Raiders Blog and Q&A

NAPA - The Raiders practiced in full gear for the first time this training camp.

There was also the first fight of camp.

Yes, the evening practice was worth watching.

Players still weren't supposed to take each other down to the grass, but something about being fully geared up (instead of wearing shorts with the shoulder pads and helmets) added an extra notch of intensity.

Backup center Jesse Boone exchanged blows with defensive tackle Josh Shaw after one running play.

Shaw shoved Boone as he walked away from the pile so Boone went back and gave Shaw a shove and from there, the two started swinging.

As they were separated Boone lost his helmet. Then in WWE fashion, Shaw broke free from the players restraining him and jumped on Boone again and landed a few punches.

*QB JaMarcus Russell only threw three passes in the team session as the emphasis was on on running the ball when he was in. He completed one of the passes.

*We finally got to see if Michael Bush would lower his shoulders in goal line situations.

He did with a thunderous thud.

Bush collided with a pile of Raiders in black jerseys. It was easily the best collision of training camp.

Bush, however, couldn't move the pile of defenders out of the way to reach the end zone.

*S Jarrod Cooper landed a big hit on receiver Chris McFoy as he ran after a catch that sent McFoy into the air. Cooper showed up big in the run game during the team session, too.

*FB Oren O'Neal is a stud blocker in short-yardage. He will be fun to watch this season. He helped collapse the entire right edge for Justin Fargas on the goal line.

*CB Nnamdi Asomugha intercepted another pass. This time he picked off Marques Tuiasosopo as he threw to WR Johnathan Holland. Asomugha continues to have a solid camp.

*CB DeAngelo Hall nearly picked off Russell tonight. FS Michael Huff was also in position to make a play on the ball.

*Marcel Reece made his name in college as a receiver but he's playing fullback right now. He's shown good hands and made a touchdown catch on a good run fake. He faked left and flowed to the right to catch the pass from Tuiasosopo.

*Practice ended with the defense stuffing RB Darren McFadden on the goal line.

*Backup QB Andrew Walter was given the night off because of a sore arm. He is expected to practice tomorrow. DT Gerard Warren (thigh) will be evaluated in the morning.

*The Raiders Rookie Zone will be back this season. Chabot Space & Science Center and the Oakland Museum of California are new sponsors.

Field Turf will be used for the Rookie Zone now. It's located between sectiosn 234-235 and opens two hours before kickoff.

Click here for more information.

*The team will take Sunday off before it's joint practice with the 49ers on Monday.

--Jason Jones

NAPA -- Terdell Sands was signed to a four-year, $17 million deal be the Raiders big run stuffer last year.

Unfortunately, the only part of the equation that proved to be true was Sands was big.

He struggled to play well while not just carrying extra weight, but also the burden of having lost his mother in February of last year.

Football took a backseat to grieving.

"I wasn't doing cardio like I should and conditioning, so I kind of got behind in my workouts and stuff," Sands said. "So it was a big part of last year."

Sands wasn't the player the Raiders saw in 2006 when he emerged as a player that could stop the run.

The Raiders finished 31st against the run last season and Sands sees it as his job to fix that. In retrospect, Sands knows he didn't give his best effort in 2007.

"I take (responsibility for) it all, because they look for me to be a big part of it," Sands said. "And like I say, I wasn't mentally in it, so I did some gap responsibility and all my true effort wasn't out there. I thought I was. But when I watch film, it really wasn't like I was the year before. So I take responsibility and put it on myself."

Sands (who is listed at 6-7, 335 but probably heavier) is in better shape this year. He won't discuss how much weight he lost except to say "a bunch of it."

What a lighter Sands means he can fight off blocks and play longer.

Sands being able to do that will be key. If he and Tommy Kelly command more than one blocker, the Raiders' athletic linebackers will be free to run to the ball.

Sands sees the difference in himself already.

"I see more getting off the ball," he said. "I see myself in shape, I'm running to the ball more, and I look good. I'm slimmer, so I feel real good."

--Jason Jones

NAPA - JaMarcus Russell took part in team activities this morning for the first time since Tuesday morning when he hit his elbow on Darren McFadden's helmet.

There was a noticeable loss of velocity on Russell's passes, which Raiders coach Lane Kiffin assumes will come back pretty soon.

"I'm just trying to protect myself as much as I can," Russell said after practice. "I just wanted to get out here today just so I could get back in practice. I don't really like sitting out and watching guys bust their behinds when I can be out there doing something. Just anything out there I can help."

Russell did individual drills before having his elbow iced down in the previous two practices (Tuesday night, Wednesday afternoon).

Russell expects to practice tonight and not have to take the "mental reps" as he did prior to this morning.

