05-06-10 7:10 pm pac

Photo Tony Gonzales

                                                                                               MLB Rolando McClain 

Oakland shocked the world last April with the sensibility of its 2010 1st round (8th overall) selection of middle linebacker Rolando McClain, signifying a renewed dedication to stopping the run, but in recent memory the Raiders have stumbled with their 1st round draft picks.

Can the Raiders count on McClain to lead their team back into prominence or are they faced with another potentially great football player with issues off field?

Watching game footage of him in college, the former Alabama All Americans film doesn’t reveal a rock solid tackling machine but rather a player who’s study habits and instincts make up for deficiencies in his game.

In fact, one of the key reasons for McClain’s selection by the silver and black may be hopes his impressive preparation and leadership can carry over into the locker room and beyond.

Its hoped the 6-3, 255 lb bruiser can be a coach on the field, making reads and audibles, making sure assignments are understood, responsibilities met and gaps filled. All things former Raider middle line backer Kirk Morrison struggled mightily with.

Morrison, (who joined the Jags this off season shortly after being released from Oakland) consistently led the Raiders in tackles, but as IBA writer Jerry McDonald put it, "...it doesn't help much when most of them are 5-7 yds down field".

It may be too much to ask of McClain to become an all pro run stopper right out of the gate, but guiding Oaklands run defense out of the statistical cellar is a must.

Its a lot to ask of a 20 yr old rookie, but McClain is not one to shy away from hard work.

Unlike some of his former team mates, McClain has always been mature for his age.

He’s had to be.

McClain is mending fences now, but bounced from home to home in his teen years as his Mother struggled with authorities and a diagnosis of bi-polar disorder.

Despite their tumultuous relationship McClain insists his Mother taught him core ideals and most importantly, right from wrong.

For the young McClain, family struggles extended beyond his Mother.

When he was 11, Rolando’s father was arrested for selling cocaine and given 3 yrs probation but wanted his son to learn from the error of his ways, taking him to the Huntsville airport to watch him wash dishes, teaching his son "There are better ways to make a living".

McClain took these lessons to heart and though he fled the strife of his teen aged home life at 15 with "the clothes he was wearing and a scholarship to Alabama" he maintained rare focus and phenomenal study habits through out his adversity.

Photo Tony Gonzales 

At Bama McClain quickly astonished coaches with his intelligence and drive, soon becoming their defensive leader.

Despite his acheivements, there are those who claim McClain was the beneficiary of a Crimson Tide defense studded with depth and talent and that may be true, but with new additions to the Raider line up on the defensive side of the ball, he may have the help he needs at the next level too.

In addition to McClain the Raiders have made moves this off season to shore their leaky run D including drafting 2^nd round selection Texas DT/DE Lamarr Houston, ditching under performing DT Gerard Warren and the aforementioned Morrison and adding bulk to their line backing corps with Quentin Groves and Kamerion Wimbley who share McClain's ample measurements.

Former Patriot and 5 time Pro Bowler Richard Seymour couldn’t do it alone last year but with new blood on defense and a new mix of experienced players things could be different in 2010.

Especially if McClain can live up to the hype.

No matter the pitfalls or glory that await him in his burgeoning NFL career, it’s a safe bet McClain will take them in stride, keep them in perspective and work his way through them.

Just like he’s always done.

07-14-10 8:15 pm pac                 

Photo / AP     

                                                                         #33 SS Tyvon Branch  

Q & A with Raider Safety Tyvon Branch pt 2

RNS:  Many fans feel there is a renewed attitude in Oakland. Has this team turned the corner and how will you help to make sure it does?

TB:  Yes this team is ready to go for 2010. We added some key parts to the puzzle and I will try to use my leadership to win some games.

TB:   Initially it was tough, but I think that is the way it is switching anything. I feel comfortable back there now. As a unit, we are really starting to get in tuned with each others moves.

RNS:   Safety has been a sore spot for the Raiders for many years but with your emergence and the addition of others it suddenly seems like a strength. What other areas on the team seem to have improved?

TB:   I think our D-line is going to be top notch. They are explosive and will really help all of us back there. As far as our WR's, I think Darrius is really getting his confidence back. He has always had excellent speed, and now seeing what he can do with the ball in his hands is going to be exciting. We always knew he was good, but this offseason he has worked so hard on his catching. It was never a talent thing with him, he just needed to adjust to the NFL and regain that confidence that made him a top 10 pick.

TB:   As a mentioned a bit earlier, I think you will see some new looks out of the D. It is going to be a good year.

TB:   We are all kind of fast!  Haha, but no, I wouldn’t say anything is a secret weapon per se, we have just begun to really bond as a team and It will pay off on the field.

TB:   Right now it’s all about NBA 2K10… No one on the team can stop me.  I also like keeping up with the fans on my Facebook and Twitter pages.  

You can follow me at www.facebook.com/TyvonBranch and on Twitter @TyvonBranch.

Thank you Tyvon and we'll be seeing you at camp, in the play offs and at the Pro Bowl...

07-14-10 2:04 am pac    

Photo / AP

                                                                                                        SS #33 Tyvon Branch 

Part one of a two part interview with Oakland Raider strong safety Tyvon Branch. 

Tyvon Branch Q and A

Raider Nation Station:  When you were selected 100^th overall in the 2008 NFL draft NFLN analyst Mike Mayock said you would be "the best gunner in the League day one." and you haven't disappointed. With your increased roll as a starter will you still display that amazing "football speed" on special teams?

Tyvon Branch: As my role increases on defense, I think my special teams responsibilities will continue to decline. I love playing gunner, but I understand the coaches position so I will just leave it up to them.

TB:  I think you will see a lot of different looks from the Raiders this year. I feel comfortable at either position, so wherever they need me is where I will go if it helps the team win.

TB:  I would tell them to be ready for some new things this year for sure.

07-13-10 1:57 pm pac 

                                                                             RB Michael Bush

At 6-1, 245 lbs RB Michael Bush brings a load but the big back is capable of being more than a short yardage battering ram or clock killing, drive extending defense punisher.

In the past it seems the Raiders have forgotten this.

Though used as a passer on a few gadget plays, Bush's vast talent and football skill as an offensive weapon have yet to really be tapped by Oakland and thats a sword that cuts both ways.

Most fans know Bush may have been rated a 1st round back had he not broken his leg his Senior year at Louisville, yet the reason for that was his versatility and ability to gain yards in the open field.

