Inside Slant...

[Angry Pope]

TRAINING CAMP GOALS

Establish Aaron Brooks as the starting quarterback: Signed as a free agent from New Orleans, Brooks was told he wasn't necessarily the starter in the Art Shell regime. However, it appeared to be headed that way in the lone mini-camp open the media as well as behind closed doors.

Shell said in June he hoped to have his quarterback selected before camp began, and it would serve the Raiders well to publicly proclaim Brooks as the starter and allow him to begin the process of assuming the leadership role, giving him ample opportunity to get his timing down with an explosive receiving corps including Randy Moss, Jerry Porter and Doug Gabriel.

Although second-year quarterback Andrew Walter has been listed as a dark-horse candidate to start, the reality is Walter has never taken a snap in a meaningful NFL game. Marques Tuiasosopo is in the last year of his contract and isn't likely to challenge.

With the Raiders at a crucial period in their history, the wise move would be to pick a veteran starter and go with him for continuity's sake. The last thing they need is an unsettled quarterback situation heading into a season with a new coaching staff including a head coach and an offensive coordinator (Tom Walsh) who may show some signs of rust.

—Get a line on success: Establish a physical practice tone for an offensive line that was one of the NFL's worst last season. Robert Gallery, the No. 2 pick overall in the 2004 draft, has been moved to left tackle and needs to play up to his potential.

Although already labeled a disappointment in some quarters, Gallery's rookie year at right tackle was a promising one. He, as well as the entire line, underachieved with Norv Turner as the head coach and Jim Colletto as the offensive line coach.

Hailed as a line talent in the Jonathan Ogden, Tony Boselli mode coming out of Iowa, the ripple effect would be considerable should Gallery approach that level in Year 3.

—Infuse rookies into the lineup: With five pre-season games, the Raiders have ample opportunity to get first-round pick Michael Huff, second-round selection Thomas Howard and third-round pick Paul McQuistan into the starting lineup.

A team that was too old a few short years ago, the Raiders could use the youth and aggression of their three top picks. Huff, the No. 9 pick overall, is a no-brainer. He'll line up as a strong safety, but his position will change with down and distance to take advantage of skills which range from tackling to coverage to rushing the passer.

Howard, a linebacker from Texas El-Paso, has excellent coverage skills and is the sort of explosive athlete the Raiders have seldom had at the position.

McQuistan, a tackle at Weber State, was quietly moved to right guard at closed mini-camps and Organized Team Activities and has gotten reps with the first team. It is hoped he seizes the opportunity, becomes a starter, and along with Gallery and center Jake Grove, gives the Raiders three young linemen to build with.


CAMP CALENDAR: Raiders report to the Napa Valley Marriott July 24, first practice July 25. Practices are closed to the public except for selected guests and youth groups. Camp scheduled to break Aug. 24, before fourth of five pre-season games.

NOTES, QUOTES

—Center Chris Morris, a rookie seventh-round draft pick out of Michigan State, won a one-year lease on a hummer for winning the Ultimate Rookie Challenge at the annual rookie symposium.

The competition is run like a game show in which players answer questions on life skills they've been taught during the meeting, which runs from Sunday through Wednesday at a resort in Carlsbad, Calif.

The Raiders also won the team competition, earning their rookies free cell phone service for a year.

—Left tackle Robert Gallery, in Iowa City helping with a youth clinic run by former teammate Nate Kaeding, told reporters he enjoyed playing with Randy Moss.

"He's a good guy. I think the media blew it out of proportion in Minnesota," Gallery said. "I couldn't say a bad thing about the guy. He's all business when it comes to football. He didn't miss a day or a rep in camp last year. He's in it to win it. He's a competitor, and he's been good for our team. He's called guys out and gotten them to step up to the next level. I think he's one of our team leaders. He keeps everybody motivated, keeps it fun, and wants to win."

—While reports in recent weeks hinted veteran linebacker Junior Seau and ex-Raider nose tackle Grady Jackson were free agents on the club's radar screen, a club official said nothing is going on with either man.

