The Raiders are after DeAngelo Hall

He’s done a great job. He came back to camp in shape and nothing near the reported 300-pound range. He’s well away from that. But what he’s done is he’s shown a dedication to the team. He’s in meetings for an hour and 45 minutes three days a week in the classroom with myself and the quarterbacks coach, John DeFilippo. And then he goes and works with his teammates on conditioning and strength. And then after that he spends an hour a day doing footwork drills with our quarterbacks coach on the field and throwing to our receivers and tight ends and running backs. So he’s really taken the bull by the horns.

Raiders Blog and Q&A: Chatting with Knapp -- Sacramento Bee (A link to this blog is also posted in the Blog forum)

Russell is not messin around dude is putting in work hopefully it pays off :shake:
 
Raiders HC commenting on the offseason of JaMarcus Russell:

He’s having a phenominal offseason. He came back 10, 11 days before we even started,” Kiffin said. “So he was with our coaches and with our strength staff before everybody else got back here five weeks ago and he hasn’t missed a thing since. Most of the guys are really here three, four hours a day. He’s here about five-and-a-half, six hours a day.
“He’s here first thing in the morning, he has position meetings in the morning, he goes in and lifts and he goes in and runs. He comes in and changes and goes back out and throws with the guys. By far he’s in the best shape since I’ve seen him, even if you go back to his pro day at college. So I know he’s real excited about the upcoming season as well.”

:smiley_acbe::smiley_acbe::smiley_acbe:

Mully :cheers:
 
A story that could only come from Da Raiders:

Howie and Al

By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Saturday, April 26th, 2008 at 6:35 am in Oakland Raiders.

There have been a few offhand references to “bad blood” between Hall of Fame defensive end Howie Long and Raiders owner Al Davis in recent draft stories which in theory would prevent Chris Long from wearing the same uniform as his father should he be available this afternoon with the No. 4 overall pick.
Six hours from now, it will probably be a moot point, with Chris Long likely to be snapped up before the Raiders are on the clock.
But let’s say Long somehow slips to No. 4, with the St. Louis Rams taking Glenn Dorsey and the Atlanta Falcons going for quarterback Matt Ryan.
If the Raiders didn’t opt for Long, it won’t be because of a rift between Howie and Al.
It is pretty clear Howie Long does not have the same reverance for Davis as many former Raiders players. For what it’s worth, here’s one version of how their relationship became strained.
Long made his eighth Pro Bowl in 1993 at age 33. That same year, third-year defensive end Anthony Smith, a first-round pick from Arizona in 1991, had his third consecutive season with 10 or more sacks. With 36 sacks over three years, Smith _ who was either a free spirit or a bit of a nut case, depending on your perspective _ was awarded a new contract which paid him more than Long.
Long, the story goes, wanted one more dollar than Smith. Long found out what so many have before or since _ Davis does not respond to ultimatums. Ever. So Long, nearing the end of his career anyway, retired and made a fortune in television and movies and never looked back. When Long made the Hall of Fame, he thanked Davis early in his speech, but chose defensive line coach Earl Leggett to give his presentation speech.
Smith played four more seasons with the Raiders and had 21.5 sacks. Twice he disappeared from the team for unexplained reasons and once was suspended for conduct detrimental to the team. He was out of the league after 1997 at age 30.
Long has been a booster of Marcus Allen, who feuded with Davis after a contract issue. He also attempted to talk Chester McGlockton through his contract squabble with the owner.
While playing it cool where Davis is concerned, Long has never paid him any public disrespect. It’s also worth noting that Chris Long visited the Raiders, attending a San Francisco Giants game with defensive coordintor Rob Ryan, line coach Keith Millard and linebacker Kirk Morrison, and allowed himself to be interviewed on television about the visit.
Surely if the Longs wanted to send any sort of “keep away” message to the Raiders regarding the draft, they could have declined the visit.
Chris Long said at the combine one of the best things about his father was that he has stepped aside and allowed his kids to make their own way. I’m assuming that would include allowing the son to make his own decision about where to play his professional career.
Howie Long ended up making considerably more money out of football than he ever did playing it. He might even take some delight in seeing his son cash in a multi-million dollar bonus check with Al’s signature on it.
The bottom line is if Chris Long is on the board at No. 4, and Davis thinks he is the best player for the Raiders, any 15-year-old issues with Howie Long aren’t going to affect the selection.