So far in the pros Bush has yet to shine and part of it may have to do with the Raiders wanting to mis use him as a fullback and aforementioned bruiser, partly out of neccessity.

Their fullbacks have been injured and or lacking and they didn't have a punishing RB, but to use Bush in such a way diminishes what he's capable of bringing to the table.

The other part of why Bush hasn't been utilized as more of a weapon has to do with a perceived notin he tends to put the ball on the ground and his cardio.

Ill suited to the roll of 4th quarter punisher Bush struggled to fill that roll. A player has to do what he has to do when asked by the team but with his cardio not up to par after nearly 2 yrs off the field the results were less than spectacular at times.

In a contract year, Bush realizes his areas of weakness it seems and has been putting in serious time in the dry Arizona heat.

His two a day work outs include eating right and specifically targeting cardio with exercises like climbing mountains stating:

 "If thats what it takes, I'm all in. It was a tough one, but well worth it."

Its encouraging to hear #29 is competing for the role of featured back this year and doing what needs to be done to solidify his long recovery from such a devastating break.

Even more thrilling is the thought of how new offensive coordinator Hue Jackson can finally utilize Bush vastly untapped talent.

After so many years of recovery, Bush is finally there.

After so many years of sub par play calling a fresh offensive coordinator is there.

Motivation, cardio and a promising new play caller has many thinking for 2010 Michael Bush could be the perfect storm.

07-09-10 12:12pm pac                       

                                                                         WR Chaz Schilens

Featured Writer Jimmy Hal 

In the 2008 NFL Draft Oakland drafted multiple late round talents, that have proven to be legitimate contributers to the future of the team's success.

In the seventh round Oakland may have drafted their biggest steal in WR Chaz Schilens.

I don't think any Raider fan knew who Schilens was, which is common amongst seventh round players. However I think many fans were shocked to see the type of player Schilens was.

Typically, seventh round WR's are the smaller type of recievers who have bursting speed, but will probably be a special teams player.

To much of fans surprise, Schilens turned out to a 6'4 225lb freak. Unless your New Orleans Saints WR Marques Colston, that is not common amongst seventh round WR's.

Then, fans knew he had the measurables Al Davis loved, but what about the speed? Schilens ran a 4.38 forty at 225lbs. Not you're typical speed for that kind of weight.

In 2008 Schilens made his presence known in the pre-season by making big plays, showing physicality in the run game, and smart decisions in situational game play.

During the regular season however, Schilens would not be able to shine until his last two games of the schedule. However he again made big plays scoring a touchdown in each.

In 2009 the Raiders drafted two more recievers in the first and fourth rounds, Darrius Heyward-Bey and Louis Murphy. Instantly putting Schilens starting chances in jeopardy.

Schilens would prove however to still be the Raiders best option in the 2009 pre-season by making the Cowboys starting secondary look dazed and confused.

Unfortunatley the Raider reciever would injur his foot and be sidelined for close to ten weeks.

In the regular season Louis Murphy proved to be the latest late round steal and shine on monday Night football. Have two game winning touchdowns against formidable teams and lead his WR's in receptions with 34 receptions, 531 yards and 4 TD's.

Schilens would put up, 29 receptions, 365 yards, and 2 TD's.

Not to bring a whole lot of math in this article, but thats close to 80 percent of Murphy's production, in about half the time.

But still because of his injury, Schilens is an after thought, as if he has had consistent health issues.

Now with the acquisition of QB Jason Campbell, speculation rises as to whom will be the break out wideout, Murphy being the favorite, and even Darrius Heyward-Bey making progress.

So has the Raider Nation forgotten about Chaz Schilens?

I hate to admit it, but I think so. Im not saying the we have forgotten him completely, but I do think he is an after thought as far as being a legit playmaker and hopefully a pro-bowler.

I think Schilens will break out for many reasons.

One of which being because of the coaching staff. With Hue Jackson coaching the offense, you have to assume that Jackson will bring an adequate passing game to the Oakland Raiders.

Bringing that element to the team will give Schilens the opportunity to bring respectability to the passing game, which is something he has made known he wanted to do for a long time.

Second, is due to the Jason Campbell trade. Campbell never had the kind of receiver he has now in Schilens, in Washington. But even if he did, the West Coast offense would'nt be able to utilize that type of reciever, other than in the red zone.

Though Schilens is a legit threat in the red zone, he is so much more with his kind of speed and reliable hands.

Campbell's skill set will now fit an offense that can make him look better and hopefully cleaner in the pocket.

Campbell is also a much more accurate passer when it comes to the deep ball, so no more over or under throws, and no more praying for a defensive pass interference to make up for the lost yardage.

All those factors will prove to be needed as Chaz Schilens breaks out of offensive ineptitude and becomes the number one receiver in 2010.

 06-28-10 11:59 pm pac                                                                                      

Photo / Tony Gonzales 

                                                                              Lineman Bruce Campbell

One of the leanest 6-6, 314 lb linemen you’ll ever see, 4^th round (106^th overall) Oakland Raider draft pick Bruce Campbell is an X-man styled physical specimen, but probably could’ve benefitted from another year at the University of Maryland. If he’d stayed, he might have gone higher in next years draft.

Raider fans should be glad he didn’t.

Though green and inexperienced, Campbell has the potential to become a monster offensive lineman.

It just might take some time.

Starting left tackle Mario Henderson spent his rookie season on the sideline watching as Oaklands passing offense continued to sputter. Even with a rejuvenated running game, Oaklands passing woes left them in a dismal 25^th in offense for 2007.

Fans ripped Henderson as "another wasted pick" noting the former 3^rd round pick (91^st overall) wore street clothes and "didn’t even put on pads." his rookie season.

Frustrating as it might have been for Henderson and fans, it was the best course of action to bring the former Florida Seminole along at the pace they did.

Like Campbell, Henderson got a late start in football but as a 375 lb freshman entering high school coaches and friends eventually talked Henderson into playing.

Like Henderson, Campbell was heavily recruited coming out of high school by teams like Virginia, Nebraska and Michigan State, but due to academics, Campbell went to Hargrove military academy instead. As a true freshman at Maryland in 2007, the big man was brought along slowly coaches and staff.

He eventually started 17 out of 27 games in his Maryland career, all at left tackle, but the chiseled, well honed line man suffered through a disappointing, injury plagued senior season before declaring for the NFL draft.

