Training Camp - Day 21

[Angry Pope]

August 16, 2007

Early release is a kick

NAPA - Lane Kiffin ended practice about 30 minutes early this morning and had an idea of how to cut tonight's practice short.

He decided to let a field goal decide it.

First up wasn't kicker Sebastian Janikowski or backup Tyler Fredrickson.

Warren Sapp got the first shot from about 20 yards and missed wide right.

Quarterback Josh McCown missed wide left from 25 yards.

Then Kiffin picked rookie tackle Mario Henderson to be the man to slash time off tonight's practice.

He came up short from 15 yards out.

Sapp eventually bounced back with a 45-yard make, his career long.

Kiffin is letting the Raiders get their kicks in because Friday the team breaks camp and players are free to go back to their own beds.

For the rookies who don't have a place yet, that might mean another move to a hotel.

• Andrew Walter will start at quarterback against the 49ers, followed by Daunte Culpepper and Josh McCown.

Walter wasn't too enthused by the news. He's sticking to the "it's just the preseason" mantra, which isn't a bad idea.

• Kiffin said he hasn't spoken to JaMarcus Russell in a while. It'll probably be awhile before Russell signs.

• Kiffin promised change after the last exhibition, and some change came: The team released William Buchanon. The receiver was a training camp surprise last year. But he dropped a pass against Arizona and was let go by Kiffin, his former college position coach.

• Sapp had been relatively quiet lately, but he found someone to crack on this morning.

I've never seen rookie cornerback John Bowie's teeth, but Sapp apparently has.

"You better take advantage of that dental program," he yelled at Bowie. "It's 80/20."

He also found time to poke fun at defensive tackle Anttaj Hawthorne, who has been put on his back more than once in training camp.

"O.G. Taj Mahal on the ground again," Sapp yelled.

- Jason Jones

 

[Angry Pope]

Training camp, Day 21 (A.M.)

Jerry McDonald

News and notes, sights and sounds from the Raiders morning session in their last full day in Napa:

– Andrew Walter will start Saturday night against the 49ers in San Francisco, followed by Daunte Culpepper and Josh McCown _ the reverse order of when they appeared against Arizona.

"We feel that Andrew played well in the first game and it also gives us a chance to see guys in different settings," coach Lane Kiffin said. " (It gives) Andrew a shot to go in with the first unit against the first defense too. It gives Daunte a chance to play in the first half and not sit the whole time. Then it will give us a look at Josh coming off the bench to see how well he does as well."

– McCown had one of his best passing sessionsin recent days, hitting Alvis Whitted for a touchdown on a post pattern during 7-on-7 and later hitting Carlos Francis at the goal line on the same pattern. McCown has often struggled during camp on throws over the middle to wide receivers. He also threw a touchdown pass in a red zone team session to Doug Gabriel.

On the touchdown pass to Whitted, thrown perfectly behind Chris Johnson and Chris Carr, defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, who rarely addresses anything but the defense, said, "Nice, job, (offense), way to expose that (bleeping) coverage."

– Walter threw a touchdown pass to Ronald Curry on the same drill, although he likely would have been sacked by end Dave Tollefson on the play, with Tollefson pulling off and not hitting the quarterback. A perfect pass to Jerry Porter to the post was dropped.

– Daunte Culpepper opened some drills and team sessions with the first team for the first time in camp. He had one pass intercepted in a seven-on-seven red zone drill, with safety Hiram Eugene making a juggling catch.

"That's a hell of a play right there," Ryan said.

– The Kiffin staff isn't heavy on sarcasm, although special teams coach Brian Schneider ventured into that area on a kickoff drill, remarking of the coverage, "Holy (bleep)! You got it right!."

– Safety Donovin Darius limped off the field with what Kiffin called a "lower leg injury." Darius said it was a calf injury but did not have specifics regarding his condition or availablity to face San Francisco.

– Wide receiver Will Buchanon, whose heroics during training camp last year earned him a spot on the practice squad and eventually the 53-man roster, was waived. The Raiders put two offensive linemen through a tryout, ex-Raider Corey Hulsey and four-year veteran Torrin Tucker.

Kiffin said the Raiders expected to sign an offensive lineman to assume Buchanon's spot.

