Raiders Gab

Nnamdi Asomugha likes the Raiders offseason offensive pickups

Matt Loede — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 01:20:51 +0000

Nnamdi Asomugha seems to feel that the Raiders pickups this offseason have made a pretty big difference going forward for the Raiders.

He may spend much of his time in the defense’s meeting room, but Raiders cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha told PFW he can tell two key additions on offense are making a big difference. “Offensive coordinator Hue Jackson has come in and done a really nice job of getting guys in position to be effective and bringing out the most in the players,” he said. “I think the quarterback situation (with Jason Campbell) has helped us out a lot. Anytime you’re going to be a contender, he has to be the guy that can have a commanding presence, not just for the offense, but for the entire team.”

Raiders cut 21 players to get down to 53

Matt Loede — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 23:09:56 +0000

Coach Tom Cable called this year’s roster cuts the most difficult in his four years with the Oakland Raiders. The most noteworthy of 21 initial cuts he made Saturday was defensive end Jay Richardson, who started much of his first two years in the NFL before being relegated to a reserve role last season.

Richardson started 22 games in 2007 and ‘08, but had knee surgery in training camp and never was healthy enough to return to the practice field. “I thought there were about four or five decisions in there that were tough,” Cable said.

Center Chris Morris, who started 10 games at center and guard for Oakland in 2009, was among those cut.

The other players let go were wide receivers Todd Watkins and Shaun Bodiford; defensive backs Jerome Boyd, Joe Porter and Joe Thomas; defensive linemen Chris Cooper, Alex Daniels, Grayson Gunheim and William Joseph; fullbacks Luke Lawton and Manase Tonga; linebackers David Nixon and Slade Norris; offensive linemen Alex Parsons and Brandon Rodd; quarterback Colt Brennan; tight end John Owens; and kicker Swayze Waters.

Pick up TJ?

Nirpal Sihota — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 22:22:09 +0000

Rumor is that TJ Houshmandzadeh is out of Seattle. This would be an interesting pick up for the Raiders to make. He would be cheap (Seahawks are on the hook for his salary), provide some experience for DHB, Louis Murphy and Chaz Shillens, and knowing that Shillens has not lasted a season, provides some depth. Concern comes that Jacoby Ford would not see the field then, and most likely he would take catches away from DHB, Murphy and Shillens, which is critical in their growth this year.

For the price and experience, I would take a flyer on him. Do it Al!!

Bush’s fractured thumb could cost him a quarter of the season or more

Matt Loede — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 15:09:38 +0000

Word is Michael Bush could be out up to a quarter of the season or more after fracturing his thumb:

Based on what information is available regarding the fractured thumb of running back Michael Bush, it’s highly unlikely he’d be ready to play in the opener and could miss up to a quarter of the season or more. Bush broke his thumb on his last carry when 49ers safety Michael Lewis hit him with his helmet, with coach Tom Cable saying it was fractured following the game and saying Monday “he’ll need a procedure on it, and whether that keeps him out or not remains to be seen.” On his Twitter account, Bush said it was a “Bennett fracture” and even showed pictures of himself before surgery. Cable has since declined to discuss the injury and wouldn’t confirm the surgery had taken place. According to Dr. Michael Schwartz, an orthopedic surgeon based in New York who is the team doctor for Hofstra University and has served in that capacity for the New Jersey Dragons of the Arena Football League and the New York Islanders of the NHL, a time span of four to six weeks following surgery would be a “best case scenario,” conceding he was speaking in general terms and did not know the specifics of Bush’s injury.

Johnnie Lee Higgins all but gone off the Raiders roster?

Matt Loede — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 05:24:40 +0000

According to the Contra Costa Times, Johnnie Lee Higgins is in danger of getting cut this weekend. The owner of just 41 receptions the past two seasons, it’s not as if he has a great pedigree to fall back on. Even with Chaz Schilens in injury limbo, Higgins seems likely to get cut. Higgins was selected by the Oakland Raiders as the team’s rookie wide receiver and new punt return specialist. He saw action in all games in the 2007 season, and started two.

Final 53

Nirpal Sihota — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 14:28:43 +0000

Pre-season game 4 is to finalize the 53 man roster. Starters will be used in possibly a quick series at the most, and the backups will see their most extensive time on the field, possibly all year. Here are my thoughts on who are on the bubble to make the team come Saturday and will use this game to either make the Raiders or impressive another team to pick them up.