"It is (good to watch) but at the same time you have to be out there," Russell said. "You have to be out there in the heat while the live bullets are going just to get a better feel for it."

Looking for more

Kiffin said some players that are practicing only once one double-practice days will be re-evaluated Monday to see if they can practice twice in a day.

One of those players is Javon Walker.

The receiver was signed to a big contract in the offseason and Kiffin is looking for ways to get more out of him.

"There's progress being made," Kiffin said. "I wouldn't say as much as I'd like at this point so we're going to continue to push them. I think pushing him back into two-a-days will help him as well."

Very little progress

The Raiders intended to give Mario Henderson every chance to win the starting right tackle job from Cornell Green.

How's the race, coach?

"It's not close right now," Kiffin said.

Green had the day off so Seth Wand was the first-team right tackle.

Henderson has struggled in camp in pass protection and has been called a player that isn't physical and struggles with his confidence by coaches.

Kiffin said there's no one area that Henderson is struggling.

"It's everything right now, unfortunately," Kiffin said.

The Raiders traded up (surrendering this year's third-round pick) last year to draft Henderson.

Right now, it looks like they moved up for a third-string offensive lineman. He didn't play in a game last year and doesn't look any better prepared to play right now.

Camp notes

*Green and right guard Cooper Carlisle were given the morning practice off.

Chris Morris took Carlisle's spot with the starting offensive line.

*DT Gerard Warren (thigh), LB Grant Irons (hamstring) and CB John Bowie (knee) did not practice. Kiffin does not believe Warren's injury will keep him out long term.

DT Tommy Kelly and Walker were given their usual one practice off.

*CB Nnamdi Asomugha came up with the lone turnover during the team session by picking off a Russell pass intended for Arman Shields

*Today's penalty runners were DE Jay Richardson, TE Chris Wagner, LG Robert Gallery, LT Kwame Harris and DE Greyson Gunheim.

Gunheim ran after Kiffin ruled his movement forced Henderson to false start.

--Jason Jones

NAPA - JaMarcus Russell did not take part in team drills for the second straight practice because of a sore right elbow.

He was held out of team drills during last night's practice,after individual drills.

The injury occured when his elbow hit running back Darren McFadden's helmet.

"Just a little soreness from the other day," Russell said. "I bumped Darren's helmet while he was going to block, kind of full force as I was throwing, but I kind of did what I can right now."

Raiders coach Lane Kiffin said the team is being cautious, but doesn't forsee a long-term problem.

Russell will be re-evaluated in the morning. X-rays have already been taken and showed no damage. Russell said the elbow is sore and stiff "a little bit at times" and he tried to warm up as much as he could.

"We wanted to watch him throw, and our trainers watched him," Kiffin said. "They just felt that he was struggling a little bit with it, and he wanted to keep going, so we pulled him out."

Andrew Walter took first-team snaps in place of Russell.

Russell, who had the elbow iced after drills, said it was just an accident that happens when playing football.

Russell worked out throwing some short passes to offensive coordinator Greg Knapp after practice and joined the quarterbacks for some post-practice conditioning.

He doesn't know if he'll practice tomorrow.

"I'm going to try and get out and practice as much as I can, man," Russell said. "I really haven't made any decisions about it yet."

Think fast

The Raiders went through various late game situations at the end of practice today.

There were the usual drives with less than two minutes and a few with little time on the clock.

The last drive ended with a field goal attempt and Kiffin told backup tight end Chris Wagner not to go on the field.

Shane Lechler, the holder on field goals, noticed he was a man short and called timeout.

"I pulled him just to show him the scenario," Kiffin said. "There was three seconds on the clock, and the offense had a time out, so Shane calls a time out there. If offense doesn't have a time out, Shane has to take a delay of game. So I was just making sure Shane was paying attention."

Rough time

Rookie WR Chaz Schilens has good size and has shown good hands during training camp.

But he had back-to-back mental errors today.

He caught a pass in a simulated late game situation and didn't step out of bounds.

"Unless the guy falls down and there's nothing but grass get your (butt) out of bounds," quarterback Marques Tuiasosopo told him.

Schilens false started on the next play and had to take the penalty lap around the field. Schilens decided to run around both fields, though.

Voting time

Essence Magazine has two Raiders nominated for its "Do Right Men of the Year."

You can vote for Kirk Morrison or Nnamdi Asomugha by clicking here.
Camp notes

*CB John Bowie (knee), LB Grant Irons (hamstring), S Greg Wesley (back) and WR Arman Shields (knee) did not practice. DT Gerard Warren (thigh) didn't finish practice.

*Sebastian Janikowski made field goals from 54 and 37 yards. He missed from 48 yards.

