Porter Wants To Be Traded....

[Angry Pope]

Report: Raiders' Porter says he wants to be traded

ESPN




Jerry Porter reportedly isn't on board with new Raiders coach Art Shell.


The wide receiver told The San Francisco Chronicle that he has asked the team to trade him.

"Yes. Absolutely. I've told them that," Porter told the newspaper. The 2000 second round pick has caught 239 passes in his six NFL seasons for 3,215 yards and has scored 24 touchdowns.

Porter told the newspaper that his agent told him that the Raiders have asked for two No. 1 picks in return for him in any deal. "Why ... would you ask for a No. 1 for me, or ask for two No. 1s for me, when I wasn't even a No. 1?," he told the newspaper.

Porter told the newspaper he had a run-in with Shell and receivers coach Fred Biletnikoff shortly after Shell was hired when he told them he wanted to work out in Florida instead of participating in the team's offseason conditioning program.

"Ever since then, [Shell] hasn't said anything to me, I haven't said anything to him," Porter told the Chronicle.

Shell didn't dispute Porter's version of events and emphasized to the newspaper that he is trying to change the culture of the Raiders, who are 13-35 the past three seasons.

"The culture is changing," Shell told the Chronicle, "and everybody has been on board and trying to get involved in the process of winning football games, and getting in here, working. You can't have inmates running the asylum.

"That's not gonna be. Not under me, and 99.9 percent of the players here feel that way. They want direction. We're going to give them direction. And I'm not going to back down off of that.

"A couple of the inmates have been trying to run the doggone culture around here. They've been running the program. And that's not gonna be anymore. I'm the head coach. I'm the guy in charge."

Shell, who coached the Raiders previously from 1989-1994, had a 54-38 regular-season record his first time around, leading the Raiders to the AFC Championship Game following the 1990 season. The team has had only three winning seasons since Shell was fired -- one less than he had in five full seasons as coach.

[Seraph24]

i say let him go. though i think we'll likely bench him or just wait until it doesnt cost us so much.

[Angry Pope]

RAIDERS DANGLING PORTER

We've heard from two different sources that the Oakland Raiders are willing to trade receiver Jerry Porter, if an interested partner can be identified. One source said that the Raiders discreetly have been shopping Porter for several months.

Porter was a second-round pick of the Raiders in 2000. He received a $7 million signing bonus in 2005, only a day or two before word broke of a trade that sent Randy Moss to the Bay Area.

Porter is scheduled to earn base salaries of $1 million in 2006 and 2007.

Teams that might be interested include the Eagles, Packers, Bears, Patriots, Jaguars, Saints, and 49ers.

[CrossBones]

Screw him F*ckin prima donna.

I'm definitely off the Jerry Porter band wagon! :mad:

[Angry Pope]

I am tired of his whining....Either become a team player or screw off....

[CrossBones]

I am tired of his whining....Either become a team player or screw off....hehehe...REP!!!!

[Angel]

Screw him F*ckin prima donna.

I'm definitely off the Jerry Porter band wagon! :mad:
I never knew you were on his bandwagon Bones!! :eek: I say trade his ass.............to the chiefs :p

[Rob]

I never knew you were on his bandwagon Bones!! :eek: I say trade his ass.............to the chiefs :p

I don't think that will happen. :D He will sit the pine before Al trades to anyone in the afc west.

[Plunkett16]

no team gonna give up 2 1st rounders for his sorry ass. porter can fuck off all i care.

peeps can bitch about my timmy being media whore but he never once made himself to be prima donna bitch like porter and woodson.

[CrossBones]

Plunk...remember when Jerry Jones gave up two #1's for that clown Joey Gallaway?

Stranger things have happened although in this case you're probably right -- not gonna happen.

[TommyGirl]

Joey Galloway is a better receiver than Porter, even at his age.

I'm with these guys. No way does Al trade Porter to a division rival. He'd Marcus Allen him first.

I disagree that Woodson is in the same class of whiners that Porter is.

[RaiderIVlife]

Perhaps the Raiders realize that we're "stuck" with Porter either way in 2006. Why not "motivate" him by challenging him? The softball approach by Norv Turner certainly didn't motivate him IMHO.

What's the downside? NONE in my opinion. In fact, he may bust his ass to prove that he's in elite player and the Raiders don't "deserve" him. If he continues to be a jackass, he will get benched and no one will feel sorry for him in the process.

This could be a brilliant strategy by Al Davis & Art Shell.

[CrossBones]

Joey Galloway is a better receiver than Porter, even at his age.Galloway was as big a head case as Porter maybe bigger. And he wasn't all that great because of it. Jones got worked hard on that trade.

JI'm with these guys. No way does Al trade Porter to a division rival. He'd Marcus Allen him first. And that might be exactly what happens. Porter is a jerk and has been for a long time. The Raider Nation has just been hoping he'd grow up and back up his big mouth.

[TommyGirl]

I'm not disputing the "head case" part about Galloway, but Galloway at least had some realized ability that Porter hasn't had.

I'm disgusted with myself for ever sticking up for the guy, quite honestly.

[CrossBones]

I'm disgusted with myself for ever sticking up for the guy, quite honestly.As you should be. :p

[TommyGirl]

Whoa, there, Pard. You've stuck up for him, too.

Plus, you better watch it. I'm cranky. I spent thirteen hours in the hot sun at the Warped tour with my daughters, came to Phoenix which is clearly like being in hell this time of year, and now there's some damn concert outside my hotel called "Sounds of the Underground," which is like a mini-warped tour. Yeah. I've had enough of pseudo-punk-metal-crap for a few days. Grrr...!

[CrossBones]

Let me unbdertand this: you went to Phoenix at the end of July? You deserve whaterver you got. That was just flat dumb. :p

We've had two solid weeks of 80-95 degree weather and the friggin' contractor put off the start of my deck project until the last week of August. Bastard. Now I have to hope for another two weeks of good weather.

How'd your project turn out TG?

PS- Yeah I stuck up for Porter but with this lastest outburst I say screw him. His act is old an tired

[Seraph24]

i'm glad i never stuck up for Porter. nothing to feel bad about.:D

[TommyGirl]

My project is still in process, Bones. It pisses me off. Why'd you have to go and bring it up? The contractor shows up whenever he feels like it. What should've been no longer than a three week project is still ongoing and it began mid-June. I have the girls sleeping on the couches at night because their rooms are packed away in the shed. I have no floor coverings, a huge mess to clean up every night, etc. Ugh.

I came to Phoenix for work. It sucks. I barely go outside at all, for obvious reasons. No halfway smart person WOULD!

[Seraph24]

hold the contractors family for ransom. he gets them back in exchange for better work.;) I hate contractors like that myself. No commitment to the schedule sucks ass.:mad:

[CrossBones]

The contractor shows up whenever he feels like it.I see the bastards operate the same way in Colorado as they do in Washington. Buncha friggin' idots. I told them I wanted to get starte on July 17. We've had perfect weather. I've bgeen tellin' 'em for six months when I wanted to get this underway and for them to plan for it. But oh no they couldn't plan to have a wet dream. Jesus that is frustrating. And while August is a great weather month up here usually one never knows. If it's wet I'm gonna be screwed. :mad:

[Angry Pope]

Shell brushes off comments from receiver Porter

Bill Soliday



NAPA — Raiders coach Art Shell pushed aside remarks from disgruntled receiver Jerry Porter that he wants out of Oakland.
"That's not an issue as far as I'm concerned," Shell said to reporters Wednesday. "I'm not even going to discuss that."

During an NFL Network interview, Shell said "what I've tried to do is ignore it. It's a non-issue ... I've got a whole football team I've got to get ready to play.

"What has to happen from any player's standpoint is as long as you come out and work on the football field then we'll be OK. I can work with you. We don't have to like each other to get things done."

Porter indicated to the San Francisco Chronicle that his relationship with Shell and receivers coach Fred Biletnikoff was strained ever since his first meeting when he told the two coaches he would be working out in Florida instead of religiously training in Oakland.

Shell reportedly became so upset with Porter's attitude he threw him out of his office. Shell told the Chronicle that although he could still work with Porter, "you can't have inmates running the asylum ... a couple of the inmates have been trying to run the doggone culture around here. That's not going to be any more. I'm the head coach. I'm the guy in charge."

Porter said he had asked to be traded, but acknowledged he doubted a trade would happen. Some reports indicated there were as many as five teams making inquiries for Porter, who has 140 catches for 1,940 yards and 14 touchdowns the past two seasons. Porter told the Chronicle the Raiders were asking for two first-round picks in return.

If the Raiders either released or traded Porter, it would cost them $6.45 million in cap space due to acceleration of $13 million in bonus money he collected when he signed a restructured four-year deal.

Wednesday morning, Porter was absent from practice for a second day with what was characterized as a strained calf. Shell said he hoped Porter would be well enough to work with the team in the afternoon, but once again, he was absent.

"I had hoped he'd be back," Shell said. "I can only go by what my trainer says. He wasn't out there so we move forward. I'll get another report (today). If he says he goes, he goes."

Shell said he could live with unhappy players.

"I can live with anybody that can help us win football games," he said. "There's guys every year that might not want to be on a team, but, hey, part of this business is you play with who you've got."


FRANCIS INJURED: Reserve receiver Carlos Francis left the field and was taken to a Napa hospital for an MRI after injuring a hamstring trying to make a diving catch Wednesday.

The severity of the injury was unknown immediately, but the situation took on an ominous air when, on his way to the hospital, Francis indicated he was too upset to talk about it.

