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Raiders, 49ers to work out together today in Napa
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CommentDecember 28th, 2008
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Training camp takes on a different look and feel today at Redwood Middle School.
The San Francisco 49ers are in town for joint practices against the Oakland Raiders as the Bay Area teams continue to prepare for the 2008 NFL season.
The San Francisco 49ers are in town for joint practices against the Oakland Raiders as the Bay Area teams continue to prepare for the 2008 NFL season.
Players will be in pads for this morning’s first practice, which goes from 9-11 a.m. Players will either be in soft gear or half pads for tonight’s second practice, which is under the lights, running from 7-9 p.m. Making the trip with the Niners is Kyle Wright, a back-up quarterback from the University of Miami who played JV football at Vintage High School for a year.
It’s the first time in their 13 years of coming to Napa for summer camp that the Raiders will practice against someone other than themselves.
It’s the first time in their 13 years of coming to Napa for summer camp that the Raiders will practice against someone other than themselves.
“Going against their guys will be a different twist,” Raiders rookie running back Darren McFadden said.
Joint practices in camp are fairly common around the NFL, as long as teams are in close proximity. The Raiders have had practices on the road against Dallas and Houston in recent years, but this marks the first time that another team will be in Napa.
Joint practices in camp are fairly common around the NFL, as long as teams are in close proximity. The Raiders have had practices on the road against Dallas and Houston in recent years, but this marks the first time that another team will be in Napa.
“We’re just looking for some competition against some new bodies, some fresh faces in different jerseys,” said Oakland coach Lane Kiffin. “It’s no different than a normal practice format.”
Kiffin and 49ers coach Mike Nolan began discussing the joint practices — which are closed to the public, per Raiders team policy — about two months ago. The two coaches have worked out the schedule and format, with Kiffin pointing out that it’s not a scrimmage.
“We’re practicing against them,” said Kiffin.
Tackling to the ground will not be allowed.
“We’ll try to handle it the best we can,” said Kiffin. “But we’ve got to be prepared for some issues to happen.”
The Niners were scheduled to travel to Napa Sunday night and will stay at a nearby hotel. They will return to the hotel in-between practices. They will then return to their facility in Santa Clara later tonight.
“It will be nice to see some new faces and get to beat up on some other guys for once,” said Raiders tight end Zach Miller. “I’m sure it will feel almost like a preseason game out here. It will be a fun practice getting to go against those guys.”
The Raiders and 49ers meet in a preseason game Aug. 8 at McAfee Coliseum in Oakland at 7 p.m. KTVU-Channel 2 and KICU-Channel 36 will carry the contest.
“The objective of both teams is to work against some other people,” Nolan told The Associated Press. “We’ve got to keep it on that level. It’s not a scrimmage, and there will be no live-to-the-ground type of drills. But at the same time, they’ll be competing. So it’s important to them. All the guys will take pride in what they’re doing.”
Raiders tackle Kwame Harris, signed as a free agent in March, is no stranger to the Niners. Harris has played in 72 league games with 44 starts since entering the NFL in 2003 as a first round draft choice of the 49ers out of Stanford. He has started games at both left and right tackle during his five-year NFL career. He started all 16 league games for the 49ers at right tackle in both 2005 and 2006 and was in San Francisco’s starting lineup for five regular season games as a rookie in 2003. He also had seven starts at left tackle in 2004.
“There’s a lot of history there with the Niners,” said Harris. “I was with them for the last five years. They brought me into the NFL. It will be exciting to get out there and knock heads with them at practice and again on Friday.
“I still have a lot of friends over there. I know the coaches pretty well over there, but it’s football.”
Raiders practices are closed, but it’s by invitation that groups attend camp.
• Raiders and partners to host Raider Rookie Zone
The Raiders are hosting an interactive game-day area, the Raider Rookie Zone presented by California Police Youth Charities, at McAfee Coliseum. Young fans are able to participate in a variety of family-focused activities in the Raider Rookie Zone during the 2008 season.
The Raider Rookie Zone even has a true professional football feel in 2008, with the installation of Field Turf. The Raider Rookie Zone is located in the east side of McAfee Coliseum, on the concourse between sections 234-235. It’s open two hours before kickoff.
For more information, visit the Web site www.raidersforkids.com.
Kiffin and 49ers coach Mike Nolan began discussing the joint practices — which are closed to the public, per Raiders team policy — about two months ago. The two coaches have worked out the schedule and format, with Kiffin pointing out that it’s not a scrimmage.
“We’re practicing against them,” said Kiffin.
Tackling to the ground will not be allowed.
“We’ll try to handle it the best we can,” said Kiffin. “But we’ve got to be prepared for some issues to happen.”
The Niners were scheduled to travel to Napa Sunday night and will stay at a nearby hotel. They will return to the hotel in-between practices. They will then return to their facility in Santa Clara later tonight.
“It will be nice to see some new faces and get to beat up on some other guys for once,” said Raiders tight end Zach Miller. “I’m sure it will feel almost like a preseason game out here. It will be a fun practice getting to go against those guys.”
The Raiders and 49ers meet in a preseason game Aug. 8 at McAfee Coliseum in Oakland at 7 p.m. KTVU-Channel 2 and KICU-Channel 36 will carry the contest.
“The objective of both teams is to work against some other people,” Nolan told The Associated Press. “We’ve got to keep it on that level. It’s not a scrimmage, and there will be no live-to-the-ground type of drills. But at the same time, they’ll be competing. So it’s important to them. All the guys will take pride in what they’re doing.”
Raiders tackle Kwame Harris, signed as a free agent in March, is no stranger to the Niners. Harris has played in 72 league games with 44 starts since entering the NFL in 2003 as a first round draft choice of the 49ers out of Stanford. He has started games at both left and right tackle during his five-year NFL career. He started all 16 league games for the 49ers at right tackle in both 2005 and 2006 and was in San Francisco’s starting lineup for five regular season games as a rookie in 2003. He also had seven starts at left tackle in 2004.
“There’s a lot of history there with the Niners,” said Harris. “I was with them for the last five years. They brought me into the NFL. It will be exciting to get out there and knock heads with them at practice and again on Friday.
“I still have a lot of friends over there. I know the coaches pretty well over there, but it’s football.”
Raiders practices are closed, but it’s by invitation that groups attend camp.
• Raiders and partners to host Raider Rookie Zone
The Raiders are hosting an interactive game-day area, the Raider Rookie Zone presented by California Police Youth Charities, at McAfee Coliseum. Young fans are able to participate in a variety of family-focused activities in the Raider Rookie Zone during the 2008 season.
The Raider Rookie Zone even has a true professional football feel in 2008, with the installation of Field Turf. The Raider Rookie Zone is located in the east side of McAfee Coliseum, on the concourse between sections 234-235. It’s open two hours before kickoff.
For more information, visit the Web site www.raidersforkids.com.
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