Jackson, who was supposedly going to visit the Raiders, never visited and doesn't have one scheduled, the official said.

—In a national conference call regarding his entry into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, former Raiders coach John Madden made it clear why Al Davis was his choice to introduce him at the induction ceremony.

"Al Davis has been the biggest influence in my professional life," Madden said. "I mean, he was the guy who gave me an opportunity, one, to get into professional football in 1967 as an assistant coach, then at the age of 32, giving me the opportunity to be the head coach. That was something very special. I mea, there weren't a lot of people that thought John Madden, the linebacker coach, was going to be the head coach of the Raiders. Al believed in me, then gave me the opportunity.

"During the time, the 10 years I was the head coach, he gave me everything. I was never turned down for one thing that I ever wanted for football by Al Davis."

QUOTE TO NOTE: "Everybody knows inside when you're doing something you're not supposed to do, but sometimes you just ignore it. I think I did it then because nobody could tell me nothing. You feel kind of invincible. You're new in the league, you've got some money in your belt, so no one could tell me anything. But it finally clicked with me when I was sitting in rehab, the morning after a game." — Raiders safety Jarrod Cooper, delivering a message to rookies at the annual NFL Rookie Symposium, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

The Raiders, watching from the sidelines through most of the off-season with the exception of quarterback Aaron Brooks and defensive end Lance Johnstone, reached out with one of their classic reclamation picks with the signing of defensive tackle Donnell Washington.

A third-round draft pick by Green Bay out of Clemson in 2004, Washington, 6-feet-6 and 328 pounds, never panned out with the Packers. He was waived June 10 after missing his rookie season with a foot injury and being on the inactive list for 15 games last season.

The Raiders hope Washington can resurrect enough of his college promise to join Terdell Sands and Tommy Kelly as potential run-stuffers in the middle of the defensive line as part of a rotation that includes Warren Sapp.

If not, the Raiders wasted nothing but a minimum wage contract.


cont'd...

 

[Angry Pope]

cont'd...

UNIT-BY-UNIT ANALYSIS

QUARTERBACKS: Starter - Aaron Brooks. Backups - Andrew Walter, Marques Tuiasosopo, Kent Smith, Reggie Robertson.

When Rich Gannon became the Raiders quarterback in 1999, it was in large part due to his mobility. Once Gannon suffered a career-ending broken vertebra in 2004, the torch was passed to Kerry Collins, who was as immobile with that torch as the Statue of Liberty. Enter Brooks, who has the arm strength to get the ball upfield to an explosive group of receivers but also the mobility to escape trouble. Raiders quarterbacks were sacked 45 times in 2005. If Brooks struggles, there will be considerable pressure to get Andrew Walter, a second-round pick in 2005, on the field. Critics contend he has the same characteristics as Collins, while others claim he is more athletic than he appears and is really not all that different in terms of skill-set than Ben Roethlisberger. Marques Tuiasosopo, drafted to run a Gannon-style offense, appears to be biding his time until he is waived or his contract runs out.

RUNNING BACKS: Starters - RB LaMont Jordan, FB Zack Crockett. Backups - RB Justin Fargas, FB John Paul Foschi, RB Walter Williams, RB DeJuan Green, FB Joe Hall, RB Reshard Lee, RB J.R. Lemon, RB Rod Smart, FB Zach Tuiasosopo.

Jordan gained 1,025 yards on 255 carries in 14 games in first year as a feature back. On the minus side, he dropped too many passes and averaged just 3.8 yards per carry — well under the 5-yard average he accumulated as Curtis Martin's backup with the Jets. He accounted for more than 75 percent of Oakland's meager rushing yardage. The bad news is the Raiders brought in no one as a change-of-pace back despite Shell's grand plan of restoring the organization to prominence through physical football. Fargas, whose rushing totals have declined each year, may be getting his last chance to be a contributor. Crockett remains a reliable short-yardage back who can run occasionally as a tailback. Foschi is an adequate block-and-release receiver who doesn't run from scrimmage. Smart was acquired largely because of his special teams skills.

