NAPA - A very familiar problem showed up during this morning's practice.
Turnovers were back in a big way. The offense had five fumbles, losing four.
Three of the fumbles were the result of bad snaps to the quarterback. Two came with Marques Tuiasosopo at quarterback, the other with Andrew Walter.
Receiver Javon Walker had the ball knocked free by Gibril Wilson after making a catch. Running back Adimchinobe Echemandu coughed up the ball on a running play.
"We came out today and two of them were on the ground right away within 10 plays," said coach Lane Kiffin. "... We're looking at different avenue to improve the penalty situation."
Players that commit penalties have to run a lap around the field. On bad snaps the center and quarterback come out.
LaMont update (sort of)
Kiffin said he expected to have some news regarding the status of LaMont Jordan sometime today.
The Raiders have to either trade or release Jordan or his agent, Alvin Keels, plans to file a grievance against the team for barring Jordan to report to camp.
The Raiders only have three quarterbacks so releasing Jordan would allow the team to bring back Sam Keller or Jeff Otis. Both were cut before the start of camp.
Safety concerns
Wilson just might take someone's head off.
He throws his shoulder pads into every play. Kiffin likes it but admits Wilson's play "borderlines right now on the safety of our other players" but wants Wilson's style to ru b off on the rest of the defense.
Wilson said when he signed with the Raiders he asked to play strong safety because he wanted to be near the ball.
"I like to be physical," Wilson said. "I don't like to have guys get extra yards or anything like that. I'm a very physical guy and the other team knows it."
Extra work
Ronald Curry was supposed to take the morning practice off as one of the Raiders that is recovering from offseason surgery.
But Curry chose to join the wide receivers in drills for the first half of practice.
Almost a pick
With the offense being careless with ball, the defense didn't manage to pick off any of the Raider quarterbacks' passes.
Rookie safety Tyvon Branch came close but the ball bounced off his pads. Hiram Eugene tried to snag the ball, but it fell to the grass.
Defensive end Derrick Burgess had an interesting take on the play.
"If those were some dice you would have caught those (expletives)," Burgess yelled.
Camp notes
*Tackle Mario Henderson continues to work at left and right tackle during practice.
*Today's first-team linebackers were Thomas Howard, Kirk Morrison and Robert Thomas. Ricky Brown joined Morrison and Howard on Thursday.
*Defensive tackle Tommy Kelly had the morning practice off and was replaced by Josh Shaw with the first team.
Defensive end Greg Spires (hamstring) is expected to practice tonight, as is Kelly.
*Safety Greg Wesley (back spasms) didn't practice this morning.
*Tight end/defensive end Fred Wakefield left practice early with an undisclosed injury.
*Former Raider Jon Parella was on the sidelines at practice. He's a high school football coach in the Bay Area and had players with him.
*The defensive line was dominant in practice. Kiffin called the group "phenomenal."
*The linebackers got the best of the running backs in the one-on-one drill that focused on blitz pickups. Kiffin conceded it is a drill that favors the defense.
--Jason Jones
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