"It was an unfortunate thing," Shell said. "Carlos has worked hard this off-season and the last couple of days. Hopefully it's not too serious."

Meanwhile, tight end Randal Williams has been restricted to one practice a day due to a sore back.

[Angry Pope]

Posted on Thu, Jul. 27, 2006

Disgruntled Porter demands trade

Wide receiver and Shell haven't seen eye-to-eye since Shell was hired
notebook

NAPA -- Raiders wide receiver Jerry Porter is demanding a trade. Yet again. This time, he wants out only 17 months after signing a five-year contract that could net him as much as $15 million.

Porter's latest trade demand stems from a falling out he had with coach Art Shell in a get-to-know-you meeting soon after the Raiders hired Shell to replace Norv Turner on Feb. 13, according to people close to Shell and Porter.

Shell took exception to Porter's stance in response to Shell outlining what he expected of his players. From there, the two exchanged heated words, with Shell getting the last word and booting Porter from his office.

The Oakland Tribune and San Francisco Chronicle reported Porter's unhappiness with the Raiders on Tuesday, though he declined to speak with several other reporters.

"There's guys every year that might not want to be on a team," Shell said Wednesday, "but, hey, part of this business is you play with who you've got. If we have somebody on this team that's here, said he wants to be here or not, if he's doing what he's supposed to do, then we'll go to work."

Porter, 28, joined the Raiders in 2000, with a Hummer-sized chip on his shoulder that oftentimes has overshadowed his immense talent and potential.

He took exception to the Raiders drafting kicker Sebastian Janikowski in the first round and waiting until the second round to select him out of West Virginia. He showed his discontent by holding out of training camp and finally arriving with a jersey emblazoned with the No. 1.

When asked the significance of the number, Porter said it was to show that he should have been a first-round selection. That, among other things, landed him in then-coach Jon Gruden's doghouse.

Porter requested a trade at the end of his rookie season. No go. He stewed over his having to wait his turn behind the likes of veterans Andre Rison, Tim Brown and Jerry Rice his first five seasons.

Midway through the 2004 season, Porter said he wouldn't play for the Raiders again upon hearing a rumor that the team was interested in trading him before the trade deadline. That never happened.

All appeared well in Jerry's world after Brown retired before the 2004 season and Rice got traded two months or so later. So, Porter signed a five-year extension in February 2005.

A week or so later, the Raiders traded for receiver Randy Moss. Again, Porter found himself out of the spotlight. Six seasons, not so much as one 1,000-yard season to his resume and a career of being a complementary player.

Porter sounded resigned to playing for the Raiders the next two seasons -- he can void the deal after three years. Shell said it's a "nonissue."

When asked for an interview Wednesday, Porter again declined. He spent the day working out on his own, while he recovers from a calf strain.

Shell said he's eager to see Porter back on the field, so long as Porter's heart is into the task at hand.

"I want anybody that can help us win football games," Shell said. "I can live with anybody that can help us win football games."

Extra points

Receiver Carlos Francis sustained a left hamstring injury at the end of a pass play Wednesday afternoon and missed the rest of practice. "It was an unfortunate thing ... " Shell said. "Hopefully, it's not too serious." Francis was taken for an MRI on Wednesday night. He had a similar injury during camp last year and missed considerable time. Francis declined comment. ... The Raiders signed exclusive rights to free agents Tommy Kelly and Anttaj Hawthorne. Both are defensive tackles who have yet to accrue enough years to reach unrestricted free agency. Kelly is in his third season, Hawthorne his second. Therefore, the Raiders had the right to sign them without competition from any of the league's 31 other teams. ... Offensive tackle Brad Lekkerkerker retired after spending the past two seasons with the Raiders, either on their practice squad or active roster. He was viewed as a long shot to make the opening-day roster. ... Cornerback Stanford Routt made his training camp debut one day after recovering from a bout with strep throat that caused him to lose 5 pounds or so in one day, he said. He participated in both practices and showed no lingering effects from the ailment that hit him hardest Monday. ... Tight end Marcellus Rivers (fever) was excused from practice, Shell said.

[Angry Pope]

Familiar refrain from Porter
The Raiders' unhappy wide receiver again asks for a ticket out of Oakland.

Jason Jones
Published 12:01 am PDT Thursday, July 27, 2006

NAPA -- Jerry Porter is unhappy … again.
The Raiders' talented but never-satisfied wide receiver told the San Francisco Chronicle in Wednesday's editions he has asked to be traded again.

After one day of practice, Porter expressed his desire to get out of Oakland, something he'd done before without a specific reason.

Porter has been unhappy since February after an argument with coach Art Shell.

Shell took exception to Porter's desire to work out in Florida and not with the team.

Porter told the Chronicle he and Shell haven't spoken since.

Wednesday, Shell wasn't in the mood to talk about Porter's pouting.

"It's a non-issue," Shell said. "There's guys every year that might not want to be on a team, but, hey, part of this business is you play with who you've got. If we have somebody on this team that's here, said he wants to be here or not, if he's doing what he's supposed to do, then we'll go to work."

As to whether the Raiders would accommodate their No. 2 wide receiver's trade request, Shell also was evasive.

"I want anybody that can help us win football games," Shell said. "I can live with anybody that can help us win football games."

In the past, Porter complained about not having the ball thrown to him enough. He clashed with former coach Jon Gruden, who, like Shell, is a stickler for discipline and effort.

Despite asking to be traded in October 2004, Porter re-signed with the team in February 2005 -- a five-year deal worth more than $15 million. Porter can void the contract after the 2007 season.

Perhaps acknowledging Porter wasn't an elite wide receiver, the Raiders traded for Randy Moss to be the centerpiece of the passing game before last season.

While Moss struggled with injuries, Porter finished with 942 yards and five touchdowns. The last two summers, Porter hasn't been on the field much during training camp. He missed all of the preseason last year with a pulled hamstring suffered in the first week of camp and is already out this summer with a strained calf he injured Tuesday.

That, however, didn't stop Porter from walking briskly past reporters twice and making sure a television camera captured his T-shirt with one hand shown raising a middle finger and the second hand pointing back.

And for a player who always seems to have a gripe, Porter hasn't proven to be a consistent go-to player with the Raiders.

Porter has 3,215 receiving yards and 24 touchdowns in six seasons. He was the Raiders' deep threat when the team that featured Jerry Rice and Tim Brown reached the Super Bowl in 2002. Porter has led the team in receiving once, with 998 yards and nine touchdowns in 2004. But it was Ronald Curry who emerged as Oakland's go-to receiver before missing the last four games of the season with a torn left Achilles' tendon.

Curry, in fact, led the team in receiving yards and touchdowns that year before being hurt.

If Curry regains his 2004 form and is healthy, he could become a favorite target of quarterback Aaron Brooks because of his ability to make plays downfield.

If that's the case and Porter is still around, he could find himself unhappy … again.

[Angry Pope]

Porter’s trade request a non-issue — Shell

By MARTY JAMES
Thursday, July 27, 2006 1:15 AM PDT

Oakland Raiders wide receiver Jerry Porter made news Tuesday by demanding a trade. He was held out of Wednesday morning’s practice with a strained calf injury.

“That’s a non-issue as far as I’m concerned,” said coach Art Shell, when asked about Porter’s trade request. “I’m not even going to discuss that. I’m focused on getting our football team ready to play. I want anybody that can help us win football games.”

Porter, who spoke to the San Francisco Chronicle in a story Wednesday asking the Raiders to trade him, caught 76 passes for 942 yards with five touchdown receptions last year.

Janikowski is accurate




Kicker Sebastian Janikowski connected on a 56-yard field goal in practice yesterday.

“The pressure’s on him. I told him every time he misses, the team runs, so that’s the pressure that he has,” said Shell. “Sebastian’s in good shape. He came into camp with his weight down, the way it needs to be. He’s got a very strong leg, as you know.”

Day 2 of practice

Shell was pleased with the way Wednesday’s morning practice went at Redwood Middle School.

“The first day always is a tough day for players. You come back and some of them are hyper and excited about it, and you can get tired very quick. I thought it was much better (Wednesday) morning. I thought the tempo was much better. The excitement was there. The energy level was there.”

Defensive backs spent part of practice hitting a single blocking sled and driving it into the ground. ... The defense and Aaron Brooks made contact near the goal line on a quarterback draw. Several of the defenders gave Brooks a friendly slap on the helmet when he got up.

Global appeal

For the third straight year, the Raiders’ training camp will have an international flavor as the Silver and Black have invited three international coaches to join Shell’s staff during summer workouts. Patrick Esume of Germany, Radames Carrillo of Mexico and Tang Hai-yan of China will attend Raider practices and team meetings.

[Angel]

I don't think that will happen. :D He will sit the pine before Al trades to anyone in the afc west.
oh yeah? Remember Marcus Allen? :p

[Angel]

hold the contractors family for ransom. he gets them back in exchange for better work.;) I hate contractors like that myself. No commitment to the schedule sucks ass.:mad:
Shoot...what if he wants a divorce? Then you're stuck with them!! :eek:

[Angry Pope]

Moody Porter misses practice
Tight calf sidelines receiver one day after his tirade

PHIL BARBER




NAPA - You've got to hand it to Jerry Porter, he's really quickened the pace this summer. The Raiders' moody wide receiver got hurt on the fourth day of training camp a year ago, a hamstring tweak that kept him out of action for three full weeks. This year, Porter came up hobbling on Day One. How's that for veteran caginess?


