Training Camp - Day 8

Angry Pope

Angry Pope

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News from the practice field and more each day while the Oakland Raiders train in Napa

• Optimistic fans should look for the NFL’s top draft pick, quarterback JaMarcus Russell. at a Raiders camp near you in the not-too-distant future.

That’s because the annual “contract trickle down” bonanza reached serious mode Friday as wide receiver Calvin Johnson, the second pick in the 2007 draft, signed with Detroit.

Johnson’s deal is reportedly worth $54 million over six years, but the real line of interest to Raiders fans should be the over $26 million he reportedly gets in guaranteed money.

Guaranteed money, such as a signing bonus, is important to NFL players because the rest of their contracts are voidable in the event of injury.

Reports are that Russell, who officially notched the beginning of his eighth day of a holdout by skipping the Raiders’ Friday morning practice, is looking for guaranteed numbers in the $30 million range.

Now that Johnson has signed, the Raiders know where they sit with Russell, right?

Not so fast, said Raiders rookie head coach Lane Kiffin on Friday.

“It all depends. Sometimes it does (set a parameter). You know how it works. If he signs and gets a lot, then it works for one side. If he doesn’t, it works for the other side.”

As for the guaranteed money issue, Kiffin advised that’s it not as direct as simply giving Russell what he’s looking for based on what Johnson makes.

“That does have something to do with it, but it’s just another contract being posted,” said Kiffin. “There’s so many things into it. That’s the way people read it, but there’s so many things — when does he get it, how does he get it, how much of it is truly guaranteed based off of other things?”

Kiffin sounded as though he is growing weary of the whole situation — the holdout and the constant questions about it.

“Well, you always want to have your players on the field, but you want to make sure you’re doing the best thing for the future, not our best thing for today,” he said.

“That’s the mistake we want to make sure we’re not making, and we know we’re not making. We’re getting people in under circumstances that help us for the future, to make sure that we’re able to go get other players in the future when we need them.”

Meaning, the Raiders want Russell in camp — but they also have dozens of other players to evaluate and an NFL season to get ready for.

• The Raiders trimmed a few minutes off their morning practice on Friday and Kiffin said they planned to do the same for the evening workout.

“We want to stay fresh for (Saturday),” he said.

• Kiffin said that free agent pickup Isaiah Kacyvenski, one of the few NFL players out of Harvard, injured his knee late in Thursday’s practice.

While injured standout defensive end Derrick Burgess’ return is imminent — within the next day or two, according to the coach — Kacyvenski may be out a while.

“That could be a serious thing,” said Kiffin, who added that they had not received a medical update as of Friday morning.

-- Randy Johnson
 
“That does have something to do with it, but it’s just another contract being posted,” said Kiffin. “There’s so many things into it. That’s the way people read it, but there’s so many things — when does he get it, how does he get it, how much of it is truly guaranteed based off of other things?”
Click to expand...
Hahahah...hey Kiff...I thought I was reading an Amos 'N Andy book review there! :rotf:


Oh Annnndy.
 
Here are some photos...

Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis, left, chats with the media after a press conference in the team's training camp hotel, Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2007 in Napa, Calif.


Oakland Raiders owner, Al Davis, talks about the late Bill Walsh and his football team during a press conference in the team's football training camp hotel, Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2007 in Napa, Calif.


Oakland Raiders quarterback Josh McCown (12) listens to offensive coordinator Greg Knapp during morning workouts at football training camp, Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2007 in Napa, Calif.


Newly-signed Oakland Raiders quarterback Daunte Culpepper pauses during morning workouts at football training camp, Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2007 in Napa, Calif.


Oakland Raiders wide receiver John Madsen makes a reception during the football team's practice Tuesday, July 31, 2007, in Napa, Calif.


Oakland Raiders' defensive tackle Warren Sapp (99) smiles during a team football practice Tuesday, July 31, 2007, in Napa, Calif.


Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis watches the football team practice Tuesday, July 31, 2007, in Napa, Calif.


