Week 9 Raiders News

jatfly

jatfly

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THIS SUX WE NEED HIM THIS GAME. I THINK WE CAN WIN THIS, BUT WITHOUT CURRY I DON'T FEEL AS GOOD.
Ronald Curry-WR-Raiders Oct. 31 - 10:32 pm

ESPN's John Clayton reports there's a "decent chance" Ronald Curry (foot) could miss Sunday's game against the Texans.
Curry was unable to finish Wednesday's practice. The Raiders are the NFL's thinnest team at wideout, with only rookie Johnnie Lee Higgins and recent signee Tim Dwight as backups behind Jerry Porter and Curry. Check how the week goes, but Curry could wind up as a game-time decision in Week 9.



The Raiders are expected to be without DT Gerard Warren and SLB Sam Williams again this week.
Oakland's run defense hasn't been any better with Warren and Williams in the lineup, but the former's continued absence has hurt the team's pass rush. Warren was leading the Raiders in sacks before getting injured.




Josh McCown took snaps with the Raiders' first team on Wednesday.
He ran the scout team last week, so the Raiders may be giving him a shot to push Daunte Culpepper. It'd be good news for Ronald Curry's owners.



Michael Bush (PUP, leg) began practicing with the Raiders Wednesday. The rookie from Louisville worked with the Raiders' scout team. If he's activated within the next three weeks, Bush could see a few touches, but is only worth keeping on dynasty league rosters. He's still not 100 percent.



Dominic Rhodes is expected to remain a part-time kick returner with the Raiders.
He's only going to get playing time if LaMont Jordan or Justin Fargas get hurt



Raiders DE Tommy Kelly will undergo surgery on a torn ACL. He will miss the rest of the season.
Oakland's rush defense has struggled all year, and losing arguably their best player won't help. The Raiders make a great match-up for running backs over the rest of the season. Kelly, who has had an up and down career, will be a free agent this offseason and should garner interest from 3-4 teams.



Coach Lane Kiffin said Monday that the Raiders employ the shotgun formation often with Daunte Culpepper at quarterback because it provides "a better rhythm for him at this stage in his career."
In other words, Culpepper has trouble getting into deep drops when taking snaps from under center. Oakland used the shotgun 33 times Sunday, which limits the running game somewhat, and Culpepper hasn't had much success regardless of the formation.



ESPN's John Clayton reports Oakland Raiders QB Daunte Culpepper and QB Josh McCown split snaps Wednesday and Raiders HC Lane Kiffin isn't saying who will be the starting quarterback for Sunday's game against the Texans. Players are also in the dark. The plays were so evenly distributed, it appears that Kiffin is trying to have a wide open competition for the job. Culpepper won last week's battle, but don't be surprised if McCown wins this one.




The Sacramento Bee reports Oakland Raiders new WR/KR Tim Dwight was back with CB/PR Chris Carr working on punt returns Wednesday. With WR Mike Williams waived, it might mean a bigger role in the offense for rookie WR/PR Johnnie Lee Higgins, who lost the starting punt return duties to Carr.




The Sacramento Bee reports the Oakland Raiders have signed second year DT Jonathan Lewis (Virginia Tech) to the practice squad.
 
Q & A with Raiders CB Stanford Routt
www.SRoutt26.com


Oakland Raiders cornerback Stanford Routt knows what it takes to make it in the NFL, or any other profession, for that matter.

It's a "fear of failure," he says on his official Web site, SRoutt26.com. There's "no force more powerful."

When you become part of a team whose secondary includes five defensive backs picked in the first three rounds of the NFL draft over the past five years, you need to face that harsh reality. Routt, a second-round pick of the Raiders in 2005, wasn't even the team's first cornerback chosen that year. He wasn't guaranteed anything.

That never meant he wasn't planning on starting anytime soon, though.

It took just two seasons and two games for the Austin, Texas, native to turn an immeasurable amount of unrealized potential into a reality. A starter of just four games through his first two years in the league, Routt has now started in five of Oakland's seven contests this season.

He hasn't wasted any time.

Routt is the only defensive back in Oakland's secondary with an interception this season -- a shocking truth, considering five different DBs had a combined 15 picks for the Raiders just a short year ago. Already in '07, Routt has snagged a career-high three interceptions. He has also registered 11 tackles (10 solo) and four passes defensed.


Recently, I had the opportunity to talk with Routt about his journey in the NFL, his interests outside of the league and his new Web site, SRoutt26.com. Please take the time to visit the site and show your support.

Carroll: You've had the privilege to play alongside some very talented teammates in Nnamdi Asomugha and Fabian Washington. How has working with such gifted players helped your development as a young corner in the NFL thus far?

