It’s McKenzie’s show now
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Tuesday, April 24th, 2012 at 12:03 am in Oakland Raiders.
Spent the better part of a week doing background on Reggie McKenzie, the first person other than Al Davis to run a Raiders draft room since 1963.
Often times when doing these kinds of stories, you put out a dozen or so phone calls and are satisfied with getting enough response to fill the space allotted.
In the case of McKenzie, the callback rate was nearly 100 percent, including the last one today by Ron Wolf, who said he had just returned to the country. Wolf is the personnel executive who was responsible along with Davis for drafting McKenzie with the Los Angeles Raiders, and the man who hired him to be a scout with the Green Bay Packers more than 17 years ago.
Here’s the link to the McKenzie story scheduled to run in Tuesday’s Bay Area News Group papers.
Here’s the link to the Web exclusive story about McKenzie’s relationship with his twin Raleigh and the brotherly competition that started at birth and continues to this day.
I’ve also filed a series of quotes from the numerous sources contacted for the story that hasn’t posted yet.
– McKenzie has an additional 10 roster spots available heading into training camp as the NFL expanded rosters from 80 to 90 players Tuesday
– Raiders tight end Brandon Myers talked with students aged 16-20 about what it took to be successful in the interview process at the Old Navy store in San Leandro, Ca. It was part of The Bridges to Work Program, a non-profit foundation of the Mariott hotels which helps kids with disabilities transition from school and enter the work force.
– Raiders offensive lineman Zach Hurd is participating in a Q&A session with kids at East Oakland Pride elementary school Tuesday in an evente sponsored by the Raiders and Playworks, a national non-profit organization out of Oakland that supports learning by providing safe, inclusive play and physical activity to low-income schools at recess and throughout the school day.
The Raiders donated a $35,000 grant to refurbish the school’s playground in 2010. The kids, in turn, have painted a Raiders’ shield on their blacktop.
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April 24th, 2012 at 12:04 am
1
April 24th, 2012 at 12:04 am
Coach Allen gets impressive turnout at mini camp
By Steve Corkran
Monday, April 23rd, 2012 at 5:23 pm in Oakland Raiders
232 Comments »
The media were not permitted access to the Raiders first mini camp last week. First-year coach Dennis Allen declined to divulge the size of the turnout, other than to say he was “pleased.”
A scan of numerous pictures on the Raiders website revealed the following 50 players in attendance for some or all of the three-day affair in Alameda:
SPECIALISTS
Shane Lechler
Sebastian Janikowski
Jon Condo
QUARTERBACKS
Carson Palmer
Terrelle Pryor
Rhett Bomar
RUNNING BACKS
Darren McFadden
Taiwan Jones
Mike Goodson
Lonyae Miller
FULLBACKS
Manase Tonga
WIDE RECEIVERS
Denarius Moore
Darrius Heyward-Bey
Louis Muphy
Eddie McGee
Jacoby Ford
TIGHT ENDS
David Ausberry
Richard Gordon
Brandon Myers
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN
Mike Brisiel
Alex Parsons
Cooper Carlisle
Jared Veldheer
Khalif Barnes
Stefen Wisniewski
Zach Hurd
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
Richard Seymour
Dave Tollefson
Lamarr Houston
Desmond Bryant
Jamie Cumbie
Mason Brodine
Travis Ivey
Hall Davis
LINEBACKERS
Rolando McClain
Travis Goethel
Aaron Curry
Philip Wheeler
Carl Ihenacho
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Michael Huff
DeMarcus Van Dyke
Mike Mitchell
Matt Giordano
Ron Bartell
Curtis Taylor
Shawntae Spencer
Pat Lee
Brandon Underwood
Chimdi Chekwa
Bryan McCann
As you can see, that’s quite a turnout for a “voluntary” mini camp. Notable exceptions include defensive tackle Tommy Kelly, strong safety Tyvon Branch and fullback Marcel Reece. None of the three players showed up in any of the pictures scanned.
Reece’s absence isn’t a surprise, given he hasn’t signed the one-year tender as a restricted free agent. Same goes for Branch, the recipient of the franchise tag, which he has not signed. Not sure if Kelly was there, and he just didn’t make it into any of the pictures.
