Other Things 02.16.06...

[Angry Pope]

Here are a couple of recipes from Barry Sims and his wife Shae...

Shae’s Notorious Lemon Drops

Ingredients:

1 part Citron Vodka
1 part Lemonade
Splash of Triple Sec
1/4 - 1/2 part Sweet & Sour (depending on your taste for sweetness)

Serve martini style (shaken with sugar around the rim) or over ice



Shae and Barry’s Scalloped Potatoes

Ingredients:

2lb bag frozen square hashbrowns
8 ounces of butter
2 cans cream of chicken
1 pint of sour cream
1 teaspoon salt
1 small chopped onion
2 cups cheese

Mix together butter, sour cream, soup, onion, & salt. After butter has melted add cheese and allow it to melt, then adding potatoes. Bake @ 350 degrees for 45 minutes in a 9x11 pan.



Barry’s Ribs

Ingredients:

Baby Back Pork Ribs
Dry Rub

Wash and pat dry the ribs. Then cover them liberally with a dry rub. You can buy dry rub at most supermarkets. Place the rib racks on the grill in a tipi fashion. Cover the individual ribs racks with foil and cook on low for approximately 3 hours. Check the ribs regularly. Some folks like their ribs rare, so you’d pull those off the grill a bit sooner.

Cut, serve, and enjoy!

[JC]

You know the food has to be good eating, Barry is not a small man!

[Angry Pope]

Here is the draft profile of Seabass...

Sebastian Janikowski | PK | Florida St. | ACC

Selected by Oakland Raiders in round 1, pick 17 (#17 overall)

Ht Wt 40 BP SS LS VJ BJ Grade
6'1" 260 - - - - - - 8.00


Junior eligible. Three-year starter. Left footed. Comes from Poland where he was a soccer standout. Big and strong. Is athletic and flexible for his size. Smooth in his approach. Has good technique and foot speed. Strikes with explosive force. Gets the ball off with good trajectory. Legitimate long-range threat with solid, though not outstanding overall accuracy. Excellent kickoff man. Consistently drives the ball deep for touchbacks when kicking off from the 35-yard line. Quality kicking prospect in the Morten Andersen mold. Has had some off-field issues.

[Angry Pope]

Here is an article that Sims wrote recently...

A Tough Call

02.13.2006


I know how the Seattle Seahawks feel about the officiating after this year’s Super Bowl. Every Oakland Raider knows the date: January 19, 2002. That was the snowy night in New England that we lost to the Patriots thanks to something called the “Tuck Rule.” Late in the game, Tom Brady fumbled the ball. After reviewing the play, the referee determined that it was an incomplete pass. The Patriots won in overtime and went on to win the Super Bowl. We lost our coach, made it to the Super Bowl the following season and lost to our old coach. Our team hasn’t been the same since.

It was hard for us to let that play go. During the 2002 off-season, the NFL officials sent a guy to meet the team and explain the new rule changes. The guy said, “Hi my name is so-and-so, and I’m hear to show you…” and before he could finish, we got up as a team and walked out of the room. There was nothing that guy was going to say to us that we wanted to hear.

People in Oakland still talk about that play. But as an athlete, if you make a bad play or a call goes against you, you have to let it go. Sure, maybe it wasn’t that bad of a push off that Darrell Jackson made on his pass route, certainly not enough to take a touchdown off the board. Maybe Ben Roethlisberger got as close as you can to the end zone without scoring a touchdown. But the fact of the matter is, there was still plenty of game left to play and plenty of time for the Seahwaks to do what got them there in the first place.

That’s the way I look at the Tuck Rule game. We still had a chance to hold the Patriots down in regulation. We still had a chance to win in overtime. We didn’t get it done. After that game, Coach Gruden left to coach Tampa Bay. He beat us the following year in the Super Bowl, and things have been sliding down for us ever since. Who knows what would have happened if that call went the other way. Maybe we win the Super Bowl. Maybe we win the following year as well. But we didn’t and that’s all that matters.

