Great read!

jatfly

jatfly

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Questions abound for Raiders, AFC West
When a team comes off of a 2-14 campaign and breaks in a new head coach for the second straight year, it's only natural for there to be a few lingering questions about its prospects for the upcoming season.
For the Oakland Raiders , the overwhelming majority of those questions center around the offensive side of the ball, where their unit ranked dead last in the NFL under the draconian Art Shell-Tom Walsh system. Plenty of questions also surround the Raiders' offensive line, which gave up an NFL-worst 72 sacks in 2006.
Obviously, if a team can't rely on its offensive line or its offense as a whole, it might find success somewhat difficult to come by. Many in the Raider Nation seem optimistic that new head coach Lane Kiffin can address those problems, but until results start appearing on the field, the questions will surely remain.
While teams and fans alike wait for the answers to these and many other questions around the league, the Raiders can take solace in the fact that they aren't the only competitor in the AFC West, which is facing major issues this year. In fact, every team in the division has serious questions that have to be answered.
Here's a look at the issues facing the Raiders' division rivals in 2007, and analysis of what those issues may ultimately mean for the silver and black.
Denver Broncos
The Broncos face significant questions on both sides of the ball in 2007. On offense, will second-year QB Jay Cutler take the necessary next step in his development as an NFL quarterback? Denver won just two of the five games that Cutler started last season, and the team went from a certain wild-card spot to missing the playoffs after a Week 17 home loss to the San Francisco 49'ers.
Head coach Mike Shanahan has done his best to provide Cutler with new weapons -- signing running back Travis Henry, tight end Daniel Graham and wide receiver Brandon Stokley this offseason -- but none of it will have much of an impact if Cutler's play doesn't advance.
On the defensive side of things, the Broncos fired coordinator Larry Coyer and hired Jim Bates, who served as the interim head coach of the Miami Dolphins in 2004 after the departure of Dave Wannstedt. Bates went from Miami to Green Bay, but he was let go after one season and didn't have an NFL coaching job in 2006.
In addition to bringing in a new scheme, the Broncos will be without linebacker Al Wilson -- widely considered the leader of their defense -- for the first time since 1999. That's a lot of changes for a unit that has been among the league's best over the last several years.
Analysis: It seems unlikely that Denver's defense will suffer any kind of significant decline. But for a team that missed the playoffs and finished third in the AFC West in 2006, any drop-off on that side of the ball could be serious as the Broncos continue to bring along Cutler. And if Cutler himself struggles, it's entirely possible that the Broncos -- who finish the 2007 season with four of their final six games on the road -- could find themselves without a winning record for the first time in several years.
The Raiders came within four points of beating the Broncos in Oakland last year, and young Cutler has yet to get a taste of the Black Hole. Denver has won seven of the last eight games in the series, but if things go as hoped for the Raiders, they have to be confident of turning things around against the Broncos this season.
Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs' questions for 2007 mirror those facing the Raiders. The questions are all about offense in Kansas City, a drastic departure from recent seasons when defense was the major concern. Now that Trent Green has finally been traded, who's going to start the season at quarterback for the Chiefs? And regardless of whether it's career backup Damon Huard or second-year QB Brodie Croyle, are either of them capable NFL starters? With the retirement of Will Shields, the offensive line also has to be considered a question.
Analysis: With Pro Bowl talent like Larry Johnson and Tony Gonzalez, it would be easy to say that the Chiefs' offense will be OK -- not great, but decent -- no matter who lines up under center. But as they found out against the Colts in the playoffs last season, even a powerful bruiser like Larry Johnson can't succeed when there's no passing game and the offensive line isn't opening holes.
Kansas City's defense is making the climb back to respectability, but it's unlikely that the 2007 unit will be strong enough to carry the team if the offense isn't productive. And if the Chiefs' offensive struggles look anything like the Raiders' did last year, Kansas City -- which has won eight straight in the series -- could very easily find itself looking up at Oakland when the final division standings are set.
San Diego Chargers
The talented Chargers only face one real question this season, but it's nothing short of a doozy. The coaching staff that led them to a 14-2 record in 2006 has been revamped, with Marty Schottenheimer being shown the door in favor of former Raiders head coach Norv Turner.
The issue isn't whether the Chargers will lose more games in 2007, considering a repeat or an improvement on 14-2 would have been incredibly difficult even with Schottenheimer. The question is, How many additional games will they lose now that Turner is the man steering the ship? Could the coaching change turn a 14-win team into one that goes 10-6? Just how fall will the Chargers fall back to the rest of the AFC West pack?
Analysis: The Raiders came within an eyelash of beating the Chargers on the road last year, and they may very well have won if not for a controversial "forward pass" ruling when Bolts WR Vincent Jackson spiked a live ball. But, for now, the talent discrepancy between the two teams remains pretty large, and one of the few areas where Turner may benefit the Chargers is his knowledge of the personnel he coached during his time with Oakland.
In all likelihood, there will still be a considerable gap between the Chargers and Raiders in the final standings, but it shouldn't be nearly as large as it was just one season ago.
Final Analysis: If nothing else, when looking around the division the Raiders have to feel confident that they're moving in the right direction. After a few years at the bottom of the AFC West barrel, they have an excellent chance of moving out of the basement -- not only in 2007, but beyond it, as well.
 