If the tone here sounds a little cynical, consider that Porter's limp - caused by a tight calf, we're told - coincided with a tirade during which he requested a trade and expressed his unhappiness with coach Art Shell's style.

Speaking to the San Francisco Chronicle, Porter described an offseason meeting with Shell and wide receivers coach Fred Biletnikoff that quickly went downhill. According to the paper, Porter told Biletnikoff, "I don't like the way things are going around here."

Reportedly, Shell then jumped in and shouted, "Who the (bleep) do you think you are?"

Porter chose not to speak to reporters Wednesday, and the Raiders referred all questions to Shell. The coach played down any animosity and claimed he was ready to work with every player on the roster, no matter how disgruntled.

"I can live with anybody that can help us win football games," Shell said. "There's guys every year that might not want to be on a team, but hey, part of this business is you play with who you've got."

As for the possibility of trading Porter, the coach said: "That's a non-issue as far as I'm concerned."

Many fans undoubtedly are ready to see the Raiders release Porter, who has expressed his desire to leave Oakland more than once in the past, and whose on-field performance has lacked consistency. But doing so would count about $6.5 million against the team's 2007 salary cap, the acceleration of the signing bonus the Raiders paid him in 2005.

That leaves a trade as the only viable option, and it's unclear how many teams would be interested in a receiver who doesn't always support team goals, who carries hefty bonus money (his salary for each of the next four seasons is a relatively reasonable $1 million) and who has yet to record a 1,000-yard season.

Porter's most productive season was 2004, when he caught 64 passes for 998 yards and nine touchdowns. His career totals include 239 receptions for 3,215 yards and 24 scores.

Shell sounded as if he is taking the calf injury seriously. He had hoped Porter would be ready for the afternoon practice Wednesday, but the receiver was nowhere to be seen. Doug Gabriel is taking his place with the first team in the interim.

As for Porter's current mindset, we can only extrapolate from the T-shirt he wore Wednesday afternoon. It pictured two disembodied hands; the first was flipping a middle finger, the second was pointing outward at anyone who might be looking.

EXTRA POINTS

WR Carlos Francis left the field after injuring his hamstring in a passing drill Wednesday. Francis declined comment after practice, other than to say he was headed for an MRI.

[TommyGirl]

oh yeah? Remember Marcus Allen? :p
This is a little bit different, Angel. Marcus wasn't traded away to the Chiefs. They acquired him through free agency in the 1993 season. Before Marcus hit free agency, though, Al benched him for three seasons. Al could've manipulated the market by trading Marcus Allen away, but didn't, let alone to the Chiefs, Broncos, or Chargers. I still think Marcus went to the Chiefs to spite Al Davis more than he wanted to play for them. Just my theory, though.

[Angry Pope]

Note to Jerry: Lose the ’tude


Glenn Dickey
Jul 28, 2006 5:00 AM (7 hrs ago)


SAN FRANCISCO - The Raiders hardly opened training camp before the first crisis erupted, with Jerry Porter challenging coach Art Shell. If Raiders owner Al Davis doesn’t back Shell in this, it’s going to be another long, long season.


Porter and Shell agreed on one point: They (and wide receivers coach Fred Biletnikoff) had had an acrimonious meeting shortly after Shell was hired.

The ostensible issue was whether Porter would stay in the Bay Area and work out with the team — he didn’t, though he did show up for mandatory workouts — but the subtext is that Shell is trying to instill a team ethic, while Porter is very much all-about-me. He has the Terrell Owens attitude — without the numbers to back it up.

“You can’t have inmates running the asylum,” Shell said at camp. Porter is one of the “inmates.” Jon Gruden hardly played Porter as a rookie because of his selfish attitude and even kicked him out of practice one day. Porter is a negative influence in the dressing room and an inconsistent player, one who can make brilliant catches at times but just disappears at other times.

Now, he wants to be traded, but it’s unlikely he will be. Other teams won’t give up anything significant for a malcontent.

Porter’s attitude would be a problem with any team but it’s magnified for the Raiders, whose recent history is of underachieving.

That’s in contrast to the 49ers. In the Super Bowl years, the 49ers stars — Joe Montana, Ronnie Lott, Steve Young, Jerry Rice, Roger Craig — always subordinated their individual accomplishments to team victories. When the stars do that, lesser players fall in line.

Raiders coaches haven’t been so lucky. Since they returned to Oakland for the 1995 season, the Raiders have had five coaches before Shell. Only Gruden had consistent success, because only Gruden had the respect of the players. They knew he’d tell Davis to shove it, in profanity-laced dialogues.

With other coaches, players knew they could run to Davis and he’d listen — and act. They knew Davis was calling the shots. It became especially obvious late last season when coach Norv Turner started Marques Tuiasosopo at quarterback and said he’d get a four-game trial. After one game, Tui was back on the bench and Kerry Collins was starting because that’s what Davis ordered.

Gruden also took responsibility for his own mistakes, so players did the same. Before and after him, players have been undisciplined and unwilling to accept responsibility for their errors. The Raiders always lead the league in penalties but, in their minds, it’s all a big NFL conspiracy. A typical example: In one game last fall, offensive tackle Robert Gallery virtually tackled a defensive end, right in front of an official, but after the game insisted it wasn’t holding!

Shell was brought back by Davis to instill team discipline, as the Raiders had in the glory years, when Shell was a Hall of Fame offensive tackle. Now, he’s being challenged by a player who should be a team leader.

Shell should sit Porter on the bench until he’s willing to be a team player. When Porter runs to Davis — as he certainly will — Davis has to support his coach. Then, and only then, will the Raiders have a chance to play up to their talent level.

[Angry Pope]

From Sapp...

Oakland Raiders DT Warren Sapp spoke about WR Jerry Porter's ongoing holdout from training camp and trade demands during an interview on SIRIUS NFL Radio. Sapp said that the team does not feel obligated to pull him aside and advise him to come into camp. "People talk about football being a family. It's not a family. It's a brotherhood of men," said Sapp. "Because in a family, if the baby is lagging behind everybody stops and waits for the baby to catch up. We can't wait for the baby to catch up. We gotta go. This thing's coming and when it's coming it is coming full speed ahead and we want to be ready to go with what we got. And if he's not gonna be a part of what we got going then some kind of way we've got to find a way to make him happy. Trade him or whatever he wants because you can't have a malcontent on a team where on Sunday we're gonna be looking for you to make plays."

[CrossBones]

Sapp is the man! :)

[Rupert]

Can we REP Sapp?

[Angel]

Can we REP Sapp?
You could, but I don't think he'd know about it ;)

[CrossBones]

You could, but I don't think he'd know about it ;)He's not registered. :p

[Rupert]

He's not registered. :p
Have you emailed him yet? Rung up his cell? What ARE you waiting for? :D

[Angry Pope]

Sapp sounds off on Porter's gripes
DT says disgruntled wide receiver will not become a distraction


NAPA -- Disgruntled wide receiver Jerry Porter is back on the field after missing a couple of days with a strained calf. He returned after receiving treatment from team trainers but without an ego massage from teammate Warren Sapp.

Sapp said in an interview with former Raiders receiver Jerry Rice that Porter's trade demand and disagreement with coach Art Shell won't get in the way of what the Raiders are trying to accomplish this season.

"We all kind of just said, 'Let Jerry do his thing,' " Sapp told Rice in an interview with Sirius NFL Radio. "Because one guy don't make a football team. No matter how good, how great, whatever you think you are, one guy is not going to break down what we got going right now. And we're just going to go on. If he don't want to come with us, then so be it."

Sapp added that Porter signed a contract extension before last season, so Porter is obligated to fulfill his contract without being a distraction.

Porter declined an interview request Saturday, as he has done every day since the Raiders reported to training camp Monday. He and Shell got into a shouting match during an offseason meeting, at which time Porter decided it was time to move on.

"People talk about football being a family," Sapp said. "It's not a family. It's a brotherhood of men. Because in a family, if the baby is lagging behind everybody stops and waits for the baby to catch up. We can't wait for the baby to catch up. We got to go."

There isn't any time to deal with Porter and whatever issues he has with Shell and the Raiders, Sapp said.

"This thing's coming, and when it's coming it is coming full speed ahead, and we want to be ready to go with what we got," Sapp said. "And if (Porter's) not going to be a part of what we got going, then some kind of way we've got to find a way to make him happy. Trade him or whatever he wants because you can't have a malcontent on a team, where on Sunday we're going be looking for you to make plays."

Porter told an ESPN reporter earlier this month that part of his discontent stems from the Raiders hiring Shell and not former St. Louis Rams coach Mike Martz, who was interviewed by the Raiders for the vacancy created by the firing of Norv Turner in January.

"I'm furious," Porter told ESPN. "They might as well trade me. I wanted Mike Martz as my coach and a real offense that's proven in today's NFL. Not something dusted off from a bed and breakfast in God knows where."

Tui plus Tui equals six

Backup quarterback Marques Tuiasosopo faked a hand-off, rolled to his right and lofted a pass to fullback Zach Tuiasosopo for a touchdown in a full-squad drill. It was one of the few successful plays for the offense Saturday.

"I am pleased with the defense and disappointed with the offense," Shell said. "If the offense was scoring all the time, I'd be disappointed with the defense and pleased with the offense. ... I'm just happy the defense is getting done what they need to get done. Now the offense has to start taking it upon themselves to get done what needs to get done."