Hulsey had a workout with the Raiders during organized team activities and most recently worked out for the Cleveland Browns, thinking he had a shot until it was learned an injury to starting guard Eric Steinbach was not serious.

In his home state of Georgia, Hulsey runs his own company, Hulsey Land Development, where temperatures of late have been more than 100 degrees.

"I came out this morning, hell, it was cold," Hulsey said. "I wanted a coat."

Although still not anywhere near his pre-illness level of energy, Kiffin was much more involved than he was Wednesday.

"I feel better. Getting out here is a little bit of therapy," Kiffin said. "You get a little bit of energy just being out here with the guys. Then you go back in and come down a little bit. You just have to find a way to get up for one more practice like we have to do with them."

Kiffin said he did not have a plan regarding coaching against the 49ers Saturday night.

– After spending much of the early part of camp communicating with quarterback JaMarcus Russell, Kiffin said he has not spoken to Russell "in awhile."

"I've got to do what I can to protect this team," Russell said.

As negotiations have gone nowhere, it's a pretty good bet Russell's agent told him to cease conversations with Kiffin until things get serious.

– Running back Adimchinobe Echemandu will again get most of his time in the second half against San Francisco, Kiffin said. Dominic Rhodes will start at running back but LaMont Jordan, ideally, will get the most work.

"We've obviously got to get LaMont going," Kiffin said. "He needs a lot of work, especially in these next two games. He needs some work because he needs to see this zone system. This is not something he’s used to."

– When asked which player had caught his eye of late, Kiffin's answer was rookie third-round draft pick Johnnie Lee Higgins.

"I think Johnnie Lee has made a really good transition especially for a smaller guy. I was talking with the guys last night. This is a time when rookies tend to disappear, (like) freshmen dissapear, because the playbook gets so big," Kiffin said. "They say, I made it this far, I know so much, they almost put a governor on themselves and we talked about not doing that, and taking it to another level and staying in the front of the lines and don’t put yourself back because you’re a rookie.

"See how far you can take this thing, and don’t settle . . . Johnnie Lee has really made a great transition and is going after balls and doing things really well and he has football speed. There’s track speed, the guy running a 40 who runs track, that I could care less about. I want to see football speed. He had it in college, he showed it on film and in the game. He has football speed. He puts cleats on and pads on and has to change direction and the ball is in his hand, he’s really fast. That’s football speed. So we’re really excited with him."

– Kiffin called off practice early and wanted to award the team a longer break in between practices. He was counting on Warren Sapp and Josh McCown to kick 25-yard field goals with the team watching. Both missed.

So Kiffin turned to rookie Mario Henderson, from 15 yards. He missed. Kiffin wanted Sebastian Janikowski to kick a 55-yarder to earn the time off, but Rod Martin nixed the idea because Janikowski wasn't sufficiently warmed up.

Warren Sapp finally delivered with a 45-yard, straight-on field goal attempt which barely cleared the upright.

 

[hawaiianboy]

He decided to let a field goal decide it.

First up wasn't kicker Sebastian Janikowski or backup Tyler Fredrickson.

Warren Sapp got the first shot from about 20 yards and missed wide right.

Quarterback Josh McCown missed wide left from 25 yards.

Then Kiffin picked rookie tackle Mario Henderson to be the man to slash time off tonight's practice.

He came up short from 15 yards out.

Man I hope they put the video of this up somewhere...

• Kiffin promised change after the last exhibition, and some change came: The team released William Buchanon. The receiver was a training camp surprise last year. But he dropped a pass against Arizona and was let go by Kiffin, his former college position coach.

I think it's safe to say the USC alum thing isn't going to matter much with Kiff...

Sapp had been relatively quiet lately, but he found someone to crack on this morning.

I've never seen rookie cornerback John Bowie's teeth, but Sapp apparently has.

"You better take advantage of that dental program," he yelled at Bowie. "It's 80/20."

He also found time to poke fun at defensive tackle Anttaj Hawthorne, who has been put on his back more than once in training camp.

"O.G. Taj Mahal on the ground again," Sapp yelled.

 

[Angry Pope]

I also got a chuckle out of Brian Schneider...

"Holy (bleep)! You got it right!."

 

[Angry Pope]

After rough debut, Walter gets plenty of competition for QB job

JOSH DUBOW

August 16, 2007

NAPA, Calif. (AP) - The Oakland Raiders thought so highly of Andrew Walter a year ago they passed on the chance to draft Matt Leinart, believing they already had the quarterback of their future.

