!
May 26th, 2010 at 1:51 pm
Who do you predict J?
—————————————————–
Don’t really disagree with Miller, but I think he’ll have a lot of attention.
May 26th, 2010 at 1:53 pm
DHB improving … Hue Jack talkin’ smack … a lot of intensity and motivation … killer story about the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Jailen (love the touch about setting up a locker for him!!) … if we’re not careful, a lot of people are going to just start jumping on this Silver and Black bandwagon — we’ll have too many people on board the train and have to kick a few people off (like “Ricky” and RMR).
May 26th, 2010 at 1:53 pm
Short memories,Jhill.
May 26th, 2010 at 1:54 pm
Man, I am so excited to see the Raiders offense function like a real nfl team now. If they can’t even complete passes without contacts then how do we expect them to complete them with contacts? 1 step at a time. It sounds like David White and Jerry are pretty geeked out. It’s time we join the NFL again.
May 26th, 2010 at 1:55 pm
Jhill,I have to disagree to an extent.The majority of DHBs patterns will still be fly routes
——————————————————
I really hope not Lefty. I really hope not.
I think that would completly ignore a huge part of what he can offer. Letting him run WITH the ball instead of running FOR the ball would make a big difference, imo.
May 26th, 2010 at 1:55 pm
Preppie,
I don’t want your vote. People from much are not allowed to vote even after they take a voting test. I’m not allowing the monkeys to vote.
May 26th, 2010 at 1:58 pm
I think Nick Miller’s future with the Raiders is tied to Rock Cartwright’s. If Cartwright makes the team over Michael Bennett, Watkins is the sixth receiver. If Bennett beats out Cartwright, it’s Miller.
Keep in mind that Miller is primarily a slot receiver. Ford and JLH will also be running routes from the slot.
May 26th, 2010 at 1:58 pm
What you are forgetting, however, is that if we can get a lot of passes out to the other receivers, coverage will have to tighten up. Then, DHB can blow past single man coverage with his speed — my guess is that a lot of his catches will be of the bomb variety. He may not get many, but perhaps they can really stretch the field with him this year, like they had planned to last year (oh, and he still has to CATCH them!)
May 26th, 2010 at 1:59 pm
Jhill,don’t get me wrong,I believe he will get some of the throws you wish for,but IMO,most will be fly or post routes.Once he catches a few of those imagine what will open up underneath for the Miller,JLH,and Ford type receivers-to say nothing of clearing out an area for McFadden.
May 26th, 2010 at 2:00 pm
Of more concern is outside linebackers Trevor Scott and Kamerion Wimbley in coverage at the same time.
——————————————————-
That’ll never happen.
May 26th, 2010 at 2:00 pm
I think Ford makes the team; I also think we can’t keep both Nick Miller and JLH. Watkins beats out Figurs.
May 26th, 2010 at 2:02 pm
I like some of the changes, but so much more could have been done…
——————————————————-
“So” much more?
Like what?
May 26th, 2010 at 2:02 pm
Where are they now? Stryker Sulak!
May 26th, 2010 at 2:02 pm
Like I said. We already have our slot reciever in JLH. We drafted another slot guy in Jacoby. Nick Miller will only make this team if he can beat out Jacoby in ST. + it seems as if Watkins has recieved his scholarship already.
May 26th, 2010 at 2:02 pm
# Dakota Says:
May 26th, 2010 at 12:18 pm
– Can’t roll my eyes anymore when Tom Cable tells how much Darrius Heyward-Bey has improved. Best practice I’ve ever seen him have, and there isn’t anything else that’s even a close second.
Cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha said it was the best he’d seen Heyward-Bey play.
+++++++++
Hope so…but didn’t he have a practice last year where he caught like 13 straight passes or something like that? If he can come through this year it would change everything…..
=============================
Difference of practice, and game day, is night and day, obviously.
What is also obvious is when Bey is anticipating a hit everything changes..back to short arming balls, and hands of stone, unfortunately.
May 26th, 2010 at 2:03 pm
Jhill: McClain, Wimbley & Scott (ie. ‘the new starters’) are all getting abused in coverage …
You’re gonna hear me say “Do you miss Morrison yet” pretty often throughout the season.
now we’re gonna get beat versus the run AND pass fairly regular
May 26th, 2010 at 2:04 pm
When asked recently about Jenny Craig, JaBustus said, “Naw man, I want that big ‘ol butt — that chick that used to be on that TV show thang!”
May 26th, 2010 at 2:05 pm
Say what you want to say about T. Howard, but you have to admit he’s our best cover LB on this team.
May 26th, 2010 at 2:06 pm
One of those two,if not both,will have to sit in obvious passing downs and with Scotts pass rushing ability it should make things interesting.The LBing core should really be something to watch heading into the season.
May 26th, 2010 at 2:06 pm
Morrison got beat in coverage all year. Teams ABUSED us across the middle. We cannot do worse.
May 26th, 2010 at 2:07 pm
Nick Miller is your #6 WR unless he’s hurt again in which case it’s Todd Watkins. Those other guys aren’t even in the discussion.
***
Jhill: Jerry Mac reported Watkins, Holland & Higgins were making plays last week.