Extra points

Defensive end Lance Johnstone was excused from practice for personal reasons, Shell said. He is expected back today. Running backs LaMont Jordan (quadriceps) and Zack Crockett (back), receivers Carlos Francis (hamstring) and Ronald Curry (Achilles), offensive linemen Robert Gallery (quad), Kelvin Garmon (back) and Jabari Levey (heat exhaustion), tight ends Randal Williams (back) and Derek Miller (elbow), safety Derrick Gibson (flu) and cornerback Raymond Washington (hamstring) missed practice. Shell said Levey spent two days in the hospital for his ailment. ... Four league officials worked practice for the second straight day.

[Angry Pope]

Porter ready for benching

Nancy Gay

Sunday, July 30, 2006


Raiders receiver Jerry Porter's desire to be traded -- again -- and his contentious relationship with new coach Art Shell likely will result in a punitive benching or game-day deactivation, while the team turns to the untapped potential of players such as Johnnie Morant, Ronald Curry and Carlos Francis.

Porter said he's prepared if Raiders coaches blackball him.

"If that's how they want to spend their money,'' Porter said, "have at it.''

The real root of Porter's frustration might be the internal leak that occurred in March, when word first surfaced of a blowup between the mercurial wide receiver and Shell.

News reports immediately followed, citing "sources" saying Porter and Shell were at odds, but none of the stories offered any specific details.

In Porter's mind, someone in the Raiders' organization was out to sabotage him and paint him in a bad light by leaking details of what went on behind closed doors with coaches. That's why he chose to come forward last week and explain exactly what happened that day in Shell's office, on the record.

None of this excuses Porter's antics on the opening day of Raiders' training camp. But it sheds some light on why he may be so disgruntled.

[Angry Pope]

Porter issue could derail Raider train


Date: Jul 31, 2006

With all the drama that Oakland has persisted through in the last several years, the new coaching staff - which brought back some of the old - was supposed to be a refreshing blast of clean air. But the dirty laundry remains and Jerry Porter has been eager to tell the tale.

Oakland Raiders wide receiver Jerry Porter, known for his many moods, has taken that phase of his personality to a new level.
His discontent with the organization was rumored for weeks, first floated by ex-Raider Lincoln Kennedy on a local radio show.

Porter, the Raiders' leading receiver last season with 76 receptions, confirmed on the first day of Raiders training camp he would rather be elsewhere, although he gave two rather conflicting interviews on the same day.

In a column in the San Francisco Chronicle, Porter stated his demand to be traded, detailed a shouting match with coach Art Shell shortly after the new coach was hired and said the argument began over his decision to train at a new home in Florida rather than at the club facility.

The same day, Porter told an Oakland Tribune columnist he was resigned to remaining with the Raiders for two more years until his contract voided, but confirmed his level of unhappiness.

"Everybody, no matter who you work with, has somebody at their job they don't like," Porter said in reference to Shell.

According to a Page 2 column in ESPN.com, Porter's problem with the Raiders goes beyond Shell. At a charity basketball tournament at Venice Beach on July 7, Porter seemed upset about Shell's choice of Tom Walsh as offensive coordinator.

Walsh has not coached in the NFL since 1994, when he was dismissed from the Raiders along with Shell, and he has been out of coaching since 1999. The Raiders had conversations with Mike Martz, who ended up as the Lions offensive coordinator.

"I'm furious," Porter said. "They might as well trade me. I wanted Mike Martz as my coach and a real offense that's proven in today's NFL. Not something dusted off from a bed and breakfast in God knows where."

Shell brushed aside the Porter issue, essentially echoing the notion that everyone in life must work with someone they don't like. If Porter produces on the field, Shell said, they would have no problems.

Porter then sustained a calf injury that caused him to miss two days of practice.

Meanwhile, Porter went to and from practice wearing a belt roughly the size of a boxing championship belt adorned with dollar signs. His T-shirt of choice for two days displayed two hands -- one with an extended middle finger and the other pointing at whoever was looking at the shirt.

The bottom line on Porter is the Raiders would sustain a $6.45 million acceleration against the 2007 salary cap if they were to trade him.

There seemed to be no bitterness with Porter's teammates, who have come to expect the unexpected.

However, defensive tackle Warren Sapp did sound off on the Porter issue to Sirius Satellite Radio, a wide-ranging rant which included this choice blast:

"People talk about football being a family. It's not a family," Sapp said. "It's a brotherhood of men. In a family, if the baby is lagging behind, everybody waits for the baby to catch up. We can't wait for the baby to catch up. We've got to go."

[Angry Pope]

Porter limits his practice, shows signs of leg trouble
Gabriel taking role as team's No. 2 receiver -

David White
Tuesday, August 1, 2006


First, Jerry Porter was out. Then, he was back in.

Now, he's kind of both.

Porter, the Raiders' receiver with a lingering calf injury and desire to be traded, left the field halfway through Monday morning's full-pads workout, citing tightness in his leg.

He returned for the team's afternoon practice but limited his workout to individual pass routes with receivers. When the team did contact drills, Porter watched standing or kneeling behind the huddle.

Limping at times, Porter seems to be feeling the effects of the calf strain he reported after the first practice of training camp last Tuesday. He will be re-evaluated daily, Raiders coach Art Shell said.

"The deal was tightening up on him," Shell said at the team's camp facility in Napa. "If you can work, you work. If you can't, then you gotta get treatment. That's where we are with that."

Porter missed five practices over three days last week before returning Friday. The team's No. 2 receiver last season, he took snaps with the second-team offense over the weekend.

He did not speak with reporters Monday and hasn't since airing details of his offseason argument with Shell and his ensuing trade demands. He wore a T-shirt Monday that had two hands on it, one with the middle finger pointing up, the other with the index finger pointing out.

Last year, the Raiders re-signed Porter to a five-year contract worth $21 million with $7 million guaranteed.

Fourth-year receiver Doug Gabriel has played with the first-team offense opposite Randy Moss, with Alvis Whitted on the field for three-receiver sets. Gabriel set career highs with 37 catches for 554 yards and three touchdowns last season.

"We think we have a good receiving corps, and Doug is one of those guys," Shell said. "He can make plays, so we're just looking to see that he gets a chance to show what he can do."

Quarterback time: Aaron Brooks will start against the Eagles in Sunday's Hall of Fame exhibition season opener in Canton, Ohio.

Shell is still deciding how Brooks and backups Andrew Walter and Marques Tuiasosopo will share playing time.

"I just really started this morning looking into how we're gonna do that," Shell said.

Briefly: Starting middle linebacker Kirk Morrison and veteran cornerback Tyrone Poole missed practice with hamstring injuries. Tight end Courtney Anderson (shoulder) and safety Stuart Schweigert (groin) also rested with minor injuries. ... Kicker Sebastian Janikowski made 5-of-6 field goals, scoring from between 37 and 53 yards. He missed a 43-yard attempt from the left hash, but made a 43-yard kick from the right hash. ... Raiders owner Al Davis will address the media in a news conference today at the Napa Valley Marriott. He will present John Madden for induction into the Hall of Fame on Saturday.

[Angry Pope]

Unyielding as ever
Raiders owner puts price on Porter trade: $4 million

PHIL BARBER




NAPA - Start baking those cookies and setting out signs for the community car wash. Paint a big thermometer, and update it weekly with fundraising figures. The Raiders can indeed unload wide receiver Jerry Porter. All they need is $4 million in compensation.

"He knows - his agent (Joel Segal) has known this for a long while - that if someone offers us the choice we want or a representative player, and the $4 million bonus he took from us this year, we'll respond," team owner Al Davis said during Tuesday's news conference. "The agent has known this since the draft. And before the draft, he knew what he had to do. He couldn't get it done."

The $4 million would not affect the Raiders' salary cap. Trading Porter would save the club about $1 million under the cap this year, but would result in a $6.5 million hit in 2007. The $4 million would be a straight transaction to bulk up the Raiders' coffers.

Davis compared the sullen Porter to Art Powell, another difficult receiver who led Oakland in receiving every year from 1963 to 1966, and put together consecutive 1,300-yard seasons in 1963-64. The owner called Powell "the T.O. of his time," and discussed the aggravation of him and Fred Biletnikoff constantly wanting more catches.

Now the Raiders have Porter, a physically gifted receiver who finds something to complain about nearly everywhere he turns.

"He is a good guy," Davis insisted. "He has lost his way a little bit, but he is a good guy."

Davis, 77, also said the team, and especially coach Art Shell, can handle the mess with little disruption, "if you think the locker room is that important," Davis said. "I don't."

Asked to react to Davis' comments following the afternoon practice - Porter did not take part in the drills, but lifted weights with teammates afterward - he replied: "I don't even know what he said."

Asked if he'd like to hear his boss' words, he said: "I don't even care."

Nursing a sore calf as well as a pinched ego, Porter has been an afterthought throughout this 2006 training camp. He has pretty much been one-on, one-off during the recent two-a-day practices. And his limited participation in live scrimmages has come with the second-team offense.

Taking his spot with the first team, and perhaps angling for a starting job, has been fourth-year receiver Doug Gabriel. Gabriel has the right combination of size (6-feet-2, 215 pounds), strength and speed. But he was a raw prospect when he came to the Raiders as a rookie from Central Florida in 2003, and has yet to develop consistency. He has made spectacular catches, but can't always find a way to get open.

Gabriel was clowning with Porter and fellow receiver Randy Moss during Tuesday's morning practice, and was loathe to put himself in opposition to Porter, though he recognizes the doors this situation might open for him.

"He's a teammate," Gabriel said. "It's like we always say: One guy goes out, and one guy's got to step up. He with his calf, or whatever happened, gives everybody else an opportunity."