*S Hiram Eugene, LB Jon Alston, S Gibril Wilson and CB DeAngelo Hall all had interceptions during practice. Alston and Eugene's picks came during seven-on-seven drills.

*McFadden took part in individual drills with the wide receivers.

*DE Derrick Burgess continues to work as a linebacker during seven-on-seven.

"That (stuff) makes me tired man," Burgess said.

*OL Paul McQuistan also had to run a lap for a penalty.

--Jason Jones

JaMarcus Russell on his minor injury:

"I just bumped it a little bit on the helmet. Other than that I was OK. I went through as much as I could. I'll be OK though."

--Jason Jones

NAPA - In non-JaMarcus Russell related news:

*Referees were at practice tonight.

There were two defensive penalties. Linebacker Robert Thomas and defensive end Trevor Scott were called for being offsides. Tackles Kwame Harris, Cornell Green and tight end Darrell Strong were flagged for false starts.

All had to run a lap for their penalties. Green tried to delay his penalty but was eventually called out and heckled by Derrick Burgess for having to run.

*The Raiders worked on running offense from inside their own five-yard line with Rage Against the Machine playing as background music. That's where Green, Strong and Thomas picked up their penalties.

*Cornerback John Bowie (knee) did not practice after hurting his knee in the morning and is expected to miss tomorrow's practice.

*Greg Wesley (back spasms) remains out. Tight end John Madsen didn't practice after being hit by Jarrod Cooper after a catch this morning.

*Burgess was given a break after individual drills. So he spent practice commenting on everything he saw.

*Cornerback Michael Waddell has been on the wrong end of some spectacular catches during camp.

And when he does well, he isn't always having good luck.

He made a good play on a pass to bat the ball away from Todd Watkins. But the ball bounced off Waddell's hands into Watkin's hands.

*The team didn't wear shoulder pads tonight, but if the Raiders had, Cooper could put a couple of nice hits on receivers.

When he didn't go for an interception on a high pass, some teammates mockingly jeered.

Coop's response: "I don't catch the ball, I knock (people) out."

--Jason Jones

NAPA - Quarterback JaMarcus Russell was held out of the team portion of tonight's practice after hitting his elbow on the back of Darren McFadden's helmet this morning.

Well "nicked" was the word the coach used.

"We checked him out after practice and he was fine," said coach Lane Kiffin. "He came out and warmed up, threw the ball and it just stiffened up on him so we erred on the side of safety. ... If we were playing a game today he could have very easily played. I don't foresee this being an issue at all."

Russell spent part of tonight's practice with his right arm wrapped in ice.

Russell, the first overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, was shaking his arm this morning and had his arm wrapped in ice after practice.

Andrew Walter took the first-team snaps in place of Russell.

--Jason Jones

NAPA - Does the "Battle of the Bay" mean something to you in the preseason?

It begins to a degree next Monday when the 49ers come to Napa for a joint practice followed by the annual preseason game that Friday.

Jarrod Cooper has already called his shot earlier today.

"I'm looking for DeShaun Foster, make sure you put that on there," Cooper said. "You know we used to play in Carolina together, we used to fight all the time."

This camp has been without any fights. If Coop weren't such a joker, I'd believe he planned to fight Foster next week just to get things going.

*You can also add tackle Barry Sims (now a 49er) to the list of players that have taken their shots at the Raiders.

"In Oakland, we only had handful of plays and just disguised them up to look different," Sims told the San Jose Mercury News. "Here, we're actually running different plays."

Take that, offensive genius Lane Kiffin, I guess. Sims, of course, is now working under a mad scientist in offensive coordinator Mike Martz.

Then this on the atmosphere:

"In Oakland, it seemed like there was a lot of individuals there," Sims said. "Here, everybody kind of works together as a team. It's a good environment to be around."

--Jason Jones

NAPA - Today's hitter of the day: Jarrod Cooper.

Sure, this isn't "full" contact, but Cooper laid a hit on John Madsen during seven-on-seven that jarred the ball loose for a forced fumble.

"You got grown men out here playing football, bumping into each other," Cooper said. "Somebody's going to get mad. And today, I got mad. Yesterday, somebody else got mad, but I took the mad role today. It worked."

By the way, Cooper said this while smiling.

Cooper took down rookie tight end Darrell Strong too on a play that was a little too close for Lane Kiffin's liking.

"There was the first play, which I was fine with," Kiffin said. "He hit the guy and it was straight up. We need that, we need to be more physical on defense. I've got no problem with that and our young players need to see that. ... There was a second play where he was down at the guy's legs. We don't want that obviously. We want them to protect their teammates."

Cooper conceded as much.