As a height, weight, speed specimen, Campbell had Raider written all over him.

Sports casters had Campbell going to Oakland with its 8^th overall pick but Davis and the Raiders were able to land him much later in the 4^th.

Being drafted by the Silver and Black has its advantages and in Oakland he’ll likely be given the chance, like Henderson, to learn and grow as he acclimates to the pace of the NFL.

That pace can sometimes be accelerated if injuries occur, like last year when Oakland went searching for line replacements mid season as injuries way laid suspect starters along the offensive line.

Oaklands situation doesn’t appear as dire at the moment, they’ve got more talent and depth heading into 2010, so Campbell won’t likely be forced into the line up prematurely, and that again, is a good thing.

The former Terp has admitted being "a little stressed" and "over whelmed" this off season with the leap to the NFL and it was expected that he might struggle given his limited football exposure, but he is capable of being coached and even showed progress taking and applying instruction on the fly during his amazing work out during the combine.

Though its clear the young lineman will need plenty of time and reps to become a full time starter, odds are he will see time on Oaklands offense in certain packages as soon as this year.

Wether its at left tackle or not is another matter.

Campbell struggles in run blocking so the Raiders felt a move to right guard might benefit him where he has help from center and right tackle, but have no illusions Campbell wants to play left tackle. The move to guard will likely see him in the rotation faster and utilize his freakish athleticism, but Campbell has stated he is having a hard time playing catch up at the pro level and switching positions isn’t likely to speed him along.

So far he’s been working on technique, lowering his pads and leverage. If he can be a quick study and master these techniques, the sky is really the limit.

With some diligent Coaching, patience and a lot of hard work the talented, physical marvel could be the steal of the 2010 NFL draft.

Time will tell, but Campbell and Raider fans certainly hope so.

                                                                    WR Darrius Heyward Bey

Most agreed Bey was raw clay coming out of Maryland, suffering from an inconsistent line and equally inconsistent quarterback. Once teams figured out they could double team Bey without fear of other Terp weapons his production dropped, yet Bey was still the 2^nd all-time leading receiver in Maryland history.

Raw, but the potential was there.

Last year Al Davis threw him into the deep end and told him to swim. Through 11 games Bey caught 9 balls; 2 of them against Dallas week 12, one of those a touchdown, Bey’s 1^st as a professional.

After a tough start, things were looking up.

Then he missed the rest of the season due to a foot injury.

Bey took some time to rest and recoup, but that didn’t mean he stayed away from football. In fact this off-season Bey put nose to grind stone and early in OTA’s everyone, including a jaded and oft critical media, took notice.

Fade patterns, deep sideline routes, hooks, curls, Bey was running them all, snagging all the but the most errant of passes.

Playing Bey and throwing him into the fire Season One may have been risky but Bey’s not thin-skinned. Learning on the fly and experiencing for himself first hand how fast and good the pros are helped him set the bar for how hard he needed to work during the off- season.

"I’m just working on my game, using this opportunity to get better, to work with my quarterbacks and my teammates," said Bey recently. Hard work is nothing new and Bey who maintains a fierce sense of responsibility lets criticism roll off his back.

                                                                                    Bey at OTA's

Those who do their home work on Bey know he’s a diligent worker, a quick study and wise beyond his years.

Not only is he an amazing athlete with world class speed, he is a mature, responsible, hard working young man. Combine his raw talent with an insatiable drive to improve and Bey’s selection didn’t seem like such a leap to owner Al Davis.

The 6-3, 208 lb former track star has always worked to improve himself, citing his mother Vivian for giving him loving guidance along the way. While many of his friends made poor decisions, Bey stayed the course and walked the straight and narrow, always with an eye to the future.

In college Bey said, "I have seen guys I've known who made bad decisions, I am always surrounding myself with good people. That's a big deal with (NFL) teams. We're on the same page there."

Now Bey is surrounding himself with team mates like new Raider quarterback Jason Campbell, spending time together on the field and grabbing a bite to eat off the field. That kind of chemistry carries onto the field-Campbell already looks for Bey when he’s in the pattern.

"He’s looking for me." Bey said with a smile recently, happy with the fact Campbell is already zeroing in on the young wide receiver even when he’s not the primary option.

We’ll be looking for Bey this off season as camp starts on July 28^th but preliminarily Bey’s surprising everyone and *gasp* looking like the receiver Al Davis predicted he could be.

I’m certain reporters are asking themselves "What’s going on in this topsy turvy world?!"

Odds are their opinions mean little to Bey who meekly accepts praise and lets criticism slide.

"Just going out, just playing my game. That’s all I’m doing right now. And I’m using each practice to reach my goals."

And with each practice, Bey seems to be getting better and that makes Raider fans happy. With each practice the media has to grudgingly admit they may have been wrong. And you can bet, that makes Al Davis very happy too.

06-25-10 12:22 PM PAC

Photo  Lea Suzuki / The Chronicle

                                                                                                DE / LB Trevor Scott

Tight end, right defensive end, left defensive end, line backer, special teams, Trevor Scott is willing to step up and play them all, but whats making him a 6^th round steal is the fact he’s not only diverse, he’s good.

Taken 169^th overall in the 2008 NFL draft the 6-5, 255 lb University of Buffalo graduate saw time in high school as a tight end and linebacker. He moved to defensive end but did see time as a reserve tight end his sophomore year snagging 8 catches for 55 yds.

A coaching change in college saw Trevor Scott switch from offense to defense when Turner Gill suggested the idea and Scott jumped at the chance.

"Whatever gets me on the field."

That kind of willingness and ability to diversify carried him into the NFL.

Jacksonville, Buffalo and Kansas City all met with Scott pre draft but most felt, including Scott, he might go undrafted. Oakland saw the physical skill set and potential, pulled the trigger and hasn’t looked back.

Thought of as a speed rusher Scott was eager to round out his game and has worked specifically on stopping the run.

As a Bull he played on the left side but made the switch to right side in the NFL stating again his willingness to play by saying "I’ll play where ever they put me on the field."

Scott has seen success as a speed rusher but was dominated by athletic tackles in the run game, one of the reasons why Oakland traded its 2011 1^st round draft pick for former Patriots DE Richard Seymour.

Rather than relegate Scott to the scrap heap, his work ethic, selflessness and ability to learn saw yet another move, this time to linebacker as the Raiders add beef to their porous run defense.

