Archive for August, 2010

Darren McFadden will most likely never be a true NFL running back. He’s not the guy you’re going to see carrying the rock 25 times a game. He’s not the type of player capable of playing every down in the backfield. After two years of pro ball, Run-DMC has just one 100-yard game to his name and has found his name on the injured list more often than he’s found the end zone. Not unlike JaMarcus Russell one year ago, McFadden’s third year will be his make or break moment. Just like Russell, McFadden was handed the starting job in [...]

With the countdown to the final cut down looming, the Raiders parted ways with four players yesterday. Veteran tight end Tony Stewart, who lost his place on the depth chart to second year TE Brandon Myers, was the biggest name amongst the cuts made. In addition to Stewart, fullback Chane Moline, guard Allen Smith and wide receiver Paul Hubbard were also given their walking papers. With the roster now standing at 75, another 22 cuts are due this Saturday ahead of the regular season opener.

Getting through camp healthy is always the priority. With just one preseason game left until the curtain goes up on the 2010 season, the Oakland Raiders are trying desperately to keep priority number one in focus. From the surgically repaired limbs of Michael Bush, Chaz Schilens and Jay Richardson to the neck and wrist injuries Jason Campbell sustained in the loss to the 9ers, there is reason for concern.

The cone of silence has been lifted. Yesterday, for the first time since becoming offensive coordinator for the Raiders, Hue Jackson addressed the media. You can read the full transcript here. Media blackouts for Raider coordinators are nothing new under the sun. One year ago, John Marshall underwent a similar vow of silence when he inherited the defensive coordinator position. Jackson’s fiery approach in practice has been well documented. But just what does he think about his new offense and how it’s progressing thus far?

For the time being, the job of starting center is Jared Veldheer’s. While Samson Satele recovers from an ankle injury, the rookie from the tiny college of Hillsdale will get the nod to run with the first team. Tom Cable needed a new center, so he went to Jared. Perhaps just a temporary move, the decision speaks volumes to the confidence the team has in the converted left tackle. So much so that Veldheer has leapfrogged veteran center Chris Morris for the job.

One thing Tom Cable is not short on is confidence. Sure, he might have a career winning percentage only Rod Marinelli would envy but there is little doubt that Cable’s confidence is fueling a quiet resurgence in the Raider organization. Something else you won’t find in Cable’s personality profile is shyness. Just to drive the point home, the third year head coach has his team wearing shirts with bold proclamations plastered across the front. Shirts reading “We Are Going to Win the AFC West” are being worn by the Raiders in camp this week. The shirts also state that the [...]

With regards to Chaz Schilens there is one word looming large over his career. The dirty if word. If healthy, Schilens is the best wide receiver on the roster. The problem is that if is now becoming if-ever. With news of Schilens undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his left knee comes the reality of the Raiders once again staring the regular season without their top target out wide who will now be sidelined indefinitely. For Schilens this is becoming an all too familiar refrain. Injury without contact, more time spent rehabilitating. Most troubling of all is that the most recent knee [...]

For Tom Cable, the honeymoon is over. In fact, it’s been over since the opening night loss to the Chargers in 2009. Cable is, by far, the most liked and appreciated coach to stroll the Oakland sideline since Chucky was scowling at Rich Gannon over 7 years ago. Players and fans alike have grown fond of Cable’s integrity and honest approach to rebuilding the Raiders. All that is nice but only results will keep Cable employed beyond 2010. After surviving an offseason that had Cable rumored to be fired at any moment, now is the time to give Al Davis [...]

Yesterday, fourth year defensive end Jay Richardson underwent knee surgery and is expected to be out until the beginning of the regular season. After staring 22 games in his first two seasons, Richardson saw his role reduced to situational play in 2009 but was expected to compete for a starting job in 2010. Once Lamarr Houston went out and notched two sacks in his preseason debut, it appeared that the rookie had the inside track on the job. Now that Richardson is out for the next month, it looks like all systems are a go for Houston to take the lead. [...]

I have but two words for opposition offenses that seek to throw at the Oakland Raiders this season – good luck! With all the buzz surrounding the resurgence of the Raiders perhaps the biggest news has been the expanded role Nnamdi Asomugha will take on in 2010. The bar none best cover corner in the game will no longer be relegated to exclusively covering the right side of the field.