As a fan watching the game on TV, as I was right alongside you guys, there’s so much you don’t know about a controversial holding or pass interference call. Sometimes a referee will warn a guy before he throws a flag on him, if the player is a little fast and loose with the rules. The good refs usually will give you a heads up, if he sees you doing something borderline. Maybe the play before, the guy got away with something much more blatant and the camera didn’t catch it. You just never know. It’s how you respond to the bad call that determines what makes a champion.

You may not think of football as resembling anything close to golf, but there is one similarity. In golf, you could hit a terrific 280-yard drive. You’ve crushed it. And just as you hit it, the wind picks up and drifts the ball to the right—just enough for your ball to find the fairway bunker. Did you make a great play? Yes. Is it fair that you’re in a bunker? Of course not. If you hit that drive the same way 50 times, will it find the fairway the next 49 times in a row? Maybe so. But when you do find the bunker, you have to shake it off and concentrate on making a good shot out of the bunker and get back to playing your game. If not, you’ll unravel. The same is true in football. If you let one play stay in your head, it won’t leave.

I thought Pittsburgh was the better team going into the Super Bowl and the better team usually finds a way to win. I’m sure the Seahawks feel like they were the best team. The best thing they can do after a game like this is to forget about it and show people what they’re made of next year. I’m off to the links. Hopefully, I’ll find the fairway today. See you next week.

[Angry Pope]

Here is a draft profile of Mondriel Fulcher...

Mondriel Fulcher | TE | Miami (FL) | Big East

Selected by Oakland Raiders in round 7, pick 21 (#227 overall)

Ht Wt 40 BP SS LS VJ BJ Grade
6'3" 250 4.84 18 4.53 - 27 9'8" 5.14

A smaller than ideal tight end who shifted to fullback in '99 because of the presence of Daniel Franks in the lineup -- did get some playing time as a second tight end. A little late off the ball. Not powerful, but he's a good athlete who keeps his feet well works with his hands and shows determination. Lacks good leg drive. Ducks his head some. Inconsistent adjusting on the move. Runs too upright in his routes, but he has decent speed and good hands. Can extend and make the tough catch. Has good vision and power as a runner. Possible H-Back.

[Angry Pope]

Here is what are players were being paid in 1998...