Scott will likely play with his "hand in the dirt" at the defensive end position too and that diversity, in keeping with the Raiders current dual purpose mode, makes him all the more valuable and will allow him what he wants most of all, playing time.

With the move to linebacker Oakland is hoping Scott’s skills as a tight end will translate to pass coverage though he’ll be used more on running downs and rushing the passer.

All of this leading to what the Raiders and Scott hope will be more time on the field.

If you couldn’t tell by now, thats Scott’s main goal and through hard work, talent and skill he’s succeeding beyond everyones expectations.

                        
 Phot Dean Coppola / Merc News

For fans who predicted all along Russell was worthless, congratulations. You were right.

The sad news is, well, you were right.

Whether Russell draws interest from other teams is debatable, but this is the NFL and if dirt bags like Pac man Jones and the late Chris Henry can get 18 million chances why not Russell?

Of course that would be contingent on Russell not receiving top dollar and it seems the money is all he was really interested in during his short NFL "career".

Like a rocky marriage thats dragged on and on at least there is the comfort of a coda.

Why Russell wasn’t cut before minis is anyones guess since he could’ve been injured and been guaranteed an extra $6.45 million in addition to his $3 million guaranteed, but old man Davis wanted to give him one last, final, bottom of the barrel, Hail Mary, wing and a prayer last chance.

Either Russell's such a tremendous slouch the Raiders simply couldn't wait any longer or Campbell's shown he's clearly coming along and is the better option.

We'll see. 

At least the ugliness is over and for Oakland, a new era begins.

In April 2007 I  was blasted for stating the Raiders might be wary of taking another 1st round QB after the Marinovich ordeal, but heading into season three with Jamarcus Russell on the bench and on the bubble, those prognostications may, unfortunately, have had some validity. 

Let it be stated that no one has even hinted at a drug problem with Jamarcus Russell.

The same couldn’t be said for former Raider QB Todd Marinovich.

Though they’d rather not, many Raider fans remember "Robo quarterback" Todd Marinovich and his Draconian father who had his son lifting weights before he could walk, immersing him from infancy in an athletic regimen designed to mold the perfect quarterback. A regimen that would've made the Nazi’s proud.

Thats not an exageration.

Todd’s father Marv was a 2 way lineman for USC’s 1962 championship season and was even a team captain who was ejected from the Rose bowl for fighting.

After college the elder Marinovich studied Eastern bloc training methods, whether he used them on the Raiders of the day is unclear, but he did work for a time as one of the first strength and conditioning coaches Al Davis and Oakland ever hired.

Later, Marinovich used his son as a guinea pig at his athletic research center. Even before birth the "Todd"ler was being trained as his mother was placed on a restrictive diet including no salt, sugar, tobacco and alcohol. (Don’t laugh, things were different back then.)

Todd of course cracked and absent a social life as a child sought one once he decided to emmulate his fathers example and attending USC.

Joining existing family at Southern Cal, he continued to smoke pot and party, a  habit that started in highschool after his parents divorce and only increased with the pressures of the college stage.

 A stage the young athlete would be thrust upon with a leg injury to Trojan starting QB Pat O’Hara forced Marinovich to be the first red shirt freshman to QB the squad since World War II.

After a rocky opener Todd led SC to a 9-2-1 season capped by a win at the Rose Bowl.

Accolades followed, but the next season, off field pressures were beginning to show, culminating in an embarrassing blow up at his coach during a nationally televised game and an arrest for cocaine possession a month later.

After his sophomore red shirt year, he decided to declare for the NFL draft and became a millionaire courtesy of the 1991 1^st round (24^th overall) draft pick of the Los Angeles Raiders.

Russell on the other hand had a solid high school and college career solidly planting himself in the top 5 of all LSU quarterbacks in all but one of the major categories.

Born and raised by a mother who was a law firm secretary and a machinist father, Russell flourished in high school athletics under his coach Bobby Parrish and excelled in football basket ball and track.

Russell’s struggles thus far seem to be more with his weight and work ethic as far as we know at this point and again, nothing has been mentioned or hinted at that Russell has any kind of substance abuse problems, unless you consider cheese burgers a class A scheduled drug.

Marinovich’s drug abuse problems were no laughing matter.

After his coke bust Marinovich was forced to take frequent urine tests but refused to give up pot so he rigged an elaborate, but simplistic way of using "clean" urine for his tests and failing that began using LSD as an after game come down.

After failing another UA in pre season, Marinovich was let go before the 3^rd season of his 3 yr $2.5 million dollar contract was up.

Russell seems to have survived his season 3 but many fans feel there is serious consideration of cutting the former #1 over all draft pick.

First of all, Russell was #1 overall not 24^th in the draft and secondly, the Raiders lost out on maybe a few million with the Todd and would stand to lose considerably more if Russell were announced a complete bust. Play, go or stay, Russell is likely guaranteed $31 million dollars.

                                                                       QB Jamarcus Russell

One thing they do have in common besides being drafted by Al Davis is a curious dispassion for the game of football once they arrived in Oakland.

Marinovich’s problems seemed to stem from a troubled, over structured upbringing. Russell’s NFL woes and immaturity are harder to explain away.

In all fairness Russell has had coaching and system changes in addition to a very weak receiving corps and spotty pass protection from an often broken and under talented o line, but thats no excuse for his oft questioned work ethic.

Both players seem to have a maturity problem but as long as Russell doesn’t start taking drugs in the off season he’ll likely be given a chance at redemption if not because he’s shown growth, then just because Oakland doesn’t want to wash away $31 million with out at least saying they tried.

Marinovich and Russell are worlds apart on some issues like upbringing, salary and substance abuse, but both lack a certain maturity that makes the Raiders "inmates in charge of the asylum" system not the most condusive place for a struggling young man to find discipline.

Can Russell do it? Fans hope so.

We'll know more when mini camps start.

If not, he may go the way of Marinovich. A promising 1st round draft prospect at quarterback who lacked the drive and focus to succeed for the silver and black.

Al Davis has never been been afraid to gamble on a player.

He'll do so again with former Redskin QB Jason Campbell

Most are aware by now of Campbell’s rocky career (Including college, he’s had 8 offensive coordinators in 10 yrs) but many are still unaware of whether he can compete at the pro level.

In many ways, he’s similar to the man many speculate he’s been brought into replace, JaMarcus Russell.

Both have seen coaching changes, both have big arms and both have struggled taking the next step at the pro level.