got another one for ya all that is also very postive and not from RF365!

the sporting news...

http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=218154
AFC focus: Ranking the safeties

SN correspondents
1. Steelers. Troy Polamalu is a top-line playmaker who can do it all. Anthony Smith, who is athletic and instinctive, must do a good job of covering deep when Polamalu freelances.
2. Ravens. Ed Reed might be the best free safety in the game. He can cover receivers, deliver devastating blows and rush the passer. Dawan Landry, also a heavy hitter, likely will have more coverage responsibilities this year.
3. Colts. Bob Sanders is one of the league's true difference-makers at the position, and Antoine Bethea is coming off a solid rookie season. Depth is a concern.
4. Jets. The team has a young, talented duo in Kerry Rhodes and Erik Coleman. Rhodes can make plays behind the line and in deep coverage.
5. Broncos. John Lynch, 35, and Nick Ferguson, 32, aren't going to be fooled often, given their experience. Both are aggressive tacklers against the run, but neither is particularly rangy in coverage.
6. Browns. Sean Jones, the team's best defender in 2006, is a reliable tackler and an athletic cover man. Brodney Pool is strong enough to handle the run and agile enough to play corner.
7. Patriots. Rodney Harrison remains one of the most feared players in the game, but health issues are taking their toll on him. If Asante Samuel holds out, Eugene Wilson might be forced to play corner.
8. Raiders. Michael Huff has the speed, intelligence and instincts to develop into a Pro Bowl player. Stuart Schweigert doesn't excel in any one area but has a knack for getting to the ball.
9. Jaguars. Donovin Darius is a punishing hitter but struggles in coverage. Gerald Sensabaugh is an aggressive run stopper, but rookie playmaker Reggie Nelson likely will take his job.
10. Chargers. Marlon McCree, a strong leader and communicator with above-average skills, is the unit's only proven impact player. Clinton Hart could be a hidden gem with his instincts and ball skills.
11. Titans. Chris Hope became the leader of the unit in his first season with the team. Calvin Lowry and Vincent Fuller will challenge Lamont Thompson for the other starting spot.
12. Bengals. Madieu Williams is a playmaker, and Dexter Jackson is a physical player with good range. Overall, this unit needs to communicate better.
13. Bills. Donte Whitner has good speed but tends to be too aggressive in run support. Ko Simpson excels in deep coverage but needs to improve his tackling.
14. Chiefs. Jarrad Page is smart but needs to tackle better. Bernard Pollard is a big hitter but lacks speed. Greg Wesley appears to lose concentration frequently. The rub: Two of them have to start.
15. Dolphins. The team did nothing to upgrade this unit in the offseason. Yeremiah Bell provides some hitting ability over the middle. Renaldo Hill makes good decisions but is hindered by a lack of open-field speed.
16. Texans. Glenn Earl and C.C. Brown are strong against the run, but their coverage skills are shaky. Dexter McCleon and Von Hutchins could challenge Brown for the starting free safety job
 
Laughable that the duo of Nick Ferguson and John Lynch is higher than us.

IMO the Raiders and Bills (Simpson and Whitner? C'mon!) should be a few spots higher and the Colts (Bob the god Sanders and who?) and Broncos should take their places.

Thanks for the articles Jat.
 
A few more just got tired of cuting and pasting the entire articles, so use the links you lazy bastards....

http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/217386.html this is about Rhoades can't wait to see him tear it up this year.

http://www.contracostatimes.com/raiders/ci_6121041 this is about the New - Old man we got Newberry

http://www.contracostatimes.com/raiders/ci_6121042 Walters break good for "The Chosen One" and "The Golden Child"

http://www.insidebayarea.com/sports/ci_6120599 How McCown & JaMarcus are showing leadship skill.
 
Thanks Jfly.
I believe Newberry could be a beast if he can stay healthy, allowing Grove to move to guard or back-up both positions.
 
If the great Ann Killion thinks that Lane Kiffin has made a good start then who am I to argue?
 
Limee said:
If the great Ann Killion thinks that Lane Kiffin has made a good start then who am I to argue?
Click to expand...


So now both Ann Killion and Tim Kawakami have signed off on Kiff and the '07 Raiders?? WTF??


