Angry Pope
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May 13, 2006
Aaron Brooks said he received no promises and coach Art Shell said the Oakland Raiders' quarterback position remains open for competition.
But as the Raiders concluded their mandatory three-day mini-camp following the NFL draft, Brooks appeared to have a clear edge over veteran Marques Tuiasosopo and second-year player Andrew Walter.
Brooks, signed as a free agent after being cut by the New Orleans Saints, got the majority of the work with the first-team offensive line, followed by Tuiasosopo and Walter.
Shell warned not to read too much into the pecking order.
"That's where we are today," Shell said. "The last (voluntary) camp it was different. It might be different next time. It could be different tomorrow. Nothing is set in stone."
Still, it was hard not to envision Brooks being the starter when the Raiders open Sept. 11 against the San Diego Chargers.
Evaluating quarterbacks based on non-contact mini-camps is tricky business, but Brooks showed a lively arm, good touch and the mobility that has been missing from Oakland's starting quarterback since Rich Gannon went out with a broken vertebra in 2003, never to return.
Tuiasosopo, after an aborted one-game tryout last season, threw the ball well but would appear to be a long shot. Walter, considered in some quarters to be the darkhorse candidate to start, threw the ball no better than Brooks and seemed to be in cement shoes by comparison to either of the first two quarterbacks.
Brooks said new teammates such as running back LaMont Jordan and wide receiver Randy Moss gave him a nice reception, with some calling him during a free agent visit in Tampa and beckoning him to Oakland.
"I'm off to a great start," Brooks said. "I'm just trying to get the playbook down and get them the ball the best way I can."
While conceding there had been no promises made, Brooks seemed confident the job would eventually be his.
"I bring a lot of energy. I bring a lot of mobility," Brooks said. "My leadership qualities carry over. I'm good with hands-on communication. My skills speak for themselves. The communication factor from player to player and player to coach is probably one of my best attributes. A team like this needs that."
Shell said he hoped to have a No. 1 quarterback in place heading into training camp, although the process could continue during camp if necessary.
"I want a guy who's going to get out there and make sure he protects the ball," Shell said. "I want a guy that is capable of being a leader. Some guys are great leaders. Jim Plunkett was not a great leader, per se, but he led by example in the way he played. I just want a guy to be under the center, pitch the ball, take care of it, and guys believe in him because he's doing the right things. If we do that, we'll be fine, whoever emerges."
NOTES, QUOTES
—Langston Walker, drafted in the second round as a tackle out of Cal in 2002 and moved to guard last season, is moving back to tackle.
Walker opened the 2004 season at right tackle, only to have a difficult game in pass protection in the season opener against Pittsburgh. He was benched in favor of top draft pick Robert Gallery.
He moved somewhat reluctantly to left guard last season, where he started until suffering an intra-abdominal hemorrhage after six games and missing the rest of the season.
"The way things have gone, I've played guard, played either tackle, so it's pretty obvious my athletic ability has allowed me to excel at any of those positions except center," Walker said.
—Running backs flaring out of the backfield in search of swing passes will be sorry to here it, but Tyler Brayton's days of being a stand-up guy are over.
He is back in the starting blocks for good, according to coach Art Shell.
"He's a defensive end," Shell said in officially ending a two-year experiment of using the 6-foot-6, 275-pound Colorado product at outside linebacker. "When we told him, he was excited about it. Get back down and get after the passer from that three-point stance."
Not only was Brayton back at end, but he worked extensively with the first time from the right side during the Raiders' three-day mini-camp.
—The first day of Michael Huff's career as an Oakland Raider included getting beat on a deep pass by Randy Moss.
"It was my first experience and he scored on me," Huff said. "But that's part of the territory, so I've got to go out there and get better every day."
—Huff not only wore the No. 24 worn by the departed Charles Woodson, but said he asked Woodson for permission to wear it. Based on the first mini-camp, Huff will be used much like Woodson was — as a versatile defender capable of playing deep safety, blitzing, covering receivers in the slot or taking players man-to-man.
"He's capable of doing those things, that's why he's in there working," Shell said. "His versatility is very important to what we're planning on doing on defense."
—In terms of the review by the coach, the Raiders' first voluntary mini-camp followed a predictable form.
A strong first day, followed by a sluggish second day, ending on a high note on Day 3.
"I told them, `we're going to throw a lot of things at you, and you've just got to try and decipher and learn it the best you can,'" Shell said. "In the morning, you'd call a play, and their eyes would be as big as balloons, which should be expected. By the afternoon, you could see improvement. I think they're doing OK."
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I feel fine. I've got a nasty scar. I'm going to hit the beach and try to tell a good story about it." — Tackle Langston Walker on the repair work done by surgeons on a life-threatening abdominal hemorrhage suffered last season.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
The following veteran free agents were signed to undisclosed contracts:
LB Robert Thomas, RB Rod Smart, TE Marcellus Rivers, RB Reshard Lee.
The following undrafted free agents were signed to undisclosed contracts:
WR Burl Toler III, DE Kevin Huntley, WR John Madsen, WR Rick Gatewood, LB Ricky Brown, QB Kent Smith, DB William Buchanon, WR Jason Boyd, DE Javon Nanton, FS Alvin Nnabuife, T Jabari Levey, LB Timi Wusu, RB J.R. Lemon, TE Derek Miller.