TIGHT ENDS: Starter - Courtney Anderson. Backups - James Adkisson, Marcellus Rivers, O.J. Santiago, Randal Williams, Derek Miller.

Anderson, a seventh-round pick in 2004 who chased off second-round picks Doug Jolley and Teyo Johnson, remains an intriguing specimen with the size of a blocker and the soft hands of a receiver. Consistency has been an issue in both areas, as has been his durability. Williams, a converted wide receiver, should stick because of his prominent role on special teams. Veterans Rivers and Santiago will battle it out with Adkisson, a gifted athlete who was talked into switching to tight end last year by Al Davis himself. Early indications in mini-camps were tight ends could be more a part of the offense than they were in the Norv Turner system.

WIDE RECEIVERS: Starters - Randy Moss, Jerry Porter. Backups - Doug Gabriel, Ronald Curry, Alvis Whitted, Jason Boyd, Will Buchanon, Carlos Francis, Johnnie Morant, Rick Gatewood, John Madsen, Kevin McMahan, Burl Toler.

Moss is healthy and counting on a big season after groin, knee and rib injuries rendered him mortal much of last season. Porter caught 76 passes but averaged just 12.4 yards per catch and vanished for games at a time. Gabriel plays strictly outside, never in the slot, and has a penchant for making the spectacular catch. His name always comes up in trade talks, but the Raiders to date aren't dealing. Curry was Oakland's best receiver in 2004 before Achilles' tears cut him down two years in a row. It would be a huge plus if he could return to form, although that seems unlikely given the seriousness of his injuries. Whitted's speed has kept him around this long, and Morant was among the NFL preseason leaders last season in receiving yardage before taking a seat on the bench.

OFFENSIVE LINE: Starters - LT Robert Gallery, LG Barry Sims, C Jake Grove, RG Paul McQuistan, RT Langston Walker. Backups - G Cameron Spikes, G Corey Hulsey, G Kevin Boothe, G Brad Badger, G Kelvin Garmon, T Jabari Levi, T Brad Lekkerkerker, T Chad Slaughter, C Adam Treu, C Chris Morris, T William Obeng.

If all goes according to plan, Gallery will establish himself as a Pro Bowl caliber left tackle, Sims will extend his career and minimize his problems against speed by moving inside, Grove will stay healthy and prosper from not moving back-and-forth to guard, McQuistan will win a starting job as a rookie and Walker will be a better player for having moved inside to left guard for a year. On the other hand, if Gallery is average, Sims doesn't take to playing guard, Grove gets hurt, McQuistan isn't ready and Walker simply isn't the player they think he can be, it will be another long year. Badger is a reliable backup, as is Treu. Spikes and Garmon are former starters who hope to stick, while Boothe is a project. Morris has long-snapping skills if the Raiders decide to part ways with Treu.

DEFENSIVE LINE: Starters - RDE Derrick Burgess, T Tommy Kelly, T Warren Sapp, LDE Tyler Brayton. Backups - E Lance Johnstone, E Bobby Hamilton, E Bryant McNeal, E Jeff Green, E Kevin Huntley, E Javon Nanton, T Anttaj Hawthorne, T Donnell Washington, T Michael Quarshie, T Terdell Sands, T Rashad Moore.

Burgess was one of the top free agent signings of 2005 and had an NFL-leading 16 sacks, giving Oakland its long-sought pressure from the outside. Kelly, who played both end and tackle, will play exclusively inside following the release of nose tackle Ted Washington. Sapp was flashing his old form until suffering a torn rotator cuff; the Raiders went 0-6 without him and need to see he still has something left. Brayton, miscast as a linebacker for two years, is back where he belongs at end. Johnstone could provide Burgess with a second threat from the edge but will be used sparingly. Sands could have a big role if the Raiders struggle early inside against the run, and Moore will also be looked to in this area. Hawthorne played well in NFL Europe but remains on the fringe.