Well, not really.

"I got a little heated on the second one," Cooper said. "I probably shouldn't have tackled the rookie but, first of all, he's a rookie so I'm not worried about him. But you got to be smart."

Another thumper

Fullback Oren O'Neal was throwing his body into linebackers today without fear in short-yardage situations.

"They brought me here to be a hammerhead and I like to show them I can hit," O'Neal said.

Kiffin has always praised O'Neal's work ethic. He wouldn't mind having more players that enjoyed contact as much as O'Neal.

"He's never going to say a speech," Kiffin said of O'Neal. "He's never going to talk to the guys. Sometimes he doesn't talk the whole day. He lets his play do the talking and he's valuable to us on special teams as well as fullback."

Quarterback watch

JaMarcus Russell left for lunch with ice on his right elbow. Kiffin and Russell said it was nothing serious.

Russell was seen shaking his arm during practice.

Kiffin continues to stress that Russell needs to make good decisions on the field.

"The biggest priority there is to get him out of the college mode where he had such good receivers, those three guys that he played with, that are all high draft picks, that he can just throw the ball up and they'd make plays all the time," Kiffin said. "You've got to get him out of that mentality and make sure he's doing the right thing with the ball."

Backup battle

Kiffin said there is competition for the right to backup Russell between Andrew Walter and Marques Tuiasosopo.

Both will get a lot of work in the preseason behind Russell, who will probably play longer than most starters because he needs more game experience.

"They'll both play a ton in preseason and see who can move us and who can make really good decisions," Kiffin said. "The backup quarterback will be decided by who takes care of the ball the best."

Moving around

The Raiders are experimenting with moving Derrick Burgess around instead of keeping him at his usual spot at left defensive end.

He's been on the right side and also dropped into coverage like a linebacker.

Burgess, who has looked good thus far, is being moved to try to prevent him from being double teamed so much.

Today's random thing overheard during practice

"How about three of you (expletives) stay and one of you get out!"

Angry Raiders defensive coordinator Rob Ryan after he asked for a 3-4 defense and four defensive linemen were on the field. Rookie Greyson Gunheim was the (sucker) that left the field.

Camp notes

*Kiffin liked the way RB Michael Bush lowered his shoulders during short yardage.

*Watching players run their lap for penalties can be funny. Paul McQuistan was called for a false start and took his lap.

Defensive tackle William Joseph was called for being offsides and ran about half a lap before joining his teammates.

*Todd Watkins continues to make plays in the passing game. Madsen also made some nice grabs.

*Ricky Brown continued to work with the first team at strongside linebacker this morning.

*S Greg Wesley (back), LB Grant Irons and DT Tommy Kelly did not practice. CB John Bowie (knee) left practice early but said he was fine.

*Fred Wakefield worked at right tackle today, his second day as an offensive lineman. He was playing defensive end at the start of came.

--Jason Jones

NAPA - Welcome to the wonderful world of Fred Wakefield.

He was signed last year as a tight end.

He played tight end and defensive during offseason workouts this year.

Wakefield had spent training camp as a defensive end.

Today, Wakefield was playing right guard.

One thing is certain. Wakefield won't be moving to quarterback.

"My wife throws better than I do so that won't happen," Wakefield said.

Wakefield's NFL career has been one of constant change. He started 10 games on the offensive line in 2005 in Arizona after being a starter on the defensive line.

He moved to tight end in 2006 when the team needed another blocker at the position before joining the Raiders.

Wakefield missed last season with a torn ACL.

So where is Wakefield comfortable?

"Guard or tackle on the offensive side just because that's what I've done more recently," he said. "It doesn't really bother me. I want to play. If I can keep bouncing around wherever they need me to do to help us win some games, I'll do it."

Wakefield weighs 285 pounds and figures he needs to add another 10-15 pounds or so to play offensive line.

He better be careful. He could be playing linebacker next week. Wakefield took reps at right guard Monday, including a few with the starting offensive line.

Weighty matters

One player told me the food being cooked for the Raiders was "on some bull..."

In other words, strength and conditioning coach Brad Roll and Lane Kiffin didn't put in for orders of pizza, burgers and ice cream when they met with chef at the Napa Valley Marriott.

"We kind of changed of the menu a lot," Kiffin said. "It's wearing on them. It's extremely healthy, whole wheat pasta and they're getting a little worn out by it."

So at the end of practice, Sebastian Janikowski made a 43-yard field goal that won the team the right to be treated to dinner by their position coaches.

Kiffin credits Roll with the improved health of several Raiders, citing a somewhat slimmer Terdell Sands as an example of Roll's work.

SeaBass missed a 57-yard kick Sunday night that would have freed the Raiders of healthy eating.

