Training camp, Practice 1
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Thursday, July 24th, 2008 at 7:54 pm in Oakland Raiders.
Some quick hits from Thursday’s first practice, followed later by highlights of interviews with Raiders players that include JaMarcus Russell, Javon Walker, Nnamdi Asomugha, and believe it or not, even Tommy Kelly:
– Early drills found offensive coordinator Greg Knapp lecturing one of the members of the support staff who was throwing passes from close range to tight ends during a drill.
“Give it a little more. Give it a little more. There’s a kid named JaMarcus who throws the ball. He’s faster than that.”
– Big difference in watching the Raiders the past couple of years after the Aaron Brooks-Andrew Walter competition of 2006 and then the three-headed Josh McCown, Walter, Daunte Culpepper competition of a year ago.
Russell has not only been anointed the starter, but is easily the sharpest of the three quarterbacks.
– Russell, Walter and Marques Tuiasosopo got plenty of work in with Sam Keller and Jeff Otis having been released earlier in the day. One of those players could wind up coming back, or another camp arm, could be headed toward Alameda soon, Kiffin said after practice.
– Wide receiver Arman Shields, who missed much of the offseason with a hamstring pull, wasted no time making up whatever ground he lost to fellow Chaz Schilens and others by making several nice catches.
“That’s the same guy we saw for the few days we had him,” Kiffin said following practice.“Really quick and really fast and stuck out in the group a couple days we had him before he got hurt. We were really excited about him then he got hurt and we never got him back again. He’s going to be one of the things you really want to watch throughout camp and throughout the preseason.”
– Running back Darren McFadden made some nice runs from scrimmage, showing his burst of speed, but dropped at least two easy passes on short dumpoffs. McFadden said afterward he was running before he caught the ball.
– An example of the precision the coaches staff insists on during camp _ wide receivers coach James Lofton urging wide receiver Todd Watkins to run his route just a shade farther.
“I need fifteen-and-a-half,” Lofton said. “I need that extra half-yard.”
– Kiffin said the practices were focusing mostly on first- and second-down, and most of the Raiders plays run during team sessions were timing passes and quick release plays.
– No big hits with players urged not bring their teammates to the ground in a padded practice, although linebacker Isiah Ekejiuba on one play stood up left tackle Kwame Harris and drove him two yards back.
– Running back Michael Bush looked excited and eager to take a few hits, although defenders did not wrap up. Bush said afterward he enjoyed the experience, but was really looking forward to taking on a defender during the first preaseason game.
– Russell did drop one nice deep touch pass some 40 yards downfield into the hands of Johnnie Lee Higgins along the right sideline.
– Center Jake Grove got much of the first-team work at center, as the Raiders seem eager to find out once and for all if he can be the center they drafted in the second round in 2004.
– Kalimba Edwards had his share of decent pass rush attempts against tackles Harris and Seth Wand. The Raiders ran effectively on two stretch plays to the left behind Harris, once with Justin Fargas and later with McFadden.
– Consultant Paul Hackett was on the field with the Raiders, but his duties this year will be confined to scouting upcoming opponents. Kiffin noted that Hackett most recently coached in the NFC South (with Tampa Bay) and the AFC East (the New York Jets), two divisions the Raiders play this year.
– Linebacker Thomas Howard made a nice play against McFadden when he broke into the backfield and an outside run and collared the runner without bringing him down.
– With the gloves off in terms of bump and run coverage, Raiders defensive backs and wide receivers weren’t shy about mixing it up. Cornerback Darrick Brown drew the praise of assistant Willie Brown for roughing up Todd Watkins and throwing off a route which Russell threw incomplete.
“Hey, that’s what happens when you beat the (bleep) out of him on the line,” Willie Brown said.
– Running back Oren O’Neal, healthy after a hamstring pull in the offseason, caught a safety-valve pass from Andrew Walter against the defense of Sam Williams and made his way down the left sideline.
– Strong safety Gibril Wilson caused an incomplete pass from Russell to Zach Miller with tight coverage over the middle.
– Asomugha broke on a Walter pass, the only one thrown at him during the practice, and intercepted it in stride, heading for the end zone.
– Defensive end Greg Spires missed practice with a hamstring pull resulting after the morning conditioning session. Linebacker Grant Irons left practice with a hamstring pull.