Routt: I think it's really helped me out a lot in a sense. We all lean on each other for knowledge, techniques and so forth. I've learned a lot from Nnamdi in becoming a student of the game and Fabian from just reading and reacting to what you see. But we all pick up on certain things from each other because our strengths and weaknesses are different.

Carroll: You've been in the NFL for three seasons, and you've had a different coaching staff each year. Has that been difficult to adjust to? And how does the Lane Kiffin era compare to the Norv Turner and Art Shell regimes?

Routt: Honestly, it really hasn't been that different for me because our defensive staff has always stayed the same for the most part. Rob Ryan (defensive coordinator) has been here all my years, so the scheme and sets have never changed. And Willie Brown (my cornerback coach) has been there as well. So I've been fortunate enough to have a pretty stable orientation. Lane Kiffin has a player-friendly approach to his coaching style. It's full of energy and he thrives off of competition. Art Shell had more of an old-school demeanor that he brought to the game.

Carroll: Since you were drafted out of Houston in 2005, you've spent a lot of time working primarily as a nickel corner. This year, you're beginning to split time as a starter with Fabian Washington. When do you see yourself becoming a full-time, 16-game starter in the NFL?

Routt: I see myself as a full-time starter right now. 'Cause no matter what the situation is, I'm usually in the game. Even when my partner Fabian is in, I'm usually going to the slot playing nickel.

Carroll: How close do you feel the Raiders are to finally becoming contenders again?

Routt: The distance between your thumb and index finger. We are very close. We show it in spurts all the time. And if you can do it in spurts, then you can do it always. That's the way I see it.

Carroll: The team's safeties -- specifically fourth-year FS Stuart Schweigert -- have taken a lot of heat lately for not making the necessary or "big" plays. Being able to work so closely with both Schweigert and Michael Huff, do you believe they are being unfairly criticized?

Routt: Absolutely! It's very unfair. They try to scrutinize a tackle they may miss here and there, but they don't say anything about the many plays they do make. But that's how the media is -- always trying to find a story. That's why I don't ever look at a newspaper unless it's in the offseason.

Carroll: Growing up, were there any particular NFL players you looked up to? Are there any players currently in the NFL you particularly look up to now or have a special bond with?

Routt: Growing up I always looked up to Deion Sanders. I can't think of any corner in today's game that didn't. Now, I currently try to really study who I believe to be the top corners in today's game -- Asante Samuel, Champ Bailey, Charles Woodson -- to see what makes them good and see what I can take from them. As far as special bonds go, I have that with everyone in our secondary.

Carroll: Despite working under three different head coaches, coordinator Rob Ryan has been your defensive coach since your rookie season. How has your relationship with him grown over the past three seasons? Can you envision Ryan one day becoming an NFL head coach?

Routt: My relationship with Rob Ryan is great as far as I can tell. He understands me as a player and I understand him as a coach. You just always want to play your heart out for him. I think with his passion and intensity for the game of football, he would make a great head coach someday. He's got the pedigree in him.

Carroll: You ran the fastest 40-yard dash at the 2005 NFL combine, so you know speed. For a linebacker, how quick and athletic is Thomas Howard really?

Routt: In one word: Very! He makes so many plays from the backside with just sheer speed, it's ridiculous. And when he drops into pass coverage, he also has a pretty mean vertical. Hence he has four INTs through just seven games. And he's still only a second-year player!

Carroll: On your website, SRoutt26.com, you feature musical artists such as Cassidy, Nas, Kanye West, Nelly and Jay-Z. Are these the artists who prepare you mentally for the games on Sundays? Do you have any other special pre-game rituals?

Routt: Yes. I definitely love all those guys. You can throw T.I. and Young Jeezy in there as well. As far as pre-game rituals go, I always pray in the end zone and send a kiss to heaven for my grandmother.

Carroll: While I'm on the topic, are you excited for Jay-Z's release of his next album, "American Gangster," on Nov. 6?

Routt: Definitely. Will be there bright and early to pick it up. Very, very big fan.

Carroll: Tell us a little more about the Routt 2 Success™ Foundation and how people can contribute to this great cause.

Routt: Well, growing up as a kid I feel what helped me most from staying out of trouble was that I was always involved in sports and I was too busy to get caught up in all the negative things kids get into after school (drugs, alcohol, gangs, etcetera). And my program has a mission to provide kids with positive activities to do after school to keep them away from the pitfalls of being a teen in our society. It is especially geared toward kids with single parents. They have it the toughest. I just adore kids and I want to see them succeed in life and not sell themselves short in any way. Whether we want to accept it or not, they are our future.

(For more information on the Routt 2 Success™ Foundation, a non-profit organization, contact r2sfoundation@sroutt26.com.)

Carroll: Time to put you on the spot: How many interceptions will you finish the year with?

Routt: At least three. I'll say that much ...