LINEBACKERS: Starters - SLB Kirk Morrison, MLB Danny Clark, WLB Thomas Howard. Backups - OLB Robert Thomas, OLB Grant Irons, OLB Darnell Bing, OLB Sam Williams, OLB Ryan Riddle, OLB Roger Cooper, OLB Shawn Morgan, MLB Isaiah Ekijuiba, MLB Ricky Brown, MLB Pasha Jackson.

Morrison quietly led all NFL rookies in tackles as a third-round draft pick out of San Diego State, and even bigger things are expected of Howard. Expect to see those two on the field the majority of the time, with Clark — a solid run-defender and team leader — coming off in passing situations. Bing is a converted safety who the Raiders hope will help in coverage with the difficult running back and tight end matchups in the passing game. Williams broke through as starter last year only to suffer a torn ACL. Thomas, a former first-round draft pick, could emerge if Howard and Bing struggle as rookies. Irons' is strictly a goal-line and short-yardage player, while Ikijuiba and Riddle are predominantly special teams players.

DEFENSIVE BACKS: Starters - LCB Nnamdi Asomugha, RCB Fabian Washington, FS Stuart Schweigert, SS Michael Huff. Backups - CB Stanford Routt, CB Duane Starks, CB Tyrone Poole, SS Derrick Gibson, SS Jarrod Cooper, S Eugene Hiram, S Alvin Nnabuife, CB Dennis Davis, CB Chris Carr, CB Raymond Washington.

The Raiders exhibited the ability to cover receivers last season but were short on playmakers. They intercepted only five passes, the lowest total in NFL history over a 16-game season. The hope is Huff, the first-round pick out of Texas, will help with forcing turnovers, whether it be interceptions or fumble recoveries. He will be used much in the way the Raiders used the oft-injured Charles Woodson, although he will play deep as a safety more often. Huff will play some man coverage, single up on difficult inside matchups, rush the passer on occasion and play in the box as a run defender. Asomugha is going into his fourth year and has yet to intercept a pass, although he is a rangy if conservative pass defender. Washington held up well as a rookie starter, and Schweigert has flashed some big play capability as well as the occasional big mistake. Expect one of the veteran free agents — Starks or Poole — to emerge as nickel or dime defender. Routt, as a rookie, had the look and athletic skill of a prospect but it remains to be seen whether he has the sense or instinct to justify his second-round selection in 2005. Carr has a safety's taste for hitting but a corner's size.

SPECIAL TEAMS: K Sebastian Janikowski, K Tim Duncan, K David Kimball, P Shane Lechler, P Glenn Pakulak (P), KR/PR Chris Carr, LS Adam Treu.

Janikowski, drafted in the first round in 2000 because of his leg strength, was 7-for-15 from 40 yards or further in the worst season of his career. He'll get another year to straighten it out. Lechler remains among the NFL's premiere punters, and would be an even better weapon if Oakland ever had coverage teams to match his skills. Carr had his moments as a rookie return specialist, although he never broke one for the distance. Treu is as reliable a long-snapper as there is in the NFL.

 

[RaiderIVlife]

I've said it thousand times, but it bears repeating: A front four of Burgess, Kelly, Sapp and Brayton will bet hamered, smashed and punched in the mouth - particularly in our division.

I'd prefer to see Sapp and Johnstone as the pass rushing specialists and I'm praying that Rashad Moore can secure a starting job in place of Sapp. I guess I have to live with the fact that Tommy Kelly is going to be a DT.

Burgess
Moore
Kelly
Brayton

I don't like Brayton as a starter either. Shit, camp will be intersting.

 

[RaiderIVlife]

I still would have preferred to see Burgess & Kelly at DE with say Sands & Moore at DT. Sapp and Johnstone would provide the pass rush on 3rd down and our newfound speed at LB'er (Howard & Bing) would've filled the gaps behind the big boys. Obviously the Raiders see it differently.