Last name First name- Position -Base pay- Bonuses -Total pay


Brown Tim WR 1,000,000 1,950,000 2,950,000

Wisniewski Steve OL 750,000 1,868,600 2,618,600

Maryland Russell DT 1,450,000 1,020,100 2,470,100

Russell Darrell DT 2,250,000 300 2,250,300

Woodson Charles CB 350,000 1,533,300 1,883,300

Allen Eric CB 1,500,000 333,300 1,833,300

George Jeff QB 500,000 1,300,000 1,800,000

Dudley Rickey TE 1,690,000 50,700 1,740,700

Howard Desmond WR 800,000 500,700 1,300,700

Jett James WR 1,000,000 255,300 1,255,300

Kennedy Lincoln OL 800,000 435,500 1,235,500

Biekert Greg LB 1,100,000 102,000 1,202,000

Williams Harvey RB 650,000 496,700 1,146,700

Lewis Albert S 216,000 930,600 1,146,600

Kaufman Napoleon RB 1,132,500 13,400 1,145,900

Harlow Pat OL 479,000 602,200 1,081,200

Trapp James CB 750,000 159,400 909,400

Turner Eric S 550,000 312,900 862,900

Collins Mo OL 260,000 600,000 860,000

Swilling Pat DE 500,000 125,000 625,000

Harvey Richard LB 500,000 0 500,000

Robbins Barret OL 380,000 116,100 496,100

Johnstone Lance DE 282,000 172,800 454,800

Newman Anthony S 350,000 100,600 450,600

Folston James LB 300,000 136,100 436,100

Wilson Wade QB 375,000 50,000 425,000

Bruce Aundray DE 400,000 2,200 402,200

Davis Greg P/K 400,000 0 400,000

Cunningham Rick OL 325,000 51,400 376,400

Wooden Terry LB 225,000 125,000 350,000

Mickens Terry WR 333,300 1,000 334,300

Jordan Randy RB 303,000 25,400 328,400

Graham Derrick OL 325,000 0 325,000

Riddick Louis S 324,000 1,000 325,000

Wilkerson Bruce OL 325,000 0 325,000

Ashmore Darryl OL 299,000 25,600 324,600

Hollas Don QB 320,500 1,700 322,200

Brown Derek TE 320,500 800 321,300

Harris James DE 300,000 1,100 301,100

Ritchie Jon RB 175,000 125,000 300,000

Treu Adam OL 212,500 83,400 295,900

Brooks Bucky CB 275,000 0 275,000

Carter Perry CB 259,000 16,000 275,000

Shedd Kenny WR 248,000 26,800 274,800

Morton Mike LB 216,000 58,100 274,100

Araguz Leo P/K 260,000 3,400 263,400

Walker Marquis CB 233,500 1,700 235,200

DiNapoli Gennaro OL 144,000 75,000 219,000

Jackson Grady DT 180,000 38,800 218,800

Osborne Chuck DT 198,000 5,000 203,000

Barnes Pat QB 198,000 0 198,000

Branch Calvin S 180,000 18,000 198,000

Brigham Jeremy TE 144,000 29,000 173,000

Whitley Curtis OL 0 166,700 166,700

Williams Rodney WR 158,000 1,300 159,300

Williams Jermaine RB 158,000 0 158,000

Amey Vince DT 150,000 0 150,000

Smith Travian LB 144,000 0 144,000

[Rupert]

Desmond Howard. Ugh! All that jack for none of the cheese. :mad:

[Angry Pope]

Supposedly, Keith Millard has been named our defensive line coach and this man has been hired to be the assistant defensive line coach...

Darryl Sims
Head Coach

Darryl Sims was appointed as the second head coach in Cologne Centurions history in November 2005, following Peter Vaas who left to join Notre Dame. Sims spent six seasons with the Admirals the last two as the club's defensive coordinator. In 2005 his Admirals defense led the league in takeaways and interceptions, and allowed a league-low 11 passing touchdowns. He spent the previous four years as Amsterdam's defensive line coach. Under Sims' leadership in 2004, the Admirals boasted NFL Europe's toughest red-zone defense, allowing opponents to score on just 50 percent of trips inside Amsterdam's 20-yard line.

In 2001, his defensive line set a team-record in sacks (41) and Sims was responsible for the successes of defensive linemen such as Roshaun Matthews (NFLEL Defensive MVP in 2001) and Mike Sutton. Prior to joining the Admirals, Sims was defensive line coach at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.

Sims was a first round draft pick (21st overall) of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1985 NFL draft. He signed with the Cleveland Browns in 1987 before retiring in 1991. As a defensive end he played 32 games with the Steelers, recording 3 sacks, and 26 contests with the Browns.

[Angry Pope]

Also, supposedly, we are looking into hiring Rick Neuheisel as our QBs coach...and looking into hiring Albert Lewis as our DBs coach....take it for what it is worth.

[Rupert]

Both of those sound like solid acquisitions as well as Sims.

[Angry Pope]

Here is a quote from Whisenhunt...

He interviewed with Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis about the vacant head coaching position.

"It was fantastic," Whisenhunt said. "He's a sharp guy. He has a great football mind. It was exciting talking with him and what he envisioned."

[Angry Pope]

Here are a couple of quotes from a Fox Sports writer...supposedly Sapp said the same thing over the radio some time back...take it for what it is worth....

Warren Sapp told me last year that Davis called the coaches after the season opening loss to the Patriots and told the defensive staff to stop playing the 3-4 defense. Guess what? They shifted to the 4-3.

According to Sapp, it was Davis who benched Kerry Collins, then insisted on getting him back in the line-up.

[Angry Pope]

There may be a delay to the start of free agency..from Clayton...