"So they had to eat the whole wheat again," Kiffin said.

Defensive end Jay Richardson plans to hit defensive line coach Keith Millard's pocket hard.

"Filet, 10 ounces, medium," is what Richardson said he plans to order.

Today's random thing overheard at practice

Wide receivers are stereotyped as vain and Javon Walker played the part with a photographer.

"Are you gonna get my picture in the magazine," Walker asked.

The response wasn't audible. But Walker expressed his preference.

"Get my left side, the good side."

Another random thing:

"Have you caught anything today, Shields?"

Safety Jarrod Cooper to rookie receiver Arman Shields, who hadn't caught a pass during team drills.

Camp notes

*Kiffin is serious about making JaMarcus Russell think fast.

When Russell was calling an audible, Kiffin yelled at him "There's a play clock!"

*Russell was seen shaking his left hand, but Kiffin said it was no big deal. Russell continued practicing.

*Ricky Brown was taking reps with the first team as the strongside linebacker. Robert Thomas had been in that spot recently.

*Nnamdi Asomugha attended a funeral earlier today and was not at practice.

*Tackle Mario Henderson had to run a lap for another false start. He was the only player punished for a penalty today.

*Russell had a great fake handoff on a playaction pass. But the interception by Rashad Baker on the play was better.

*Derrick Burgess did some work with the linebackers during seven-on-seven drills. He stood up occasionally last season.

*Offensive lineman Mark Wilson suffered a broken leg and sprained ankle last night during practice.

"Mark's probably done," Kiffin said. "Bad deal."

*Rookie tight end Darrell Strong had the catch of a day. He made a one-handed grab in which he tapped the ball to himself while being hit by Hiram Eugene.

In spite of the hard hit, Strong kept his balance and ran to the end zone.

*The other highlight catch came for Todd Watkins (again). He made a leaping grab over the head of cornerback Michael Waddell.

*Owner Al Davis was at practice for a second consecutive day.

*Defensive tackle Gerard Warren was a force as a pass rusher today.

*Safety Greg Wesley (back) and linebacker Grant Irons (hamstring) did not practice.

--Jason Jones

NAPA - The man himself, Raiders owner Al Davis, attended his first practice of training camp tonight.

He spent a lot of the time watching the offense before it joined the defense for some light scrimmaging.

Davis stayed for the duration of practice, watching from a golf cart on the sidelines.

The San Francisco Chronicle reports Davis is peeved that LaMont Jordan is with the Patriots, fearful Jordan might have a Randy Moss-like revival to his career and that Davis only agreed to release him if he didn't sign with New England or Denver.

But you had to know if New England came calling, Jordan was running there.

In his first public comments as a Patriot, Jordan hasn't joined the chorus of ex-Raiders talking bad about the organization.

"I don't think about the past," is how Jordan responed to a question from Boston-area media about the Raiders.

That's unusual for Jordan, who rarely bit his tongue as a Raider. He always had a way to get his point across.

He has defended the way Moss was portrayed and said he hopes to revive his career much like Moss did.

"Randy caught a bad rap in Oakland," Jordan said. "People don't know that he was playing hurt most of the time. From Day One, from the first time Randy and I stepped on the field together, I knew he was about one thing, and that's just winning. I think sometimes the media portrays him to be this guy that he really isn't. At the end of the day all he wants to do is win ballgames."

*Darren McFadden took turns returning kickoffs during special teams practice.

If the Raiders are looking to get the ball into McFadden's hands in different ways, kickoffs are a logical choice.

McFadden's speed might end that stretch of games without a kickoff (or a punt) for a touchdown.

The last time that happened was the season finale of the 2003 season.

But you have to imagine Davis having flashbacks of Tim Brown being injured returning a kickoff back in 1989.

In the end, don't be surprised if McFadden is back returning kickoffs along with Tyvon Branch.

It's a simple way to get him the ball without the pressure of having to do it in the offense.

After all, Brown excelled in that role early in his career.

Other players that took turns at kickoffs were Arman Shileds, Louis Rankin, Chris Johnson and Johnathan Holland.

Good Hands

Wideout Todd Watkins continues to impress with his receiving ability.

After an early uncharacteristic drop, Watkins was back to showing off his good hands.

His best of the night was a catch in which he rolled on the grass and batted the ball in the air with a defender present but managed to hold on to the ball.

Watkins also made a couple of leaping grabs near the sidelines with defenders close by.

He'll make it tough to cut him if he keeps catching the ball.

Night practice notes

*Left tackle Kwame Harris (back) returned to practice after missing yesterday and this morning's practice. Safety Greg Wesley didn't practice after taking part in the morning practice. He's missed time with back spasms.