Both tend to hold the ball too long and are slow to pick a receiver.

Where they (differ beside weight) is a willingness to study and learn.

Campbell by all accounts is a hard worker and diligently puts in time cracking the books.

He’s had to.

Campbell states coaching may be a career choice for him after his playing days are over because he’s learned so many systems.

"I could write a book."

At this point it looks like Russell could color one.

Campbell’s time in Washington was up when they acquired former Eagles QB Donovan McNabb but the sad fact was Campbell wasn’t really a fit in D.C. anyway.

With his slower fuse Campbell is more of a play action passer than the west coast type of gun slinger the Redskins have desired.

It just wasn’t the right fit.

In Oakland though thats exactly the type of passer the Raiders were hoping cannon armed Russell would turn out to be.

Some have taken to calling Campbell "Russell light" but should he start, play and win, Campbell will likely win a new moniker from appreciative and long suffering fans.

Snagging Jason campbell from the Redskins for a 2012 4th round draft pick hardly seems like a gamble at all.

Compared to Russell it seems like a pretty safe bet.

Photo Getty Images

                                                                        Lane and Davis; "Repubican'ts?

Davis's drug of choice is though. His drug of choice is that of all who seek power, ultimate control.

Ultimate control he and few others in his realm, still have.

Many of Al's battles over the decades were public and many were not, but Davis was and is a maverick who refuses to play by the rules or obey any laws he deems inferior or obstructive to him getting what he wants.

His way.

Whether its good for the team, the fans or anyone else.

It seems winning the battle in and of itself is the reward on occasion rather than right or wrong, but, for better or worse, there is no question Davis rules supreme on all things Raider.

With that absolute power came complacency and perhaps an influx of yes men that helped drive the team into a ditch the last seven seasons.

Davis has payed for expensive lessons in free agency after turning the keys over to young bull shitter "Lance" Kiffin who, whether intentional or not, actually managed to worsen an already terrible team.

If he did it out of spite he did a pretty good job and the media buzz left a sour taste in everyones mouth.

Whether Davis was a bitter, vindictive, senile old man and a victim of elder abuse or Kiffin is a troubled, manipulative, lying sociopath played out and was swept under the rug by everyone other than the unfortunate alumni and media of Tennessee where the Kiffster landed after Oakland.

The verdict has yet to be entirely decided and will remain so until a civil court hearing over Kiffin's Raider contract at some point in the future.

Is it Al? Was it "Lance"?

Lets just say both sides of the argument have some merit.

For his time in Oakland, and Tennessee for that matter, Kiffin’s Republican play book is far more modern and myopic than Davis’s old school approach which centers a on prolonging a product, where Kiffin’s is definitely more Neo Con in nature. More of a smash and grab if you will.

Kiffin’s business plan is to maximize short term profit by destroying long term potential and leaving the mess and lies for some one lese to clean up.

None the less, the clash of new and old left the old to clean up the pieces and he’s done so, releasing the last remnants by finally ditching Javon Walker earlier this month.

A major negative aside from wasted millions in the cleansing of all things Kiffin, was losing special teams coach Brian Schneider to U.S.C..

Brought in by Kiffin, his demise played a major factor in Oaklands decline in production from what had been a very promising special teams unit during his tenure.

Ironically after sneaking out of Tennessee, Kiffin landed another plumb gig right near ole Alphonse’s back yard as Pete Carroll’s replacement, re joining the Schneid at Southern Cal, which no doubt cheesed Mr Davis off more than a little bit.

Rather than Gekko, Kiffin represents perhaps the Jake Moore characters faustian deal with Gekko in the upcoming  Wall Street 2: "Money never sleeps". 

Signs of decline are already on the way at U.S.C., but it will be interesting for Raider fans to see how long it takes for Kiffin to begin unraveling the team from within once the check has cleared.

Hopefully Al Davis can have the Raiders up and winning by that time so he can rub it in the youngsters face.

If theres one thing Gordon Gekko and Al Davis can do, its hold a grudge.

New D line coach Mike Waufle will join the Raiders prompting some to speculate Tom Cable will be the head coach at the start of the 2010 season.

Waufle and Cable worked together at Cal for six years.

The Raiders party line states "Mike has an outstanding record of success as a defensive line coach and has participate in Super bowls with the Raiders and Giants."

A former Marine, Waufle was an assistant for the Raider from 1998 to 2003 and coached the Giants D line that dominated the heavily favored New England Patriots in New Yorks Super Bowl upset.

Those are the highlights but Waufle’s career hasn’t been quite as sunny especially of late.

After the Giants went 8-8 last year co-owner John mara sent heads rolling including Waufle who’s lack of defensive line production was cited as one of the biggest failures of the team.

The Giants D was 30^th in the NFL in 2009 giving up a whopping 427 points, 85 of them coming in the final two games.

Opponents scored at least 40 points in five of their wins over the Giants, the first time thats happened since 1966.

In 2007 Waufle’s D racked up 53 sacks to lead the NFL, but have declined since to a League worst 32 in 2009.

Injuries and under production hurt their cause as well with DE Justin Tuck playing most of the year with an injured shoulder.

Among the FA agent flops Chris Canty hobbled by hamstring, knee and calf issues and former Seahawk lineman Rocky Bernard contributing little.

His fellow linemen Fred Robbins and Barry Coefeild were slowed by knee surgeries prior to the season as was DE Osi Umenyiora.

Whether it was injuries or not that kept Waufle’s D from generating pressure Oakland fans will find out soon enough once the 2010 season starts.

Photo Gene J. Puskar / AP

                                                                                             WR Chaz Schilens

Sundays wins vs the Steelers showed something Oakland has lacked since the Rich Gannon era.

A passing game.

Thanks in large part to Raider receivers the silver and black finished off the slumping Steelers.

The Wides

Chaz Schilens

The 6-4, 225 lb wide out dropped a few balls, but they weren’t of consequence. He made ones that counted like yesterdays touchdown.

Schilens is what analyst Mike Mayock calls a "quick twitch athlete" in that Schilens is extremely quick to his feet after going to the ground. Extremely valuable for getting those precious extra yards after digging out an under thrown or tight catch. Something he’ll need with the Raiders.

3 catches, 45 yds 1 TD

                                 

Louis Murphy

Murphy finally came into his own and finally wasn’t robbed by replays, refs or fellow Raiders.

He arrived on a 75 yd touchdown strike over the middle.