Time running on new CBA: NFLPA executive director Gene Upshaw has made it pretty clear he won't move back the start of free agency beyond March 3. If there is no collective bargaining extension by then, the league is heading to a strike or a lockout by 2008. Obviously, Upshaw is trying to get the owners to settle their differences on revenue sharing. That's the biggest holdout in the agreement. Upshaw and commissioner Paul Tagliabue are all but agreed on a percentage number of total revenues that would fit into an extension. Figure this: If a deal is done by next Wednesday, free agency will start on time. If something gets done by Feb. 28, Upshaw might have to consider starting free agency one or two weeks late, but it won't happen without a new deal.

[Angry Pope]

On the NFL Network, they were confirming that we signed Jackie Slater on then talked about Robert Gallery. There was a defensive tackle that went up against Gallery in a game. That DT said that he has great feet and talent but that he is soft and that is the only thing holding him back from being a Pro Bowl player every year.

Now with Shell and Slater, he will be outstanding.

(I was told about this...didn't actually see the piece)

[Angry Pope]

Supposedly, Ahmad Brooks has been dismissed from his team for an off the field incident. If true, I wonder if they will grant a supplemental draft for him in the summer.

[Angry Pope]

Here is more on Brooks....

Associated Press

Ahmad Brooks' playing days at Virginia are now over.

Ahmad Brooks, considered among the best linebackers in the nation when healthy, will no longer be a part of the Virginia program, according to sources close to the situation.

The decision to release Brooks from the team was made after an off-field incident that recently took place, although sources refused to elaborate on the specifics.

The 6-foot-4, 249-pound rising senior had just decided last month to return to UVa for his final year of eligibility and not enter the NFL draft.

Sources said he will now submit an appeal to be included in the draft this April or look to be a part of the NFL's supplemental draft that takes place each summer.

Brooks had 207 tackles and 12 sacks in his first two seasons with the Cavaliers and as a sophomore was named a finalist for the Butkus Award, which goes to the nation's top linebacker.

But last season, his play was limited by numerous injuries. Brooks played in just six games and finished with only 27 tackles and a sack.

Brooks' decision to return for his senior season had been viewed as a huge victory for Virginia's defense, especially after fellow starting inside linebacker Kai Parham chose to submit his name for the NFL draft.

The loss of Brooks leaves the Cavaliers with little experience at inside linebacker. Freshman Antonio Appleby played well late in the season, but beyond that there is virtually no experience.

Other question marks remain as well on the defensive side of the ball, most notably in the secondary.

Starting safety Tony Franklin is facing legal problems stemming from an arrest late last year and his status remains unknown, while the Cavaliers' other starting safety, Nate Lyles, is recovering from a neck injury and has not been cleared as of yet to return.

[Angry Pope]

Here are more thoughts by Mario...

Now it's time to show off the skills



(Feb. 16, 2006) -- With all this time and all this preparation, I'm just really anxious to get out to the Combine and do what I do, have the experience of being there, and get it done. Hopefully I'll do well, and I'll go from there. I'm not nervous, just really excited. I'm really loose because I'm so excited. I can't wait to get the chance to go out there and be around all the athletes, coaches and GMs.


The total amount of repetitions have been cut down in our routine at API (Athletes' Performance), but the intensity is still high. We're working on the fundamentals and all the small things; the basics. The key techniques I'm doing are the 5-10-5, three-cone drill, how we bench, run our 40 -- we're fine-tuning the little things. We're just trying to get focused and preparing to dial it in for the Combine. I've heard it from some of the guys that it's a little bit of both nerves and excitement. It's just been a while since we've played. We're all working up to the point where we can go out there and do what we need to do.

I feel like I'm already predestined to be in the NFL. Whatever is going to happen, is going to happen. So I can't go out to the Combine and put the world on my shoulders, worrying about this and that. I just have to go out there and do what I do. Some of the NFL guys over here have told me to stay focused and not get too excited too early before I go out there and run. Don't get psyched out waiting to run the 40 or something like that. Basically they said to stay calm and be ready for anything.