Receiver Ronald Curry, center Jake Grove and defensive end Fred Wakefield had the night off. Wakefield has been dealing with flu-like symptoms, but stood out this morning with his play.

Curry and Grove are still slated to practice once a day. Both took part in the morning session.

Also, defensive tackle Tommy Kelly and receiver Javon Walker practiced after having the morning off.

*John Wade took the first-team snaps at center in place of Grove.

*Backup offensive lineman Mark Wilson left practice with a left leg injury that had to be X-rayed. He returned to the locker room on crutches.

*Who says punters don't do anything during practice? When Willie Brown needed someone to throw passes to the cornerbacks, he summoned Shane Lechler over from the sideline.

*Nnamdi Asomugha forced the only turnover of the night in team work, intercepting a JaMarcus Russell pass.

*The drill highlight of the night was a one-handed snag by linebacker Thomas Howard while unit worked on intercepting passes.

*Sebastian Janikowski made two 43-yard field goals. He missed a 57-yard kick at the end of practice.

Those kicks usually have something on the line such as later curfew or later reporting time to practice.

The team joked around with the situation with coaches even calling timeout a la Mike Shanahan before the kick.

*By the way, no offensive linemen false started during the team session.

--Jason Jones

NAPA - The Raiders are emphasizing tackling a lot in practice.

Problem is the team isn't tackling in practice.

Defenders are encouraged to be in the right place and wrap up ball carriers.

But the Raiders aren't in full gear (they're still wearing shoulder pads, helmets and shorts) so there will be no real tackling.

Old school coachers everywhere are disgusted by that. But with 80 players, no NFL Europe exemptions and fear of losing players to injury, this is the way it is.

Anytime a ball carrier hits the grass, more than one coach can be heard yelling at players to "stay up."

But this is football, and that's not always easy to do. But can you blame anyone on defense for tackling?

The Raiders trace a lot of their problems stopping the run to an inability to tackle.

But what's a team to do if can't practice tackling until a preseason game?

"You just got to work on form-tackling drills and continue to put guys in those situations as much as you can," said Raiders coach Lane Kiffin.

Also the Raiders are depending on two additions in the secondary to help out.

Gibril Wilson's pedigree as a tackler is established. But coaches are also excited about the run support cornerback DeAngelo Hall can provide.

"Nobody talks about DeAngelo, but you can make a really good case about DeAngelo coming up and tackling people," Kiffin said. "He's not just a cover corner. He's made a number of hits and he's played in a cover two so they rolled up some times, guys in the flats, so he'll throw himself in there so he's going to help as well."

Dress rehearsal

It's only a practice.

Not a scrimmage. Not a game.

Practice.

That's what Kiffin stressed when discussing the joint practice the Raiders will have with the 49ers on Aug. 4.

"I just know our guys will, we'll get a better tempo in practice than we will going against ourselves for another practice, another day," Kiffin said. "It's just a good changeup to have, I thought it would fit well as far as practicing the week that we play them because it kind of gives our guys a chance to prepare against what they're going to see."

Kiffin said he and 49ers coach Mike Nolan began discussing the idea about two months ago.

The schedule for the day is already done.

"We added a few things to assist them in what they're trying to get done," Kiffin said. "For the most part it will be the same format you guys are used to seeing. (Nolan's) been great about it. Our whole thing is just going to have to be safety, making sure our players understand this is a practice not a scrimmage. Other than that I think it will be very positive."

Hand games

Darren McFadden dropped a pass this morning and hasn't looked as sure-handed as he did in offseason workouts.

Most of the problems come when McFadden is lined up at wide receiver. He's looked fine catching screen passes.

Part of the Raiders' plan on offense is to stress defensive coordinators by putting McFadden at receiver, forcing them to decide whether to put a linebacker or defensive back on him.

But he's got to catch the ball out wide for that to work.

"He's had some inaccurate hand placement on some catches, which is a surprise because we didn't see much of that in the camp before," Kiffin said. "He's got so much going on right now and so much pressure on him and so many different plays so we're going to keep pushing him and then there will come a time when we pull back."

Oops, they did it again

Once again there were issues with the snap.

John Wade was the center on bad exchanges. The first was with the JaMarcus Russell, the second was with Andrew Walter.

With the team switching centers, this could continue to be a problem until someone wins the job.

Camp notes

*The play of the morning practice was an interception by cornerback Stanford Routt.

He made the pick while lying on receiver Drew Carter's back.

Carter was involved in one of the funnier plays of the morning, too.

He made a catch with Chris Johnson fighting for the ball as they landed on the grass. Carter yelled "tie goes to the receiver" before spending nearly 30 seconds rolling around before emerging with the ball.