QB – Colt Brennan

FB – Alex Daniels

FB – Luke Lawton

FB – Manase Tonga

WR – Shaun Bodiford

WR – Johnathan Holland

WR – Nick Miller

WR – Todd Watkins

TE – Eric Butler

TE – John Owens

G – Daniel Loper

G – Brandon Rodd

OL – Alex Parsons

OT – Khalif Barnes

OT – Elliot Vallejo

DE – Greyson Gunheim

DT – Desmond Bryant

DT – Kellen Heard

DT – William Joseph

LB – Sam Williams

CB – Joey Thomas

DB – Joe Porter

S – Jerome Boyd

S – Stevie Brown

PK – Swayze Waters

Raiders Authentic NFL Logoed Headwear Hits Golf Market Courtesy of Reebok and TaylorMade

Matt Loede — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 05:05:17 +0000

TaylorMade-adidas Golf Company, a subsidiary of the adidas Group, has introduced a new line of hats and visors, which features the primary colors and logos of all 32 NFL teams. Golfers across the country can now fly the colors of their favorite teams on the golf course (not on Sundays of course).

Fans can choose from all 32 NFL teams at on-course and off-course retail locations, in addition to select sporting goods retailers. If you are a displaced fan and don’t think you will be able to find your favorite team locally, go to www.taylormadegolfgear.com for a complete selection.

Each hat and visor will feature an NFL team’s logo blazoned on the left panel. The team’s name will also be stitched onto the left corner of the hat/visor. The TaylorMade logo will appear in 3D embroidery on the front panel of the hat.

The hats will be available at retail at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $27.99.

The Truth

Nirpal Sihota — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 14:23:36 +0000

The 3rd pre-season game is the always the truth, it is more indicative of a teams chances during the regular season then the other pre-season games. Remember, last years game 3 was the drubbing by the Saints. There are 5 main theme’s I’ve been looking at which I think will determine the Raiders fate for this year.

*Offensive line

Truth is… they will be below average at best if Mario Henderson is still the starting LT. He will get Jason Campbell hurt at some point. I believe Jared Veldheer should be the starting left tackle; when he is in that position, they created better holes for the running game and better pass protection.

*Defensive line

Truth is…their success during the pre-season has been against 3 suspect offensive lines. While putting pressure on the ball and having success against the run, they have allowed big runs in the pre-season. Richard Seymour has not played at all, so they will be better in the regular season, but week 1 against the Titans is the real test.

*Offensive Consistency

Truth is…Jason Campbell seemed to digress against a top tier defense last week (the 49ers). He put a great drive together to start the game, but then went 4 straight 3 and outs. Bruce Gradkowski gave them a spark running around the pocket and made some good throws, but he can not make the 10 and 15 yards outs and come backs, which is part of what Hue Jackson wants to get done. Gradkowski will play during the year because Campbell will be hurt at some point this year.

*RB Battle

Truth is…Michael Bush will be the starter week 1. He runs between the tackles better than Darren McFadden, and since the line is going to average at best, he gives them the best chance to run straight through a brief hole to gain 3-4 yards. McFadden will be used in the Reggie Bush mode, stretch runs to the outside and catching passes in open space to make plays. Unfortunately, I don’t see him being the #1 RB that was envisioned when he was drafted 4th overall.

*QB Backup Battle

Truth is…Bruce Gradkowski will be the backup. The team has a different spark with him in the lineup, and will win 1 or 2 games this year off the bench. Kyle Boller will be on the team as the 3rd QB.

Truth is…Overall, they are a better team than last year. There are other aspects of concerns (their special teams, Rolando McClain making an impact) which is why everyone should temper any discussions of playoffs. This team going 8-8 will be a MAJOR improvement this year.

TE Eric Butler axed to get roster down to 75

Matt Loede — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 23:50:39 +0000

The Raiders have released tight end Eric Butler to get their roster down to the 75-man limit. Butler (6-2, 255) signed with the Raiders on August 19, but did not appear in either of the two pre-season games Oakland has played since.

An undrafted free agent out of Mississippi State, Butler has had stints with the Giants, Colts, and Rams, but has yet to appear in an NFL game. Butler caught one pass for 4 yards during the 2009 pre-season with the Rams, who waived him on August 12.

Raiders release four, including WR Hubbard, FB Moline

Matt Loede — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 23:28:01 +0000

Jerry McDonald of the Bay Area News Group reports the Raiders have released four players from their 80-man roster. Veteran tight end Tony Stewart had his contract terminated, while first-year wide receiver Paul Hubbard, fullback Chase Moline and offensive lineman Allen Smith were placed on waivers.

Moline and Smith signed with the Raiders as undrafted free agents this off-season. Stewart, 31, has been with the Raiders since 2007, and signed a one-year deal worth $1.2 million in March. A former fifth-round pick out of Penn State by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2001, Stewart has caught 21 passes for 159 yards in 47 games in the Silver & Black.

The 6-5, 260-pound Stewart has caught 76 passes for 623 yards and 3 touchdowns during his nine-year career with the Eagles (2001), Cincinnati Bengals (2002-06), and Raiders.