Being a top prospect, I really don't have any pressure or anything like that. Like I said, I do what I do. I thank God I can do what I do, and knowing he is behind me, there isn't any pressure. But I guess I do get some extra respect from players on and off the field. A lot of guys make little jokes. People say, "There goes top five, there goes top 10. Big money man." You don't say that for everybody, so in that way I do get the respect. I must be on their mind all day. It's all fun and games; just kidding around. I'm just thankful that I'm in a position for that to happen.


Mario Williams, who knows how to get to the QB like Julius Peppers can, could be a force as a rookie.

When I was in college, I watched Julius Peppers all the time. Watching him play and the similarities we have, I try to do the things he does. He knows how to go out and perform at a high level. I just try to be like him, or better. Everything is very similar. Sometimes I don't actually mean to do something, but as I look at it on film or on TV, and I look at how he is on TV, there are a lot of things that I imitate. Even just getting out of my stance as the ball is snapped. A lot of times I don't mean to.

Of course Barry Sanders was a big thing when I was growing up. I liked just watching him run. He and Deion Sanders I watched because they were always around the ball. It was a real excitement for me watching them as a kid. I was also a running back in high school, but if there were other positions I would play, it would be outside or inside linebacker.

The No. 1 thing I love is when little kids look up to me. Whether they want my autograph or my cleats, I'll give it to them. My last game I was handing my cleats to someone in the stands. It's a great feeling to touch kids' hearts. I remember when I was a little kid and I looked up to people like that. For me to be able to do that for them, if they want a cleat or a glove, it's just a great feeling for me. It was the same on campus. Just the other day someone from N.C. State was IMing (AOL Instant Message) me, writing, "I can't believe I'm talking to Mario Williams!" It's funny stuff, but at the same time you can't let it go to your head. It's all fun and games, but I do love it.


Olympic pride

I was watching curling and I never knew that was an Olympic game. I had no idea in the world how to play it. I had never seen it before. But I don't watch that much because I don't have the time to watch TV.

I never heard of Jeremy Bloom (U.S. freestyle skier and former University of Colorado player headed to the Combine) before, but I think what he's done is great. I think I could chase him down, though. Everything's different on a football field. He might be tired. You never know.

[Angry Pope]

Here is Eric Barton's draft profile...

Eric Barton | ILB | Maryland | ACC
Selected by Oakland Raiders in round 5, pick 13 (#146 overall)
Ht Wt 40 BP SS LS VJ BJ Grade
6'2" 247 4.68 - - - - - 5.91


He is almost undersized and has the frame that suits the OLB position more than an ILB. He has excellent overall AA, speed and range and he is another guy that can be a sideline to sideline player. He has good cover skills and should fit in nicely as an inside nickel LB. He is a good hitter for his size, but he is not a real explosive player and he can be overpowered if an OG gets to his body. He may get a long look at OLB by NFL teams, but he has enough overall skills as a special teams performer, nickel type LB, etc. to be a strong consideration in the middle rounds

[Angry Pope]

Here is another one. This one is marked special for Crow....

Aaron Brooks | QB | Virginia | ACC
Selected by Green Bay Packers in round 4, pick 36 (#131 overall)
Ht Wt 40 BP SS LS VJ BJ Grade
6'3" 203 4.57 - 4.33 - 35.5 10' 5.45


He is an athletic and mobile QB with good measurables and good intelligence. He has solid arm strength and can make all the throws necessary. He has really improved in the last two years, but he is a guy that doesn't appear to have great discipline in the pocket. In spite of his intelligence, he does not have great patience and seems to scramble a little more than he should when he doesn't read a defense. He is a little up and down in his production and doesn't always seem to be a real natural QB. The NFL teams that like him will take time to let him develop in his recognition of defenses as his measurables and intangibles are a positive.

[Angry Pope]

Here is a video on Cliff Branch...

Cliff... (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZpvoKRk8DM)

[Angry Pope]

Here is a video on Fred Biletnikoff...