That all changed after Walter had a disappointing debut last year as part of one of the worst offenses in NFL history. The Raiders responded by using the No. 1 overall draft pick on JaMarcus Russell, trading for Josh McCown and signing former Pro Bowl quarterback Daunte Culpepper.

That's put Walter's status on the team in doubt. He doesn't know if he'll be the starter, backup, third-stringer or somewhere else when the season begins.

''I'm here to play,'' Walter said. ''That's what we're all fighting for. If that situation occurs we'll cross that bridge when it does. Until then, I'll continue to be a pro and do my job. We're all competing to play. Certainly I am as well.''

After playing well with the second team in Oakland's exhibition opener against Arizona last week, Walter got the starting nod for Saturday's game against the San Francisco 49ers. Culpepper will follow Walter and McCown will come in third after starting the opener. Russell remains unsigned, giving the three veterans a chance to fight for the job.

Coach Lane Kiffin said the change in rotation is more about giving the quarterbacks a chance to work with different units in the preseason and Walter isn't putting much stock into the decision.

''I don't read into those kinds of things,'' Walter said. ''It's a competition and in the nature of competition, I'm going to start this week. It's just the second preseason game.''

Walter went 8-for-11 for 50 yards and a touchdown in last week's 27-23 victory over the Cardinals, taking advantage of an offense that emphasizes quick passes.

He threw all but two of his passes to the tight ends and running backs, helping to avoid the sacks that plagued him so much last season.

''Like I've been telling people football is a team game,'' Walter said. ''It's never all just one player. When everything is working it looks good. That's not a surprise to me or anybody in the locker room. But apparently it is a surprise to people outside and that's fine.''

That's because of the way last season went when the Raiders finished a league-worst 2-14. Oakland scored just 168 points in 2006 - the fifth fewest in a 16-game season - and failed to score on offensive touchdown in eight games.

Walter had both wins but lost his six other starts, struggling with turnovers and accuracy while getting little protection from a porous offensive line.

Walter threw 13 interceptions, lost nine fumbles and was sacked 46 times. He completed only 53.3 percent of his passes, threw for three touchdowns and had a passer rating of 55.8.

''Well that poor Andrew Walter last year got hit so many times, I don't think he knew where they were coming from,'' owner Al Davis said earlier in camp. ''But what I'm saying is, he's got to come back. We have got to bring him along, and he'll get his confidence back.''

Walter, who didn't play as a rookie in 2005, admitted the season took its toll on him but hopes it will help him become a better quarterback in the future.

''You build character through adversity not through easy times,'' he said. ''It was definitely a character-building situation. I can't say there are more than a handful of quarterbacks who have been through a tough situation like that in the entire league. It definitely was a good experience looking back now. But it wasn't easy. When things are good, it makes you appreciate it. I'm the same player this year as I was last year. Circumstances and the situation are different. It's a lot better now.''

In other news, Kiffin said he has not talked to Russell recently as talks between the sides have stalled. Russell is the only first-round pick without a contract. With the Raiders set to break camp Friday, there's no sign that Russell will join the team any time soon.

Kiffin said he's now focused on the quarterbacks who are in camp because Russell ''is not helping this team right now.''

''If he gets here, when he gets there, we'll do everything we can,'' Kiffin said. ''But right now we've got to get ready to win as if he's not here.''

Notes:

WR Will Buchanon was waived. ... S Donovin Darius left practice early with an injured left calf but does not believe it is anything serious. ... Players got out of some afternoon meetings when DT Warren Sapp kicked a 45-yard field goal at the end of practice. Sapp, McCown, and OL Mario Henderson missed kicks earlier from shorter distances but Kiffin kept going until someone made one.

 

[TommyGirl]

I love that Kiffin is putting the quarterbacks in different situations to see if it affects their play. How many times have we griped, "If only he could play with the first team..." etc.

I'm with Island Boy. I like Kiffin more and more every day. Granted, I'm not a football groupie like he is, but the point remains.

 

[Angry Pope]

I liked Buchanon but this is a case where the impact of cutting him has more value than his position on the depth chart. He is eligible for the practice squad.

