Bee staff writer Jason Jones is at Raiders training camp in Napa. Read his blogs throughout the day at www.sacbee.com/blogs. The following are excerpts from Wednesday's blogs:
The MVP of the morning practice was running back Michael Bush.
It seems like every chance coach Lane Kiffin gets to mention Bush, Kiffin suggests Bush needs to be physical.
Bush was that this morning.
"Michael Bush was really special today," Kiffin said. "Boy, if he could practice like that every day, we'd really have something. Gibril Wilson came on a blitz today. He picked him up as good as you can pick a guy up, put him to the ground, a couple of physical runs. If we can get him to continue to grow and continue to be that guy, we'll have a pretty special backfield."
It's clear what Kiffin wants the 246-pound Bush to be – the thunder to Darren McFadden's lightning, the same way LenDale White complemented Reggie Bush at USC.
• The media had its time with NFL officials Wednesday to learn about rule changes and points of emphasis. Some highlights:
– Three Raiders (well, two are former Raiders) were shown in the "what not to" portion.
– There was Warren Sapp's meltdown in Jacksonville, Fla., in which he had three personal fouls and was ejected, as an example of not respecting officials. Stuart Schweigert standing over Tony Gonzalez after a hit was an example of taunting. Jay Richardson was caught on tape pretending a throat slashing, as an example of a menacing gesture.
– There are no more force-outs. Unless a player is carried out of bounds after a catch, he must get two feet down inbounds. So look for some receivers to get knocked silly.
– The team that wins the coin toss can now defer to the second half, just like the college rule.
• It was expected Javon Walker would be joining the Raiders' two-a-days. Instead, Walker continues to practice once on days the Raiders are on the field twice.
Walker has yet to have a dominant practice, especially if he's supposed to be the top threat in the passing game.
Walker said his knee that was operated on is fine, but it doesn't always look that way, and the team continues to monitor him.
– Jason Jones
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