Freddy... (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z__5dZ4hs_U)

[Angry Pope]

Here is a trivia quiz about our Raiders...

Here... (http://html.ktvu.com/sh/quizine/1880039/1880039-1.html)

[CrossBones]

Couple of things that viedo reminders me of...

First, Ken Stabler, for all the complaing about his arm strength, got that ball down the field pretty well.

Jim Plunkett had a cannon for an arm. Even though he may have lost a little by the time he became a Raider he could still thow that ball with authority down the field.
and the great lagtge Bill King was and alwasy will be the Voice of the Raiders. The man was just terrific.

[Angry Pope]

Here is more on Ahmad Brooks...

Jeff White, of the Times-Dispatch, reports University of Virginia officials said Friday, Feb. 17, that star LB Ahmad Brooks is still on the school's football team. A report had been published by a web site devoted to University of Virginia sports that Brooks has been dismissed from the team and would try to play in the NFL this season. In an email to the Times-Dispatch, Virginia athletic director Craig Littlepage said, "Ahmad's eligibility to participate has not changed." However, a source close to the football program expressed surprise that head coach Al Groh had said Brooks was still on the team.

[Angry Pope]

Here is the procedure for the supplemental draft since one seems to occur almost every year...

The supplemental draft order is based on three separate lotteries — one for the 13 teams who finished with six or fewer wins, one for the seven non-playoff teams with more than six wins and a final lottery for the 12 playoff teams. Each team receives a proportionate number of tokens based on their position in the 2004 regular draft (San Diego has 32, Oakland 31, Arizona 30, all the way down to the Patriots with one).

A private drawing is held by the NFL to determine how the first 13 picks shake out. Then the next drawing is conducted for the non-playoff teams, and lastly the playoff teams. Once the order is decided, each team has 10 minutes to submit its draft selections. It submits picks by e-mail without knowing of other clubs’ intentions. If five teams submit picks for Mike Williams in the first round, the team with the best draft position gets the pick. In exchange, it must give up its first-round pick in next year’s draft. If it does not have a first-round pick in 2005, it cannot submit a first-round selection for a player.

[Angry Pope]

Sapp will be ready for training camp...

The club reports DT Warren Sapp (rotator cuff surgery) and WR Ronald Curry (Achilles' tear) are making progress, with Sapp likely to be ready to go at training camp. Neither has been available for comment. G Langston Walker (intra-abdominal hemorrhage) had lost considerable weight by the end of the season but should be ready by training camp.

[Angry Pope]

Here it is in print about Slater...

--Art Shell isn't the only Hall of Fame offensive tackle to join Oakland's coaching staff. The Raiders hired Jackie Slater, inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, as an offensive line coach.

Oakland also hired Irv Eatman, who was an assistant with the Chiefs the past two years under line coach Mike Solari.

Whether Slater is the line coach and Eatman is the line assistant or the other way around has not been announced and may not have been determined.

Slater has not coached in the NFL but has run seminars and clinics on line play designed to help young linemen.

Jim Colletto, the line coach in 2005, joined the staff at UCLA after a season in which the Raiders finished 28th in rushing and gave up 45 sacks.

The Raiders are in the market for a special teams coach, as Joe Avezzano's contract was not renewed.

[Angry Pope]

Here is the reason that Morrison was the only player at the press conference...

Linebacker Kirk Morrison, who grew up and went to high school in Oakland, was the only Oakland player to attend the press conference announcing Shell as the Raiders head coach.

The Raiders made the announcement Friday night for a Saturday press conference, and at least 20 players had secured passes that day for the Pebble Beach Pro-Am. That, coupled with the fact that many live out of the area during the offseason, made for a disappointing turnout for the people who will be truly responsible for Shell's success or failure.

Morrison, who grew up a Raiders fan, was thrilled.

"He was the first Raider coach I was aware of," Morrison said. "He's a Raider legend and now he's coming back to coach and I think he's going to get us back on track to where the Raiders are the team everyone was scared to see."

[Angry Pope]

Here is Junior Ioane's draft profile...