If I see a puff piece from Ray Ratto, I'm finding me a fall out shelter to hide in... Optimistic thoughts from Ratto, Killion and Kawakami would complete the Perfect Storm...
 
The Kiffin experiment will crash and burn into a fiery afc west grave with getting outcoached by the geezers of the game all day.









































somebody's gotta be negative in this bitch, sheesh.:o
 
hawaiianboy said:
So now both Ann Killion and Tim Kawakami have signed off on Kiff and the '07 Raiders?? WTF??


If I see a puff piece from Ray Ratto, I'm finding me a fall out shelter to hide in... Optimistic thoughts from Ratto, Killion and Kawakami would complete the Perfect Storm...
Click to expand...

What's next Fattah & Hamas agreeing that the 2007 Raiders are on the upswing. :D
 
Good read on Cable

Tommie Lee: Man In Black

Thomas Lee Cable, or Tom Cable, as many will say in the topic of conversation during the post-game fanfare this fall, has had an interesting career. From his career stops, to his personality, to his approach to coaching, this man has some favorable credentials.

On Your Mark, Get Ready, Succeed

Cable was a three year starter at guard with the Idaho Vandals for Dennis Erickson. The quarterback at the time was Scott Linehan, the current head coach of the St. Louis Rams. Tom's professional career as a player, however, was uneventful. Having gone undrafted, the Baltimore Colts signed him as a free agent. That one year was the only notation in his NFL resume as a player.

His first stops as a coach read as defensive line coach for Fullerton State in 1990 and as an offensive line coach for the UNLV Rebels in 1991. An interesting side note is that Linehan served as the quarterbacks coach there in the same year.

It was not until his next destination that Cable's career began to take shape.

From Cub To Golden Bear

Tom became a fixture for the Cal Bears as offensive line coach from 1992-1997. It was the 1996 season, under head coach Steve Mariucci, that the fruits of his labor paid off.

With offensive linemen Tarik Glenn, Jeremy Newberry and John Welbourn (sophomore), and TE Tony Gonzalez, the Bears offense awakened. Cal averaged 457.6 yards a game placing them 13th in the nation in total offense. Through the first five games of the season, the Bears notched more than 200 yards a game rushing.

One other player of note who was drafted in 1994 is Todd Steussie. Under the tuteledge of Tom Cable, Steussie became the Pac-10's top lineman in his senior year.

Changing Attitudes With Altitudes

The Colorado Buffaloes dismal 5-6 season of 1997 could be blamed on their offensive line. Head coach, Rick Neuheisel, believed that hiring Tom Cable would prove the right step taken to toughen a soft offensive line. Cable was hired and his two year stint, one as offensive line coach and another as offensive coordinator, began in the fall of 1998 in mile high.

It was in Colorado where Cable began learning the blocking schemes of Alex Gibbs who was with the Denver Broncos at the time.

Prior to his arrival, the Buffaloes ended the season 69th in the nation in rushing offense (135.5 yards a game) and 56th in the nation in total offense (367.9 yards a game).

Cable's first season in Colorado was one of some frustration. The offensive line suffered injuries requiring some shuffling of players. However, the 1999 season showed significant improvement. The rushing offense improved to 151.2 yards a game while the total offense climbed to 14th in the nation averaging 429.4 yards per game.

Andre Gurode, a sophomore in 1999, and Tom Ashworth, a junior in the same year, both contributed to the team.

Once A Vandal, Always A Vandal

With accomplishments come opportunities and this one came in the form of a head coaching position at his alma mater, Idaho University. The story was a good one from the onset. A successful offensive line coach and offensive coordinator comes back to the school he played for and brings the football team to prominence.

During his tenure, Cable's offense ranked 8th, 6th, and 27th nationally in total offense a game from 2000-2002 respectively, an average 424.1 yards each week. The defense though was the culprit in losing 35 games during his four years there from 2000 to 2003. Despite the high ranking in offense in 2001, the defense was the 112th rank defense in the nation.

There was another accolade for Tom during this time besides his high offensive ranking. In December of 2000, in a poll of Division I-A football coaches, he tied for tenth best coach a school could hire to run their football program. The coach receiving the most votes was Frank Beamer of Virginia Tech. Other coaches who made the top ten in order are Bill Snyder of Kansas State (second), Mack Brown of Texas (third), Gary Barnett of Colorado (fifth), Joe Paterno of Penn State (sixth), Fisher DeBerry of Air Force (seventh), and Steve Spurrier of Florida (eighth). Those coaches who finished tied with Cable were Tommy Bowden of Clemson, Lloyd Carr of Michigan, and Dirk Koetter of Boise State.

There would be more opportunities for Cable, and his next destination was with someone he had coached with before.