The big surprise was the presence of defensive lineman Desmond Bryant. He, too, has yet to sign his one-year tender. However, he signed a waiver and opted to participate.
That’s the kind of dedication Allen no doubt is looking for.
“I thought we had a great turnout. We had two weeks of an offseason conditioning program and today was the first day of the voluntary minicamp,” Allen said in a conference call last Tuesday. “Overall I’ve been very pleased with the turnout. Guys are working very hard to try to get better.”
http://www.ibabuzz.com/oaklandraiders/2012/04/24/its-mckenzies-show-now/
April 24th, 2012 at 12:04 am
first
April 24th, 2012 at 12:06 am
It’s McKenzie’s show now
By Jerry McDonald – NFL Writer
Tuesday, April 24th, 2012 at 12:03 am in Oakland Raiders.
Spent the better part of a week doing background on Reggie McKenzie, the first person other than Al Davis to run a Raiders draft room since 1963.
Often times when doing these kinds of stories, you put out a dozen or so phone calls and are satisfied with getting enough response to fill the space allotted.
In the case of McKenzie, the callback rate was nearly 100 percent, including the last one today by Ron Wolf, who said he had just returned to the country. Wolf is the personnel executive who was responsible along with Davis for drafting McKenzie with the Los Angeles Raiders, and the man who hired him to be a scout with the Green Bay Packers more than 17 years ago.
Here’s the link to the McKenzie story scheduled to run in Tuesday’s Bay Area News Group papers.
Here’s the link to the Web exclusive story about McKenzie’s relationship with his twin Raleigh and the brotherly competition that started at birth and continues to this day.
I’ve also filed a series of quotes from the numerous sources contacted for the story that hasn’t posted yet.
– McKenzie has an additional 10 roster spots available heading into training camp as the NFL expanded rosters from 80 to 90 players Tuesday
– Raiders tight end Brandon Myers talked with students aged 16-20 about what it took to be successful in the interview process at the Old Navy store in San Leandro, Ca. It was part of The Bridges to Work Program, a non-profit foundation of the Mariott hotels which helps kids with disabilities transition from school and enter the work force.
– Raiders offensive lineman Zach Hurd is participating in a Q&A session with kids at East Oakland Pride elementary school Tuesday in an evente sponsored by the Raiders and Playworks, a national non-profit organization out of Oakland that supports learning by providing safe, inclusive play and physical activity to low-income schools at recess and throughout the school day.
The Raiders donated a $35,000 grant to refurbish the school’s playground in 2010. The kids, in turn, have painted a Raiders’ shield on their blacktop.
http://www.ibabuzz.com/oaklandraiders/2012/04/24/its-mckenzies-show-now/
April 24th, 2012 at 12:07 am
DJ, the dudes in 2K4S have been over all night working on dance moves and perfecting the art of gelling our pubes
Oh yeah and working on some fresh new lyrics, this hot jam would be sung by Kenny, the “Lonely Sobbing Virgin” character
On stage he’ll probably be in a prom tux and slip on a banana peel during the last chorus, classic move
Teacher, Teacher, I cry during this song,
It’s hurts so bad, I just want my mom,
Today was tough and I need some ice cream
Popped my first boner in my new blue jeans
April 24th, 2012 at 12:07 am
April 24th, 2012 at 12:07 am
Coach Allen gets impressive turnout at mini camp Says:
April 24th, 2012 at 12:04 am, #2
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Why would someone re-post this article?? Nothing better to do at midnight I suppose.
April 24th, 2012 at 12:09 am
It’s McKenzie’s show now Says:
April 24th, 2012 at 12:06 am, #4
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Then that person posts the current article again: what is up with that ??? Maybe it “self-posted”?
April 24th, 2012 at 12:09 am
Beach Dawg,
Why was Master Beeecham banned ???
April 24th, 2012 at 12:13 am
WASSUP WASSUP DOGGITY SUP SUP
Just droppin a ten pound duece when I got a rhyme bust in my nut. Goes like this:
Raidah Raidah all time playah
got my babes lined up to holla hey yeah
But I let them slip out the back door
cuz my bikini wax babe is stayin for more
Now I can rest cuz that duece drop wore me out. Com’on kick off time. I’ll be tailgaitin in the greyhound parking lot tomorrow bbq’ing up somehot dogs. Oh Yeah!
