Rupert
The Long Wind
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Roster madness
Posted by Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer on November 21st, 2007
Robert Gallery tried his best not to draw blood while biting his lip.
Dominic Rhodes was diplomatic but couldn't hide his disappointment.
LaMont Jordan had no comment.
Michael Bush, friendly and accomodating all season, was nowhere to be found in the Raiders' locker room.
With a 2-8 record and six difficult games remaining to be played, it's not exactly a big, happy family in Alameda.
The lone transactions Wednesday found the Raiders placing starting right tackle Cornell Green on injured reserve and signing Seth Wand, a 6-foot-7, 327 pound tackle who didn't make it out of training camp with the Tennessee Titans.
At practice Wednesday, Paul McQuistan and Robert Gallery worked at right tackle. Gallery started at right tackle in his first and second seasons, moving to left tackle last season and left guard this season.
Gallery will do what is asked, but did not appear thrilled with the idea of being on the move again.
"I mean, it’s hard to get used to a different side, but they’re checking to see what’s best for this football team," Gallery said. "Cornell’s down and they’re going to have to make a change so I think they’re just going to see what’s best for this team."
If Gallery were moved to right tackle, Lane Kiffin said Chris Morris or McQuistan would be the left guard.
The deadline to put Bush on the 53-man roster came and went. Bush remains on the Physically Unable to Perform list, and will be there for the rest of the season ineligible to practice or play with the team. He will work out on the side with injured players and attend all meetings and functions.
Still on the roster are Jordan and Rhodes, who were thought to be the 1-2 punch back in training camp only to be passed on the depth chart by Justin Fargas. Jordan reportedly asked to be released. Rhodes clearly wouldn't have minded it.
Kiffin conceded Bush was ready to play and that the experience would have helped him.
"We just really didn’t have a spot for him right now. He practiced well and it was good to get a chance to be around him practicing and to get a feel for him," Kiffin said. "It kind of is a security blanket for you if some other things happen, some other injuries or one of the running backs especially but even someone else where a spot would open. But having to sign another lineman today, today being our last day to be able to make a move, we just didn’t have a spot for him."
The end result is the Raiders have a healthy running back who they would like to see play on a physically unable to perform list (technically the non-football injury list) and two veteran running backs who they haven't wanted to put in the game still on the roster.
They've also got a fourth quarterback in Andrew Walter who in no way fits into the club's longterm future other than as a low-priced backup _ something Walter does not want to be.
It's not hard to envision Kiffin wanting Bush active, but Al Davis deciding he didn't want to see one of his veteran running backs helping Kansas City or Denver over the next two weeks.
The Chiefs will start Kolby Smith, a fifth-round draft pick and former Louisivlle teammate of Bush, against the Raiders. Larry Johnson is out with a foot injury and Priest Holmes retired Wednesday after a neck injury.
In Denver, Travis Henry is battling a bum knee and is reportedly facing a possible suspension.
When I asked Kiffin if the Raiders were hesitant to cut a running back which could help an opponent, he said, "You mean like the team we're facing Sunday? Yeah, sure. Everything counts. You've got to look at everything and I'm sure that's a part of it. Denver and Kansas City need a running back."
Kiffin tried his best to keep Bush's spirits up.
"I talked to him this morning about today, he's competing to be the starting running back next year, and he should go about every day that way, the way he works in the weight room, the way he pays attention in the meetings and how serious he prepares," Kiffin said. " He's going to play these teams two times a year. He should be studying Kansas City, studying the others, so if he's the starting running back next year, he's ready for it. He should prepare that way."
Rhodes said he is as confused as anyone as to why he is not getting much action even as a change-of-pace back. When asked if he wished he had been waived to make room for Bush, Rhodes broke into a smile and said, "Oh, man, I’d really rather not answer that kind of question, know what I’m sayin? Like I said, I’m just here trying to help this team right now and that’s the bottom line."
Later, Rhodes conceded the obvious _ that he wouldn't have signed with Oakland if he had any idea how things would play out.
"I know there are a lot of teams I'd be starting on right now," Rhodes said. "I think God does things for a reason and I'm just here waiting for opportunities."
(Note: If you're thinking Jordan and Rhodes will bring something in trade before the draft, guess again. Jordan is scheduled to make $4.7 million in 2008 and $5 million in 2009. Rhodes is due $5 million in 2008, with $3 million in salary and $2 million in a roster bonus. When you trade for a player, you trade for the contract. Teams know the Raiders don't intend to pay those figures either, and they'll simply wait until they are cut and sign them as free agents).