Gabriel's numbers were amazingly uniform over the last two seasons. He caught 33 passes for 551 yards and two touchdowns in 2004, then followed up with 37 for 554 and three in 2005 after missing two games with a hand injury. Those are decent stats for a backup, but the Raiders will need more if he should replace Porter.

Gabriel said he has been working on "the little things" lately, trying to take what he has learned over three seasons and transform it into performance. In the meantime, he'll support Porter and assume he's simply part of a rotation at wide receiver.

"I'm cool with it," Gabriel said. "You gotta be cool with it. Look at the talent in the receivers here. I'd rather be in a rotation than not in the rotation."

EXTRA POINTS

Missing practice Tuesday were LB Kirk Morrison (hamstring), S Stuart Schweigert (groin), TE Courtney Anderson (shoulder), C Adam Treu (back), CB Tyrone Poole (hamstring), TE Randal Williams (knee), WR Carlos Francis (hamstring), TE James Adkisson (knee), DE Kevin Huntley, T Jabari Levey, CB Raymond Washington (hamstring) and LB Ricky Brown (hamstring).

Rookie Michael Huff took first-team repetitions at safety, along with Jarrod Cooper. It could signal Huff's elevation to starting status, as Derrick Gibson was healthy enough to run with the second team.

Tickets to individual games go on sale to the general public today. Raiders chief executive Amy Trask said the team is "significantly ahead" of season-ticket sales compared to this time a year ago, but declined to offer specific figures.

[Angry Pope]

Davis speaks out on Porter, health

By Jim Jenkins -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:01 am PDT Wednesday, August 2, 2006




NAPA -- If Jerry Porter truly wants out of Oakland, Raiders owner Al Davis is providing a means of escape.
During a rare and wide-ranging news conference at training camp Tuesday, Davis said he would be willing to accommodate the trade demand of the disgruntled receiver -- for the right price.

"He's a good guy, but he's lost his way a little bit," Davis said. "He knows -- and his agent has known this for a long time -- that if someone offers us (what) we want … we'll respond."




Porter, in his seventh season with Oakland, has been at odds with new coach Art Shell, a disagreement that presumably began over offseason conditioning. An angry exchange ensued not long after Shell came aboard in February. Their differences have carried over into the first two weeks of training camp, which started with Porter missing practice with a calf muscle strain. He has since returned to the field.

Davis said it's possible the situation will resolve itself without Porter leaving, but that is up to the player and coach.

"Art is strong enough, big enough to handle it," Davis said.

The main purpose of the media gathering was for Davis to comment on the induction speech he is scheduled to make Saturday for former Raiders coach John Madden at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.

But the 77-year-old owner touched on several other subjects as well, including speculation that his health has deteriorated.

"I want you all to know I'm alive," he said in opening remarks. "I'm very healthy, can still smile and work out five days a week. If we could (only) do away with this walker … "

Last year, Davis began using a walker to get around, blaming an unspecified muscle ailment in his left leg.

"I feel great," he said. "Especially if we win, I'll feel great. I do feel great. I have a quadriceps problem that no one seems to be able to fix for me, and I certainly won't touch it with an operation."

Later, Davis mentioned that he is confident that if he no longer can run the franchise, members of the extended Raiders family, such as Madden, would be willing to assist Davis' wife, Carol, and son Mark.

Davis said he missed part of camp because he's on an NFL search committee to find a successor to retiring Commissioner Paul Tagaliabue. Last week, Davis was in Detroit, where a list of 11 candidates was trimmed to five finalists.

[Angry Pope]

Davis says Porter can seek trade

Steve Corkran


NAPA - Disgruntled wide receiver Jerry Porter "has lost his way" and is free to leave, Raiders managing general partner Al Davis said in a lengthy news conference Tuesday afternoon.

That revelation punctuated an hour-long question-and-answer session in which Davis focused his thoughts on former Raiders coach John Madden in anticipation of Madden's induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday.

Davis is slated to give the introductory speech before Madden is inducted in Canton, Ohio. His performance Tuesday showed he's still the voice of everything Raider.

Porter has been unhappy with his standing since a face-to-face meeting with coach Art Shell in February that ended with Shell berating Porter and kicking him out of his office.

Soon thereafter, Porter demanded a trade, though he has four years left on the five-year extension he signed before last season. No problem, the Raiders said.

That is, as long as Porter pays back the $4 million bonus he received for this season, and his agent, Joel Segal, is able to find a team willing to give the Raiders suitable compensation, be it in the form of draft picks or established players, Davis said.

"He has lost his way a little bit," Davis said of Porter, "but he is a good guy."

Porter has refused most interview requests and did not speak Tuesday. He strained a calf the first day of practice July 25 and has seen limited action on the days he participates in full-team drills.

Senior personnel executive Michael Lombardi said Tuesday that no teams have contacted the Raiders about trading for Porter. Segal did not return several phone calls.

The Raiders selected Porter in the second round of the 2000 NFL draft out of West Virginia. He was viewed as the heir apparent to former Raiders receiver Tim Brown. However, he has yet to develop into a No. 1 receiver in terms of production and consistency.

"If someone offers us the (draft) choice we want or a representative player and the $4 million bonus he took from us this year, we'll respond," Davis said. "They got to get it done. (Porter's) agent has known this since the draft (in April). Before the draft, he knew what he had to do. He couldn't get it done."

Porter told ESPN in early July that he wanted the Raiders to hire former St. Louis Rams coach Mike Martz as the successor to Norv Turner. In the process, he criticized new offensive coordinator Tom Walsh for his being out of the NFL for 11 years.

Davis said he doesn't view Porter's displeasure with Shell and Walsh as a distraction.

"I had one of the greatest players who has ever played this game, and he was tough to handle. He was the T.O. of his time," Davis said in comparing receiver Art Powell in 1963 to Dallas Cowboys receiver Terrell Owens.

Davis was the Raiders coach that season. He said he dealt with Powell in a straightforward manner, just the way Shell is dealing with Porter these days.

"I used to go in the huddle and hear, 'Give me the damn ball,' " Davis said. "(I'd say), 'You will get the ball when you are told to get the ball.' "

Davis also touched upon a number of other topics.

Among them, he said the Raiders had no option but to take over control of ticket sales from the Oakland Football Marketing Association on the heels of an 11-year run that featured more homes games that didn't sell out than ones that did.

"No, I'm not encouraged or satisfied unless we sell out," Davis said, when asked if he is encouraged by ticket sales for this season.

As for his health, Davis, 77, joked about his use of a walker to get around the past year and said he is in fine shape other than a weakened left quadriceps.

"I have a quadriceps problem that no one seems to be able to fix for me," Davis said, "and I certainly won't go in and touch it with an operation. I have only known one person in my life who had a quadriceps (injury) and had that done with an operation. I don't want to do it."

Footballwise, Davis said, the Raiders are headed in the right direction. He sees Shell as being instrumental in restoring the Raiders way, when the Raiders were a perennial playoff team and opposing teams held them in high regard during the 1960s, '70s and into the '80s.

"Art is starting to get something I had when I was very young," Davis said, "and that is, I was going to dominate it, no matter what it is. I was just going to get it done. ... (Shell) knows he can dominate, and he will dominate."

[CrossBones]

Porter needs to go.

It doesn't seem likely it wil lhappen though.

Maybe this off seson the Raiders will find a way to rid themselves of this cancer. His attitude just totally sucks. Not the kind of player you want to promote team unity. Al Davis doesn't seem to think the locker room atmosphere is a big deal. I do though.

Anyway, we'll be dealing with the Porter issue this entire season which is kind of a bummer but it's the way it is at this point.

[Angry Pope]

Davis to Porter: See Ya!



Date: Aug 1, 2006

Al Davis acknowledged Tuesday that he has given Jerry Porter permission to seek a trade, saying the Raiders wide receiver had "lost his way."

Sitting alone and speaking publicly for the first time since hiring Art Shell as head coach more than four months ago, Davis touched on a variety of subjects, including the impending Hall of Fame induction of former Raiders coach John Madden and the prospective new NFL commissioner.

But Davis saved his most important comments, as they relate to the current Oakland team, for Porter and the potential problems that might arise from the situation between the three parties -- Porter, Shell and, in essence, Davis.

''He knows, his agent has known this for a long while, that if someone offers us the choice we want or a representative player and the $4 million signing bonus he took from us this year, we'll respond,'' Davis said. ''They've got to get it done. The agent has known this since the draft and before the draft, he knew what he had to do. He couldn't get it done.

''But that is not to say things don't work out.''

Ironically, or fittingly, Porter did not practice following Davis' appearance with the media. He did work out in the morning session, but was nowhere to be seen in the afternoon. Porter has been nursing a calf injury since the first day of practice on July 25.

Porter, who has missed parts or all of four days of practice while nursing a calf injury, and Shell have not spoken since an initial meeting in March. The simmering feud took on a greater significance when Porter took his feelings to the media, specifically targeting his unhappiness with the direction of the team and a desire to be traded.

In February 2005, Porter signed a three-year extension worth $15 million. He led the team with 76 receptions last season but was just sixth on the team in yards-per-catch. Porter has been in Shell's doghouse since March then added fuel to the fire when he took his view on the situation public.

Either as a result of his injury or his comments, Porter found himself relegated to working out with Oakland's second-team offense this week.

Davis, who has had to deal with his fair share of disgruntled players, did not seem concerned that Porter's presence on the team during the regular season would cause any problems despite his rift with Shell. The Raiders owner also said he had no plans to interfere in the situation.