Oakland Raiders second 2007 draft choice, tight end Zach Miller, left, drills with another tight end, John Madsen, during morning workouts at the team's football training camp Saturday, July 28, 2007 in Napa, Calif.


Oakland Raiders second 2007 draft choice, tight end Zach Miller, catches passes during morning workouts at the team's football training camp Saturday, July 28, 2007, in Napa, Calif.
 
Coach Kiffin Camp Q&A: Day 8
August 3, 2007

Raiders Head Coach Lane Kiffin addressed the media after Day 8 of Training Camp in Napa, Calif. Coach Kiffin talked about the Raiders morning practice and wide receiver Mike Williams..

Kiffin: First of two practices today. Soft gear on today, soft pads, we will do the same tonight. We have been hitting a lot, we want to get them back because we are going into one practice tomorrow which is going to be a scrimmage format so we want to make sure we’re fresh for that. Other than that I thought guys worked really hard came out a little shorter practice today and tonight, cut off about twenty or twenty five minutes of it to make sure we’re fresh for tomorrow.

Q: You talked about Mike Williams., him having talent and just having to draw it out of him, how much can you do as a coach to draw it out of him and how much of it is just him taking advantage of this opportunity?

Kiffin: Well its both and obviously that’s our job, to get the most out of every one of our players, but there comes a point where they either buy in and they do it or their not here anymore. He has bought in and he is close, he’s doing good things, we just have to make sure that he’s doing it everyday and he’s being consistent so he has a chance to make the team.

Q: He had a couple of catches down in the end zone, how much of an attribute is his size in the red zone?

Kiffin: Yeah, that is a value obviously, his size and being able to keep people away from him. That goes back to the fact that when he’s right he is a dangerous red zone player. He played for us two years and caught 30 touchdowns in two years for us and you know there is good ways to use him down there, but he has to get better.

Q: You have a long relationship with him [Williams] going back to high school, how hard is it to separate yourself from that and be his coach especially when it’s time for decisions?

Kiffin: Not hard at all, because you know that’s what I did before. It’s not like this is a relationship where I didn’t coach him you know and I happened to be his position coach as well so that part is very easy.
 
Former Cal Poly Mustang Kyle Shotwell experiences his first NFL training camp

Aug 3, 2007

Ryan Foran

NAPA

A local star enjoys the Raider nation.

Former Cal Poly Mustang Kyle Shotwell is battling it out for a spot on the Oakland Raiders roster.

From the green and gold to hopefully the silver and black, former Cal Poly linebacker Kyle Shotwell signed as a free agent with the Oakland Raiders after not being drafted, and is now in Napa experiencing his first NFL training camp.

"Mentally it's been really tough. We spend so much time in meetings, and watching film. We spend probably three times more in the film room than we ever even do in the practice field," said Shotwell.

While Shotwell is quickly learning that life in the NFL is far from easy, he is also learning it definitely has its perks as well.

"The other day I was in the facility and Ronnie Lott walked by and I had a 10 minute conversation with him. Bill Walsh, actually, who just passed away, he was in our practice during our OTAs like a month and a half ago, I got to meet him."

With more players in camp than roster spots, Kyle realizes that some of the players who are donning the silver in black in Napa won't be making the trip with the team to Oakland when it's over.

"I think I have a good chance because I'm here, and I'm competing. I think they like the way I run, they like my speed a lot. I think they see a lot of potential in me. Obviously, I'm so new. At Cal Poly we run such an unorthodox defense that basically, I'm learning everything. Not only just the defense but the names of the calls. There's a lot for me to learn and I think that's what is holding me back a little bit."

Shotwell says that if he does get cut by the Raiders, he will try and catch on with another NFL team.

And if that doesn't work out, he'll be just fine.

"Whether or not I make this team, I'm not going to have any regrets because I gave it my all. And in my football career, I've had a lot of success and it's been a lot of fun."

Shotwell says he hopes to be wearing the silver and black come September 9 when the Raiders open the regular season at home against the Lions.
 