Awakening Hibernating Bears

The head coach for the UCLA Bruins in 2004 was Karl Dorrell. In 1998, Dorrell was the offensive coordinator of the Colorado Buffaloes when Cable was the offensive line coach there. Being familiar with his success first hand, Karl hired Tom as his new OL coach and offensive coordinator.

The Bruins' had an anemic offense in 2003 prior to Cable's arrival. Their rushing yardage totaled 1195 yards, a 91.9 average per game. The total offensive production amounted to 3834 yards for the season..

In 2004, Cable's first year, there was dramatic improvement. Their running game improved to 2219 yards for the season, a 184.9 yards per game average. In addition, they increased their offense by almost 1100 yards with the same starters on the offensive line as were there in 2003.

In 2005, there was more of the same success. The rushing offense was a healthy 1928 yards for the season averaging 160.7 yards a game. Their total offense grew to 5172 yards by season's end..

With two years of results added to his resume, it was no surprise when the NFL came calling next.

Rushing To Judgement

When the Falcons came calling on Cable to be their offensive line coach in meant that he would be united with the coach whose system he had studied so well, Alex Gibbs.

Gibbs and Jeff Jagodzinski (more on him later) Atlanta's previous offensive line coach in 2005 had the Falcons rushing attack at its best. As the league's best team in the running game in 2004-5 and an offensive line coach continuing with the same system, the continued success was expected.

Although the total offensive output increased slightly, the yards gained on the ground increased by 400 yards a game to 2939 yards for the season. The production through the air would remain about the same as had the pass protection and that wasn't very good. Michael Vick was spending a lot of time on the ground.

This raised an interesting top of discussion which will be addressed next.

The Case Of The Grounded Falcon

There is a good segment in the NFL fanbase that believes that although the Alex Gibbs system is a tremendous weapon in the running game, it sacrifices pass protection to do so. Michael Vick was brought down 89 times in two seasons under Gibbs between 2004 and 2005. Under Jeff Jagodzinski, in Gibbs' second year, there was little improvement as the numbers decreased from 50 sacks to 39 sacks. Under Cable, that number went to 47 sacks.

Let us look at this in a different light.

Alex Gibbs was the offensive line coach for the Denver Broncos when they won their Super Bowls. The Broncos' were in the top five in rushing three times from 1995-2003. In the span of the years between 1995 and 2000, they did not allow more than 35 sacks in a single season.

Jeff Jagodzindki became the Falcons TE coach in 2004 and that is where he began learning Gibbs' ZBS. The following year he was promoted to offensive line coach. Although the rushing game remained as potent, the sack total was also comparable to the year before under Gibbs.

In 2006, Jeff became the OC of the Green Bay Packers and installed the zone blocking system. The Packers improved their rushing attack by over 300 yards and decreased their sacks allowed to 24 from 27..

Tom Cable had similar success while at UCLA. The number of times the quarterback went down in his first year decreased from 51 to 23. In the following year under Tom, the offensive line allowed 26 sacks for the year.

The lack of improvement in sack numbers for the Atlanta Falcons could be due to Michael Vick. We already know that he is a scrambling quarterback, but the offensive line many times not knowing where he is in the pocket can lead to these results.
 
Continued...

On Cable Vision, The Lombardi Story

In his first high school football game as a starter, Cable made an error that cost his team the game. How his coach handled it afterwards was the life event that molded his personality today. That coach modeled his coaching somewhat to the style of Vince Lombardi.

Tom became so interested in Lombardi that he read everything he could on him. His style of coaching is influenced by him. This quote by Cable offers some insight into his philosphy...

Lombardi always preached absolute commitment to each other, player to player, coach to player, player to coach. He grinded on his players. He went through the ups and downs with his players. He was a very emotional man. It kind of fits for me, not to sound too corny.

According to Maurice Drew, his running back at UCLA, Cable is a hard-nosed coach on the field. Off the field he is a great guy who is there to listen when a player, either on offense or defense, needs someone to talk to.

Andre Gurode, who played for Cable in Colorado, has mentioned that he owes his coach a lot.

The players that were on Cable's teams seemed to love and respect him. His career has taken him to a few different destinations, but his players have seemed to respond favorably to his style of coaching.

The Greatness Of The Raiders....

In Lane Kiffin, we have a head coach who, through his tireless research, is able to find players who have better chances of succeeding in the NFL. It would not be a stretch to come to a conclusion that this system of investigation would also produce capable coaches.

Cable's body of work documents his success. He has mentioned that our offensive line has more talent than that of the Falcons. Jeremy Newberry has been around long enough to both know talent and know what Cable can do with it.

The hiring of Tom Cable is a piece of the overall puzzle but one can't help but see the final picture coming into view.

Chase N Booty
 
Blessed and The Chosen One

Starting to sound like a revival up in here. Can I get a witness?