Junior Ioane | DT | Arizona St. | Pac-10

Selected by Oakland Raiders in round 4, pick 12 (#107 overall)

Ht Wt 40 BP SS LS VJ BJ Grade
6'3½" 325 5.1 - - - - - 6.49



JuCo transfer. Has a sturdy base and a muscular upper body. Tough run defender. Has decent quickness at the snap. Hold his ground very well. Does a good job of riding blocks and moving laterally. Plays with good balance and body control. Flexible. Can bend his knees. Instinctive. Works to the ball but doesn't have good speed. A little sluggish in his redirection. Effective power rusher. Strikes with a jolt. Can sink his hips and push the pocket. Needs to improve his technique. Missed much of his senior year with of a knee injury. Has medical concerns

[TommyGirl]

I hope Curry doesn't hurry back. The kid's only shot at a career is if he rehabs fully.

[Angel]

Here is a trivia quiz about our Raiders...

Here... (http://html.ktvu.com/sh/quizine/1880039/1880039-1.html)
That was a short quiz!! :p

[Angry Pope]

That was a short quiz!! :p

LOL...I flubbed it up. I posted it before taking it...doh.

[Angry Pope]

The person we supposedly hired as our assistant defensive line coach, Darryl Sims, already has a past with us...there is a picture at the bottom....

Fellowship Provides Opportunity
August 19, 2004

By Adam Berke


Since the franchise's inception in 1960, and especially since the arrival of owner Al Davis as head coach and general manager in 1963, the Raiders have honored a Commitment to Opportunity. The organization has strived to be leaders in professional football and the community.
The Oakland Raiders again in 2004 are hosting two coaches as part of the NFL Minority Coaching Fellowship program. This year, the Raiders provided two coaches with a special opportunity to become NFL coaches. The Silver and Black offered two training camp coaching positions to Darryl Sims, defensive coordinator of the NFL Europe's Amsterdam Admirals and Bethel College offensive coordinator Joe Jefferson.

"It's really special to be with the Raiders," said Sims. "The organization has a tremendous amount of heritage, tradition and pride. Every time I come out to practice, I see guys like Jim Otto, Fred Biletnikoff and Willie Brown. That speaks volumes. Not just the football team but the entire organization. So having the opportunity to work with the Raiders is very, very big for me."

Jefferson and Sims are two of the coaches participating in this program this summer. The program is not only a great opportunity for advancement in the coaching ranks but also provides a great opportunity for learning with some of the for best coaching minds in football.

Jefferson and Sims work side by side with the coordinators in their specialty. One can regularly see Jefferson in discussion with running backs coach Skip Peete or offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye. Sims gravitates to defensive coordinator Rob Ryan where he is trying to learn anything and everything he can from the coaching staff.

"This is a unique opportunity," said Coach Sims. "It's not easy to get into the league, and it's not easy to have these kinds of opportunities. So you take it and learn as much as you can." As part of training camp coaching staffs, the fellowship coaches perform duties that mirror those of full-time NFL assistant coaches. They become working members of NFL staffs for the summer and are responsible for specific assignments, including planning and directing workouts, formulating scrimmage and preseason-game strategies, breaking down videotape, and evaluating players. Jefferson and Sims are also working hard to make the most of their opportunities.

"It's a once in a lifetime deal for most people," said Coach Jefferson. "It's great to have the opportunity to work with Hall of Famers and watch their work ethic."

Jefferson is in his fourth season serving as an intern with the fellowship where he previously spent training camp the Dolphins, Bears and Cardinals. He is in his second season with Bethel College. Prior to coming to Bethel, Jefferson worked as a graduate assistant coach at Oklahoma State University. Sims is entering his sixth season with the Admirals after being promoted last season to defensive coordinator. He spent the previous four seasons as the club's defensive line coach. Sims was also an NFL player splitting a career that spanned from 1985-1991, with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns.