''If you think the locker room is that important, I don't,'' Davis said. ''But we're talking about one guy. And I don't think he'll make any impression whatsoever. He's a good guy, but he just lost his way a little bit. But he is a good guy.

''Number one, I don't think it can become a bigger issue. Number two, no, I would not step in at this time. I would not think of it. Art is strong enough, he is big enough to handle it. And they have an opportunity to handle it themselves. I am talking about Jerry. He has an opportunity to handle it if he qualifies with what we set as the parameters for him to leave.''

[Rupert]

Porter needs to go.

It doesn't seem likely it wil lhappen though.

Maybe this off seson the Raiders will find a way to rid themselves of this cancer. His attitude just totally sucks. Not the kind of player you want to promote team unity. Al Davis doesn't seem to think the locker room atmosphere is a big deal. I do though.

Anyway, we'll be dealing with the Porter issue this entire season which is kind of a bummer but it's the way it is at this point.
Well, I agree that Porter probably needs to go, but I agree with Al that it is just one guy in the locker room.

With the emergence of Sapp as a leader, the team will turn against Porter, and he'll either go along or get left behind. Peer pressure is a powerful thing. When everyone else (at least the starters) is siding with Art, Porter will have to ask himself how he's going to work it out. When the team starts winning, and everyone is celebrating without him, he'll either change his tune or change his address.

Remember the words of John Madden, "Winning is a great deoderant."

[Angel]

Just send Porter to KC....we'll take care of him ;)

[Angry Pope]

I can see Al working his magic and getting a good deal for him. It is time to leave. I was never very fond of his personality anyways, much less now.

[CrossBones]

I can see Al working his magic and getting a good deal for him. It is time to leave. I was never very fond of his personality anyways, much less now.The thing is, we hear hings like two #1's and it sounds stupiud. But Al is a sly old fox. He has patience like nobody I have ever seen. He might not get two #1's but it woulnd't surprise me to see him get one #1 for Porter sooner or later.

See the thing is, people look at potential and get all wound up about how great it would be to get this player or that player. They don't know the day-to-day goings on. I agree with AP in that Porter's attitude has always been shitty. Now we see why Jon Gruden shoved that clown into the dog house right from the get go. Porter always talks a good game and rarely produces up to the expectation he himself sets by running his mouth.

[Angry Pope]

We'll see your jerk and raise you

Phil Barber

First of all, a mea culpa.

I reported a couple days ago that should the Raiders receive the $4 million they have asked as part of any trade for glum receiver Jerry Porter, the money would not affect their salary cap. I have learned that’s wrong. An NFL spokesman says that any such compensation – a repayment of the bonus money the Raiders paid Porter this year – must come directly from the player himself, but that it would bring a commensurate degree of cap relief in 2007.

In other words, if someone pays the Raiders that $4 million as part of a trade, Oakland’s cap hit for Porter in ’07 would be about $2.45 million, rather than $6.45 million. That’s a big distinction, and it makes a trade much more palatable for the silver and black.

Of course, the Raiders still need to find a taker for Porter, and I’d like to offer a suggestion: Denver.

Like Porter, Ashley Lelie is an unhappy (training) camper. He is miffed about his demotion to third receiver in the wake of the Broncos’ acquisition of Javon Walker. (Porter is miffed about … uh … we’re not really sure.) Lelie is a no-show at Denver’s training camp, and is being fined $14,000 for every day he misses.

Raiders owner Al Davis said the Raiders are demanding “the choice we want or a representative player” in return for Porter. Broncos coach Mike Shanahan says the Broncos are after a first- or second-round draft choice and a starter “of equal value” for Lelie. A straight swap might be the fairest option.

The two receivers are reasonably close in physical stature; Lelie is 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, while Porter is 6-2, 220. Porter has somewhat better career numbers (239 receptions for 3,215 yards and 24 touchdowns) than Lelie (168-3,007-12), and was more productive last season (76-942-5 to 42-770-1). But Lelie, at 26, is two years younger, and he was a first-round pick, while Porter was a second-rounder.

Both receivers probably made impressions on their potential suitors, too. Porter torched Pro Bowl cornerback Champ Bailey for three touchdowns at Denver in 2004, while Lelie caught 6 six passes for 110 yards and a touchdown in the most recent game between the two teams.

The biggest reason NOT to make this trade is that most NFL teams – and Davis’ Raiders, especially – are wary about making swaps within the division, for fear their former player will wind up hurting them twice a season. Such worries might not apply in this case, though. Davis and Shanahan, bitter rivals, would like nothing more than to stick it to one another. And unloading either one of these head cases in their rival’s direction might be just the way to do it.

[RaiderIVlife]

Interesting propistion.....though I could never see it happening.

[Angry Pope]

Raiders should showcase Porter in Sunday's game

Ray Ratto

Friday, August 4, 2006


The Raiders begin the only quasi-meaningful portion of the training camp season Sunday evening -- playing a game.

Well, kind of a game, anyway. It's the Hall of Fame Game, it's a tribute to John Madden, and somebody's got to do it, even if you only see the starters for about a nanosecond.

But here's an idea. There is one starter the Raiders have who needs every rep they can give him, and as much as you might want it to be Aaron Brooks, or Andrew Walter, or Justin Fargas, or Robert Gallery, or Michael Huff, it is in fact Jerry Porter.

Yes, that Jerry Porter. The guy who has been sharpening spoons all summer in hopes of tunneling out of camp. The guy who is ruing his decision to re-sign with Oakland when he could have found his bliss in another town last year. The guy who has decided to be the first guy to poke the new bear, Arthur Shell.

Typically, such malcontentery would result in a guy being buried so far down the depth chart that Run-Run Jones seems like up to him. In the old our-way-then-the-highway NFL, such behavior would mean that the field moves a thousand miles away.

But times have changed, and the smart money realizes that the best way to punish a player is often to give him exactly what he wants.

Thus, a suggestion. Why not, if you're Shell with the enthusiastic blessing of Al Davis, play Porter in every series, as though this were a real game, as though he were the go-to guy he has always claimed to be? Why not get him the ball over and over and over again, and make him show other teams what he doesn't want to show you any more -- namely, his talent?

We know he's in good shape because he had that public posing session without his shirt, and we know he's recharged his batteries because he gave that to Shell and Fred Biletnikoff as the reason he wasn't at any of the offseason workout sessions. We certainly know he hates being in Oakland, and he absolutely loathes being the second wheel to Randy Moss (unless you want to call him the third wheel behind Lamont Jordan).

So how do we solve all these problems if we are Shell, whom we freely admit we are not? The Porter Rules.

Starters conserve their energies during exhibition games ... except for Porter. Starters get a quarter, maybe a quarter and change ... except for Porter. Backups get a few touches just to show their stuff on their way to either the waiver wire or the practice squad ... except for the guys playing behind Porter.

How can this be bad? Only one way -- if Porter gets hurt. He would be against that, and so would the Raiders, because there is only thing Al hates worse than paying a guy who doesn't like the boss, and that's paying a guy who can't play for the boss.

But that's a risk the Raiders should consider worth the running, starting Sunday before a national audience.

What is more, they shouldn't be coy about it, either. Shell should say, clearly and loudly, "We are playing Jerry Porter a lot because we want every other team that needs a wideout to see him at his busiest and most prolific. We especially would like to show him to any of you who need a wideout and have a running back or linebacker. There's no subliminal message here. We're playing him now so we won't have to play him later."

Of course, "no subliminal message here" is a phrase that is rarely used in Raidertown, where everything is a secret, even the stuff any idiot can deduce. But think of the misdirective possibilities in being straightforward and unambiguous this one time. Think of how convincing Shell could be if he added, "I am not Al Davis, but he approves of this message."

And what's Porter going to say, no? Is he going to refuse to play hard against third-string cornerbacks because he thinks it demeaning? No, he is going to try to run up his stats to become the first 1,000-yard receiver in practice football history. He is going to try to show the teams who aren't the Raiders how badly the Raiders handled him. He is going to try to rewrite the post-Raider history of Tim Brown, and every minute he doesn't play in the preseason is a minute he cannot impress the other buyers.

In other words, the synergy here is powerful enough to fell an ox, or light up a blocking sled. This way, everyone gets what they want (except, of course, those of us who enjoy the warm glow of avoidable public misery). The traditional way gives us more of Shirtless Jer' in the parking lot, savaging Shell and Biletnikoff and Mike Lombardi and Amy Trask and Greg Papa and any other employees unfortunate enough to come within his view.

The choice, plainly, is Arthur's. One is win-win. The other is sink-trap grease with a side of thumbtack salad. What he chooses Sunday will tell us whether he is a hidebound traditionalist or a genuinely bold thinker, and more importantly, whether he thinks life with a chronically unhappy Porter is better than one without him at all.

Hey, it's his ulcer, not ours.

[CrossBones]

I bet Porter gets a lot of PT.

I really believe the Raiders are kinda done with Porter and would love nothing better than to fleece some unsuspecting team for a #1 draft pick. We'll see.

[Angry Pope]

If we trade Porter, he adds $200,000 to our salary cap, so it is pretty much a wash. I seriously doubt we can get him to pay back his unamortized signing bonus but if he does, we would save $4 million. If the team that he is traded to gives us the $4 million, it has no effect on our salary cap.

[Angry Pope]

Davis has said that the Raiders won't trade Porter unless Porter returns $2 million of his signing bonus, which no player would ever do.