The former Florida Gator made 2 catches on the last drive and sealed the Steelers fate with 9 seconds on the clock, breaking loose in the end zone for the go ahead TD.

4 catches, 128 yds, 2 TDs

Photo Keith Srakocic / AP

                                                                                     WR /KR Johnnie Lee Higgins

Johnnie Lee Higgins

Higgins dropped some passes and got knocked out by a Steelers DB on a play that saw an unnecessary roughness flag and set up Oakland at the Pittsburgh 11 with :21 seconds left in regulation.

Though he got clobbered, it was Higgins best performance of the year filling in for this years 7^th overall pick Darius Heyward Bey who hurt his foot at Fridays practice.

4 catches , 63 yds

Photo Gene J. Puskar

                                                                                                WR Todd Watkins

Todd Watkins

Watkins drew daggers from Gradkowski after a holding penalty negated a nifty 1^st down run by the scrambling QB, but redeemed himself with a 12 yd grab on third down that kept a drive alive after the 2 minute warning.

He did try to snag a late game TD only to have the spectacular grab in traffic swatted away by a super human play by the Steelers FS Ryan Clark.

1 catch, 12 yds

Oaklands wide outs still had trouble catching the ball on occasion, displaying horrible and lazy technique when trying to snag the ball.

Too often Raider wides drop passes that hit them in the hands or because of bad technique, ricochet off their breast plates.

Against the Steelers however, they made more grabs then they have all year and when it counted.

Tight Ends

Zach Miller

6-5, 255 lb Miller’s the real deal and with Oaklands wides forcing Pittsburghs Troyless secondary to play honest, the sure handed TE finally had a good game through the air.

The former Arizona Sundevil did draw a flag for holding, but more than made up for it with solid blocking and chain moving grabs.

4 catches, 43 yds

Tony Stewart

Stewart contributes on special teams occasionally and is the teams player rep, but his blocking and receiving wouldn’t keep him on any other team. Raider fans in the know look to rookie Brandon Myers next year. Myer had a good camp and then disappeared but made a good hustle play down field on special teams yesterday corralling a break away kick returner.

Oakland hopes he can contribute next year as a starter for the Raiders oft rumored 2 tight end sets.

Early indications are, he may be the next Zach Miller.

Till then its, Tony Stewart.

2 catches, 4 yds

Oaklands non existent passing game finally sprang to life and propelled them to victory over the sliding Steelers.

Relief QB Bruce Gradkowski’s as much to thank for that as Oaklands wides, but they played with more conviction and actually held onto the ball for a change and it made all the difference.

Photo Marcio Jose Sanchez

                                                                                            QB Bruce Gradkowski

Player performance review:

The QB 

Bruce Gradkowski:

Showed this Oakland team IS good enough to win if mangaged well enough. The 2nd string QB wasn't stellar and had several passes batted at the line, but made solid decisions, minimized damage and made throws when he had to including 2 scoring drives one at the half and one to cap the game.

The RBs

Michael Bush

A "starter" today Bush saw his carries limited by a selfish Cincy offense and a Raider D incapable of extricating itself from the field in the first half. Limited plays meant limited reps, but 4 carries for 27yds belie a pretty good game despite a late game fumble that could've hurt.

Darren McFadden

Again, limited action with 6 decent runs for 25 yds and 3 grabs for another 10, but he looked solid.

Justin Fargas

Fargas carried the ball 8 times for 32 yds and caught 2 to move the chains and gain 17 yds.

All three backs rotated in and out and produced with workman like authority.

The FBs

Though they blocked well enough, memo to Cable. No more dump offs to Luke Lawton.

The WRs

Schilens led all receivers with 2 catches and gained 41 yds, converting on a 4th and 10 deep in the 4th quarter that extended the game winning drive. If he can stay healthy, he's legit.

Rookie Louis Murphy caught only one ball but he turned it into a game tying score with less then a minute to play. This time, finally, the call went for him.

Darius Heyward Bey arguably had the best game of the three. After dropping a simple hook, he then made a sensational tap dance sideline grab that moved  the chains.

Deep in the third Bey demonstrated veteran savy after a pressured Gradkowski aired one out his way. Bey quickly grabbed excellent CB Leon Hall's shoulder pads by the front neck hole and tugged him to the ground with him.

Result?

Defensive P.I.. First down. He'll need to do more soon, but it was clearly the rookies best performance so far.

The O Line

Oaklands offense protected Gradkowski and allowed the Raiders few running plays to gain critical yardage. They avoided huge penalties against Cincy's simplistic defense and led Raider scoring drives late in the half and at the end of the game.

Kudos.

                              

The Defense

Safeties

It looked like it was going to be a long day after Carson palmer and Chad Ocho Cinco connected several times on scoring drives early, but heads up play not only aggresively stuffed the run, it made good plays in coverage.

FS Michael Huff

Huff looks good ranging in coverage and hustled down field to make a TD saving tackle after a 61 yd break away at 9:54 in the 3rd quarter by Bengal rookie RB Bernard Scott. He's got a long way to go to live up to his lofty draft status, but he's on the right track.

SS Tyvon Branch

One of his best games, aggressively stuffing the run at the LOS, making text book tackles for a loss behind the LOS and playing solid coverage in the secondary, the 2nd year U Conn speedster finished with 11 tackles, a sack and a forced fumble.

What has been a weak spot since the death of Stacy Toran, seems to suddenly have some depth.

Branch forced Carson Palmer's fumble on a very effective blitz early in the game and applied pressure several times more through out.

SS Mike Mitchell

Mitchell's yet to make huge plays, but is quietly making a very good showing epspecially against the run and on special teams.

The CBs

CB Nnamdi Asomugha 

Nnamdi's in a class by himself. Ocho Cinco showed him a thing or two in man coverage at the start of the game, but Nnamdi prevailed in the end, sealing the game with a pick and making sveral great tackles including blowing up running plays behind the LOS.

CB Chris Johnson

Though he's been picked on, his coverage has gotten tighter and every catch made against him is contested. Over ran a tackle that helped spring that 61 yd run, but made more then enough solid plays to make up for it.

CB Stanford Routt

Made a bone headed play on 3rd and 6 at the Raider 6. Deep in the 3rd quarter, Routt led with his helmet on a DB blitz catching Palmer in the teeth and drawing a flag that gave Cincy a 1st and goal. Atoned after 2 run stuff by blitzing again and this time stuffing Palmer for an 18 yd loss and a missed scoring opportunity after their 37yd field goal attempt went wide right.