Mully :cheers:
 

Rich Kane/US Presswire
Darren McFadden (right) took his first NFL handoff Saturday, courtesy of commissioner Roger Goodell.
 
Little info on a GREAT pick by Da Raiders @ the top of the 4th round:

Tyvon Branch, Connecticut, 6-0, 204
• Scouting report: His biggest assets are speed and versatility. A 4:31 40 makes him the fastest corner in the draft. A great kick returner — he ran back two kickoffs for TDs — and can also play safety.
• Insider’s take: “Branch is quick enough to mirror receivers underneath, fast enough to run with receivers downfield and versatile enough to line up at safety in certain situations.” —Todd McShay, Scouts Inc./ESPN
• Projected round: First

Mully :cheers:
 
Raiders get some WR depth (from Richmond) later in the 4th...kid had 12/107 in opening game of '07 vs. Vandy then tore an ACL:

BIOGRAPHY: Four-year starter who was sidelined last season with a knee injury. Posted 14 receptions as a senior after 54/643/5 the previous year.
POSITIVES: Reliable receiver who's best suited for a timing offense. Plays with excellent body control, possesses soft hands, and fights hard to make the reception. Comes away with the difficult catch in a crowd, gives effort blocking, and gets vertical to out-jump opponents for the ball.
NEGATIVES: More of a possession wide out and does not play to his timed speed. Loping runner who does not show sharpness running routes. Marginally effective running after the reception.
ANALYSIS: Shields had been a productive and consistent receiver prior to his injury last season. He could find a home as a fourth wideout at the next level if he returns to full strength.
PROJECTION: Early Fourth Round


Raiders picked him based on SOLID NFL Combine numbers:

Arman Shields
6-1 195
40 Time: 4.44 - 9th out of 48
Bench: 19 reps - 7th out of 24
Vertical: 37.5″ - 2nd out of 26
Short Shuttle: 3.96 - 1st out of 10
Long Shuttle: 10.87 - 1st out of 10
Broad Jump: 10′08″ - 2nd out of 11
3-Cone Drill: 6.67 - 2nd out of 8

Mully :cheers:
 
YOU WOULD throwback

:tiphat:

I come back from AC and youve already got a mcfadden picture

It must have been a big thing if he replaced KOBE.



You motherfuckers were the last bullet we had to dodge from getting mcfadden.

Fuck Big Al.

:whip:
 
Raiders part with Rhodes after only one season in Oakland

Associated Press


ALAMEDA, Calif. -- The Oakland Raiders released running back Dominic Rhodes on Monday, two days after using their top draft pick to take big-play back Darren McFadden.
Oakland had a glut at running back after the draft and began addressing it almost immediately by announcing the team cut ties with Rhodes. The Raiders still have two backs with 1,000-yard seasons on their roster in Justin Fargas and LaMont Jordan, as well as last year's fourth-round pick Michael Bush.

Rhodes signed a two-year contract with the Raiders last offseason after helping Indianapolis win the Super Bowl. He restructured his contract earlier this offseason and was expected to share the rushing load with Fargas before McFadden was drafted.
Rhodes was suspended for the first four games last season for violating the league's substance abuse policy. He played sparingly until Fargas went down with a knee injury late in the year. Rhodes ran for 237 yards the last two games of the season. He finished with 302 yards rushing in 10 games last season.

His best year came as a rookie with the Colts, when he ran for 1,104 yards in 2001. Rhodes shared the rushing load with rookie Joseph Addai in 2006, and ran for 113 yards and a touchdown that helped the Colts beat the Bears 29-17 in the Super Bowl.

Fargas and McFadden are expected to be the main backs in Oakland next season, with Jordan likely to be the next running back cut loose.
Fargas ran for 1,009 yards in 2007 despite starting only seven games. He signed a $12 million, three-year contract that guarantees him $6 million.
McFadden, the fourth pick in the draft Saturday, was the top-rated running back after rushing for 4,590 yards and 41 touchdowns in three seasons at Arkansas.

Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press
 
Slowmont Jordan is the next cut after june 1st for cap reasons.
Rhodes looked good in the last game vs SD a great run defense.
 
sig-draftclass.png
 
New MLB in Oaktown?

Nice pickup by Da Raiders:

Oakland brings in Hartwell


David White, Chronicle Staff Writer

Four seasons ago, Edgerton Hartwell was considered one of the NFL's premier young inside linebackers with the Ravens.
Three lost seasons later, he hopes to rejuvenate his career with the Raiders.
Hartwell agreed to a free-agent deal with Oakland, two NFL sources confirmed Friday, giving the team a veteran presence at middle linebacker and the player a chance to get back into the league.
He signed with the Bengals last season, got cut after training camp and wasn't signed by anyone else. His previous two seasons in Atlanta were cut short by an injured Achilles' heel and arthroscopic surgery on both knees.
The Raiders, ever willing to salvage fallen talents, hope Hartwell, who turns 30 this month, can return to the form that made him one of the league's better run stoppers from 2002-04.
A fourth-round draft pick in 2001,he was credited with 191 tackles during his second season while filling in for Ray Lewis. He averaged 157.3 tackles from 2002-04 before landing a six year, $26.5 million free-agent deal from the Falcons.

IMO, it would mean a HUGE improvement in our Run D if Hartwell is healthy and able to start at MLB on 1st & 2nd downs. He was a TACKLING MACHINE before injuries...averaging 157 tackles @ Baltimore from '02 - '04...:tiphat:
Morrison is a little small @ MLB (often getting "engulfed" by blockers) but great @ SLB...while THoward is a STUD WLB. I also believe Sapp was TERRIBLE at tying up blockers so his LBs could make tackles (more concerned with penetration and his own stats...while the opposing RB was rushing past his old ass) and will be an "addition by subtraction" for our Rush D.

The Raider D is taking shape my brothers...:smiley_acbe:

Mully :cheers:
 
<TABLE class=tborder cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=6 width="100%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=tcat colSpan=2>Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 2 (2 members and 0 guests) </TD></TR><TR><TD class=alt1 colSpan=2>Throwback420, CapNumberTwo </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>


:tiphat:































 
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/sfgate/detail?blogid=11&entry_id=26362


All eyes on the other "rookie" running back

Darren McFadden makes his Raiders practice debut Friday, along with the Raiders' drafted and undrafted newcomers alike for the three-day rookie minicamp in Alameda.
As natural as it is to gawk at McFadden's every move, the most intriguing player to watch will be the one who isn't exactly a rookie at all.
Running back Michael Bush gets to practice with the new crew because he didn't play at all last season. The Raiders drafted him in the fourth round last year but never let him prove his broken leg was recovered enough to get off the disabled list.
This weekend isn't about proving his leg is fine. By all accounts, he was just fine last season. He just got lost in a numbers game.
This isn't even about proving he's an NFL starter. That job goes to 1,000-yard rusher Justin Fargas for now with McFadden on deck.
More realistically, Bush's future lies in showing the coaching staff he's the perfect backfield mate for McFadden, who isn't an everydown back, for years to come.
The notion of McFadden and Bush as a one-two punch could have Raiders coach Lane Kiffin dreaming of his USC days with LenDale White and Reggie Bush. If nothing else, Kiffin is curious to see.
"He just needs an opportunity,"Kiffin said before the draft. "He can't do anymore than he's doing right now to prepare for that opportunity and see how far he can run with it."
 
I know the Raiders wanted McFadden and so getting him was a big thing, but I think Dorsey would've been the smarter way to go...

there's no doubt McFadden has the talent and is projected to be the next big thing or whatever in the NFL (still yet to be seen though), but for the Raiders, who already gave Justin Fargas his new contract and who have always had difficulty stopping the rushing attack of LT, LJ, and the Denver backfield, Dorsey would have been more of a difference maker in my opinion. The Chargers, Broncos, and Chiefs all have solid run defenses so whatever problems Fargas has had against them, don't expect McFadden to be the big answer. He'll more than likely stuggle against those teams when keyed on as well. Dorsey, however, could've made a bigger difference in those games. Those 5 or 6 huge runs LT and LJ get every game against the Raiders could be cut down to 3 or 4.. or maybe less... specially when they run to Dorseys' side. Cutting down those huge plays and cutting down the 6 or 7 yard runs to 3 or 4 yards makes a big difference because it's slows the game down and keeps the points closer.. if you know what I mean... plus Dorsey could have provided more pressure on the quarterbacks... causing more sacks and incompletes..