But I hear the Raiders have quietly rescinded the repayment demand to speed along trade possibilities. Still, nothing seems imminent, and a long, cold war could be brewing.

Tim Kawakami, Mercury News

[Angel]

Sounds like Porter's gonna have fun in Oakland this year :p

[Angry Pope]

Porter no threat to Shell

August 8th, 2006
By Jerry McDonald

NAPA _ Anyone who is suggesting Jerry Porter could be just the man to sink the Oakland Raiders is giving him too much credit.

Porter may be pushed into the backround much as Marcus Allen was during Art Shell’s last tenure as head coach, but to equate Porter with Allen is to dramatically overestimate his value on the field and amongst his teammates.

Allen’s benching was a major blight in Shell’s Los Angeles years because it was clear the Raiders best player was sitting for reasons other than football.

Porter, who has a calf injury of undetermined severity, would be no lock to beat out Doug Gabriel even if healthy. He’s a second or third wide receiver at best.

Allen was a popular teammate, considered a team leader, and handled his benching without the sort of petulence demonsrated by Porter, although Al Davis might disagree.

If Porter winds up on the inactive list every week, he won’t get a second glance.

Porter, by the way, practiced in a team session Tuesday afternoon and caught a pass.

“It’s good to see him out here,'’ Shell said. “If we can get anybody out here working, that makes our team better when we don’t have to tax one position.'’

In other words, it’s nice to have another reserve receiver.

Some highlights from Tuesday’s practice:

— Raiders players ran six 100-yard sprints at the end of practice. Porter, by the way, came in last among the receivers all six times. After the fourth sprint by the offensive lineman, center Adam Treu said, “Where’s the defribrillator?'’

— Cornerback Nnamdi Asomogha made a nice break on a ball thrown by Marques Tuiasosopo intended for Doug Gabriel and made an interception, running back the other way. Asomugha has no career interceptions in the regular season and has a few dropped opportunities.

“You can’t throw it on him,'’ shouted defensive coordinator Rob Ryan.

— Quarterback Andrew Walter, who drew criticism from analyst and new Hall of Famer John Madden for his inability to set his feet and throw, hit Johnnie Morant with a nicely thrown deep post over Dennis Davis.

Walter, this time, set his feet.

— Rookie Thomas Howard, drafted in part for his coverage ability, was schooled early on by Philadelphia running back Brian Westbrook, but Shell liked what he saw on another play.

“One time he came up, took one one the big linemen and he jacked the guy up and came off and made the tackle,'’ Shell saidl. “To me, that was impressive. Westbrook caught a pass, but that’s a tough cover for anybody.'’

— It would be hard to find two guys more grounded than Will Buchanon and Timi Wusu, the subjects of a story to run in Wednesday’s ANG Newspapers. Yes, they’re longshots. But you may be surprised to learn there are 11 players (they’re named in the story) currently in camp who spent time on the 2005 Raiders roster were not drafted.

Before he got hurt, tight end John Madsen looked like he had a shot. Madsen returned to practice Tuesday, although he didn’t compete in team sessions.

Someone who wasn’t drafted will probably make the team. Could it be two? Three?

[Angel]

Good article...of course Porter isn't going to sink the Raiders, he doesn't have that much power....he's just a distraction that is not needed...I would get rid of him if I was Al. :)

[Rupert]

Where would you send him Angel?

[Angel]

To KC of course ;) But that's just me...

[Angry Pope]

Sources: Porter unlikely to be traded this season

Len Pasquarelli



Although the Oakland Raiders and the agent for Jerry Porter continue to seek potential trade partners, sources close to the situation told ESPN.com that the six-year veteran wide receiver, who has voiced his unhappiness at some of the policies enacted by coach Art Shell, likely will not be dealt this year.


Raiders owner Al Davis has granted agent Joel Segal permission to explore trade options. Davis has even backed off demands that Porter repay the team a portion of the signing bonus he received when he signed a contract extension in February 2005. But the market is slow, in part because of the price tag that Oakland officials have attached to Porter, believed to be at least one first-round draft choice.

"The [trade] talks are going nowhere and, frankly, [Porter] probably isn't, either," said one source close to the discussions. "As much as [the Raiders] have talked about a trade, they aren't trading him. It just looks like a lot of posturing right now."

There has only been cursory interest in Porter from a few teams, but nothing substantial, and the Raiders have yet to entertain any firm offers for him. From remarks made by Davis, it appears Porter has been on the trade block for several months, perhaps even before the April draft.

Davis said that Porter has "lost his way a little bit." That may be the case, but the Raiders aren't likely to find what they are looking for in a trade. With the Denver Broncos actively shopping disgruntled wide receiver Ashley Lelie, who skipped the offseason conditioning program and has yet to report to training camp, there is currently a bit of a buyer's market for wide receivers.

Porter, 28, chafed this spring at several of Shell's rules and practice policies and he spent much of the offseason working out on his own. The former West Virginia standout has missed considerable practice time in training camp because of a calf injury.

He rejoined practices this week and may play in the team's Monday night preseason game at Minnesota.

A second-round choice in the 2000 draft, Porter has appeared in 85 games, with 46 starts, and has 239 receptions for 3,215 yards and 24 touchdowns in his career. In the last two seasons, he has emerged as a viable playmaker, and has averaged 70 catches, 970 yards and seven touchdown, while starting 30 games in 2004-2005.

Poised on the brink of unrestricted free agency in the spring of 2005, when he would have drawn plenty of interest in the open market, Porter signed a new five-year contract with the Raiders, which can be voided to three seasons. The contract, over three years, is worth about $15 million.

[Angry Pope]

Porter to debut against Vikings

The disgruntled wide receiver didn't play in the exhibition opener because of a calf injury

NAPA -- Some 21/2 weeks after taking his trade demands public, wide receiver Jerry Porter is expected to make his exhibition-season debut Monday night for the Raiders when they visit the Minnesota Vikings.

"(Trainer Rod Martin) says he's expected to play, so we'll see," Raiders coach Art Shell said after Saturday's practice.

"He'll play. If he's ready to go, he'll play."

Porter's been nursing a calf injury and didn't travel with the team for last Sunday's exhibition-opening win over the Philadelphia Eagles in Canton, Ohio. He wasn't available for comment Saturday as he left the practice facility talking on his cell phone.

Porter, a seventh-year veteran and full-time starter the past two seasons, has been practicing with the second-string unit, though he lined up next to Randy Moss on a couple plays Saturday.

His best catch came some 30 yards down field after he tripped up cornerback Tyrone Poole.

Asked what he wants to see out of Porter on Monday, Shell said: "I want to see all our players improve and all of our players do well. I'm not being specific about any one individual. This is a team thing."

Huff update

First-round draft pick Michael Huff lined up at left cornerback for the first time in training camp, but only for a few plays late in practice, including one where he covered Moss on a play that went elsewhere.

"At different packages, we can line him up at different spots," said Shell, adding that the biggest priority for Huff is "to learn to play strong safety."

Huff started at strong safety in the exhibition opener and estimated that he played 15 snaps. "It wasn't much to get in a groove," said Huff, who hopes he'll see about 20 to 25 snaps Monday night.

Huff said he doubts he'll see any time at cornerback and that he's practicing there some in case he's needed there as an injury replacement. "I'm trying to learn it all, really," Huff said. Shell praised Huff for "looking well and doing good."

Second chance

After completing only 3 of 10 passes for 46 yards against the Eagles, second-string quarterback Andrew Walter is eager to try and improve Monday night.

"It'll be more live reps and an opportunity to improve, be out there running the show and get comfortable in this offense,"

Said Walter, who criticized himself for holding on to the ball too long in the exhibition opener: "In this offense, without divulging everything, there are some read routes, and it takes timing and a comfort level with the receivers."

Asked if he'd rather be starting in place of Aaron Brooks, he replied: "It definitely would be nice. It always beats the alternative. But the man upstairs is in control."

Smith shines

Some of the crispest passes Saturday came from an unlikely source, rookie Kent Smith, an undrafted, left-handed rookie out of Central Michigan. Shell said Smith threw the ball "pretty good," adding: "We've got too many quarterbacks trying to play.

He's a guy we're looking at for the future, not now."

Catching on

Third-year tight end Courtney Anderson caught several passes and could become more of a target this season. "He's a big target and you've got to take advantage of that," Shell said of the 6-foot-6 Richmond High School product.

-- Cam Inman

[Angry Pope]

Porter expected to play against Vikings



NAPA, Calif.

Oakland Raiders coach Art Shell expects disgruntled wide receiver Jerry Porter to play against the Minnesota Vikings on Monday night.

Porter, who led the Raiders with a career-high 76 receptions last year, didn't play against Philadelphia in the Hall of Fame game last week because of a calf injury. Shell said trainer Rod Martin expects Porter to be able to go.

"If he's ready to play, he'll play," Shell said Saturday.

The 6-foot-2-inch, 220-pound Porter has had the calf injury for much of training camp and only recently returned to practice full time.

But since returning, Porter - who hasn't spoken with Shell since an offseason disagreement over conditioning - hasn't spent any time with the first-team offense. Instead, he's practiced with the backups while Randy Moss, Doug Gabriel and Alvis Whitted take reps with the starters.

Earlier this week, Porter made a nice catch during a scrimmage drill, prompting teammate Jarrod Cooper to joke from the sideline, "Hey Porter, why can't you do that with the (starters)?"

Porter chuckled out loud and responded, "I'm not with the (starters)."

Shell was noncommittal about whether Porter would play with Oakland's starting offense at any time against the Vikings.