The LBs

MLB Kirk Morrison

 Morrison was out of place less and the defense communicated more aiding in one of their most disciplined and therefore best efforts despite several big plays. In recent history, the Raiders D has folded after giving up big plays or having bad calls againsthem. Not today and the result was a win.

OLB Thomas Howard

Makes great plays behind the LOS and in coverage. Period.

OLB Sam Williams

Getting the nod afterit was announced LB Ricky Brown is done for the remainder, Williams had clearly his best game as a pro, making big tackles for a loss and turning in a very good performance, especially against the run.

Photo Marcio Jose Sanchez

                                                                                                           DE Greg Ellis

The D line     

DE Jay Richardson

Played the game of his life, chasing down ball carriers and making plays all over the field, applying pressure to the QB and snuffing the run. Impressive.

DE Greg Ellis

Ellis had some surgery to his knee and shoulder recently, but returned with a vengeance, looking faster than former team mate Derrick Burgess in his get off the line and making a huge sack deep in Bengal territory that forced a punt late and giving Oakland great field position. Th 6-6, 265 lb 12 yr vet finished with 3 tackles and a sack on the day.

DE Richard Seymour

Pro Bowler Seymour suffered a back injury early on and finished with out a tackle. No word, but its not expected to be serious.

DT Desmond Bryant

The Harvard grad filled in nicely having his best game as a rookie, making 3 tackles. he also forced and recovered a fumble.

DT Gerard Warren

Stats don't show it, but this was a very good game for the former 1st round draft pick.

His burst to the QB when he is motivated astounds. Delivers blows with violence, but hides it like a vet. When he's on, look out.

DT Tommy Kelly

Kelly dutifully absorbed double teams and made solid contributions with 2 tackles.

Oakland got help and great performances by its 2nd string and newbies today and that bodes well for its future.

They may not make the playoffs, but they may have gained valuable confidence by securing todays victory. 

                                       

The Silver and the Black

OFFENSE:

Jamarcus Russell

Russell got yanked. Cable says his last two throws were "All over the place." but the fact is, his right elbow was hit during the throwing motion.

Pulling Russell was a mistake. Russell was in a similar situation last time against the Chiefs and led the game winning drive.

Could’ve built confidence to play poorly and still win it again.

Bad coaching.

Tom Cable

Cable seems out of control especially when Oakland can’t dictate with its run game. They are incapable of making half time adjustments and other teams are. The confusion seen on the field starts on the sidelines.

Sad thing is, because of Cable’s "history of violence" he can’t even kick his under performing players in the ass.

And they desperately need it.

Bruce Gradkowski

Pulled a hammy and might not get the nod next week. Good news because despite how desperately Oakland wants him to be, he’s not better then Russell.

If anything Gradkowski’s drops and interceptions how the Raiders wides consistently make Russell look worse then he is. Gradkowski had 4 drops and 2 interceptions in one quarter of football.

Michael Bush

Bush racked up 119 yds and was the lone bright spot on the day.

Justin Fargas

Fargas actually score in the red zone on the opening drive. Its plain to see why Cable and Davis like Fargas because he runs every down as hard as he can. If the other two did the same Oakland would lead the League in rushing or at least be at the top.

Not this year.

Darren McFadden

Ineffectual. Flirting with bust status.

What a huge, huge disappointment so far. Bigger than Russell.

Louis Murphy

Murphy needed a lot of polish and thats one of the reasons he fell to the 4^th round of this years draft. If refs didn’t fuck him on so many of his big plays Oakland would have more wins, but the mercurial baller drops too many passes and makes "rookie" mistakes at least once every game.

Darius Heyward Bey

Catches like a spastic child with no depth perception. Sadly, so sadly, thats not an exaggeration. He needs professional help rookie WR coach SanJay Lal seems unable to provide.

He may go on to be a weapon, but judging on how poorly Russell, McFadden and hell, even Gallery have done, it might take an act of god.

Johnnie Lee Higgins

Believe it or not, he was the worst offender of the day. He continued his insane lack of common sense and looked lost misjudging punts and tripping all over himself. He is a disaster waiting to happen every time he blows a route or field a kick.

Pray Nick Miller is worth a damn and worth the wait.

Zach Miller

One of the best and completely negated. Part of it had to do with Oaklands success running the ball and part of that of course has to do with the fact defenses don’t even need to cover our wide receivers.

Mario Henderson

He looks like the answer to our prayers as a blind side protector. Unfortunately he plays too high in his pads on run plays and can get stacked by stronger defenders.

Robert Gallery returned from a broken leg and as the Raiders ran left early, they were dominant. KC adjusted at half time and perhaps Gallery’s cardio was spent after such a lengthy absence.

He helps Henderson be a better blocker.

Samson Satele

Played well at the center position and thats good news. It’s the most important slot in the ZBS and something we’ve been lacking. Drew a costly illegal man down field flag on 3^rd and 10. The penalty negated a 15 yd pass to Zach Miller to the Kansas City 7 and killed the drive.

Janikowski attempted a 45 yd field goal and missed with 6:01 left in the 3^rd quarter. J-kow’s first miss of the year would’ve tied the game.

Cooper Carlisle

He’s likely in his last seasons. Nothing special out of him and gets beaten out of his stance too often especially on running plays.

Cornell Green

Green’s the worst right tackle starting in the League. Missed a 2^nd level block against safety Mike Brown that would’ve seen Michael Bush with nothing but green in front of him.

Next: The Defense

Photo Mario Sanchez / AP

                                                                                           DE / DT Richard Seymour 

ESPN commentators Mike Golic and Steve Young couldn't get over it. Especially Golic who went on about how Oaklands defensive schemes hadn't been seen since "the 70s and 80s."

"Its like the throw back uniforms have them playing throwback football!"

And it was in every sense of the word. Man on man. Our guys can beat your guys.

Straight up.

Oakland dictated and physically destroyed San Diego using "out dated" old school football using execution and domination.

The Chargers tried a few times to utilize "modern" schemes against the Raiders but mostly failed because of simplistic football executed by faster, stronger athletes and were forced to play to Oaklands game time and again.

And they paid for it.

Monday was chock full of violent, brutal hitting by Oaklands D that I don't think the media can or will accept even with a laundry list of mangled San Diego starters.