This week it’s DHB & Ford.
all thats been said of Nick Miller up to this point is “he’s returned to practice”.
May 26th, 2010 at 2:07 pm
Hey Richochet, do the Niners have a blog with this kind of following?
May 26th, 2010 at 2:08 pm
Jhill: McClain, Wimbley & Scott (ie. ‘the new starters’) are all getting abused in coverage …
You’re gonna hear me say “Do you miss Morrison yet” pretty often throughout the season.
now we’re gonna get beat versus the run AND pass fairly regular
===============================
RRS,
Let’s look at it in a positive perspective…..
Our LB’s are getting beat, becuase of our new high powered passing game on offense.
LMAO
May 26th, 2010 at 2:09 pm
new post!
May 26th, 2010 at 2:10 pm
# raidertbone Says:
May 26th, 2010 at 1:53 pm
DHB improving … Hue Jack talkin’ smack … a lot of intensity and motivation … killer story about the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Jailen (love the touch about setting up a locker for him!!) … if we’re not careful, a lot of people are going to just start jumping on this Silver and Black bandwagon — we’ll have too many people on board the train and have to kick a few people off (like “Ricky” and RMR).
====================
LMAO.
That is a broken record.
It’s the offseason.
Visions of grandeur with nothing but “hope” gets fleas like you all giddy as hell.
Talks of “playoffs” and “winning the division” will soon sprout from those Spring Time Optimists.
Reality is the oline is still suspect.
WR corp is anything but solid..and it’s all on a “hope”.
Traded a really bad 5-11 level qb for another 5-11 qb, who played behind a better online, and had better targets…and that’s just the offense.
Cable is still coach.
and ‘kick a few people off’??
lol…in your dreams, mental midget
May 26th, 2010 at 2:10 pm
jhill Says:
May 26th, 2010 at 2:02 pm
I like some of the changes, but so much more could have been done…
——————————————————-
“So” much more?
Like what?
+++++++++++++++++++
RT
RG
C
NT
HC
FB
Jhill, I know that you will come back with some great hypothesis as to why K. Barnes or L. Walker are somehow going to fix our o-line issues…or how the little school guy or the workout warrior will fix it, and I know you don’t believe in run stuffing NTs, and you probably think using Bush and McFadden at the same time is great, and maybe you think Cable is the only coach on Earth that will stick around with all the Al Davis BS, therefore he should be kept, and that Lawton is god’s gift to FBs, or some UFA will take over…
…there, did I save you the time and effort?
I’ll believe it when I see it.
I would have been much more comfortable had we added Brad Hoover, Rex Hadnot, John Henderson or Fat Albert to the mix…not to mention a legit NFL HC (but hopefully Cable’s demotion will help in that area)…
May 26th, 2010 at 2:21 pm
[...] when Tom Cable tells how much Darrius Heyward-Bey has improved,” McDonald writes. “Best practice I’ve ever seen him have, and there isn’t anything else that’s even a close [...]
May 26th, 2010 at 2:30 pm
[...] Raiders wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey is impressing those in Oakland at OTA’s, reports The Contra Costa Times. CCT writer Jerry McDonald said “Can’t roll my eyes anymore when Tom Cable tells how [...]
May 26th, 2010 at 2:32 pm
I just came to say that some of the people who post comments here are complete jokes and i’m thoroughly convinced they aren’t even Raider fans but Choker fans or Whiner fans who are here in a futile attempt to sabotage the positive energy and aura that is now surrounding this franchise and organization for the first time in a good long while. Won’t matter, new players and coaches WILL CONTRIBUTE this year and it’s going to be a long year for the people who’d rather love to hate us than love to love their own.
Have an ignorant day.
Go Raiders.
May 26th, 2010 at 2:36 pm
# edward teach Says:
May 26th, 2010 at 1:08 pm
LMN,
I just read it. I tink it’s the first time I’ve heard of that in this country, but in Italy it’s standard practice to prosecute a person that has failed a dope test or been caught with doping products in that manner. The crime over there is called “Sporting Fraud”.
Of course, to be convicted of Sporting Fraud you have to have failed a drug test and/or been caught with something.
You can’t be prosecuted over hearsay.
_______________________________________________________
Not only in italy, they did than in France as well, with the Festina scandal…
True, You can’t be prosecuted over hearsay, that would be barbaric…
But just wait, the case is rolling, the more the feds are pressing the more comes forward, the more that gets forward, even more will come out… and then even more will come forward…
May 26th, 2010 at 9:18 pm
Repost
Random Drug Tester Says:
May 26th, 2010 at 9:15 pm
Hey Bo Sham Beckler…how did you do against the VC?
May 26th, 2010 at 10:08 pm
Can I post yet?
May 27th, 2010 at 12:08 am
I like to hear stories about the organization doing something more to help charities. Smiles*
May 27th, 2010 at 4:54 am
[...] McD: OTA quick hits OTA quick hits – Inside the Oakland Raiders – A look inside the world of the highly classified Oakla… __________________ RaideroftheSith aka [...]
October 27th, 2011 at 2:48 am
flat roof repairs…
[...]OTA quick hits – Inside the Oakland Raiders – A look inside the world of the highly classified Oakland Raiders from the writers of Bay Area News Group[...]…