– Kelly was credited by Kiffin for what he said would have been three sacks in a live drill, although his eyes must have been sharper than those watching from the sideline.
– Kiffin operated mostly in a stealth mode, in contrast to his tornado act during last year’s training camp.
“That’s the way it should be,” guard Robert Gallery said. “ We know what we’re doing now. There’s a program in place.”
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July 24th, 2008 at 7:56 pm
I am so fired up for this season!
July 24th, 2008 at 7:58 pm
FIRST, FIRST!!!!
Yes!!!
July 24th, 2008 at 7:58 pm
dos
July 24th, 2008 at 7:58 pm
God dammit! F**k off, Ryan!
July 24th, 2008 at 7:58 pm
Repost to anyone interested:
A league has been created at:
http:\\www.nfl.com\fantasy
Draft day is 8/23/08
Automated Draft
League name is:
ibabuzz
Password is:
3rings
Need 9 more.
July 24th, 2008 at 7:58 pm
Finaly the good stuff!
July 24th, 2008 at 7:58 pm
quarto
July 24th, 2008 at 7:58 pm
ohhh man thanks for the first comments on training camp….go raiders
July 24th, 2008 at 7:59 pm
Sucks to be you.
July 24th, 2008 at 7:59 pm
Oakglenn, calm down, buddy. It’s ok.
Dakota, I do hope you join us in this current comments section, to explain to us just how the Raiders cheated against the Redskins in the Super Bowl, and, more importantly, what evidence you have.
July 24th, 2008 at 8:03 pm
F’n A man, cant’ wait for J-rock to hand the ball off to Run DMC for the next 10 years suckas!
July 24th, 2008 at 8:03 pm
Awesome blog today, Jerry. After what I’ve read about todays’ first day of camp, I have to tell you, I don’t see how anyone can not believe we’re going to the Super Bowl this year.
July 24th, 2008 at 8:04 pm
THIS WAS WORTH THE WAIT!!!! EXACTLY WHAT I HAD HOPED FOR EXCEPT FOR NO NEWS ON JAVON!! I’LL TAKE IT!!
July 24th, 2008 at 8:04 pm
Hey punk, I´m here now….so stop posting as me and get lost.
July 24th, 2008 at 8:04 pm
Sweet! Training camp tonight and my birthday tomorrow. I’m excited to hear how Jamarcus progresses. Peace Nation!
July 24th, 2008 at 8:04 pm
I agree, Lal. And I really do think we have Super Bowl chances this year. Especially after what I’ve read today. Yesterday, I was thinking maybe divisional playoffs. But after today, there’s no way we’re not going to the Super Bowl. I don’t see how any real fan could believe otherwise.
July 24th, 2008 at 8:05 pm
Take it easy, Oakglenn.
Dakota, still waiting on your evidence that the Raiders cheated in the Super Bowl.
July 24th, 2008 at 8:06 pm
Let me guess post 16 not the real Oakglenn
July 24th, 2008 at 8:06 pm
Happy birthday, SC Raider. I remember what my 12th birthday was like, too.
July 24th, 2008 at 8:14 pm
wouldn’t it be nice if someone could spend an hour or so on this site and just be able to talk Raider football?
July 24th, 2008 at 8:15 pm
Jerry, I know you read this stuff, especially right after you post a new thread…are you just ignoring these problems because you want a high comment count? Well, I think that if you cleaned this place up your comment count would probably be even higher…
get of your azz Jerry and get this place registered.
July 24th, 2008 at 8:15 pm
I think this was my favorite part of Jerry´s report…
“Big difference in watching the Raiders the past couple of years after the Aaron Brooks-Andrew Walter competition of 2006 and then the three-headed Josh McCown, Walter, Daunte Culpepper competition of a year ago.
Russell has not only been anointed the starter, but is easily the sharpest of the three quarterbacks.”
We´ll have to live with the growing pains and it shouldn´t be that hard to look better than the AW-Tui tandem…. but still, it´s great to finally have a top talent to work with.