Raiders take cautious approach with Newberry

Published: Friday, August 3, 2007 12:29 PM CDT
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NAPA. (AP) — After seven knee surgeries in nine years, Jeremy Newberry knows eventually his knees will begin to ache as he grinds through the rigors of training camp. Oakland Raiders coach Lane Kiffin understands it, too, which is why he's being selective with how much work the veteran center is getting in practice.

Newberry was given the day off Thursday, the first time since camp began that he sat out consecutive practices. When he has been on the field, however, he's shown flashes of the form that made him a Pro Bowl pick in 2000 and 2001.

Provided his knees can hold up underneath him, the 31-year-old Newberry is also putting himself in position to supplant Jake Grove as the Raiders' starting center. The two shared reps during the first week of training camp as Oakland tries to strengthen a struggling offensive line that allowed a league-worst 72 sacks last season.

"I feel so good right now," Newberry said. "The physical part's not that bad. I've dealt with pain and a lot of different things before. I'm just excited to be out here feeling healthy. I haven't been able to do that in a long time."

Warren Sapp found that out early in camp. The seven-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle went head-up against Newberry during a team scrimmage and took a shot to the ribs that left him shaking his head.

"I had to remind him that we're teammates now," Sapp said. "I told him, 'This ain't the 49ers and the Raiders anymore, big boy.' He's a beast. He lets you know that he's been around for a while. I told him, 'I'm going to know where you are from now on.' That boy can play, that's for sure."

Few people thought Newberry would be back in the NFL, let alone getting a chance to start again. A second-round pick by San Francisco in 1998, Newberry has been plagued by back and knee injuries the last three seasons. He underwent microfracture surgery on his right knee in 2005, then had the same procedure on his left knee last season after injuring it in training camp with the 49ers.

Newberry missed 37 of San Francisco's 48 games since 2003 and many —including the 49ers — felt his injuries would lead him to retire. Instead, they were the motivation he needed.

"I had the desire to do it still," said Newberry, who signed with Oakland on March 6 after being told by San Francisco he wouldn't be offered a contract.

"(The knees) don't bother me one bit and I don't think about them. That's been a blessing. They were always hurting, constantly bugging me. Now I'm finally playing and I'm not thinking about my legs hurting because they're not hurting.

"I know I can push hard enough to make my legs hurt and I know that will come some time during the season where I'll have some soreness and pain in my legs. Right now I'm just trying to stay healthy and keep from overworking my legs."

Newberry signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Raiders, who are coming off a 2-14 season. Oakland made other moves to overhaul its offensive line, adding free agent guard Cooper Carlisle and tackle Cornell Green while hiring line coach Tom Cable away from Atlanta.

Grove, a second-round pick of Oakland's in 2004, was the only Raiders offensive lineman to start all 16 games last season. But being part of the league's worst offensive line meant that no job was secure, a point Kiffin made clear when he was hired to take over for Art Shell in the offseason.

Kiffin continues to press the competition issue in training camp, but acknowledges the experience and talent Newberry possesses is a valuable asset for Oakland's offensive line.

"He's really strong, (has) really strong hands, a really strong upper body and can deal with the matchups that would give Jake some issues at times," Kiffin said. "His health has been great so far all through the offseason. He's at 322 pounds which is actually a little heavy for him and he's carrying that which is a good thing to see him be able to carry that because we'll get it down and it'll be even easier for him."

Newberry won't be comfortable until he's in the starting lineup when the Raiders open the regular season against Detroit on Sept. 9. Any work he gets with Oakland's starters before then, he says, is meaningless.

"I don't read into that too much," Newberry said. "I'm a confident, confident player. If I'm healthy and I'm ready to play, I don't think there are too many people in this league that's going to beat me out. I let that take care of itself and the coaches will make the decision on their own."

Notes: TE Randal Williams, who was placed on the left squad list earlier this week, returned to camp and will rejoin practice on Friday. ... RB LaMont Jordan practiced after sitting out Wednesday evening's workout. Jordan has been bothered by a sore lower back.
 