JAMMA JAM JAM PAJAMA SLAM
April 24th, 2012 at 12:25 am
There is no breaking news.
April 24th, 2012 at 12:30 am
Bad News Dude Says:
April 23rd, 2012 at 11:08 pm
Bad News Dude is accepting petition e-signatures. All those in favor of banning the ignorant bastard, aka KoolKell, say/write ‘Aye, ban the ignorant bastard’.
All those opposed, please help yourself by visiting the following link:
http://youareanidiot.org
Wiggity wiggity whuuuuut?
Yo Krappy is straight outta luck
Ban the old fool then drop a sweet log
What’ll he do without his precious blog?
® Master Beeecham
Collected e-Signatures thus far:
Bad News Dude
Cranberry
DJ Johnny
Hardline
Master Beeecham
Raider O
April 24th, 2012 at 1:10 am
where was Shaunessy and Barksdale at the mini-camp?
C’mon. Do ur F’n job reporters!
April 24th, 2012 at 1:34 am
Great job Jerry! Too bad the blogs being populated by our resident A hole.
Off his meds and his Momma and Uncle Blob are having one of their “grunting naps” on his bed again…
Oh well back to taking out his putrid rage on our lucky little blog from his shame closet…
Aaaand Iggy him in 3…2…1
April 24th, 2012 at 1:37 am
I was banned for my constant and regretable racist stereotyping and race baiting.
I am and always will be a sad, disturbed, unlved and worthless shell of a woman…man. MAN! Awww da-mbit! Okay, I’m all right as long as I don’t hit ent
April 24th, 2012 at 1:45 am
Hilarious…and sad…and truthful but mostly hilarious…and sad
April 24th, 2012 at 4:44 am
Quite a show in here last night. Kell and Beeech have been going at it since I first discovered this blog. This blog is better than Mad Men.
April 24th, 2012 at 4:46 am
Dunno what TK’s absense was about, if he was in fact not present. Hope it’s an internal issue the Raiders are in agreement with.
Gotta hand it to D. Bryant for signing a waiver to participate in the first mini-camp. That’s taking a huge risk on his part that he could have gotten hurt and potentially cut loose for nothing. I am sure he’s made himself some fans, but I still don’t blame Reece or Branch for not showing up for not signing their tenders.
April 24th, 2012 at 5:09 am
On Bill Simmons podcast, Mike Lombardi said McClain is about a cheeseburger away from becoming a defensive tackle. I disagree. Pictures of him at the mini camp show that he is looking slimmer. I think he has been working harder this off season.
April 24th, 2012 at 5:12 am
Jerome Simpson gets 3 game suspension:
Jerome Simpson doesn’t know where he’ll be playing in the 2012 season, but he does know how many games he’ll have to sit out at the start: three.
Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that Simpson, a free agent receiver, is being suspended three games under the league’s substance abuse policy.
Simpson recently served a 15-day jail sentence after he pleaded guilty on March 1 to a felony charge stemming from his September arrest for getting about two pounds of marijuana shipped to his northern Kentucky home. He has continued to draw interest from teams including the Rams and the Vikings, and it’s also possible that he could return to Cincinnati, where he has played his entire four-year career.
Although he had been something of a disappointment as a 2008 second-round draft pick, Simpson is coming off a 2011 season that was by far his best as a pro. Simpson played in all 16 games, starting 14, and caught 50 passes for 725 yards and four touchdowns.
**********
Still want Simpson? I’d rather have Owens.
April 24th, 2012 at 5:14 am
Bill Simmons has the perfect set of initials for what he spews. And Lombardi is clueless about all things Raiders.
April 24th, 2012 at 5:16 am
Bill Simmons is beyond awesome.
Best NBA guy out there.
April 24th, 2012 at 5:21 am
meh? I’m easily snowed over when it comes to roundball. I’ll take your word for it.
April 24th, 2012 at 5:23 am
Simmons is cool, but he does have a bias against the Raiders. He is a Patriots fan.
April 24th, 2012 at 5:26 am
The thing with Simmons is that he doesn’t pull any strings about it.