O'Neal Clearing the Way
June 21, 2007

By Ravi Savitala

The road to the NFL has been tough for rookie FB Oren O’Neal. Before going to college he underwent life-saving surgery and the Arkansas State University coaching staff that told him to work hard and do everything that was asked of him to earn a starting job, was let go. When he finally started touching the football as a running back, he partially tore his MCL, sidelining him for three games.

Through high school he played on the offensive line and as a linebacker. But he was undersized for both positions. He wanted to play at a Division I school but was not recruited. His junior high school coach knew a coach at Arkansas State. The coach recognized his talent but with no scholarship to offer, he recommended O’Neal walk on. He promised O’Neal a scholarship provided he worked hard and did everything necessary to help the team. Before he had a chance to showcase his talents, he developed a breathing problem.

According to O’Neal, doctors diagnosed a problem in his chest. The issue was typical of motorcycle accident victims, yet he had never been on a motorcycle. He lost a lot of weight and a year of football. He set out to return the following season. He focused on bulking up and earning a scholarship. But during his time away from football, the coaching staff that had promised him a roster spot was replaced. O’Neal continued in his quest, undaunted.

O’Neal eventually earned his roster spot on the team as the starting fullback. He earned CBS Sportsline.com National Walk-On of the Year honors. He successfully petitioned the NCAA for a sixth year of eligibility. Though he played four years, he was productive during his six-year stay at Arkansas State, earning two Bachelor’s degrees. Someone once congratulated him on what he’s accomplished to date. “I was happy but I wasn’t relieved. The accomplishments are nice, but I’m never satisfied. This is another step to where I want to be. You always have to work hard,” he replied.

O’Neal has made the most of these opportunities because of his faith. Faith is an integral part of O’Neal’s life. His father is a pastor at home in Stuttgart, Arkansas. Religion has given him a sanctuary, something to draw inspiration from when times are tough. The knowledge he can overcome any obstacle has served him well. “Everything I’ve had to go through to get to this point, I would not be able to go through without my faith in God,” he said. “It seems like every time I took one step forward, something would knock me back half a step.”

O’Neal has brought his faith to Oakland, with his goal being to make the 53-man roster. He knows roster spots are limited. He wants to “shine on special teams.” His gratefulness to the role religion has played in his life so far is tattooed on his bicep – “Blessed.” O’Neal has a long way to go and a lot more to accomplish before he is satisfied. His faith reminds him the success he will achieve is not because of what he has accomplished. Similar to the mentality of a fullback who thrives on making holes for his running back, he knows the success he achieves is designed to put him in a position to help others succeed.

http://www.raiders.com/Common/Article.aspx?id=23686
 
and dug this up from when he won the walk-on award

Walking on: Arkansas State fullback refuses to be stopped


March 28, 2006
By Dennis Dodd
CBS SportsLine.com Senior Writer

Say what you will about Wal-Mart:

Killer of small-town American business; questionable labor practices; those annoying greeters ... but their chicken wings are great. That, at least, according to Arkansas State fullback Oren O'Neal.

He remembers getting them for seven bucks a bag. Practically lived on the suckers three summers ago.

Of course, when you've got no money, no career and no prospects, chicken wings in bulk can look like filet mignon.

"They would last you for days if you spaced your money out," O'Neal said. "I ate the same thing every night."

That was summer 2003. O'Neal already had been at the school two years as a faceless walk-on. Sleeping on the floor of teammate Ramon Williams' apartment, doing odd jobs, working out and stretching a chicken-wing dollar, Orenthal James O'Neal -- yes, he was named after O.J. :eek: -- was determined to get that scholarship.

What's hardship when you're so familiar with X-rays that uranium is jealous? When doctors have punctured your chest, removing the fluid equivalent of two liter-bottles of Coke?

"You will have to show me a better story of a walk-on," said Arkansas State team physician Brock Harris.

Son of a preacher man

That's saying something. There a million walk-on stories. In a lot of ways, they are the lifeblood of college football. Dikes need thumbs (hee, hee, he said dykes need thumbs), leaky pipes need duct tape, and coaches need these unpaid, under-skilled laborers. They shore up a program.

There's really no downside for management. If a guy works out, fine. If not, next man up. Kind of like being a Wal-Mart greeter.

The idea here at CBS SportsLine.com was to find the best walk-ons and their stories. College football producer J. Darin Darst canvassed virtually every I-A program. O'Neal's story was the most compelling. By far.

Walk-on of the year? Walk-on of the decade, considering he arrived on campus in 2001.

The 240-pound fullback was recently awarded a sixth year of eligibility by NCAA. The son of a preacher, he was diagnosed with chylothorax in 2001. That's a leaking of the thoracic duct into the chest area.

Diagnosis was the easy part. In the summer before his freshman season, O'Neal had trouble breathing. The pain in his chest was so severe he had to sleep sitting up.