 

[Langlier]

As I said in my comments on the game thread. Will Buch had a perfect pass hit him right in the numbers... and he just drops it. inexcusable. c ya round will buch. maybe tampa bay needs another buchanon...

 

[Angry Pope]

For me, that sounds kind of harsh for one dropped pass considering Higgins also dropped one. Buchanon was far down the depth chart and his release will get others to work harder....nice plan. I still wouldn't mind seeing him on the practice squad.

 

[Madturk]

Jerry McDonald

"We've obviously got to get LaMont going," Kiffin said. "He needs a lot of work, especially in these next two games. He needs some work because he needs to see this zone system. This is not something he’s used to."

That's a huge understatement.

 

[Angry Pope]

Coach Kiffin Camp Q&A: Day 21

August 16, 2007

Head Coach Lane Kiffin addressed the media after the Raiders' morning practice on Thursday. Coach Kiffin talked about the starting quarterback for Saturday's game, breaking camp in Napa, and rookie WR Johnnie Lee Higgins..

Kiffin: I thought practice was good. We cut back a little bit on the time, guys worked really hard basically the last two practices, I think they’re also excited to break camp as well.

Q: What time will you be breaking camp?

Kiffin: We start at 7:00 a.m. tomorrow. We’re only out here for about 30 minutes, so they’ll be out of here by about 9:30 a.m.

Q: Do you have a starting quarterback for Saturday’s game?

Kiffin: Yeah, we’re going to go with Andrew Walter., followed by Daunte [Culpepper] who will be followed by Josh [McCown]. We feel that Andrew played well in the first game, and it also just gives us a chance to see guys in different settings. It gives Andrew a shot to go in with the first unit that’s in and against the first defense too. It’ll give Daunte a chance to play in the first half and not sit the whole time. And it’ll give us a look with Josh coming off the bench, to see how well he does.

Q: Did you get everything out of camp that you hoped to?

Kiffin: I don’t think you ever do. You’re always competing to find a better way to learn something; we could do this a little better next year or this. I don’t think you’re ever satisfied, but a lot of good things have come out of it. I think we have a very good handle of our roster and the direction we’re going with things and the way we need to utilize players. In special teams, as we figure out in our mind where our 53 [man roster] is starting to go, it shows up in the way where we start mixing guys in special teams.

Q: Do you like the idea of getting away for training camp?

Kiffin: I think it all depends. I like it because it’s a great set-up. We’re going back and we’re staying in a practice format as if we were up here because I didn’t know how this was going to go up here. I’m more in favor of being in your normal place because that’s what you need to get used to, but being up here, I’m going to look into next year staying up here longer because it is so convenient for the players. And that’s not necessarily true in all training camps. Sometimes you’re in dorm rooms that are uncomfortable and they’re way on the other side of campus or something away from the field. So there’s different settings, but this is a perfect setting, and I’ve already thought about being up here longer next year.

Q: Who are some kids that have really caught your eye since you’ve been up here?

Kiffin: Well, I mention Adimchinobe [Echemandu] all of the time so I won’t mention him. I mention Quentin [Moses] all of the time. I think Johnnie Lee [Higgins] has made a really good transition, especially for a smaller guy. I talked about this with the guys last night—this is a time where rookies tend to disappear right here, no different than freshmen tend to disappear. It’s because the playbook gets so big, and they start to tell themselves in their minds, ‘Well, I made it this far and I know so much,’ and they start to almost put a governor on themselves. We talked about not doing that and taking it another level, staying at the front of the lines, and don’t put yourself back because you’re a rookie. See how far you can take this thing, and don’t settle at ‘I think I made the team’ or ‘I’m going to make the practice squad.’ Going back to the point, Johnnie Lee has really made a great transition and is going after balls and doing things really well, and he has football speed. There’s track speed, and there’s those speeds, a guy running a 40, a guy running in track, which I could care less about. I want to see football speed, and he had it in college, he showed it on film, and he showed it the other day in the game too. This guy has football speed. When he puts cleats on and pads on and he has to change direction, the ball is in his hands, he’s really fast. That’s football speed. So we’re really excited about him.

 

[Stanny]

For me, that sounds kind of harsh for one dropped pass considering Higgins also dropped one. Buchanon was far down the depth chart and his release will get others to work harder....nice plan. I still wouldn't mind seeing him on the practice squad.