He is a diehard Sox, Celtics and Pats fan. He hates the Yankee’s, Lakers and Colts.
Not sure about the Raiders “hate”, I have read probably 90% of the stuff he has come out with since his page 2 days close to 15 years ago, and I never picked up on that.
He freely admits the Tuck Rule was a crock of crap that they benefitted from.
April 24th, 2012 at 5:28 am
Simmons commonly mocks the Raiders in his picks, or just ignores them in general.
April 24th, 2012 at 5:29 am
AYE !!!
April 24th, 2012 at 5:31 am
I want Kell and Beeecham to both stay on the blog. It’s just too entertaining.
April 24th, 2012 at 5:31 am
GOOD MORNING NATION !!!
April 24th, 2012 at 5:32 am
BTW, does it seem that Beeecham and Sullivan are never around at the same time?
April 24th, 2012 at 5:43 am
Simmons commonly mocks the Raiders in his picks, or just ignores them in general.
**********************
In all seriousness, wouldn’t you if you were a paid media-guy?
We haven’t been relevant in ten years, nobody but Raider fans want to read about the Raiders, just the same as Jaguars, Browns, St. Louis Rams info.
We start winning playoff games, THEY ALL will start giving us better coverage and props. But we have to earn it first.
BTW, Simmons did a Podcast and his guest said that all the praise for Al after he died was “fake praise”. Simmons’ website Grantland allowed an e-mailer to rebuke the statement, and posted his letter on their website. Completely allowing the other side it’s voice (NFLN, CBS never do that).
http://www.grantland.com/blog/the-triangle/post/_/id/6473/read-this-e-mail-from-a-dude-in-virginia-who-has-stuff-to-say-about-al-davis
April 24th, 2012 at 5:48 am
JFB, I agree.
April 24th, 2012 at 6:08 am
Not sure if Kelly was there, and he just didn’t make it into any of the pictures.
***
come on, Steve!
April 24th, 2012 at 6:09 am
The big surprise was the presence of defensive lineman Desmond Bryant. He, too, has yet to sign his one-year tender. However, he signed a waiver and opted to participate.
That’s the kind of dedication Allen no doubt is looking for.
***
Reece & Branch should takes notes from the Harvard kid
get to work pansies!!
April 24th, 2012 at 6:11 am
I’ve followed Simmons for years too, funny dude and always an interesting read because you can relate to him as diehard sports fas (and gambling addict) you’ll never hear a Peter King say the things he does and that’s refreshing.
April 24th, 2012 at 6:12 am
The Jaguars, Browns, and Rams don’t have the deep seeded fanbase, history, or tradition that the Raiders fanbase does. There is a warped agenda of media guys like Simmons to piss on Legacy teams while they are down. It does make for interesting reading to the masses. No one pays attention to stories about the Rams, Browns or Jags sucking. Nobody cares about them, even their own fanbase generally waffles in their support. But everyone seems to perk up an ear when Raider hating stories come out. Even when the Raiders are bad, they are polarizing, and that’s what sells copy. Simmons is just a sellout who shapes his opinion around what he thinks his audience wants to hear.
April 24th, 2012 at 6:13 am
Tyvon Marcel and Tommy…….exactly who RM will trade for picks…..
***
interesting comment by BLACKBONES (who?)
wouldn’t surprise me a bit!
Reggie & Dennis have more important things to worry about than a few sissys who don’t agree to a reasonable contract.
Kelly may have been given permission to visit other teams and given a pass on anything Raiders related?
April 24th, 2012 at 6:15 am
The Raiders donated a $35,000 grant to refurbish the school’s playground in 2010. The kids, in turn, have painted a Raiders’ shield on their blacktop.
*********
NFL Lawyers then showed up and had the blacktop bulldozed
April 24th, 2012 at 6:22 am
On Bill Simmons podcast, Mike Lombardi said McClain is about a cheeseburger away from becoming a defensive tackle.
***
LOL!!
this true?
April 24th, 2012 at 6:25 am
It’s true Rockstar.
April 24th, 2012 at 6:26 am
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/04/24/former-top-10-pick-ernie-sims-works-out-for-dolphins/
this guy worth a look?