Please take a moment to visit Stanford Routt's official site, SRoutt26.com -- featuring post-game audio blogs by Routt himself, mobile updates, media galleries and much more.

Anthony Carroll, a senior writer for RealFootball365.com, can be contacted at acarroll@realfootball365.com
 
Michael Bush (PUP, leg) began practicing with the Raiders Wednesday. The rookie from Louisville worked with the Raiders' scout team. If he's activated within the next three weeks, Bush could see a few touches, but is only worth keeping on dynasty league rosters. He's still not 100 percent.
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I call BS on that. Everything i've seen would suggest he is 100 percent and has been for some weeks now. What he should of said that he is rusty from not playing for 18 months maybe.
 
Routt: Growing up I always looked up to Deion Sanders. I can't think of any corner in today's game that didn't. Now, I currently try to really study who I believe to be the top corners in today's game -- Asante Samuel, Champ Bailey, Charles Woodson -- to see what makes them good and see what I can take from them. As far as special bonds go, I have that with everyone in our secondary.
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I like this answer and hope he's serious about studying a lil' something in everyone's game on film. Dude is athletic enough to be a big play corner. Its just up to him to get his awareness and knowledge to catch up to his physical attributes.
 
Raidermania12 said:
I like this answer and hope he's serious about studying a lil' something in everyone's game on film. Dude is athletic enough to be a big play corner. Its just up to him to get his awareness and knowledge to catch up to his physical attributes.
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What no mention for his effin team mate...How about some love for Aso.
 
Aso i'm sure passed down solid tackling technique he learned from C-Wood. But Aso will tell you himself that most of the things he does well he learned from Chuck, so maybe Routt is reading woodson because Aso recommended that he should.
 
Well, sice Curry is gonna be gimpin and only Higgins, Porter and Dwight on the roster, Madsen as a make due WR.....I SAY GIMME MY DRISAN JAMES DAMMIT!!!!!!!!!!!
 
The return of ALVIS WHITTED is coming....
 
RaiderIVlife said:
I say give me 40 carries with Fargas, Rhodes & Jordan.....
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Considering Curry may be out which leaves us Porter and ?? as WR options, I'm thinking we should be running a wishbone... McCown did run the triple option at SMU afterall... :eek:
 
Why we're having an "open competition at QB" between 2 players that have absolutely NO ABILITY to help us win at that position is beyond me... So exactly how is this helping Russell? What is the purpose of this season now if we're not willing to give Russell a single, stupid, meaningless 1st team snap?????????? This is our brilliant strategy of developing Russell???

At least it's a good thing we don't employ the open competition at RB. That could actually force Kiffin to start somebody other than the most injured, most overweight, most unproductive RB on our roster.................. and actually win a game.

From the way I see it, we're still not committed to using all our resources in this wasted season to develop Russell... and we're certainly not committed to winning next week if our focus is on QB instead of RB...............................


::cough:: ::cough::
ONE AND DONE
::cough:: ::cough::
 
Has Bush been activated to play on Sunday? Either way, I'd be real curious to see what Fargas could do with 25-30 touches....
 
BigTron said:
Break in two. He isnt durable enough IMO.
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I disagree. The fargas of 3 years ago isnt durable. This fargas runs harder and stronger than that one. I remember him saying that he put more effort into keeping his body in solid shape every offseason to keep from being so injury prone. Started that regiment same year he switched to 25.

Doesnt mean he wont get injured, but i think he's proven that he's a much "stronger" runner rather than the finesse speed only guy he used to be(especially in the miami game where he broke tackles and took some big hits from from their safeties including Darius).
 
THANK YOU ROCK & ROLL JESUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Ronald Curry (foot) was limited at Raiders practice Thursday, but the Associated Press reports he is expected to play against Houston.

This is the second straight day he's been limited, but Curry is confident he'll go. The former North Carolina point guard/quarterback was at his best with Josh McCown behind center early in the season, so Curry owners should be encouraged by McCown's elevation to the starting job again.
 
BigTron said:
Break in two. He isnt durable enough IMO.
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I agree with this. I don't belief Fargas would survive without and injury if he went 2 games with 20+ carries. It just won't happen. It has never happened and never will. He is solid in spurts, bur we really shouldn't try to make him something he is not. As with Culpepper, there is a reason that Kiff is unwilling to give Fargas the full time role.
 
RaiderDestiny said:
I agree with this. I don't belief Fargas would survive without and injury if he went 2 games with 20+ carries. .
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Why exactly. He's built more durable than before, and imo bust his ass for 178 carries last year as a starter in an offense where he was running into brick walls all day.

last season23 then 18 carries the following game, 19 then 17 the following game. Not that far off from 20-20. And again i remind you he took a much harsher beating than he'll EVER take in this scheme.
 
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