So now they will have McFadden and a solid defensive backfield, but I still don't know who is supposed to step up in the front four to stop LT and the other big boys.
 
^^^ you're wrong dude McFadden was the pick all along

the Raiders had no plans at all of taking Dorsey, they have already invested in Tommy Kelley and Sands.
 
yea, I know McFadden was the pick all along, and I know the Raiders had no intentions or plans of getting him... all I'm saying is Dorsey makes more sense for their needs (even if it's just to add depth)... I'm not saying Dorsey is more valuable than McFadden, I'm saying Dorsey is more valuable to the Raiders than McFadden... not too many people expected Dorsey to fall down past the 4th spot... once it happened, they should have considered changing their plans.

my main point is getting help in the D-Line should have been more of a priority for them than getting a rb... specially when you consider the teams they play... Kelley and Sands are returning players that have been with the Raiders for awhile now.... it's hard for them to be considered as a solution when they have been part of the problem.
 
Blitz, I want to spank every girl in your avatar.

Back to the subject at hand, da Raiders are sporting the SEC at the head of their offense, JR at QB and McFadden at RB. I root for my SEC boys and hope they represent us well at the next level.

GL Raider nation!
 
<TABLE class=show_design_border borderColor=#ffffff width=300 align=right><TBODY><TR><TD>
050908draft-picks300.jpg
</TD></TR><TR><TD>The Raiders 2008 Draft Class: WRs Arman Shields (84) and Chaz Schilens (82), RB Darren McFadden (20), S Tyvon Branch (33) and DE Trevor Scott.</TD></TR><TR><TD>
Tony Gonzales
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
 
Veteran DE Spires signs one-year deal with Raiders

Associated Press


SPI609432.jpg
<A href="http://www.nfl.com/players/gregspires/profile?id=SPI609432" _extended="true">Greg Spires</A _extended="true">, DE

<A href="http://www.nfl.com/teams/profile?team=OAK" _extended="true">Oakland Raiders</A _extended="true">
2007 Statistics
G/GS: 10/8
Tackles: 26
Sacks: 2

ALAMEDA, Calif. -- The Oakland Raiders made another move to try to upgrade their defense Tuesday, signing free agent defensive end Greg Spires to a one-year contract to compete for a job as pass rusher on the right side.

The Raiders have been looking for someone to complement left end Derrick Burgess since losing Chris Clemons as a free agent to Philadelphia. Oakland signed Kalimba Edwards from Detroit earlier this offseason, drafted Trevor Scott in the sixth round out of Buffalo and has Jay Richardson back for his second year.
Spires, who was released by Tampa Bay in a salary cap move in February, joined the Raiders on Tuesday and participated in the team's offseason practice.

He has 39.5 sacks in his 10-year career, playing the past six seasons with the Buccaneers. He played only 10 games last year because of a calf injury. His best season came in 2004, when he had eight sacks.
Spires played in Tampa for defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin, the father of Raiders coach Lane Kiffin.
<TABLE width=260 align=right _extended="true"><TBODY _extended="true"><TR _extended="true"><TD _extended="true"> Oakland Raiders


</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>The Raiders had the 25th rated defense in the NFL last season on the way to a 4-12 record. But they have made moves this offseason to improve that side of the ball, trading for shutdown cornerback DeAngelo Hall from Atlanta, signing safety Gibril Wilson and re-signing defensive lineman Tommy Kelly to a contract that could be worth more than $50 million.

In other moves announced Tuesday, the Raiders released veteran cornerback Duane Starks and waived undrafted free agent fullback Matt Hahn, who participated in the team's rookie minicamp last weekend.