*These are this morning's penalty runners:

OL Paul McQuistan

OL Mario Henderson. He ran one lap, but probably should have run at least three. He seems to have picked up Cornell Green's ability to be a split second early on the snap count, but isn't nearly as slick as Green.

TE Tony Stewart

DE Greyson Gunheim

*Safety Greg Wesley returned to practice after missing two days with back spasms. Tackle Kwame Harris (back) is supposed to practice tonight.

Receiver Javon Walker and defensive tackle Tommy Kelly had the morning off and will practice tonight.

TE/WR/RB Marcel Reece (hamstring) was able to perform some agility drills after practice.

*The kick return job is Tyvon Branch's for now. Johnnie Lee Higgins is the punt returner. Kiffin added McFadden could also be used as a returner.

*The team has about seven hours off the field. Special teams usually reports a little earlier. Media is allowed back on the field at 7 p.m.

--Jason Jones

NAPA - Michael Huff looks the part of a natural free safety.

He made the play of the defense for the defense with a diving interception of a JaMarcus Russell pass.

"They brought me here to make plays, and I feel like I can use my speed, use my athletic ability to make plays," Huff said. "And when you have the two best corners in the game It makes it a lot easier for me, so I don't have to lean one way. I can look at the quarterback's eyes and find the ball."

Huff played the role of the good solider in his first two seasons. He never complained publicly about his sprinter's speed being used to cover tight ends as a strong safety.

But he's been liberated of having primary duty of tracking tight ends with Gibril Wilson on the team.

Plus, Wilson would probably be insulted if he weren't allowed to be near the line of scrimmage as much as possible.

Huff weighs 205 pounds. That's the result of doing all he could to bulk up to play in the box. He doesn't feel like he's any less quick right now.

Wilson has been a welcome addition and mentor to Huff. He had Huff with him last night working on tackling backup running backs after practice.

"Gibril's played a lot of free, so he's giving me some techniques and some little things I can use," Huff said. "Being an open-field tackler, that's the hardest part, and I feel he's definitely helped me with open field tackling that's been the biggest adjustment."

O-line watch

Left tackle Kwame Harris (lower back) did not practice. Paul McQuistan replaced him as the first-team left tackle. McQuistan has been playing a lot of guard thus far.

Lane Kiffin concedes Harris needs work in pass protection, which he attributes to Harris moving back to left tackle after playing on the right side in recent seasons.

Harris has looked fine in the run game, as expected.

"We've got a lot of hopes for him, and we're going to need him," Kiffin said.

Kiffin said Mario Henderson is being "cross-trained" to play left and right tackle so that if he is the third tackle on game day, he knows both sides.

Offensive line coach Tom Cable can be seen working with Henderson on his footwork a lot during practice.

Jake Grove is still taking first-team reps at center.

The simple things

Russell has made some throws in practice that look impossible. And he does it effortlessly.

"We're not going to coach those special throws that he makes where he's running over there and he throws back and makes those great throws. That's who he is and very few people can do that."

Kiffin is stressing the little things.

"We've got to get him to do everything right, the little things, the little completions and the timing of everything," he said. "That's all the stuff that wows the fans and people watching but that's not what makes you a good quarterback. A good quarterback plays with great discipline, he takes care of the ball and he throws things on time"

Ups and downs of a rookie

During one-on-one passing drills rookie receiver Chaz Schilens beat cornerback Michael Waddell with double moves twice. Marques Tuiasosopo overthrew Schilens the first time but hit him in stride the second time.

But Schilens also drew the ire of receivers coach James Lofton on a running play later in practice.

"C'mon Chaz we might as well put 10 guys on the field," Lofton yelled as Schilens managed to block no one in particular.

Schilens came out after that play.

Camp notes

*Day 3 of training camp was by far the warmest day. Practice ended at 4:35 p.m., 25 minutes early

*The offensive tackles continue to struggle in pass protection against Derrick Burgess.

Kalimba Edwards had a decent day of practice as second defensive end in passing situations.

*Cornerback Chris Johnson was aggressive breaking on the ball. He landed on top of receivers more than once, even though the coaches don't want the players taking each other to the grass.

*McQuistan and Brandon Rodd were offensive linemen that had to run a lap for false starting.

*Sebastian Janikowski hit a 53-yard field goal during practice and made two from shorter distances.

*Rashad Baker, DeAngelo Hall and Waddell fielded punts from Shane Lechler after practice. Baker nearly knocked Kiffin down trying to catch a punt. Johnnie Lee Higgins has been the primary punt returner in practice.

