When the Raiders have their first two-a-day session Saturday, the second practice will be under a set of portable lights.

Coach Lane Kiffin has instituted a series of night practices when the Raiders have two-a-days _ eight in all, although schedules are often altered during training camp. Morning practices will begin at 8:45 a.m. during two-a-day sessions.

“It allows a minimum of eight hours in between each practice,” Kiffin said. “They have two meals between and after researching, it was the best thing for their health and to be able to get them to practice at the level we want them to.”

And to think Kiffin got his wrist slapped by the NFLPA for working his players too hard in the offseason.

Additional notes and Kiffin quotes from his first training camp meeting with the media:

On negotiations with JaMarcus Russell — “We’re moving along very quickly but at the same time we’re doing things in the best interest for our future as well . . . He may not be here. We’ll deal with it at at the time and coach the players that are here.”

Regarding the shape of the franchise — “We have a long ways to go, obviously. Fifteen wins in four years. We think we’re making some strides. We made a number of roster moves up to this point and obviously we’ll have to make some more, too.”

On recent roster moves which included the release of Adam Treu, Jarrod Cooper, Darnell Bing and Courtney Anderson — “All our moves were are made for the best interest of our team at this time. We felt with the signing of Donovin Darius there would be limited reps for Darnell so we made the move at this time. With Jarrod, with all the transactions, a number of things go into them and a number of things went into it with Jarrod. We felt it was the right thing to do for the team at this time.”

On the NFLPA sanction for Oakland’s offseason practices– “When they called me and informed me of it, I said what did we do wrong exactly? When they explained what it was, we were wrong. They said too much player aggressiveness, too much contact, practices were at too high a tempo. And I said, you guys are right, we were definitely wrong.”

– Russell had surgery 10 days ago . . . OK, relax, it was Lasik eye surgery. He’s fine.

– No veterans are expected to miss the first day.

– Kiffin would not divulge the makeup of the offensive line. “You guys will see that (Friday). We think we have a really good plan and we’re going to go with it for now and keep guys competing, going for those spots. . . we’re going to let them suit up and find the best five and play those guys and put them in the right spots.”

– Update: The Raiders confirmed the signing of defensive end Quintin Moses, leaving Russell and tight end Zach Miller the lone unsigned draft picks.

(Note: Readers who wish to submit lead blog items can send e-mails to jmcdonald@angnewspapers.com. Some may be posted as comments if on the same subject. I’ll post occasionally as news breaks but for the most part, the lead item belongs to you until the days approaching training camp July 27).

By The Analyzer

Since 1983, 13 Quarterbacks have been selected first overall in the NFL draft. Some have been busts while others now reside in the Hall of Fame. Let’s take a quick peek and see what history shows us.

2007 - JaMarcus Russell OAK

Russell is the new face of the Raiders and our future is his to make.

2005 - Alex Smith SF

Alex Smith struggled in his first NFL season but showed some nice progress in his second season. The jury is still out on him but he isn’t looking like a bust right now.

2004 - Eli Manning NYG

The younger Manning hasn’t lived up to expectations but has shown some flashes as times. The jury is still out on him but he is dangerously close to being considered a huge bust.

2003 - Carson Palmer CIN

Palmer has transformed into one of the elite Quarterbacks in the league. If Palmer can stay healthy and win a Super Bowl he could be considered as a Hall of Fame candidate some day.

2002 - David Carr HOU

Most people have Carr listed as a bust right now but I have a sneaking suspicion that his career will be ressurected in Carolina. Give him one more season before labeling him as a bust.

2001 - Michael Vick ATL

Vick is an electrifying player but never developed into much of a passer. His recent non-football issues are a definite problem but it’s hard to label a guy who has done what Vick has as a complete dissapointment.

1999 - Tim Couch CLE

Definite Bust. I bet Cleveland wishes they would have nabbed McNabb instead.

1998 - Peyton Manning IND

Definite first ballot Hall of Famer. Manning could end up leaving the game considered the best Quarterback off all-time now that he has a Super Bowl ring.

1993 - Drew Bledsoe NE

Bledsoe definitely had his struggles but he has had a long and fairly productive NFL career. He isn’t what people hoped for but he’s not a complete bust. If you don’t beleive me just look at his career stats compared with some other NFL Quaterbacks.

1990 - Jeff George IND

George should most likely be considered a bust despite a couple decent seasons. He served as a decent interm Quarterback for transitional teams but never materialized into a good Quarterback.

1989 - Troy Aikman DAL

This Hall of Fame Quarterback was the leader of the Dallas Dynasty in the 90s. His legacy will be remembered forever.

1987 - Vinny Testaverde TB

Vinny is a bust by most standards. He served as a decent backup and had his share of decent games but never lived up to expectations.

1983 - John Elway BAL

This Hall of Famer will also go down as one of the best Quarterbacks in NFL history. He is one of the few NFL players to take the high road and retire when he still had plenty of gas in his tank.

So where will Jamarcus Russell end up? Will he be a bust, a Hall of Famer, or somewhere in the middle? Only time will tell.