Saturday at Raiders camp - Oakland Raiders Forum | Message Board

**Anotharaiderfan** · #1 (**permalink**) 07-27-2008, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Saturday at Raiders camp

Here's the good, the bad and the mundane out of the Raiders' single afternoon practice Saturday at training camp in Napa.
THE GOOD
** Wide receiver Drew Carter leaped backwards, and a little to his right, to bring down a high-and-away JaMarcus Russell fastball during an 11-on-11 drill -- jumping off his back foot, no less. Carter has been the most consistent receiver out there and looks like a great get in the offseason.
** Quarterback JaMarcus Russell showed great touch on a throw that caught tight end Zach Miller at the numbers in perfect stride, with Miller running from right to left on the yard line. Touch throws are as valuable to Russell as breaking balls are to speed pitchers. By the way, his father, Bobby Lloyd, was there to watch his son.
** Defensive end Jay Richardson continues to wear out the left tackles, and he's developing the sort of pass rush to become an everydown player. He got one sack up the middle on a spin move, caught Darren McFadden from behind in traffic on a right-tackle run and swatted down a Russell pass. Kalimba Edwards is his closest competition right now.
** Free safety Michael Huff broke on a deep pass perfectly for an interception. After two uneventful seasons at strong safety, he is finally playing the right position.
THE BAD
** Don't blame bad officiating for the offensive line's woes: there aren't any refs at practice yet. The line had another three acknowledged false starts, with Cornell Green guilty on at least two others. Some if it has to do with the constant rotating of centers, but Raiders coach Lane Kiffin said this has to get better: just wait until there's crowd noise.
** Speaking of the offensive line, the pass protection struggled mightily for a second straight day. Russell was forced to scramble out of a collapsed pocket four times and was touched for sacks another three times. The tackle play has been particularly problematic.
THE MUNDANE
** Left tackle Kwame Harris sat out with a lower back injury one day after a terrible practice (three false starts, multiple sacks allowed). he was replace by Paul McQuistan, who had just as much trouble.
** Outside linebacker Grant Irons (hamstring) and safety Greg Wesley (back spasms) remain out and are day-to-day.
** Backup quarterback Andrew Walter returned to practice with his sore right wrist taped up.

The o-line

I am Jay Richardson biggest fan, love that guy.

**BlackHeart** · #2 (**permalink**) 07-27-2008, 11:05 AM

We're fuked

**Raider Ran** · #3 (**permalink**) 07-27-2008, 11:07 AM

WOW the O Line is WOW....WOW....WOW.

**islandboy** · #4 (**permalink**) 07-27-2008, 11:09 AM

It is good to hear a QB hitting a reciever in stride. It has been too long since we had good consistent QB-Hope Jam can bring it back. But that could be a problem if the OTs don't play better.

Raiderfan13 · #5 (**permalink**) 07-27-2008, 11:09 AM

I think Wilson will be the best free agent we picked up this offseason, he will bring some toughness back to the secondary. Still worried about the offensive line play, hopefully they start stepping it up.

**POKE** · #6 (**permalink**) 07-27-2008, 11:10 AM

You know off top let me say that I am very happy with what JaMarcus is doing in terms of showing leadership and working hard to be the best QB he can be. I am also happy with what I have been hearing about Drew Carter. Now what the hell is Javon Walker been doing? He better step his game up with that Randy Moss type contract he got. I don't give a damn if its only been 2 days of traning camp. I expect to hear something about him. And the offensive line continues to worry the crap out of me. Cornell Green and Kwame Harris, I have no confidence in them at all. If Tom Cable can get those 2 to produce not only in the running but the passing game then he should win the nobel peace prize for coaches. Props to Jay Richardson and Mike Huff as well. Get working hard boys.

Win games. No excuses.

**POKE** · #7 (**permalink**) 07-27-2008, 11:13 AM

And I don't give a damn if I sound like Negative Nathaniel. Kwame Harris is bum. Period. Yeah I hope he can produce because he is a Raider. But I wish he was Bronco, Cheif, or a Charger. A god damn shame that a future left tackle can't even beat out a bum like Kwame Harris. You Positive Paul Gasol's can have all the faith you want to in that dude. I don't. I hope Im wrong. But he wasn't no good in SF and he ain't no good in Oakland. I miss Barry Sims, LOL!

**MileHighRaider** · #8 (**permalink**) 07-27-2008, 11:22 AM

Lots of good stuff - the line needs to have practice time to gel. But man, ouch.

Thanks for the data.

**cad** · #9 (**permalink**) 07-27-2008, 11:24 AM

still early in camp but again the tackle play kept me worried all off-season and im being proven right so far, Russell's protection is key although we are a running team the potential penalties could be extremely problematic

Johnymyke · #10 (**permalink**) 07-27-2008, 11:40 AM

I may be totally wrong here but dosent the O-line use "cut blocking" in real games but they dont do that in practice.

**Raider in the CO** · #11 (**permalink**) 07-27-2008, 11:46 AM

Damn! My apologies to Barry Simms. I always liked the guy but have been hard on him recently because of his false starts. At least he wasn't letting our QB get killed (unless Simeon Rice was lined up across from him.....sorry, couldn't resist) now we still have the false starts and Walter or whoever is #2 better be ready to go, cuz it sounds like Jamarcus may be on his back a lot.

In reality, it is just practice and it is also very early......plenty of time for Al to pull off a trade for Jason Peters!!! lol