Fellowship coaches Darryl Sims (right) and Joe Jefferson pose for a photo with Raiders Head Coach Norv Turner. (http://www.raiders.com/uploads/photos/perm/main/HNBDOCHPANNP/081904fellowship180.jpg)

[Angry Pope]

Here is Shane Lechler's draft profile...

Shane Lechler | P | Texas A&M | Big Twelve

Selected by Oakland Raiders in round 5, pick 9 (#142 overall)

Ht Wt 40 BP SS LS VJ BJ Grade
6'2" 234 - - - - - - 6.91

Four year starter. Very productive throughout his career. Had a strong senior year. Rightfooted punter with good size for the position. Athletic. Has quarterback experience. Can run or throw if necessary. Two step punter with good technique. Smooth. Gets the ball off in reasonably good time. Powerful. Drives the ball extremely well when he strikes it ideally. Gets good hang times and shows control on "coffin corner" efforts. Has placekicked and kicked off at times during his career, but isn't consistent in those areas. Quality punting prospect.

[Angry Pope]

The last one is Danny Clark....

Danny Clark | ILB | Illinois | Big Ten

Selected by Jacksonville Jaguars in round 7, pick 39 (#245 overall)

Ht Wt 40 BP SS LS VJ BJ Grade
6'2" 245 4.79 20 - - - - 4.86

Four-year starter. Solid specimen with a strong build and long arms and legs. Physical. Plays high and takes long steps, but he attacks the line hard and takes on contact aggressively. Needs to use his hands better. Not quick to defeat blocks and make plays against the inside run. Inconsistent reactor. Gets ridden out too much. Athletic. Moves well in space. Active down the line. Good on the move tackler. Has solid coverage skills. Smooth to the flat picking up a back. Alert in a zone. Has a good break on the ball. Should do well on special teams.

[Angry Pope]

From Len P regarding the hiring of Art....he is on our side...

Place us among the small group that actually feels the decision to hire Shell, after striking out with fresher candidates, was a good one by Raiders owner Al Davis. For one thing, it rectifies one of the biggest mistakes Davis ever made, in firing Shell after the 1994 season. And if there is any of the coaching candidates interviewed by Oakland officials who knows, understands and can work with Davis' peccadilloes, it is Shell. There is little Davis can do that Shell hasn't seen, or experienced, with the owner in the past, whether it was as a player, an assistant coach, or a head coach. And while it's been a dozen years since Shell was a head coach, he remains a strong and willful leader. Never a particularly good position coach, in part because he was never able to verbally impart to his offensive line charges the qualities that made him a Hall of Fame blocker, Shell nonetheless possesses a skills set that is far more important for a head coach in the modern game. Head coaches are less about X's and O's now than they are getting their teams to play hard for them. And Shell has more than enough compelling elements of his personality, and commands such instant respect, that players will want to perform under his stewardship.

[Angry Pope]

Here a few pictures of Art that I liked....



Art I..... (http://cache.gettyimages.com/xt/56391750.jpg?v=1&g=editorial_na&s=1)


Art II... (http://cache.gettyimages.com/xt/53404119.jpg?v=1&g=editorial_na&s=1)

Art III... (http://cache.gettyimages.com/xt/53921121.jpg?v=1&g=editorial_na&s=1)

Art IV.... (http://cache.gettyimages.com/xt/55326276.jpg?v=1&g=editorial_na&s=1)

[Angry Pope]

Here is a video of Brooks getting an incredible sack....



Brooks... (http://media.ejbdotcom.net/5d19c4/thebestsacever.wmv)

[CrossBones]

Here is a video of Brooks getting an incredible sack....



Brooks... (http://media.ejbdotcom.net/5d19c4/thebestsacever.wmv)Dude is a WILD man! :D

According to reports I have read Brooks was a sure #1 (high) pick last year. He decided to stay in school I guess and things haven't gone according to plan. He been in some trobule and now gets kicked out of school. Seems a perfect Al davis pick to me!

[Angry Pope]

I may have had an extra space in the links for the pictures...it might work now.

That would be great about Brooks and our second round pick next year will be at the end of the round too.