April 24th, 2012 at 6:27 am
Mark Brunell retires
April 24th, 2012 at 6:28 am
my guess for the 95th pick
Donald Stephenson, OT, Oklahoma
April 24th, 2012 at 6:28 am
From PFT:
NFL Films ranks Tebow ahead of Marcus Allen, Earl Cambell in it’s top ten Heisman players in the NFL.
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/04/24/nfl-films-tebow-already-better-than-three-hall-of-famers/
April 24th, 2012 at 6:28 am
test
April 24th, 2012 at 6:29 am
GUEST123 POST-36,THE BROWNS & RAMS FRANCHISES HAVE BEEN AROUND A LOT LONGER THAN THE RAIDERS.THEY HAVE FAN BASES THAT HAVE BEEN AROUND LONGER THAN THE RAIDERS.I AM SURE THEY FEEL AS STRONGLY ABOUT THERE TEAMS AS U AND I.GOOD MORNING TO YOU BY THE WAY..
April 24th, 2012 at 6:30 am
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/04/24/pilar-sanders-wife-of-deion-arrested-for-assault/
‘Prime Time’ obviously wasn’t wearing the pants in that marriage, and I’m assuming he still doesn’t know how to make a tackle!
April 24th, 2012 at 6:31 am
good morning DIRT-LOT
Can’t disagree, but neither franchise has the storied history of success as the Raiders. But I’ll agree to give them their due as long suffering fans.
April 24th, 2012 at 6:31 am
still awaiting votes for #95 pick (alpha)
Attn:
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April 24th, 2012 at 6:34 am
Lol @ 38. They’re now also suing the school district to recoup the cost of the bulldozer, and Goodell had suspended the principal for the remainder of the year.
Regarding Tommy Kelly; those in favor of getting rid of him would do well to visit the depth chart, and also come go grips with the fact that we’re not getting a second round pick for a DT with that many years on him. Not to mention that he’s not going to be replaced by some mid-rounder that’s never played an NFL snap. One of the more underrated players were have, at least in here.
April 24th, 2012 at 6:35 am
GUESS IT IS SUBJECTIVE GUEST. CLEVELAND BROWNS WERE NFL CHAMPIONS 4 OR 5 STRAIGHT YEARS WITH OTTO GRAHM AT QB.THAT A PRETTY GOOD LEGACY..
April 24th, 2012 at 6:36 am
@50. I agree that TK won’t be traded, but it has more to do with something not mentioned. His pricetag.
April 24th, 2012 at 6:40 am
Well before my time DIRT-LOT. Any remaining die-hard Browns fan that can still remember to wax rhapsodic about the glory years are nearing the end of their lives.
Speaking of which, an entire new generation of Raider fans can only bring up memories of failures and embarrasment. It’s been a long decade. Eventually all the old-timers will pass. Me too.
April 24th, 2012 at 6:43 am
new post
April 24th, 2012 at 6:43 am
EVENTUALLY,ALL U HAVE ARE MEMORIES..
April 24th, 2012 at 6:43 am
Who predicts McKenzie trades into the 1st round? What about the 2nd? I think he will trade into one of these two rounds on the day.
April 24th, 2012 at 6:43 am
QB’s hate pressure up the middle, it’s the most disruptive thing for them to face, but not many players can rush the passer from the inside, Tommy Kelly is probably the best at it.
Kelly has 14.5 sacks over the last 2 years, most by any interior lineman in the NFL and he’s done it while facing his fair share of double-teams.
If Tommy Kelly played for New York, Chicago, Dallas, Washington or Philly the last couple of years (or if we were a winning team) he’d have a pair of Pro Bowls by now and a ton of media recognition.
That being said, we do need to cut down his snaps, same goes for Seymour, Bryant and Houston need to spend more time inside and less outside, not only to keep the old guys fresh, but to groom them as our starting DT’s in a year or two.
I’d love to sign-draft another DE to handle the left side on 1st and 2nd downs, with Tollefson coming in on passing situations, that would allow us to play a 4 man rotation inside with Kelly-Seymour-Bryant-Houston wearing out Centers and Guards.
April 24th, 2012 at 6:48 am
No to Ernie Sims Rock, he is washed up
April 24th, 2012 at 7:42 am
Super article Jer.! Thank you much. Good looking out.