July 24th, 2008 at 8:15 pm
No In college I was the only Mexican that lived in my house of other party goers. We all had nick names and mine was Sanchez, then I became a bartender when I turned 21 then I became Dirty Sanchez! (let me tell you the fun of being a bartender… I’m lucky I didn’t catch anything!) Now that I’m older and have been elevated to the supreme Jedi Pimp! I’m known as El Dirty! Now you know the Origin if the last Super Hero! lol Peace
July 24th, 2008 at 8:16 pm
get OFF your azz Jerry…
July 24th, 2008 at 8:17 pm
Now #29 sounds like the real Bob.
July 24th, 2008 at 8:18 pm
“Every player passed the conditioning test, including Terdell Sands, listed at 335 pounds but was close to 400 pounds last season.” Sac Bee
Thats good news….
July 24th, 2008 at 8:19 pm
Troll Alert.
Only post 14 and 29 are mine….the rest, you already know.
July 24th, 2008 at 8:19 pm
Anybody else here go to camp and today and had some obsevations?
July 24th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
even better news…
– Running back Michael Bush looked excited and eager to take a few hits
July 24th, 2008 at 8:27 pm
Hey guys wattup! I’m back but I never really left, just undercover during the boring azz parts! Thanks Jerry, first practise sounds great!! Keep it coming!! Well, stayed up till 11pm (east coast time) to get the news on the 1st session but now I gotta hit the feathers. Huff, Dakota, Tech, Irish, Marley, and anybody I’ve missed good to be back and I’ll blog y’all tomorrow!! YOUR IN or your an AZZ!!
July 24th, 2008 at 8:30 pm
seeing what we have with M.Bush is something i am really looking forward to.imagine a 250lb running back-not fullback-that could avg. 5 yds or better a carry!
July 24th, 2008 at 8:31 pm
grat post jerry and thx again, but please do get this blog registered to clean up the childs play. ive gotta believe our team will be better this year, a lot better. IM IN!
July 24th, 2008 at 8:33 pm
Remmeber this “reports” according to “sources”?: Nnamdi unhappy, Nnamdi will not report in time, Nnamdi may miss training camp, Nnamdi may sit out the whole preseason…
“I heard all the apocryphal stories during the offseason of what was going on so I wanted to put everything to rest and just show up.” Asomugha said.
Thank you Sr.
July 24th, 2008 at 8:33 pm
exaggeration!how about someone how will move the pile?
July 24th, 2008 at 8:33 pm
great post sorry ,spelling
July 24th, 2008 at 8:34 pm
Let me spread the news that, Russell is going to have the best team in nfl 19-0 baby to the superbowl
July 24th, 2008 at 8:35 pm
who not how
July 24th, 2008 at 8:35 pm
Coach Lofton asking for that extra half yard sounds like he is anticipating all the 1st and 15s we will see because of false starts.
July 24th, 2008 at 8:36 pm
did anyone honestly think Nambdi was going to ignore a 10 foot tall pile of $100 dollar bills ???
or that that very same 10 foot tall pile of $100 dollar bills was going to make him unhappy ??? or feel abused ???
July 24th, 2008 at 8:37 pm
Just watched the 2001 divisional playoffs against the patriots the TUCK game, just imagine if we had our 08′ team matched up with them, we would beat the crap outta the patriots.
July 24th, 2008 at 8:37 pm
From sfgate.com:
“On Walker: He reported to camp just fine, save a scar and scab on his forehead. He talked for more than 10 minutes, but wants to leave what happened in Vegas in Vegas for now. Not a bad move in light of an ongoing criminal investigation, since he’s apparently the only eyewitness to his attack.
“When I get ready to come out and tell what really happened, I’ll clear it up then,” Walker said. “It ain’t today. Too soon for that.”
At least he´s healthy from that incident, that knee has always been the real worry for me.
July 24th, 2008 at 8:40 pm
Rapper Rick Ross is a fake.
http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2008/0721081rickross1.html
July 24th, 2008 at 8:40 pm
Pete, of course he would not ignore that pile of cash, but he would still get it if he reported yesterday or on Sept. 1st.
New Post.
July 24th, 2008 at 8:41 pm
I cant wait until the season starts, packing 211 reserves & coronas in my bag, then start chuggin em’, pop the marlboro 27’s, eat at the tailgate, and yell go raiders!!!!!!!!!!!