The hard part came after a procedure to drain two liters of fluid. The stunning part: O'Neal still wanted to play football.

You see, folks with chylothorax are lucky to be alive. It is fatal in 10 percent of the cases. Sometimes it's congenital. If not, it is usually related to blunt trauma or a malignancy.

"I would suppose if you saw a motor vehicle accident, you'd see chylothorax," Harris said. "As far as people walking around with it, I've never seen it before. I've been practicing 19 years."

There was no history of the affliction in the family. O'Neal hadn't been in a car accident or suffered an injury anyone could recall.

It seems O'Neal has this tolerance for pain, though. He doesn't feel it like you or me. Doctors have cut on him, drained him. Coaches have run him ragged. Opponents have smashed him.

"He always has been pretty resilient," said Oren's father, Lawrence, pastor of Holy Benton Church of Christ in Stuttgart, Ark. "I know in his junior year, he thought he had suffered a hip pointer. He played through the whole season, was out there in pain. We didn't know until later how bad it was. Part of his bone had broken and his muscle was hanging."

'Grossly abnormal ... always'

Oren O'Neal was going to play. That much was for sure. As a 225-pound offensive lineman for the Stuttgart High Ricebirds, he'd shown more heart than dominance.

But it's hard to play football when you can't climb a set of stairs.

"That summer after I graduated from high school, I was getting ready to go to sleep at night, I couldn't breath," O'Neal said. "It's a good thing I caught it because I love playing football."

If he didn't catch it, well, the end is excruciating. Left untreated, chylothorax victims eventually suffocate.

But Oren was going to play (and live) so he underwent a procedure that cauterized the lining of his left lung so it would not leak.

"Grossly abnormal and will always be," Harris said of the post-op X-rays. "Removing the fluid doesn't make the X-ray normal, it makes it acceptable."

That was 2001. In 2002, O'Neal finally saw the field -- on the scout team. Then the money for school ran out -- or O'Neal thought it did. His father had worked for the Kroger grocery store chain for 29 years before being laid off. The 500-person congregation provided a foundation of faith, not necessarily for tuition.

"I guess everyone knows preachers don't make much money," Indians running backs coach David Gunn said.

During his ordeal, Arkansas State had changed coaches. O'Neal had the added burden of proving himself all over again for Steve Roberts.

"Oren is not one to speak much," said Roberts, who has been around for five of O'Neal's six seasons. "He did express that he was going to have to have a scholarship."

There's a big "why" factor to all this. O'Neal was receiving interest from Division II and NAIA schools. The military was an option.

But so was a basic human decency. One brother had played for Arkansas. Another was a manager in a construction firm.

In a family with five brothers, "I didn't want to be a burden to my parents," Oren said.

So he slept on Williams' floor and ate wings. Roberts got wind of it and got the idea the kid was something special, at least down in the gut where it counts.

O'Neal's high school coach had tipped the former staff that the kid was coming back in 2001. But he was awkward making the transition from high school lineman/linebacker to college fullback.

The position is a thankless job. It has evolved into a specialty position. Most teams have a fullback but use them only to block on short-yardage and goal-line plays.

O'Neal knew that, too. Even if he got the scholarship, even if he broke into the lineup, even if he somehow started, he'd hardly see the ball.

"To do that over the summer knowing that, 'If I don't make it ...', it was a great step of faith," Gunn said. "With faith goes action. He might have been the best football player in fall camp."

On the last day of fall camp that summer, Roberts called Lawrence O'Neal, then called Oren into his office.

"We would have struggled to get him there one way or another," Lawrence O'Neal said. "I think he was a little concerned because he didn't want to put pressure on."

Then a whole new kind of pressure began to build.

"It made me feel good but I wasn't relieved," Oren said. "I knew I still had to work. I didn't want anyone to think they wasted their money on me."

Aiming for two degrees, 6th year

O'Neal and the coaches really wanted that sixth year of eligibility in 2006. He has one degree in Industrial Technology and is working toward another.

There was no abuse of the system. In 2001, O'Neal was recovering. In 2002, he played on the scout team. Then for three years (2003-2005) he butted heads for real. In 34 career games, he has carried the ball only 49 times, scoring four touchdowns.

There has been the lung thing, the hip-pointer thing and hernia surgery that resulted from straining in the weight room, O'Neal says.

But you know what? Arkansas State won the Sun Belt last year, and if you pin Roberts against the wall, he'll tell you the Indians probably couldn't have done it without his special case.

Trainer Ron Carroll has been around the program 30 years. He watches after long series to see if O'Neal is laboring to catch his breath. Though no one is sure, some estimate the 22-year-old has lost at least 50 percent of capacity in that left lung.

"His recovery is as quick as someone with two normal lungs," Carroll said. "Usually when trainers talk and go to lectures, they talk about their cases. This has never been anything I've seen in any journal or presentation.

