Three days into training camp, nearly $50,000 in fines, still there is no sign of Derrick Burgess.
In a contract year and after having already been paid a roster bonus in the neighborhood of $1.5 million, Burgess is attempting to force the hand of Al Davis.
Big mistake!
Maybe he’s unhappy with how the Raiders went about attempting to trade him this off-season. Perhaps Burgess was put off by Tom Cable’s four consecutive two-a-days to open camp. It could be that the years of losing in Oakland have taken their toll on Derrick.
Whatever the case, Burgess wants out and he’s prepared to pay [...]

Some of the best reading you’ll find on the net. Enjoy!
Big payday shouldn’t alter how Asomugha does his job – A great piece by Ray Ratto over at the SF Chronicle. Nnamdi’s got the check to match his game. Now he just needs the wins to get his fame.
Is the Red Sox World Series title in 2004 tainted? – Outside the Boxscore’s Ben Chew explores the latest entry in the sham that is Major League Baseball. Nice work Bud Selig, you’re the George W. Bush of pro sports.
With beer summit behind him, Obama to host Bear summit – Bear Goggles [...]

In order to make room on the roster for newly signed Darrius Heyward-Bey, the Oakland Raiders parted ways with backup quarterback Andrew Walter.
Walter will forever be associated with the horrible Raider offense of 2006, quite possibly the worst offense in the history of football on any level. In one of the most amazingly dumbfounding feats in the annals of professional sports, the Raiders managed to score only 168 points (10.5 per game) despite having one of the most dangerous weapons to ever play football, Randy Moss.
The former record setting thrower from Arizona State never stood a chance at succeeding as [...]

This is not an “I-told-ya-so” post. But it is a strong endorsement of the Raiders selecting Darrius Heyward-Bey over Michael Crabtree. Be warned, it is Raider propaganda and not suggested for those who have been brainwashed by Disney.
Just because Heyward-Bey is reported to be under contract and ready to participate in camp, while Crabtree continues his Quixotic quest to destroy the slotting system by netting a top five contract, does not mean the Raiders are validated.
However, it does speak to the nature in which Tom Cable has gone about rectifying a once toxic environment in the East Bay.
While most analysts took [...]

With only a fraction of the players selected in the first round of the ’09 NFL draft under contract, it comes as little surprise that Darrius Heyward-Bey would be a no-show for his first NFL training camp. For Derrick Burgess, a veteran with one year left on his deal, to skip out on team meetings is surprising.
Heyward-Bey and the Raiders are caught in a holding pattern. The Raiders seem content to let the rest of the top ten picks in the draft set the bar while DHB’s agent awaits the Michael Crabtree saga to unfold.
Heyward-Bey’s hamstring will be spared the exhaustion [...]

If there is a quarterback controversy in Oakland, then Jeff Garcia is unaware of it. He might think he’s still got what it takes to lead an NFL team through a 16 game season, but the reality could be a harsh awakening.
Garcia attempted to make a public plea for the starting job after his first OTA with the team. Then, Al Davis must have called Garcia into his office.
Now, the veteran quarterback is trying to say all the right things when he speaks of his young pupil, JaMarcus Russell.
 He’s my teammate, first and foremost, so I’m going to support him, and [...]

Take a quick lap around the sports world in the comfort of your own home by simply clicking on any or all of the links below!
The Redskins really don’t want Jason Campbell to be their QB - Tony Blogs dives into the rumors of Mike Vick returning to the NFL as a Redskin. Right about now, all Dan Snyder is missing is the plastic surgery to become the new Jerry Jones.
The Ron Artest Rap Tour hits China - The Tru Warrior is spreading his message of generic and bland music to the far east. That NBA Lottery Pick has the video to prove it.
Lamar Odom Free [...]

The Raiders and Michael Mitchell have agreed to terms on a four year contract, this according to David White of the SF Chronicle.
Mitchell’s selection brought draft coverage to a halt as many were sent scrambling for any information they could gather on the former Ohio Bobcat.
Since the draft, Mitchell has endeared himself to Raider fans with a humble attitude and a reel of fierce hits sure to get the attention of Roger Goodell. The rookie safety will be given every opportunity to gain a starting role as the Raiders enter camp with just three other safeties on the roster.
With the [...]

Debating the success of an NFL team’s draft before any of the members of their rookie class has taken the field is as pointless as Braille on the handlebars of a motorcycle.
Cris Carter’s maniacal laughter ushered in the Darrius Heyward-Bey era. According to the former wide receiver turned analyst, there is no need to watch DHB play, the verdict is already in.
The Heyward-Bey selection was the most talked about moment of the 2009 NFL draft. The biggest knock on the former Maryland speedster are his inconsistent hands. The assumption was that his 4.30 40-yard dash was the only reason Al [...]

From the department of old/new news comes word that the Oakland Raiders have signed third round pick Matt Shaughnessy to a four year contract.
Mike Florio reports this after-the-fact-story detailing that the deal was struck earlier in the week.
And thus no one knew that the Raiders signed third-round pick Matt Shaughnessy five days ago.  We’ve learned that the defensive end inked a four-year deal, which included a signing bonus of $852,250.
PFT might be a little late to the party on this one but getting news out of the Oakland Raider front office requires more than wireless access and an RSS feed. When [...]