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Blogging about the Silver and Black
Quick hits from each day's Oakland Raiders training camp in Napa
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CommentDecember 28th, 2008
December 27th, 2008
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December 17th, 2008
December 16th, 2008
Preseason upon us
Wednesday, Aug. 6, 9:23 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 6, 9:23 p.m.
After two weeks of going against teammates in training camp, all NFL clubs this weekend will be able to see a real, live — opponent.
It’s the first full weekend of NFL preseason football.
It’s the first full weekend of NFL preseason football.
On Friday, the Raiders and San Francisco 49ers open the preseason at 7 p.m. at McAfee Coliseum in Oakland. For the 49ers, it’s a three-way competition at quarterback to see who will start among Shaun Hill, J.T. O’Sullivan and Alex Smith.
“The quarterback position is open,” Niners head coach Mike Nolan said. “Whoever gives us the best chance to win is the guy.”
“The quarterback position is open,” Niners head coach Mike Nolan said. “Whoever gives us the best chance to win is the guy.”
For the Raiders, it’s all JaMarcus Russell, the No. 1 overall draft choice of 2007 who has been declared the starter by head coach Lane Kiffin.
The Raiders planned to use tonight’s practice — the second of a two-a-day — specifically for the purpose of preparing for Friday’s game against the 49ers.
“The outcome of the game is not that important to me,” said coach Lane Kiffin. “What is important to me is for us to install game plans to see how our guys react and how our young guys learn and carry over tendencies and tips into the game. We’ve gone to work on that (Tuesday) night and then (tonight) our whole practice will be dedicated to that.”
Friday’s game will be televised locally on tape-delay on KICU Channel 6 at 10 p.m. KPIX-Channel 5 will also carry the contest at 11:35 p.m. Live radio coverage is on KSFO 560 AM.
Michael Bush’s play at running back in the morning practice today impressed Kiffin.
“Michael Bush was really special today. If he could practice like that every day, we’d have something.”
Kiffin likes the talent and productivity shown by the team’s young wide receivers — in particular Todd Watkins, Arman Shields, Chaz Schilens and Jonathan Holland.
“Our young guys have had a lot of opportunities this whole camp. There’s great competition all over the place, from making the roster to making the practice squad. It’s going to be really exciting to see these guys play. We’ve got some guys that can run.
“It’s by far a better unit than it was a year ago as far as the depth and competition to make the roster. They all flash at times and they all show some special things.”
In addition to morning and afternoon practices, the Raiders also had two special teams practices today.
-- Marty James, Executive Sports Editor
Fans, and ESPN, come out for camp
Tuesday, Aug. 5, 9:45 p.m.
The team’s 18th practice of training camp this afternoon drew one of the largest groups of fans, most of whom were seated in bleachers on the west side of the Redwood Middle School complex.
Looking on was Jim Sochor, the former UC Davis head football coach, who had a streak of 18 consecutive conference championships, from 1971 to 1988. This is more than any other football program on any level in NCAA history. His overall record between 1970 and 1988 was 156-41-5, a winning percentage of .785. In conference games under Sochor, the Aggies were 92-5. He had winning streaks of 41 and 38 in conference games. He was named national coach of the year in NCAA Division II in 1983 and was also the coach of future NFL quarterbacks Mike Moroski and Ken O’Brien and kicker Rolf Benirschke. He was also a mentor to several future head coaches, including Dan Hawkins, Paul Hackett, Mike Bellotti, Chris Petersen and Bob Biggs. Many athletes from Napa Valley schools played for Sochor in the Aggies program over the years. “We had some real good ones,” Sochor said.
NFL officials worked the Raiders’ practice yesterday.
Also on hand was John Clayton, a reporter for ESPN and a senior writer for ESPN.com.
The Raiders have two practices Wednesday (9-11 a.m. and 7-9 p.m.) and they have a single practice Thursday (3-5 p.m.). They open the NFL preseason Friday against the San Francisco 49ers at 7 p.m. at McAfee Coliseum in Oakland.
Wide receiver Drisan James had one of the biggest catches today, pulling in a long pass from Marques Tuiasosopo in the end zone. James got past defenders and caught the ball in stride.
The Raiders are on a camp schedule that calls for two-a-days every other day, but coach Lane Kiffin pointed out that some of the practices have been shorter. Yesterday’s ended at 4:30 p.m. “We know so much more about guys than we did a year ago,” the coach said. “There’s not as much competition as there was a year ago as far as for the last spots and the depth chart moving. We’re in a different place this year than last year.”
The Raiders rested Andrew Walter, whose throwing arm is sore and tired. Most likely, he’ll get substantial time in Friday’s game, said Kiffin. “We want to make sure that he’s fresh for that.”