"Everything else being equal, everybody else should be able to beat him out. He'll outwork you."

NFL scouts are starting to sniff around. O'Neal has lined up at fullback and tailback in Arkansas State's multiple offense. At 6-2, 242, he is a horse as a blocker.

They like his size and blocking ability. They know his medical situation. They also know that O'Neal would benefit greatly from another year of competition.

"When we were treating Oren, it never occurred to me in my wildest imagination he would play football," Harris said.

Which was a problem when it got to that stage. The NCAA originally rejected the appeal for a sixth year. The school wrote letters, laid out the medical case in detail.

Then Harris sent the X-rays.

Remember "grossly abnormal"? Those X-rays might have saved O'Neal's career.

"A non-radiologist would look at this and see the gravity of the situation," Harris said. "It was a no-brainer."

Can you imagine, this kid who couldn't catch his breath -- playing basically with one lung? Oren can, especially when he flips on the TV on Sunday.

"When I watch the pros play ... they'll be out there loafing, taking it easy, so they don't lose any money, I guess," O'Neal said. "I knew I had to work harder than everybody else. There isn't a coach going to give a scholarship if you do everything average."


http://www.cbs.sportsline.com/print/collegefootball/story/9343091/1

My Lord.... I wonder if he was watching Moss? Go get 'em OJ, you're my new favorite underdog.
 
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Q&A with Ronald Curry

Healthy again, Curry is ready to roll for the Raiders

By Trent Modglin ([email protected])
June 21, 2007




Ronald Curry is the kind of guy you root for. As one of the highest recruited dual-sport high school stars in recent memory, he took his skills as a point guard and quarterback to North Carolina. But unlike Florida State’s Charlie Ward, Curry eventually chose the NFL over the NBA.

Skeptical of what position he’d play coming out of college in 2002, NFL teams let Curry slide until late in the seventh round, where the Raiders took a flier on him. They bounced him between wide receiver and safety before finally letting him settle in at catching passes.

A pair of Achilles’ tears in successive seasons nearly derailed his career, but Curry wasn’t about to give up. He came on late in 2006, finishing with 62 catches for 727 yards and a touchdown despite not starting most of the year. Thirty-six of those receptions came in December, when he was one of the hottest receivers in the NFL despite a lackluster offense and all the turmoil in Oakland. As a result, the Raiders rewarded him with a new five-year, $20 million deal after the season was over.

I caught up with Curry recently to discuss how Lane Kiffin has changed the vibe in Oakland, the joy of not being in rehab and the Raiders’ much-anticipated QB battle.

Q: How have you seen the atmosphere change since Lane Kiffin’s arrival?

A: I think the atmosphere as far as the tempo is great. It’s a lot better. He’s really come in and pushed the guys hard and is pushing us in the right direction. He’s holding everybody accountable to do their jobs. And if they worry about doing their jobs and protecting the team, we’ll be alright. Our problem was never talent, it was just everybody being on the same page, and I think Kiffin is taking the perfect approach to getting everybody on the same page to where we can win games.

Q: There are players on the team older than him. Has it been an adjustment period in dealing with how young he is?

A: Not really. He didn’t come in with a young approach. The only reason you can tell he’s young is because he has so much energy. He’s all over the place, and his motor is high. The way he carries himself, the way he conducts the team, he lets you know that he’s in full control. Whether he’s younger than you or whatever, you’re still going to have to answer to him. I think he’s doing a great job. The age is not an issue for us.

Q: For a number of reasons, you guys really struggled offensively despite having a lot of talent. Were you guys looking for a spark or something to get you over the hump?

A: I don’t know if it was a spark so much, but more something to hang our hat on. Last year we were all over the place. A lot of things we were trying to do didn’t work. … We were so predictable. But just from being in minicamps and OTAs, you can see where a lot of things look the same but they’re different. And a lot of things look different, but they’re the same. I think that’s what can make this offense great, keeping the defense in a chess match. We were just behind the 8-ball so much last year. It’s not that we didn’t know what we were doing, it’s just that we weren’t comfortable and weren’t confident in what we were doing. The big emphasis for us this year is taking care of the ball better, and as an offense, there’s just more confidence in everything we’re doing.

Q: You’ve had two major injuries in the last three years. Does it seem strange for you not to be in rehab this summer?

A: Yeah, it does. It feels good. My body feels great. It’s been awhile since I’ve been able to focus on just football. The last two years it was like straight rehab. I’ve never worked out so much in my life. But the injuries are 100 percent behind me, and I think I showed that last year. I’m just looking forward to having a big season.

Q: To fight your way back from the first Achilles injury and then to have it happen again, did it ever affect your confidence? Did you get down on yourself or down on the game?