MEDICAL WATCH
—DT Warren Sapp, recovering from rotator cuff surgery, participated in a few drills but was held out of team sessions at the Raiders' mini-camp. Sapp said he expects to be ready to go by the mid-June mini-camp and should be ready for training camp with no restrictions.
—WR Ronald Curry, who has had two Achilles' tendon surgeries in the past two years, was with his teammates at mini-camp but did not participate. Coach Art Shell said Curry is healing nicely and eager to play, but gave no timetable as to when he would be ready to go.
—C Jake Grove, who had knee surgery last season, worked as the starter at all three morning sessions but gave way to Adam Treu in the afternoon. The afternoons off were a scheduled part of Grove's recovery, Shell said.
—T Langston Walker said he was at full strength after undergoing emergency surgery for an intra-abdominal hemorrhage last season. He was the starting right tackle in mini-camp.
—QB Andrew Walter, who had hernia surgery following the regular season, played with no restrictions.
—RB LaMont Jordan, who missed the last two games with turf toe, reported some lingering pain but said it was not serious as he took all his reps as the No. 1 running back.
—S Derrick Gibson, who had a dislocated wrist last season, practiced with no restrictions.
—WR Randy Moss, hampered much of last season with rib, groin and pelvis injuries, appeared to be at full strength.
FRANCHISE PLAYER: None.
TRANSITION PLAYER: None.
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: S Calvin Branch; RB Omar Easy; TE Zeron Flemister; LB/DE DeLawrence Grant; LB Tim Johnson; DT Kenny Smith; S Reggie Tongue.
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: None.
EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS: TE James Adkisson; DT Anttaj Hawthorne; DE Tommy Kelly.
PLAYERS RE-SIGNED: S Jarrod Cooper; FB John Paul Foschi; S Derrick Gibson; OG Corey Hulsey; DE/LB Grant Irons; OT Brad Lekkerkerker; DT Terdell Sands; OT Chad Slaughter; TE Randal Williams.
PLAYERS ACQUIRED: QB Aaron Brooks; DE Lance Johnstone; CB Tyrone Poole; TE Marcellus Rivers; RB Rod Smart; OG Cameron Spikes; CB Duane Starks; LB Robert Thomas.
PLAYERS LOST: QB Kerry Collins; DB Renaldo Hill; DT Ed Jasper; OG Ron Stone; CB Denard Walker; DT Ted Washington; CB Charles Woodson.
Aaron Brooks said he received no promises and coach Art Shell said the Oakland Raiders' quarterback position remains open for competition.
But as the Raiders concluded their mandatory three-day mini-camp following the NFL draft, Brooks appeared to have a clear edge over veteran Marques Tuiasosopo and second-year player Andrew Walter.
Brooks, signed as a free agent after being cut by the New Orleans Saints, got the majority of the work with the first-team offensive line, followed by Tuiasosopo and Walter.
Shell warned not to read too much into the pecking order.
"That's where we are today," Shell said. "The last (voluntary) camp it was different. It might be different next time. It could be different tomorrow. Nothing is set in stone."
Still, it was hard not to envision Brooks being the starter when the Raiders open Sept. 11 against the San Diego Chargers.
Evaluating quarterbacks based on non-contact mini-camps is tricky business, but Brooks showed a lively arm, good touch and the mobility that has been missing from Oakland's starting quarterback since Rich Gannon went out with a broken vertebra in 2003, never to return.
Tuiasosopo, after an aborted one-game tryout last season, threw the ball well but would appear to be a long shot. Walter, considered in some quarters to be the darkhorse candidate to start, threw the ball no better than Brooks and seemed to be in cement shoes by comparison to either of the first two quarterbacks.
Brooks said new teammates such as running back LaMont Jordan and wide receiver Randy Moss gave him a nice reception, with some calling him during a free agent visit in Tampa and beckoning him to Oakland.
"I'm off to a great start," Brooks said. "I'm just trying to get the playbook down and get them the ball the best way I can."
While conceding there had been no promises made, Brooks seemed confident the job would eventually be his.
"I bring a lot of energy. I bring a lot of mobility," Brooks said. "My leadership qualities carry over. I'm good with hands-on communication. My skills speak for themselves. The communication factor from player to player and player to coach is probably one of my best attributes. A team like this needs that."
Shell said he hoped to have a No. 1 quarterback in place heading into training camp, although the process could continue during camp if necessary.
"I want a guy who's going to get out there and make sure he protects the ball," Shell said. "I want a guy that is capable of being a leader. Some guys are great leaders. Jim Plunkett was not a great leader, per se, but he led by example in the way he played. I just want a guy to be under the center, pitch the ball, take care of it, and guys believe in him because he's doing the right things. If we do that, we'll be fine, whoever emerges."
NOTES, QUOTES
—Langston Walker, drafted in the second round as a tackle out of Cal in 2002 and moved to guard last season, is moving back to tackle.