I think Kiff sends a message bascially as HB pointed out, if from SC you get no free ride and my thoughts last year when everyone was riding the Buchanon wagon, I thought he ran sloppy routes and caught too many balls with his body and not his hands. But he does have some skills, just very raw. Higgins has more potential because of his speed and open field running.

I agree with you, I wouldn't mind him on the practice squad. If Morrant doesn't step up this week or Gabriel, they may be next. I think Francis and his ability to return kicks sticks around a little longer.

 

[Angry Pope]

I didn't mean to imply that Higgins should be cut just that dropping one pass is not the end all. Kiffin already knows who will be on the 53 man roster and Buchanon was down near where Gabriel is. I think the timing of his dropped pass together with wanting to send a message to the other players worked out well. It doesn't hurt that he is from USC as that re-inforces the position, much like Bing, that he isn't playing favorites.

 

[Angry Pope]

Interview with Kiffin, Mario Henderson, and Jay Richardson...

Hit it here....

 

[Crossbones]

Q: Do you have a starting quarterback for Saturday’s game?

Kiffin: Yeah, we’re going to go with Andrew Walter., followed by Daunte [Culpepper] who will be followed by Josh [McCown]. We feel that Andrew played well in the first game, and it also just gives us a chance to see guys in different settings. It gives Andrew a shot to go in with the first unit that’s in and against the first defense too. It’ll give Daunte a chance to play in the first half and not sit the whole time. And it’ll give us a look with Josh coming off the bench, to see how well he does.

OK all yo Walter jihadists you're gonna get our wish.

Time to walk the walk.

 

[Langlier]

OK all yo Walter jihadists you're gonna get our wish.

Time to walk the walk.

Walter! Walter! Walter!

*does some strutting*

I'm just hoping the kid gets his fair shot and is our starter this year. Much more attractive option then McCown. Culpepper could provide more wins if hes up to par though...

 

[Rupert]

OK all yo Walter jihadists you're gonna get our wish.

Time to walk the walk.

He's gonna do what he's gonna do. He'll either do it or he won't. Remember half of this game is 90% mental. It's a team game and everyone's gotta do their part, even if it's just one guy. The ball's in his court. So let the chips fall where they may. He's got to take it one play at a time, and at the end of the day, it will all be over.

 

[007]

He's gonna do what he's gonna do. He'll either do it or he won't. Remember half of this game is 90% mental. It's a team game and everyone's gotta do their part, even if it's just one guy. The ball's in his court. So let the chips fall where they may. He's got to take it one play at a time, and at the end of the day, it will all be over.

lol.

Cliche King.

 

[BigTron]

Maybe JR can get his but in camp and play some RT!

 

[Angry Pope]

Andrew Walter's turn to start

Just as Raiders quarterback Andrew Walter declined an interview request after practice Thursday, coach Lane Kiffin pulled him aside for a brief chat.

Two minutes later, Walter came back to the interview area to field questions. It turned out Kiffin had just told him he'd the starting quarterback in Saturday's exhibition game at San Francisco.

Not that Walter was in a better mood. Last season's nightmare -- Al Davis called it Walter's "50 minutes of hell" -- had a lasting impact on Walter, who has been short and clipped in interviews during training camp.

He called it "just a preseason game" and went on to say it's not a big deal. The fact of the matter is this start is a big deal if Walter wants to stay in the quarterback race.

Kiffin has kept his promise and made this a truly open competition, and the winner will start the Sept. 9 season opener against the Detroit Lions.

Josh McCown looked best the first two weeks of training camp, so he started the exhibition opener. Walter played best in that game, and now he gets to start.

If Walter doesn't wow with the first-team offense, don't be surprised if Daunte Culpepper gets a crack next week, after which Kiffin is expected to make a final decision.

Other news out of the first of two practices Thursday:

Strong safety Donovin Darius injured his left calf and does not know if he'll be able to play Saturday. Featured in the team's 4-2-5 defense, he has gotten some first-team snaps with the regular 4-3 defense this week.

The Raiders released wide receiver Will Buchanon, who played for Kiffin at USC.

They also gave tryouts to two offensive linemen: Corey Hulsey, who played with the Raiders last season, and former Cowboy Torrin Tucker. Kiffin said they will sign one of them today.

David White