More news, notes and observations:
– JaMarcus Russell said he is fine with Kiffin's stated plan being in a non-starting role, and said he doesn't know when that time will come. Russell said he first played as a reserve at LSU and led a comeback victory.
Kiffin said Monday he thought Russell made "great strides" last week in practice. Starter Daunte Culpepper said Russell's improvement has been steady.
"I think he’s gradually getting better from the first time I saw him to now and he’s continued to do that," Culpepper said. "And I’m going to continue to help him out any way I can."
– LB Isaiah Ekejiuba, who reinjured the same ankle which caused him to miss the first four games, did not practice and was walking with a pronounced limp in the locker room.
– It was overshadowed on a league-wide basis by the shot Jacksonville's Maurice Jones-Drew laid on Shawne Merriman, but Fargas absolutely crushed Minnesota's Ben Leber in a pass blocking situation Sunday.
Leber was down on all fours for a few moments before he could get back up.
"I've got to give him a little payback for the way they hit me," Fargas said.
– With Jake Grove (knee) out and Jeremy Newberry suiting up but not practicing, Chris Morris was the center Wednesday. Newberry is expected to play, however. Grove believes that if he takes a few days off the knee could calm down to the point where he could play.
– Wand, the tackle signed to take the place of Green, was a 16-game starter for the Houston Texans in 2004. He was predominantly a special teams player with Houston in 2005, released by the Texans in 2006 and picked up by Tennessee. He played seven games for the Titans but didn't make it out of training camp this year.
– CB Nnamdi Asomugha, kicked in the head against Minnesota, practiced without restrictions, as did S Stuart Schweigert, who had a quadriceps contusion. Neither were listed on the injury report.
– WR Jerry Porter was limited in practice.
– As the losses pile up, so do the insults. Minnesota coach Brad Childress, talking about the challenge of Tavaris Jackson this week playing against the New York Giants, said, "You don't get to play them all against the Oakland Raiders. These guys are a 7-3 football team."
Jackson, not known as an accurate passer, was 17-for-22 for 171 yards against Oakland with an interception.
Posted by Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer on November 21st, 2007
Robert Gallery tried his best not to draw blood while biting his lip.
Dominic Rhodes was diplomatic but couldn't hide his disappointment.
LaMont Jordan had no comment.
Michael Bush, friendly and accomodating all season, was nowhere to be found in the Raiders' locker room.
With a 2-8 record and six difficult games remaining to be played, it's not exactly a big, happy family in Alameda.
The lone transactions Wednesday found the Raiders placing starting right tackle Cornell Green on injured reserve and signing Seth Wand, a 6-foot-7, 327 pound tackle who didn't make it out of training camp with the Tennessee Titans.
At practice Wednesday, Paul McQuistan and Robert Gallery worked at right tackle. Gallery started at right tackle in his first and second seasons, moving to left tackle last season and left guard this season.
Gallery will do what is asked, but did not appear thrilled with the idea of being on the move again.
"I mean, it’s hard to get used to a different side, but they’re checking to see what’s best for this football team," Gallery said. "Cornell’s down and they’re going to have to make a change so I think they’re just going to see what’s best for this team."
If Gallery were moved to right tackle, Lane Kiffin said Chris Morris or McQuistan would be the left guard.
The deadline to put Bush on the 53-man roster came and went. Bush remains on the Physically Unable to Perform list, and will be there for the rest of the season ineligible to practice or play with the team. He will work out on the side with injured players and attend all meetings and functions.
Still on the roster are Jordan and Rhodes, who were thought to be the 1-2 punch back in training camp only to be passed on the depth chart by Justin Fargas. Jordan reportedly asked to be released. Rhodes clearly wouldn't have minded it.
Kiffin conceded Bush was ready to play and that the experience would have helped him.
"We just really didn’t have a spot for him right now. He practiced well and it was good to get a chance to be around him practicing and to get a feel for him," Kiffin said. "It kind of is a security blanket for you if some other things happen, some other injuries or one of the running backs especially but even someone else where a spot would open. But having to sign another lineman today, today being our last day to be able to make a move, we just didn’t have a spot for him."
The end result is the Raiders have a healthy running back who they would like to see play on a physically unable to perform list (technically the non-football injury list) and two veteran running backs who they haven't wanted to put in the game still on the roster.
They've also got a fourth quarterback in Andrew Walter who in no way fits into the club's longterm future other than as a low-priced backup _ something Walter does not want to be.
It's not hard to envision Kiffin wanting Bush active, but Al Davis deciding he didn't want to see one of his veteran running backs helping Kansas City or Denver over the next two weeks.