Receiver Marcel Reece, who impressed the coaching staff as a tryout player at the camp, signed a contract Tuesday. He caught 48 passes for 980 yards and nine touchdowns in college at Washington.

Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press
 
they have definitely brought in alot of talent at different positions (with a hefty price, of course)... but I still think they have problems at the key positions (O-line and D-Line) which they are still trying to figure out...

this team is looking better and alot has been done to improve things... I'm just not sure how much difference the end result will be.... if it's another bad season after all this, then what??

hope it all works out for you guys though... gl to the Raider Nation.
 
throwback you really like you're chances this year at making the playoffs or is this just a yearly pro-oakland thread of yours?
 
throwback you really like you're chances this year at making the playoffs or is this just a yearly pro-oakland thread of yours?

Its all on is Russell can handle the load but with the raiders re vamped running game it should help alot for JaMarcus. Schedule is pretty easy there is even a spot were raiders dont leave Cali for over a month. raiders are better than Chiefs and Broncos they gotta see how they match up witht he Chargers. Raiders could have a chance but I would be happy with 8-8

McFadden
Fargas
Bush

2 stud fb's

Griffith does it all and catches the ball been in this system for years

then O'neal was a rookie last year and is a pounder for a fb

the running game is locked down


also dont froget Raiders got the best TE in the draft last year Zack Miller this dude broke Tim Brown's rookie record for catches thats pretty damn good. This kid is solid.


raiders got a nice core right there

still alot of ?'s with WR and OL but we will see.
 
<IFRAME id=adIframe style="DISPLAY: none; MARGIN: 0px auto; WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 600px" marginWidth=0 marginHeight=0 frameBorder=0 scrolling=no _extended="true"></IFRAME>
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Loading... [/FONT]
 
hmmmm he does look to be in better shape. Hope he can read defenses which was his real problem in college.

I dont have a good feeling about the kid BUT i also thought ryan leaf would be a better qb than peyton manning .... so its not like i couldnt be way off here.

What we need is some play from the offensive line .... with no time to throw it could make him look bad and play bad and then he could lose confidence. mcfadden and run game might give us some nice play action shots though.

Definitely on the upswing .........as always , you cant keep al davis down for long.
 
I don't doubt Gibril is a great outstanding player.. but I'm kinda glad we let him go and went the cheaper, better route with Kenny Phillips... I think that guy is a ball hawk that can roam the field and close the gaps quick... I like him better than Gibril... or at least what he's shown so far, but still has to show things once the season begins.. but I think he'll be better in the long run..

but for what you guys had, it's gotta be an upgrade... a win-win situation for both of us...

I know throw doesn't care for Hall, but I personally think that pickup is bigger for you guys... it's one thing to have a good shutdown corner that can cover the big name receivers... you guys now have two great corners... that's pretty huge....

still gotta worry about stopping the run game though.
 
Throw, what you think of some of these ...

arizona o8 -110
balt o6 +100
chicago u8 -110
cincy o7.5 +105
dallas u10.5 +135
green bay o8 +100
houston o7.5 -110
jack u10 -110
miami o5.5 -110
ne u12.5 +110
phila u8.5 +135
pitt u9 +120
oakland o6.5 +120
sd u10.5 +140
seattle u8.5 +125
sf u6.5 +120
 
Throw, what you think of some of these ...

arizona o8 -110
balt o6 +100
chicago u8 -110
cincy o7.5 +105
dallas u10.5 +135
green bay o8 +100
houston o7.5 -110
jack u10 -110
miami o5.5 -110
ne u12.5 +110
phila u8.5 +135
pitt u9 +120
oakland o6.5 +120
sd u10.5 +140
seattle u8.5 +125
sf u6.5 +120

:popcorn:
 
I don't doubt Gibril is a great outstanding player.. but I'm kinda glad we let him go and went the cheaper, better route with Kenny Phillips... I think that guy is a ball hawk that can roam the field and close the gaps quick... I like him better than Gibril... or at least what he's shown so far, but still has to show things once the season begins.. but I think he'll be better in the long run..

but for what you guys had, it's gotta be an upgrade... a win-win situation for both of us...