RB LaDanian Tomlinson (ankle)

NT Jamal Williams (elbow)

RG Louis Vasquez (knee)

C Nick Harwick (ankle)

LT Marcus McNeil (hand / ankle)

If Oakland had posted a win with its stunning performance, Davis football (right down to the go ahead long bomb in the 4th quarter) would have officially been reborn. As it was, they lost, but if the Raiders can come out and play that way again week after week, it will be undeniable.

Sports casters are hanging their hat on the fact Oaklands been a Jekyll and Hyde. Playing well one week and falling off a cliff the next.

Warren Sapp alluded to this on HBO’s insipid and pedestrian "Inside the NFL". The Raiders have faultered after a good performance like in recent years, but what the far removed Sapp and others fail to or refuse realize is that this is not the same Oakland Raiders that they were part of destroying.

This is a new, young team with some key vets that are buying into what the old man is selling and thats personal accountability towards the team and the desire to physically impose their will.

Football IS a simple game.

Being bigger, faster and stronger than your opponent does matter even in todays modern game.

In 2009, Oakland has a chance to prove just that and to relaunch a franchise.

Will they dominate the Chiefs this Sunday or will they, like Sapp suggested, rest on their laurels from Mondays close loss and play down to the competition?

Not long ago, Sapp's barb may have been a given, but somethings brewing in Oakland. This Raider team under Coach Tom Cable did what too many recent Raider teams haven’t and thats compete.

Not only compete, but dominate a team some media types picked for this years Super Bowl.

San Diego limped away with the victory Monday night, but the Raiders may have come away with something more valuable.

                                                                                          DE / DT Richard Seymour

When Richard Seymour finally joins the Raiders (if at all possible he’ll be on the field against the San Diego Chargers come opening night) Raider fans shouldn’t expect their D to be transformed into a run stuffing machine.

It might take a little time to adjust.

It would be tremendously impressive if Seymour showed up and instantly upgraded the Raiders run defense, but fans should expect some level of adjustment.

Weary Raider fans should abstain from vilifying the 5 time Pro Bowl defensive end if he’s not an instant upgrade.

He should be a help though.

Patience may prevail with Seymour contributing later in the season perhaps around the time OT Khalif Barnes and WR Chaz Schilens come back on line.

Unfortunately, likely after the first 3 games against division rivals.

Some wonder why Oakland wouldn’t have mentioned this trade to New England during the Derrick Burgess deal, but they were two separate issues and may have been better kept that way.

Its feasible if Oakland had done the deal back in early August, contract wrinkles would’ve likely had time to be ironed out, but as it is, things may be happening very fast for the Seymour household and for his agent Eugene Parker who yes, represents 2009 draftee hold out Michael Crabtree.

He also represented Deion Sanders in 95' and though Oakland offered the most money for his Neons services, Parker saw him through to his choice of teams, the Dallas Cowboys, who agreed to a $35 million dollar contract.

That doesn’t mean a deal can’t get done and much of it may be doomsdaying by a media always hungry for an excuse to spout Oaklands win loss record since the "unpleasantness" began.

Then again, it might.

Stranger things have happened and usually in Oakland, on a public stage.

Either Davis is inept, (theres evidence on both sides), or he’s a master of keeping his Raiders relevant. Of course thats if you buy the axiom "No publicity is bad publicity."

Raider fans hope Richard Seymour shows up in Oakland and doesn’t drag them through another media circus like the beginning of last year.

Completely unsubstantiated sources out of Oakland state terms are being hammered out on a 3 yr deal worth millions in the double digits. Its also claimed Seymour will be on a plane Thursday bound for the Bay.

The Seymour deal could be just what Oalands D was looking for or it could be an implosion that could tarnish yet another season.

You just never know.

And thats seemingly, thats just the way Al likes it.

                                                                                     DE / DT Richard Seymour

Taken 6^th overall by the Pats in the 2001 draft, Seymour has been a stalwart defensive end / defensive tackle for Super Bowl caliber teams that have dominated the decade.

And now he's an Oakland Raider.

With the trade of a questionably high 1st round draft pick in 2011 the Raiders secured the deal, but is it good one not only for Oakland, but New England as well?

The Pats walk a tight rope in dealing away Seymour, but need dollars to appease NT Vince Wilfork who’s contract looms on the horizon. With Seymour in a contract year, dealing him was likely their best option. especially for a 1st round pick.

One wonders why a deal could not have been reached during the fairly recent Derrick Burgess trade, one that might not have cost Oakland such a high draft pick.

New England under Belichick has a tradition of dealing away high profile payers like Deion Branch and Lawyer Miloy so the break with the 5 time Pro Bowl defensive end isn’t a complete shock.

Articles already have the value of the pick in the top 6 even though it’s not till 2011.

Oh ye of zero faith.

Not easy to blame them though. Oakland has given more than ample evidence of being woefully inept the past six seasons.

Adding Seymour to an obviously deficient position makes sense and looks good on paper, but can Oaklands veterans help stack the edge, stop the run allowing newbies like Trevor Scott and Matt Shaughnessy to get pressure?

Former Cowboy veteran Greg Ellis hasn’t exactly lit Oakland up and is likely one of the reasons Seymour was sought.

Its hoped Seymour will help shore Oaklands non excitant run D and make the rest of the line look better.

It’s a balancing act, juggling the veterans and newbies in the rotation and theoretically using the old times to do the grunt work and bring in young fresh legs to pressure the pocket.

Sounds feasible and frankly anythings preferable to what they’ve had in terms of stopping the run.

Some cry sour grapes and say Seymour’s best days may be behind him. He does have an injury history, but returned from off season knee surgery in 2007 to help his team make it to the Super Bowl and in 2008 started 15 games, missing only the season ender against the Bills.

Seymour brings more than rings, he brings versatility and experience. He’s played at an all pro caliber level as a DT in the 4-3 and as a 3-4 defensive end.

The 6-6 310 lb is 29 yrs old and some analysts (from ESPN) are stating the Raiders got "fleeced" by the Patriots, surmising that the Raider 1^st round pick will be the very first pick of the draft.

Raider fans certainly hope not. Seymour may have his foibles but he is far from a washed up has been. Compared to what the Raiders have had on defense in terms of stopping the run, he should be an improvement.

His play may however expose another facet of the Raiders weak running game, its line backing corps.

Time will tell if the contract year Seymour is worth his weight in run defensive gold or a declining former super star.

Again, the truth probably lies somewhere in between.