Nice work AP. It was like machine gun posting for a minute there. Rep to you.
 
I hope Kiffin isnt getting TOO distracted from all this J.Russ contract crap. He has enough to focus on.

P.S Thanks for all the post R4L and AP.
 
Oops - found it posted elsewhere. Nothing to see. Move along.
 
"He's really strong, (has) really strong hands, a really strong upper body and can deal with the matchups that would give Jake some issues at times," Kiffin said. "His health has been great so far all through the offseason. He's at 322 pounds which is actually a little heavy for him and he's carrying that which is a good thing to see him be able to carry that because we'll get it down and it'll be even easier for him."

For some reason I can't see Donnie Edward's knocking Newberry on his ass:rolleyes:
 
Training camp, Day 8 (A.M.)

Posted by Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer on Friday at 3:17 pm

News and notes, sights and sounds from Friday's training camp practice:

– Oakland's offense continues to be plagued by interceptions. There were four more during Wednesday's morning session _ two by Andrew Walter and one each by Josh McCown and Daunte Culpepper.

Cornerback Marquice Cole intercepted a Walter pass on a deep post intended for Alvis Whitted and later and stole another from McCown, also intended for Whitted. Walter threw an ill-advised pass over the middle which was intercepted by Ricky Brown, and Culpepper's deep attempt to Johnnie Morant was intercepted by longshot rookie free agent Levonne Rowan.

Rowan's interception came on an underthrown ball which officals had flagged Morant for offensive pass interference.

"Too many interceptions today, as I’m sure you noticed," coach Lane Kiffin said. "We’re going to get that figured out real quick here, or we’ll change the way that we call plays."

– Culpepper locked on his intended receiver on the interception, as well as on another ball that was nearly intercepted. He also threw an excellent deep pass down the sideline on a line which was dropped by Morant.

Changing tactics on the next throw, Culpepper lofted a touch pass at virtually the same distance which was caught by Whitted.

– Linebacker Isaiah Kacyvenski, signed as a free agent to play on special teams and contribute as a reserve linebacker, missed practice with a knee injury. Kiffin's assessment was not encouraging.

"It could be a serious thing," Kiffin said.

– Center Chris Morris, one of the competitors for the long-snapping job vacated by the release of Adam Treu, didn't help his cause any Friday. With Shane Lechler punting out of his own end zone, Morris' snap not only sailed over Treu's head but struck the cross bar and went through the uprights.

No points were awarded.

The snap was so high Lechler never even jumped.

Zach Miller immediately replaced Morris as the long-snapper.

– Tyler Brayton continues to get the majority of his reps at tackle rather than end.

– Wide receiver Mike Williams scored touchdowns against cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha from McCown on consecutive plays in the red zone, using his size to gain good position and keeping Asomugha away from the ball. He also had a juggling catch for a score from Walter.

"We were just fortunate enough the ball came out at the right time and I was able to make a play," Williams said. "It's just practice. It's all about putting it on film and showing what you bring to the table. Johnnie Lee (Higgins) is going to run by people and other people are going to do different things. It's just showing what you can do."

Kiffin expressed concern about Williams' weight earlier in the week and said he wanted the receiver to eventually be 235 pounds. Williams said weight isn't an issue.

"Kiff hasn't given me some weight I haven't been at since high school like in Detroit," Williams said. "It's just one less thing I have to worry about. I can come out here and wake up in the morning and get in my playbook and get ready to come to practice. It's always about practice."

Said Kiffin Friday: "He’s bought in. He’s close. He’s doing good things, some things really well. We've just got to continue to make sure that he’s doing it every day and being consistent so he’ll have a chance to make the team.”

– The Raiders had a number of invited guests watching practice. Included was a 9-year-old boy who wanted to see the Raiders new coach. Someone pointed to Kiffin.

"Is he a good coach," the boy asked, "or is he another bust?"

