Archive for August, 2007

Who stays, who goes

Lane Kiffin said the process has already begun, and by Saturday afternoon, we’ll know the makeup of the Raiders 53-man roster. Trades or the signing of top pick JaMarcus Russell could shake things up, but here’s how things might look (debate is welcomed and encouraged):

QUARTERBACKS (3)–Daunte Culpepper, Josh McCown, Andrew Walter.

RUNNING BACKS (6)–LaMont Jordan, Justin Griffith, Adimchinobe Echemandu, Zack Crockett, Oren O’Neal, Justin Fargas.

Cuts_Michael Bush (regular-season PUP), Dominic Rhodes (suspended, reinstated on Oct. 1).

WIDE RECEIVERS (5)–Ronald Curry, Jerry Porter, Mike Williams, Johnnie Lee Higgins, Travis Taylor.

Cuts_Alvis Whitted, Carlos Francis, Chris McFoy

TIGHT ENDS (3)–Zach Miller, John Madsen, Tony Stewart.

Cuts_O.J. Santiago, James Adkisson.

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN (9)_Barry Sims, Robert Gallery, Jeremy Newberry, Jake Grove, Cooper Carlisle, Cornell Green, Mario Henderson, Kevin Boothe, Paul McQuistan.

Cuts–Chris Morris, Mark Wilson, Jesse Boone, Chad Slaughter.

DEFENSIVE LINE (9)_Derrick Burgess, Warren Sapp, Terdell Sands, Tommy Kelly, Jay Richardson, Quentin Moses, Chris Clemons, Tyler Brayton, Anttaj Hawthorne.

Cuts_Gerard Warren, Josh Shaw, Dave Tollefson.

LINEBACKERS (6)–Sam Williams, Kirk Morrison, Thomas Howard, Robert Thomas, Ricky Brown, Jon Condo.

Cuts_Kyle Shotwell, Kurt Campbell, Isaiah Ekejiuba (injured reserve).

DEFENSIVE BACKS (10)–Nnamdi Asomugha, Fabian Washington, Michael Huff, Stuart Schweigert, Donovin Darius, Stanford Routt, Chris Carr, B.J. Ward, John Bowie, Duane Starks.

Cuts_Marquice Cole, Hiram Eugene, Chris Johnson, Eric Frampton.

K (2)_Sebastian Janikowski, Shane Lechler

Cut_Tyler Fredrickson.

Posted on Friday, August 31st, 2007
Under: Oakland Raiders | 151 Comments »

The Kiffin review

Anything is possible, nothing is certain.

That seemed to be the prevailing message from coach Lane Kiffin Friday in a conference call with Bay Area reporters regarding the status of the 53-man roster the day after a 19-14 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

Daunte Culpepper or Josh McCown?

Could be either one. Both did some things well, both could have been better. He thought Culpepper was a little slow in terms of tempo, while McCown “needs to clean up some things with his feet.”

The starter could be as formed as early as Sunday, but Kiffin may opt to put the entire building on double secret probation and ensure it remains a secret until the Raiders host the Lions on Sept. 9.

Kiffin said has already had meetings with some players regarding their fate, but that nothing would be official until Saturday.

One thing Kiffin did say was that the Raiders would be willing to listen to offers for No. 3 quarterback Andrew Walter.

“By Andrew improving and playing very well in the preseason it has generated interest in him,” Kiffin said.

He had no updates on top draft pick JaMarcus Russell, and said there were 10 different teams that at one point carried just two quarterbacks on the roster.

Some additional notes:

– LB Isiah Ekejiuba’s ankle injury is “a cracked bone” which could be a four-week injury. It places Ekejiuba’s spot on the 53-man roster in jeopardy.

– Justin Griffith will start at fullback because of his consistency, pass receiving ability and running skill, Kiffin said.

– Dominic Rhodes, leaving for a four-game suspension, got time in the first half because it was decided beforehand that Justin Fargas and Adimchinobe Echemandu would play only a quarter each.

– Could Gerard Warren stick? He was getting pushed around late against Seattle and Kiffin said it’s clear he needs better conditioning, but also noted, “There is some exciting potential there.”

– No word on a starting center between Jake Grove and Jeremy Newberry. Hey, why not keep the Lions in the dark about the entire first-team battery?

– Keeping Sebastian Janikowski and Shane Lechler under wraps against Seattle was another decision made weeks ago.

It’s been essentially a free ride for the kickers, as Kiffin made it clear Tyler Fredrickson’s presence was just to give the starters rest. When asked why kickers didn’t get legitimate competition like position players, Kiffin said, “We did bring in a guy that does both and it was the best thing we could find . . . sometimes you can tell pretty early when a competition is over. These two guys really outkicked the competition.”

Coming at 5 p.m: Predicting Saturday’s 53-man roster.

Posted on Friday, August 31st, 2007
Under: Oakland Raiders | 32 Comments »