I know throw doesn't care for Hall, but I personally think that pickup is bigger for you guys... it's one thing to have a good shutdown corner that can cover the big name receivers... you guys now have two great corners... that's pretty huge....

still gotta worry about stopping the run game though.

Our biggest weakness in '08 was the Run D (we gave up the most 20+ yard runs in the NFL)...Sapp retiring will help (MFer refused to play the run) but Gibril is the BEST tackling safety in the NFL (his stats prove this out) = HUGE UPGRADE.
Plus, with the $1M bodies / $.10 brains we tend to sign Gibril's leadership is much needed.

We also run a D that puts mucho pressure on the safeties...so we need STUDS back there...he allows the "underachieving" Huff to move to his more natural FS (ballhawking) position.

I'd be careful annointing Phillips a top-flite safety just yet...there's a reason he lasted until your pick...just like in college (where he underachieved in '07) he has all the physical tools but is he willing to sacrifice to be one of the best?

I do have to admit it was AWESOME seeing the GMen stomp the Beantowners asses in Da Bowl...:shake:

Mully :cheers:

And I agree...our starting CB tandem is UNRIVALED in the NFL...10-6 and rising in '08, baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
If you fail to win 7 games next year i think this thread will have HOF potential ...
 
Raiders Sign Darren McFadden
June 5, 2008











<TABLE class=show_design_border width=300 align=right><TBODY><TR><TD>
060508mcfadden1.jpg
</TD></TR><TR><TD>RB Darren McFadden signs his contract in the Hall of Fame room at the Raiders Alameda, Calif., facility.</TD></TR><TR><TD>
Raiders.com
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>The Oakland Raiders have signed 2008 first round selection Darren McFadden.
Log on to www.raiders.com for complete press conference coverage Friday, June 6, starting at 11:00 a.m. PT.
 
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/football/nfl/06/06/raiders.mcfadden/



NEW YORK -- The Raiders don't have to worry about their top draft choice being absent from training camp this year.
Late Thursday night, the team reached an agreement in principle with former Arkansas running back Darren McFadden, the No. 4 overall pick in April's draft.
According to a source familiar with the negotiations, McFadden will sign a six-year pact for approximately $60 million. He is slated to receive more than $26 million in guaranteed money -- a 40-percent hike compared to what Gaines Adams, the No. 4 pick in the 2007 draft, will get in guaranteed pay.
McFadden's agent, Ian Greengross, opened face-to-face negotiations with club officials on Wednesday in Alameda, Calif. and continued discussions late into the night on Thursday.
Getting a deal completed was a priority for the Raiders, who did not come to terms with 2007 top pick JaMarcus Russell until the first week of the regular season.
 
McFadden can thank Matt Ryans Agent

Raiders wanted to give McFadden around 50-55 mill and 20-22 guaranteed but after that crazy Matt Ryan contract he came up
 
I'd be careful annointing Phillips a top-flite safety just yet...there's a reason he lasted until your pick...just like in college (where he underachieved in '07) he has all the physical tools but is he willing to sacrifice to be one of the best?


I'm not calling him top-flite just yet... I did make it clear that what he's shown so far looks promising...

I think one of the reasons he lasted down to our pick was because there was not a need for safeties in other teams like there was in ours... I mean, let's face it, if the Giants would've had the 17th or 18th overall pick, we probably would have picked him anyway...

you cannot knock on a guy that was picked as the best at his position.. he may have been picked last in the first round, but he was still considered the best safety on the board...

I think the Giants system will make him good... if he were on a weak team, then I could say there could be problems for him, but he should fit nicely with the pressure our front four causes on other quarterbacks... that's also a reason I think you should not see Gibril as a high and mighty savior for your team just yet either... without a great pass rush defense up front, it'll be interesting to see how all these stud secondary players do for you guys...

Don't get me wrong, I think Gibril is a great player as I said before, and I think he is pro bowl candidate potential... but you gotta remember he is coming from a team that lead the league in sacks... that helps. And I think that kind of pass rush production is what Kenny needs to bring the best out of him as well..

like I said.. should be a win-win situation for both of us... we'll see.


phillips1.gif
 
Back
Top