– Practice was conducted in shorts and "soft pads" and was over at 10:35 a.m. _ about a half-hour earlier than usual. Kiffin said the evening practice would be similar as the Raiders prepare for a scrimmage-type practice Saturday afternoon.

– In a painstaking two-minute drill to end practice, Walter led the Raiders offense on an 12-play, 65-yard scoring drive in which no play appeared to be more than 10 yards in length. It finally ended with a pass to fullback Oren O'Neil in the end zone.

– Kiffin didn't sound as if the signing of Detroit's Calvin Johnson, the second overall choice in the draft, would necessarily mean JaMarcus Russell would follow suit.

"It all depends. Sometimes it does. You know how it works," Kiffin said. "If he signs and gets a lot, then it works for one side. If he doesn’t, it works for the other side."

More goes into the deal than just the reported $27.2 million guarantee, Kiffin said.

"That's the way people read it, but there are so many different things (that go into it)," Kiffin said. "When does he get that, how does he get it? How much of it is truly guaranteed based off of other things?

– Kiffin said defensive end Derrick Burgess was almost ready to come off the physically able to perform list and participate in practice. Running back Michael Bush is not as far along, Kiffin said.

Among those who did not practice were tackle Barry Sims (gluteus), Chad Slaughter (ankle), tight end James Adkisson (hamstring) and defensive back John Bowie (Achilles).

Sims, Kiffin said, will be monitored in a way similar to Jeremy Newberry. meaning he probably won't practice both sessions of a double-day.

– Tackle Adrian Klemm, signed to a contract Wednesday night, was waived, as was linebacker/long-snapper J.J. Milan. The status of tight end Randal Williams remained unclear. He isn't practicing with the team and surrendered his uniform number 86 to Tony Stewart.

– A partial crew of officials made their presentation regarding rules changes and points of emphasis to the media Friday.

Two days before, in the same ballroom, Raiders owner Al Davis, when asked about the gambling investigation regarding an NBA official, said regarding NFL officials, "I'm not concerned about gambling, I'm concerned about bias."

Davis referenced a magazine article which said officials were told, 'The only thing we're warned in our meeting be on the look out when you go to Oakland. Watch out when you go to Oakland."

When asked about Davis' comments, NFL supervisor of officials Neely Dunn said, "I don't know anything about that. Since I've been in the offiice _ this is my seventh year in the office _ we never gave any direction to officials about any team."

Neely was asked if teams which rank higher in penalties each year would be looked at closer than others.

"Some teams have tendencies, and if we get questions from other coaches, saying this team does that, this team does this, and they take a pattern, then we’ll make our officials aware of that," Neely said.

That ought to make Davis feel a whole lot better.
 
Raiders hope practice makes perfect for WR Mike Williams

By JOSH DUBOW
AP Sports Writer
NAPA, Calif.
Twice in a span of three plays Mike Williams worked his way free from star cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha near the goal line and caught a pass from Josh McCown for a touchdown.

Earlier, Williams made a juggling catch in the end zone for another score. It may only be training camp, but Williams is showing signs of why he was so heralded when he came out of college two years ago.

But after the struggles Williams endured his first two seasons in the NFL when he was in Detroit, he's not about to put too much stock into his performance at a hotel field in California's wine country.

"It's practice, man," Williams said Friday at the Oakland Raiders' training camp facility. "I don't really look too much into it. That's all it is is practice. We were just fortunate enough the ball came out at the right time and I was able to make a play."

Williams made few of those in his two seasons with the Lions, when he clashed with coaches, was late to meetings and did not meet weight targets set by the team. He had 29 catches for 350 yards and one touchdown as a rookie, before playing sparingly last season under new offensive coordinator Mike Martz.

Williams had just eight catches for 99 yards and one touchdown in 2006 and even fell behind McCown, a quarterback, on the depth chart at receiver at one point. The Lions finally parted ways with Williams in April, sending him and McCown to the Raiders for a fourth-round draft choice.