A: No, the crazy thing about it is that when I got hurt in 2004, it was like it was one big rehab until I got back last year. Because even when I got back on the field, I was still rehabbing because I wasn’t 100 percent. Then when I got hurt again, I just continued to rehab, so it felt like one big rehab. I’m a person who fully believes that everything happens for a reason. I believe that God has a bigger plan for me, and if it wasn’t for me, it was for someone else to learn through me. I just keep battling, because I don’t know anything else. Right now, it’s just football, football, football, and I was going to do whatever it took to get back out here.

Q: Despite all your athleticism and all the accolades coming out of high school and in college, people have always doubted you for some reason. They didn’t think you could play quarterback, then they tried to move you to safety and then wide receiver. And just when you’re really coming on, the injuries hit. Does it seem like this year is being targeted as a breakout season where you can show everybody how far you’ve come?

A: This year is different. It’s the first year where I’ve come into the season where I know where I stand and I don’t have to go out there and compete to get some playing time or try to steal someone’s position. The ball’s in my court, I’ve just got to go out there and take advantage of it. I’m a hard worker and with my abilities, I feel like it shows. Even when people doubted me, it seemed like they still had to play me because I competed and most of the time won my position. This year should be a big year. I think Coach Kiffin is going to allow me to utilize my talents, and I think the sky’s the limit.

Q: You’ve got to be pretty proud of the perseverance factor.

A: Yeah, I think that defines me. Even when I was one of those top guys coming out of high school and in college, I still had that same hunger, that same drive. I was never settled in my ways and just happy to be where I am. I love the game and love playing the game, and I think that shows. I’m one speed, and that’s full tilt. I love to compete. I’m going to give it 110 percent every time regardless of if I’m having a good day or bad day.

Q: You had 33 catches over the last four games last season. What was the big difference for you? Was it playing time?

A: Yeah, it was playing time. That was it. Just being out there on the field. Before that, I was coming in on third downs, and sometimes not even on third downs. You know, 15, 20 plays a game. Then it goes to 60 to 70, and it changes a lot. More opportunities are there, and more of the offensive playbook is based around you. I don’t think I was doing anything different. The coaches had to play me, and I took advantage of it.

Q: With all he went through last year with Art Shell, how is Jerry Porter doing so far? This is a big year for him too.

A: Jerry’s fine. He’s doing well. Last year is behind him. Obviously he’s a very talented player. He’s taken more of a leadership role this year, and Coach Kiffin’s going to allow him to lead. Jerry’s one of those guys that you’ve just got to let be Jerry. Being Jerry, I think, is good for him and good for the team. The biggest thing about coaching is you can’t handle everybody the same. He’s one of those guys that you’ve got to handle like he wants to be handled because he’s going to go out there and play for you on Sunday. That’s something you can’t take away from him — he’s going to go out there and compete in games and practice. He brings a lot to the table, and we definitely need him.

Q: I’m sure you’re sick of answering questions about JaMarcus Russell, so I’ll ask you how the QB battle is shaping up.

A: It’s going to be fun to watch. You’ve got Josh (McCown), you’ve got Andrew (Walter) who was playing well (before knee surgery) and JaMarcus is ahead of the curve for a rookie, but you’ve got to realize he’s still a rookie and he’s going to make some mistakes. They’re ready. It’s going to be interesting to see how it all plays out. I just hope everybody gets an equal opportunity to go out there and compete, and that’s what Kiffin says. There’s no set starters right now. We’re going to go out there and fight for our jobs, and the best man will play.

Q: Are there a lot more smiles out there on the practice field than there were last year?

A: Oh yeah, definitely, definitely. Last year was a tough year all around. It started out bad with Jerry (Porter’s incident with coach Art Shell), and it seemed like it didn’t get any better. I’m just ready to get it up and running. A lot of people have already counted us out, and the season hasn’t even started. They think we’re still carrying on from last year, and I’m just ready to get the bad taste out of my mouth.

Q: What’s going on with your big charity event going on back in Virginia next weekend?

A: Oh man, I’ve got a golf tournament, bowling tournament, a free kids camp and a comedy show, and it’s all going to benefit the school system in Hampton Virginia, improve the tutoring program and help the homeless. … It’s going to be a good event, and I’m hoping to build on it.

http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/NFL/AFC/AFC+West/Oakland/Features/2007/modglin062007.htm
 
Ronald Curry is rapidly becoming my favorite current Raider (still love Zach Crockett).

Let's just hope the Good Fortune shines on him for the rest of his career....
 
Amen i cant take another achillies injury that would be brutal. Curry and Morrison are players who lead this team on and off the field. Makes you really glad Moss is gone right.
 
All I know is that somebodies nutsack is getting tasered if I see Curry out there on kick coverage teams again this year... :mad:
 
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