Walker opened the 2004 season at right tackle, only to have a difficult game in pass protection in the season opener against Pittsburgh. He was benched in favor of top draft pick Robert Gallery.
He moved somewhat reluctantly to left guard last season, where he started until suffering an intra-abdominal hemorrhage after six games and missing the rest of the season.
"The way things have gone, I've played guard, played either tackle, so it's pretty obvious my athletic ability has allowed me to excel at any of those positions except center," Walker said.
—Running backs flaring out of the backfield in search of swing passes will be sorry to here it, but Tyler Brayton's days of being a stand-up guy are over.
He is back in the starting blocks for good, according to coach Art Shell.
"He's a defensive end," Shell said in officially ending a two-year experiment of using the 6-foot-6, 275-pound Colorado product at outside linebacker. "When we told him, he was excited about it. Get back down and get after the passer from that three-point stance."
Not only was Brayton back at end, but he worked extensively with the first time from the right side during the Raiders' three-day mini-camp.
—The first day of Michael Huff's career as an Oakland Raider included getting beat on a deep pass by Randy Moss.
"It was my first experience and he scored on me," Huff said. "But that's part of the territory, so I've got to go out there and get better every day."
—Huff not only wore the No. 24 worn by the departed Charles Woodson, but said he asked Woodson for permission to wear it. Based on the first mini-camp, Huff will be used much like Woodson was — as a versatile defender capable of playing deep safety, blitzing, covering receivers in the slot or taking players man-to-man.
"He's capable of doing those things, that's why he's in there working," Shell said. "His versatility is very important to what we're planning on doing on defense."
—In terms of the review by the coach, the Raiders' first voluntary mini-camp followed a predictable form.
A strong first day, followed by a sluggish second day, ending on a high note on Day 3.
"I told them, `we're going to throw a lot of things at you, and you've just got to try and decipher and learn it the best you can,'" Shell said. "In the morning, you'd call a play, and their eyes would be as big as balloons, which should be expected. By the afternoon, you could see improvement. I think they're doing OK."
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I feel fine. I've got a nasty scar. I'm going to hit the beach and try to tell a good story about it." — Tackle Langston Walker on the repair work done by surgeons on a life-threatening abdominal hemorrhage suffered last season.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
The following veteran free agents were signed to undisclosed contracts:
LB Robert Thomas, RB Rod Smart, TE Marcellus Rivers, RB Reshard Lee.
The following undrafted free agents were signed to undisclosed contracts:
WR Burl Toler III, DE Kevin Huntley, WR John Madsen, WR Rick Gatewood, LB Ricky Brown, QB Kent Smith, DB William Buchanon, WR Jason Boyd, DE Javon Nanton, FS Alvin Nnabuife, T Jabari Levey, LB Timi Wusu, RB J.R. Lemon, TE Derek Miller.
MEDICAL WATCH
—DT Warren Sapp, recovering from rotator cuff surgery, participated in a few drills but was held out of team sessions at the Raiders' mini-camp. Sapp said he expects to be ready to go by the mid-June mini-camp and should be ready for training camp with no restrictions.
—WR Ronald Curry, who has had two Achilles' tendon surgeries in the past two years, was with his teammates at mini-camp but did not participate. Coach Art Shell said Curry is healing nicely and eager to play, but gave no timetable as to when he would be ready to go.
—C Jake Grove, who had knee surgery last season, worked as the starter at all three morning sessions but gave way to Adam Treu in the afternoon. The afternoons off were a scheduled part of Grove's recovery, Shell said.
—T Langston Walker said he was at full strength after undergoing emergency surgery for an intra-abdominal hemorrhage last season. He was the starting right tackle in mini-camp.
—QB Andrew Walter, who had hernia surgery following the regular season, played with no restrictions.
—RB LaMont Jordan, who missed the last two games with turf toe, reported some lingering pain but said it was not serious as he took all his reps as the No. 1 running back.
—S Derrick Gibson, who had a dislocated wrist last season, practiced with no restrictions.
—WR Randy Moss, hampered much of last season with rib, groin and pelvis injuries, appeared to be at full strength.
FRANCHISE PLAYER: None.
TRANSITION PLAYER: None.
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: S Calvin Branch; RB Omar Easy; TE Zeron Flemister; LB/DE DeLawrence Grant; LB Tim Johnson; DT Kenny Smith; S Reggie Tongue.
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: None.
EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS: TE James Adkisson; DT Anttaj Hawthorne; DE Tommy Kelly.
PLAYERS RE-SIGNED: S Jarrod Cooper; FB John Paul Foschi; S Derrick Gibson; OG Corey Hulsey; DE/LB Grant Irons; OT Brad Lekkerkerker; DT Terdell Sands; OT Chad Slaughter; TE Randal Williams.
PLAYERS ACQUIRED: QB Aaron Brooks; DE Lance Johnstone; CB Tyrone Poole; TE Marcellus Rivers; RB Rod Smart; OG Cameron Spikes; CB Duane Starks; LB Robert Thomas.
PLAYERS LOST: QB Kerry Collins; DB Renaldo Hill; DT Ed Jasper; OG Ron Stone; CB Denard Walker; DT Ted Washington; CB Charles Woodson.