He then injured his hamstring in his first minicamp practice with the Raiders in May, and missed the rest of the offseason workouts. Coach Lane Kiffin, who was Williams' position coach in college at Southern California, said the receiver still has work to do to get into shape.

But the weight target the Raiders have set for him of 235 pounds is 15 more than the Lions wanted him to weigh and better suits his style. Williams said too much was made of his weight in Detroit and said more time should have been spent developing him as a player.

"If they had spent as much time doing that as they did magnifying the things that didn't relate to football as much ..." he said. "But that's in the past. I'm here, Kiff hasn't given me some outstanding weight I haven't seen since high school like Detroit. It's just one less thing I have to worry about."

Williams showed that his size can be an advantage during some of the drills Friday. He used his 6-foot-5 frame to work his way free from Asomugha and catch the touchdowns, similar to how he did it at USC.

"That is a value, obviously - his size and being able to keep people away from him," Kiffin said. "That goes back to when he's right, he's a dangerous red-zone player. He played for us two years, he caught 30 touchdowns in two years for us. There is good ways to use him down there. But he's got to get better."

When Williams was acquired in the draft-day trade by the Raiders, he admitted this could be his last chance to succeed in the NFL. That's what made his minicamp injury so tough to handle as he fell further behind returning receivers Jerry Porter and Ronald Curry.

"It was frustrating because I was coming in and it was kind of the first step toward competing for a starting spot and putting it on film," he said. "Then to get hurt and JP and Ron and all the other guys had a chance to have a good offseason or spring. So it was a setback. When training camp comes it's a whole different thing. It's pads, it's longer and OTAs are kind of relaxed. You can't make that time up. I can just go out and work and try to get it back now."

Notes:@ Pro Bowl DE Derrick Burgess could return from hernia surgery in the next couple of days. ... LB Isaiah Kacyvenski sat out with a knee injury that Kiffin said could be serious. ... RB ReShard Lee, LB J.J. Milan and OL Adrian Klemm were all released. ... TE Randal Williams did not practice because he is still dealing with personal issues.
 
Sorry to hear about Kacyvenski....

Nice to see BMW follow up the praise by Kiffin having another good day...

Nice to see Zack Miller doing long snaps...don't know how much of it was to show up Morris...
 
Klemm gone already... Dayum. Did he even get pads?
 
Screw it. Let's play a game and see what we got. :righton: :righton: :righton:
 
CrossBones said:
Screw it. Let's play a game and see what we got. :righton: :righton: :righton:
Click to expand...

Yeah, I am pumped to watch any football at all.


Definitely stoked that Mario Henderson has been impressing. Jack's scouting report had me a bit worried. Hopefully he was just a late bloomer and his best football is ahead of him.

I really like HBoy's Pete Kendall idea. Living in NYC, I can tell you Kendall is pissed. He has made it clear he is just avoiding paying a fine by being in camp, and the FO is treating him as persona non grata. Something has to give, but I bet they don't do anything till just before the season.

I am very bummed about Routt's injuy. One of the last guys that I wanted to see miss time, just because I think can lock down the nickel job.

Culpepper's contract is about what I expected. I think there's a chance he gets cut before the season. The Raiders certainly left that option open. If he looks even remotely shaky on that leg, I think they go with Walter.

Regarding Walter, this whole trade/asked to be waived thing is silly. Do any of you actually think Walter is in a position to ask for a damn thing? God, it's like Tuiasosopo all over again. He's just hoping Pepp sucks in camp so he still has a job in September. Trade? Ha.

I am fine with Carlisle at RG. Every time I remember Broncos backs making big gains on those cutback runs, the G's are throwing the key block. Maybe we can help out Sims and the RT (whoever it is), by avoiding 3rd and 9 situations where the ends are just pinning their ears back, ya know? Nothing slows down the pass rush like a solid running game.
 
I liked Jack's scouting report on Henderson...It made me LOL.

I believe the sentance 'Dripping wet pussy' was used to describe Mario.

I hope he ends up being a good player.
 
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