"He'll play," Shell said. "He'll play. If he's ready to play, he'll play."

[Angry Pope]

Porter appears ready to make 2006 debut

By Jim Jenkins
Published 12:01 am PDT Sunday, August 13, 2006


NAPA -- He's had a dispute with new coach Art Shell, demanded a trade, began missing practices the first day of training camp with a strained calf and has been bumped back to working with the second string when on the field.

Yet disgruntled receiver Jerry Porter might play Monday night when the Raiders visit the Minnesota Vikings.



"Rod says he is expected to play, so we'll see," Shell said after talking to trainer Rod Martin regarding Porter's physical status. "If he's ready to go, he'll play."

Porter, the team leader in catches in each of the last two seasons, had practiced only sporadically in camp and did not make the Raiders' trip to Canton, Ohio, last week for the Hall of Fame Game against Philadelphia.

When the Raiders resumed practice Tuesday, however, Porter rejoined the team and has been a part of drills each day, including a long afternoon session Saturday.

Shell declined to say whether Porter, whose dispute with Shell over offseason conditioning led to trade demands, would play with the first team against Minnesota, but an educated guess is he won't.

Owner Al Davis is on record as saying he might be willing to accommodate Porter for the right deal, but that would include reimbursement of the $4 million bonus the six-year veteran collected as part of a new contract signed last season.

It remains to be seen if any team would be willing to offer enough for the Raiders to part with Porter, but by giving him some playing time, he will audition in front of a national ESPN television audience.

Quarterbacks in line -- As was the case in last week's 16-10 win over Philadelphia, Shell said he's inclined to play his starters into the second quarter against the Vikings, but he was not ready to detail his rotation of quarterbacks.

Aaron Brooks, the former New Orleans Saint, is expected to start. Last week, Andrew Walter, a 2005 rookie who didn't play a regular-season game last season, followed Brooks. Sixth-year backup Marques Tuiasosopo relieved Walter and, in the view of many camp observers, has been outperforming Walter lately for the second spot on the depth chart.

"I want to see improvement from our football team, not just Andrew," said Shell. "I expect all these guys to get better with one game already under their belts."

Brooks' flip side -- To outsiders, the early impression left by Brooks is that he is unflappable on the field, doesn't show much emotion and doesn't care much for interviews.

That doesn't bother Shell, who, as a player and coach in the league, has been exposed to a variety of quarterbacks and their quirks, from George Blanda to Ken Stabler to Todd Marinovich.

"You've got guys who are rah, rah. He's not that guy," said Shell. "He tries to be even-keeled. And he won't let you see (his emotions) most of the time. Some people have said it's like he doesn't care. He cares. What you see is a defense mechanism. It hurts him when he does badly."

Et cetera -- Shell reiterated he has made no special arrangements for Randy Moss' return to Minnesota, where the receiver played before his trade to Oakland last year.

"To say we're going to give him more playing time because he's going back to Minnesota, that's not the way it's going to work," said Shell. "We're in this for the long haul, trying to get ready for San Diego in the opening (regular-season) game."

Coming off the practice field Saturday, Moss graciously signed autographs for a long line of invited guests. Asked by one spectator if he was hoping to have a big game against his former team, Moss smiled and said, "Don't hold me to that."


Raiders camp report

Quote of the day: "I'm trying to learn it all. You never know when a guy will be injured, so I try to stay flexible anytime they may need me." -- First-round pick Michael Huff, drafted as combination defensive back off of Texas' national championship team. He prefers safety but spent most of Saturday's practice at cornerback.

Play of the day: Quarterback Aaron Brooks threw a perfect pass over a defender's reach and into the arms of tight end Randal Williams near the end of the lone practice. Tight ends were a focus of the afternoon drills. Third-year player Courtney Anderson, a San Jose State product who played in14 games last year, received most of the attention from the quarterbacks.

Player watch: Rookie quarterback Kent Smith, an undrafted left-hander from Central Michigan, got a lot of repetitions and made some impressive throws. Coach Art Shell said Smith is unlikely to play Monday night, but the Raiders have three more preseason games after visiting Minnesota. "We already have enough quarterbacks we're trying to play," Shell explained.

Injury report: Receiver Jerry Porter (calf) practiced for the fifth consecutive day and has been cleared to play after sitting out the preseason opener. Receiver Ronald Curry (Achilles') continues to be held back and probably won't play for a second consecutive week. He accompanied the team to last week's Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio.

[Angry Pope]

Trading places

August 16th, 2006

Trades that first appear in print and then actually happen are few and far between, and this one makes far too much sense to ever take place.

Jerry Porter to Atlanta for running back T.J. Duckett.

According to the Newark Star-Ledger, the New York Jets are interested in acquiring Duckett and the Falcons are believed to be willing to part with him for a third-round draft pick.

Atlanta needs a wide receiver, having lost Brian Finneran with a knee injury on July 30. The Raiders are perilously thin at running back. Porter may have his issues, but he is more of a sure thing as an NFL player than a third-round draft pick.

Not only that, but he comes at the relatively bargain price of $1 million per season in salary, with the Raiders already having done the heavy lifting on the contract in terms of bonus money.
Duckett, by the way is represented by Joel Segal, who also represents Porter. Segal, Al Davis said, has been given persmission to make a deal so long as the Raiders agree to the compensation.

Of course, there is also the issue of Porter repaying $4 million in bonus money. But in a trade, all things are negotiable.

_ Jerry McDonald

[Angry Pope]

Blue space special

Wide receiver Jerry Porter has been practicing every day, though he works almost exclusively with the second team. While trying to find his place in the rotation, Porter continues to wear his obscene hand-gesture T-shirt daily, even when signing autographs for children.

Thursday, when another writer asked if he could ask a question, Porter said no. Pressed on when he might speak, the moody receiver said, "I ain't ever speaking to you guys again." Several reporters were seen celebrating.

Personally, I don't think people fully appreciate the physical pain this guy is dealing with at the moment. Wednesday, Porter and a typically eye-catching young friend parked in a handicapped space in front of the team hotel. The SUV had no disabled sticker, and was still there at least 30 minutes later. Yep, that strained calf is hurting him more than any of us know.

[Angry Pope]

Raiders nix trade offers for Porter, source says


NAPA -- Disgruntled wide receiver Jerry Porter streaked across the middle of the field, snared a pass with his fingertips, split the defenders and sprinted toward the end zone in a recent practice.

Safety Jarrod Cooper seized upon the opportunity to chide Porter, saying, "Hey, why don't you do that with the (first team)?"

Porter responded by saying, "I'm not with the (first team) anymore."

True, Porter has not practiced much with the first-team offense since he sustained a calf injury the first day of training camp, July 25. Doug Gabriel has teamed opposite Randy Moss with the projected starters.

Porter has bounced in and out of practice since his injury, and he has not played in Oakland's first two exhibition games. That begs the question: Has he played his last game, period, in a Raiders uniform?

Porter demanded a trade after an offseason meeting with coach Art Shell ended with Shell dressing down Porter and kicking him out of his office.

Raiders managing general partner Al Davis said Aug. 5 that Porter is free to leave as long as he repays the $4 million bonus he received for this season and the Raiders get adequate compensation from another team.

Therein lies the problem. A person close to Porter's situation said the Raiders have been presented several trade proposals and have nixed every one. The Raiders simply are "making it difficult" to trade Porter, the person said.

It is unknown what the Raiders want in compensation for Porter. They spent a second-round selection in the 2000 NFL draft to get him. Raiders personnel executive Michael Lombardi said earlier in camp that the Raiders haven't had any inquiries from teams about Porter.

Therefore, unless the Raiders lower their asking price or a team that loses a front-line receiver feels compelled to up the ante, it appears Porter is here for the next two seasons.

Porter can opt out of the five-year contract extension he signed before last season after the 2007 season. Until then, he runs the risk of being kept on ice by the Raiders.

"I feel good about our offense," Shell said, when asked about Porter's absence. "I feel good about the people that have been playing."

Porter bristled when asked for an interview Thursday.

"I'm not talking to (the media) ever again," Porter said as he looked away and kept walking into the team's hotel.

Cooper said Porter is welcome as long as he doesn't let a business decision affect his on-field performance.

"You want someone who's going to contribute any way that they're asked, no matter where it's at," Cooper said. "That's what you want. If they're not like that, then they can get out of here. It's about winning as a team, it's not what you're doing."

No Shell game

Shell praised his players for the way they practiced Thursday morning. Five hours later, he kicked them off the field for not practicing to his standard.

"You've got to work when you're out here," Shell said as he marched off the field.

Shell called his players together at midfield about halfway through practice, spoke to them for a short time and then dismissed them. The players jogged off the field without saying a word.

"I apologize for that (stuff) today," quarterback Aaron Brooks said, unsolicited.

None of the players interviewed wanted to go into specifics as to what irritated Shell enough to end practice 45 minutes or so early.

"He said everything that needed to be said," defensive tackle Warren Sapp said. "He made a statement that was pretty well felt throughout the whole team. If it wasn't, then we're in trouble."

Sapp said "that's the first," when asked if he had ever experienced that in his NFL career. "It was a new experience for me."

Extra points

Running back Joe Hall left early from the morning practice after sustaining an undisclosed injury. He also missed the afternoon practice. Left guard Barry Sims "got dinged a little bit" during the morning practice and missed some reps. Sims left practice with an ice pack on his right elbow. ... Outside linebacker Robert Thomas (calf) returned to practice after an extended absence.