The Chiefs will start Kolby Smith, a fifth-round draft pick and former Louisivlle teammate of Bush, against the Raiders. Larry Johnson is out with a foot injury and Priest Holmes retired Wednesday after a neck injury.
In Denver, Travis Henry is battling a bum knee and is reportedly facing a possible suspension.
When I asked Kiffin if the Raiders were hesitant to cut a running back which could help an opponent, he said, "You mean like the team we're facing Sunday? Yeah, sure. Everything counts. You've got to look at everything and I'm sure that's a part of it. Denver and Kansas City need a running back."
Kiffin tried his best to keep Bush's spirits up.
"I talked to him this morning about today, he's competing to be the starting running back next year, and he should go about every day that way, the way he works in the weight room, the way he pays attention in the meetings and how serious he prepares," Kiffin said. " He's going to play these teams two times a year. He should be studying Kansas City, studying the others, so if he's the starting running back next year, he's ready for it. He should prepare that way."
Rhodes said he is as confused as anyone as to why he is not getting much action even as a change-of-pace back. When asked if he wished he had been waived to make room for Bush, Rhodes broke into a smile and said, "Oh, man, I’d really rather not answer that kind of question, know what I’m sayin? Like I said, I’m just here trying to help this team right now and that’s the bottom line."
Later, Rhodes conceded the obvious _ that he wouldn't have signed with Oakland if he had any idea how things would play out.
"I know there are a lot of teams I'd be starting on right now," Rhodes said. "I think God does things for a reason and I'm just here waiting for opportunities."
(Note: If you're thinking Jordan and Rhodes will bring something in trade before the draft, guess again. Jordan is scheduled to make $4.7 million in 2008 and $5 million in 2009. Rhodes is due $5 million in 2008, with $3 million in salary and $2 million in a roster bonus. When you trade for a player, you trade for the contract. Teams know the Raiders don't intend to pay those figures either, and they'll simply wait until they are cut and sign them as free agents).
More news, notes and observations:
– JaMarcus Russell said he is fine with Kiffin's stated plan being in a non-starting role, and said he doesn't know when that time will come. Russell said he first played as a reserve at LSU and led a comeback victory.
Kiffin said Monday he thought Russell made "great strides" last week in practice. Starter Daunte Culpepper said Russell's improvement has been steady.
"I think he’s gradually getting better from the first time I saw him to now and he’s continued to do that," Culpepper said. "And I’m going to continue to help him out any way I can."
– LB Isaiah Ekejiuba, who reinjured the same ankle which caused him to miss the first four games, did not practice and was walking with a pronounced limp in the locker room.
– It was overshadowed on a league-wide basis by the shot Jacksonville's Maurice Jones-Drew laid on Shawne Merriman, but Fargas absolutely crushed Minnesota's Ben Leber in a pass blocking situation Sunday.
Leber was down on all fours for a few moments before he could get back up.
"I've got to give him a little payback for the way they hit me," Fargas said.
– With Jake Grove (knee) out and Jeremy Newberry suiting up but not practicing, Chris Morris was the center Wednesday. Newberry is expected to play, however. Grove believes that if he takes a few days off the knee could calm down to the point where he could play.
– Wand, the tackle signed to take the place of Green, was a 16-game starter for the Houston Texans in 2004. He was predominantly a special teams player with Houston in 2005, released by the Texans in 2006 and picked up by Tennessee. He played seven games for the Titans but didn't make it out of training camp this year.
– CB Nnamdi Asomugha, kicked in the head against Minnesota, practiced without restrictions, as did S Stuart Schweigert, who had a quadriceps contusion. Neither were listed on the injury report.
– WR Jerry Porter was limited in practice.
– As the losses pile up, so do the insults. Minnesota coach Brad Childress, talking about the challenge of Tavaris Jackson this week playing against the New York Giants, said, "You don't get to play them all against the Oakland Raiders. These guys are a 7-3 football team."
Jackson, not known as an accurate passer, was 17-for-22 for 171 yards against Oakland with an interception.
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We let a HOF RB go to our rivals in the division and we're afraid the big bad LaMont fucking Jordan might follow suit? So what?
Yeah I know getting ahead of myself. I'm ready for the false starts:holding calls:fumbled snaps:defense making a no name look like Jim Brown:Stu whiffing badly:Morrison and Howard overue pursuing:McQuistan getting clowned:Being in the game in the fourth Qaurter; only for us to pee are pants. I'm sure I missed some things but you'll all be there with me suffering. Fuck I just want to watch a good football team again.