July 24th, 2008 at 8:42 pm
Instead of 1-2-3 firstdown its going to be TOUCHDOWN RAIIIDERRSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!
July 24th, 2008 at 8:43 pm
I’m debating if i should wear my asomugha or charles woodson jersey when the season starts ?
July 24th, 2008 at 8:45 pm
This 08 team is better than the 01-02 team we had by far, exciting upcoming season, I’m ready to spend by big bucks taking the bart to mcafee haha
July 24th, 2008 at 8:47 pm
Every friggin weekend i wear my raider jersey, i whiff on all the designer clothes because nobody is gonna fade the silver and black baby
July 24th, 2008 at 8:48 pm
If i had to wear another jersey besides the raiders, it would probably be the A’s and Warrior jerseys!! gyea
July 24th, 2008 at 8:50 pm
ok. my sugar rush is calming down, sorry folks i got lifted there quite a bit, so let me ask you guys SUPERBOWL CHAMPIONS for the raiders or what?
July 24th, 2008 at 8:51 pm
Or is the margarito and cotto fight more interesting to talk about ?
July 24th, 2008 at 10:20 pm
Football season at last! Bring on the camp photos…
July 24th, 2008 at 11:02 pm
Hey you little impostor, you know you’re sick right?
July 24th, 2008 at 11:44 pm
Yeah something wrong with this picture KK, posted like 9 times in less than 15 mins lol
July 25th, 2008 at 5:26 am
Reading this is the best news I’ve read this year, my smile is from Sydney to Oakland baby
July 25th, 2008 at 6:01 am
I LOVE THIS!!! First practice, and my man Jerry is back giving us great updates…
Just put in for a day off on Tues. Sept. 9th. With a 10:15 local time kick-off there is no WAY I’m turning in early and missing one down of the ass kicking that is going to be performed on that denture-wearing prick and his whiny-ass QB….Virginia loves the RAIDERS!!!
July 25th, 2008 at 7:22 am
Great blog jerry,I can get the full update hear without having to enter the other sites..
honest raider news here.
Keep it comin jerry
July 25th, 2008 at 7:57 am
Has any thought if (T) Paul McQuistan can play LT?
July 25th, 2008 at 8:38 am
“Running back Michael Bush looked excited and eager to take a few hits, although defenders did not wrap up. Bush said afterward he enjoyed the experience, but was really looking forward to taking on a defender during the first preaseason game.”
Look out for Bush, he is going to be a surprise this season. He has that Bulldog mentality and is going to run over defenders in the pre-season. I would like to see him used other than 3rd and shorts a la Zach Crockett.
July 25th, 2008 at 9:13 am
McFadden will not be the best running back in camp.
Bush will be the starter, if it’s a fair competition.
July 25th, 2008 at 9:13 am
what about ed hartwell
is he doing anything out there????
July 25th, 2008 at 9:22 am
This is just the beginning of the end!!!
The Raiders are back!!!
July 25th, 2008 at 9:24 am
After reading this…
Early drills found offensive coordinator Greg Knapp lecturing one of the members of the support staff who was throwing passes from close range to tight ends during a drill.
“Give it a little more. Give it a little more. There’s a kid named JaMarcus who throws the ball. He’s faster than that.”
Looks like we will need to invest in a football launcher for the receivers to get used to J-Rocks passes.
July 25th, 2008 at 10:53 am
nah.. t-pain is a fake rap artist!!! u gotta sport the ASO jersey… woodson’s a sellout… done son!!!!
July 25th, 2008 at 10:55 am
m bush is gon carry mofos on his back!! free rides for everyone…
July 25th, 2008 at 12:11 pm
when is the first preseason game? Looking for a 9-7 season at worst, with 10-6 a possibility.
July 25th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
yo duff man??? the 8th of august against the winers…. im excited to see how the first quarter is gon go down??
July 25th, 2008 at 12:57 pm
thanks TEOFILO DIMAANO,
What is your best guess at their record this year? I know we only have one practice under our belts, but still feels like so far, so good.
July 25th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
lets go to work!
July 28th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
[...] Day1: Wide receiver Arman Shields, who missed much of the offseason with a hamstring pull, wasted no time making up whatever ground he lost to fellow Chaz Schilens and others by making several nice catches [...]