*Safety Greg Wesley (back spasms), RB/WR/TE Marcel Reece (hamstring) and linebacker Grant Irons (hamstring) did not practice.

The Raiders will have two practices Sunday.

*Russell's father, Bobby Lloyd, attended practice.

--Jason Jones

LaMont Jordan wasn't unemployed long.

He signed a one-year deal with the New England Patriots.

It's believed New Orleans was also interested in Jordan. He's always said winning was his primary goal and he held true to that.

The Patriots give him a better chance of reaching the Super Bowl, even though he might not get as much time behind Laurence Maroney.

Assuming Jordan makes the team, he'll join Randy Moss when the Patriots come to Oakland this season.

Jordan and Moss having big days at the Coliseum? That would be tough to handle for Raider fans.

--Jason Jones

NAPA - Observations from tonight's practice...

*Just so you know, the Raiders are preparing for best-case scenarios.

During special teams, the team worked on punting with the lead and two minutes left in a game and ways to run out the clock with the lead late.

*The team is serious about making player that commit penalties run a lap around the field as punishment.

Rookie defensive end Trevor Scott, Tommy Kelly and Jay Richardson all ran after jumping offsides.

Left tackle Kwame Harris clearly false started but managed to stay on the field, but not for long.

Defensive tackle Terdell Sands made a fuss during the play and offensive coordinator Greg Knapp sought out Sands to let make sure he saw Harris running his lap a few plays later.

*JaMarcus Russell threw some crisp passes that looked as if they would knock the receiver down.

The best of the night was a pass that traveled more than 20 yards I the air that Russell completed to a diving Drew Carter.

Russell was running to his right and Carter's route had him running the opposite direction.

*Defensive end Derrick Burgess seems to have his way no matter who blocks him.

*The Raiders re-signed quarterback Jeff Otis to fill the roster spot vacated when LaMont Jordan was released.

Otis was waived Thursday.

*Backup quarterback Andrew Walter missed tonight's practice with a sore right wrist. He hurt in during Friday morning's practice. Defensive end Fred Wakefield was held out with flu like symptoms. Safety Greg Wesley (back spasms) was held out after missing the morning session, too.

*Defensive end Greg Spires (hamstring) practiced for the first time during camp. He looked good backing up Burgess and earned a "way to (mess) it up" from defensive coordinator Rob Ryan after getting into the backfield to disrupt a running play.

*Marcel Reece (hamstring) didn't practice tonight after Lane Kiffin said he'd try to use him after he missed the morning practice.

Reece was a wide receiver in college, but has been hanging out with the running backs.

*Rookie Arman Shields had a long catch on a play in which he got by Nnamdi Asomugha on a deep route along the sidelines.

In a game situation it's unlikely Shields would have had the time to get 40-50 yards down the field, but it was fun to watch.

Asomugha yelled, "All right, Knapp" after the play.

Knapp had a retort.

"You've got fresh legs," a joking reminder that Asomugha wasn't with the team during the offseason before signing his franchise tender this week.

*When Scott isn't jumping offsides, he's shown some pass rush ability.

*Harris is looking more comfortable at left tackle. He won't be confused with Walter Jones, but his pass protection during drills this evening looked better than in the morning practice.

Kiffin said today if Harris is going to be successful, he's in the right system to do that.

*After wearing shoulder pads, helmets and shorts for the first two practices of camp, the team didn't practice in pads tonight.

--Jason Jones

NAPA - Goodbye, LaMont Jordan.

The team finally released Jordan today. He showed up on the transactions list sometime while I was out taking a break from staring at the laptop.

Calling this move overdue is like saying the sky is blue.

The long unhappy tailback first asked for his release last November.

One of the reasons he was kept? Fear he'd end up with Denver or Kansas City

It was assumed he'd be released after June 1, but no one figured he'd be a Raider this long.

Jordan was kept off the field during last month's minicamp and then told not to report to training camp this week.

Jordan's agent, Alvin Keels, was given permission to seek a trade but pretty much anyone with any kind of football sense knew a trade was very unlikely.

Raiders coach Lane Kiffin called the stalemate an issue between Keels and owner Al Davis.

With the team drafting Darren McFadden, re-signing Justin Fargas and eagerly wanting to see Michael Bush on the field, there was no way the Raiders planned to keep Jordan this season.

That Jordan had to be released was the only logical solution because no team would agree to take on Jordan's $4.7 million salary.

The move frees up a roster spot that the team can use to bring in an extra quarterback.

On a side note, that means the biggest WWE fan on the roster is gone.

Who will I discuss Monday Night Raw with?

I intended to end this posting with some Youtube clips of Jordan highlights with the Raiders, but those didn't pop up right away.

This did. Enjoy.

--Jason Jones