--Marty James, Executive Sports Editor
Morning session thoughts from Marty
Monday, Aug. 4, 1 p.m.
Marty James' blog entry for the morning session was too big to fit in here, so we gave the item its own home.
Click here to read all of Marty's thoughts from the morning.
Tonight, he's coming back with a column about the day, and writing about once-local product Kyle Wright, now trying to make it as a backup QB for the Niners.
--Dan Ross
Now it sounds like football season is here
Monday, Aug. 4, 11:15 a.m.
Finally, the sounds of football season were echoing through Raiderville. Seeing — and hearing — the Raiders and Niners going at it this morning in Napa made it feel like the season is getting close.
I spent about 30 minutes watching the Raiders offense go against the Niners defense. Not a full scrimmage, but it was well worth watching players try to blast through holes in the defense, and the D try to cut off lanes for the running backs.
In receiver vs. d-back drills, Raider QB JaMarcus Russell showed why he's No. 1 on the depth chart, as his passes are so much stronger and crisper than either Andrew Walter or Marques Tuiasosopo. Sorry, no Jeff Otis sightings during the drill.
--Dan Ross
Walker isolating himself from team on field during practice
Saturday, Aug. 2, 5 p.m.
Interesting to see today's reports that Javon Walker approached the team Thursday with plans to retire.
I was at camp Wednesday, and other than a few deceny palys on the field from a few players, it was Walker's demeanor that stood out.
He placed himself away from the rest of the team during the morning session, but for a few times kneeling alongside Derrick Burgess.
As the other wide receivers stood together, Walker would take a knee off to the side of them, or he'd walk around off behind them, always staying to himself.
The closest he'd get to interacting would be to call for a ballboy to toss him a ball a few times.
I just chalked this up to his being new to the team and wanting some time for himself as his performance was less than stellar.
Seems his mind might not have been on playing football during that workout.
--Dan Ross
Get with the program
Wednesday, July 30, 9:23 p.m.
NFL training camp is no picnic.
It’s non-stop football — practices, meetings, film sessions. The cycle repeats itself day after day, with coaches constantly evaluating their personnel and players doing everything they can to lock down a roster spot in advance of the regular season.
All you have to know about the Oakland Raiders’ daily schedule can be found on a grease board outside the meeting rooms at the Napa Valley Marriott, where the team is spending 3 1/2 weeks with practices at Redwood Middle School.
Take today, for example. Here was the itinerary:
• 6:30-8 a.m., breakfast and treatment.
• 6:45 a.m., wake-up call.
• 8-8:45 a.m., special teams meeting.
• 8:45-10:45 a.m., defense meetings.
• 8:55-9:55 a.m., offense lifts.
• 10 a.m. to noon, offense meetings.
• 11 a.m. to noon, defense lifts.
• 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., lunch and treatment.
• 1:30-2:25 p.m., tape and dress.
• 2:35 p.m., special teams practice.
• 2:55 p.m., practice No. 10.
• 5-7 p.m., dinner and treatment.
• 7 p.m., special teams meeting.
• 7:45 p.m., team offense-defense meetings.
• 9:45-11 p.m., snack and treatment.
• 11:15 p.m., curfew and bed check.
A team chapel at 9:45 p.m. was also listed on the board.
Yes, it’s go, go, go — offensive and defensive players studying playbooks, coaches critiquing on the field and in the classroom.
Only one practice was scheduled today, but the Raiders will have two sessions Thursday, running from 9-11 a.m. and 7-9 p.m.
--Marty James, Executive Sports Editor
The morning sting
Tuesday, July 29, 9:53 p.m.
The Oakland Raiders went through what coach Lane Kiffin said was “probably our most physical practice of camp” this morning at Redwood Middle School.
It was a longer team period than usual, with the Raiders running 85 team plays. Again, there was no tackling to the ground, but there was still some noticeable contact. There were also short yardage and goal line situations.
“It was good to sting them a little bit this morning,” said Kiffin. “I thought they responded well.”
Strong safety Jarrod Cooper had a helmet-to-helmet hit on tight end John Madsen on a pass play. The pass was incomplete and Madsen fell to the ground.
The longer morning practice, said Kiffin, was “just really to challenge them a little bit. It is a two-a-day and usually this practice is a lighter practice. Without telling them, we wanted to challenge them and add more plays and see how they responded. I thought they responded great. I didn’t hear any complaining about it. They just went to work.”
A large group of visitors were on hand for the morning session, watching from the sidelines.
A second practice was scheduled for tonight starting at 7 p.m.
The Raiders return to their practice field Wednesday from 3-5 p.m.
--Marty James, Executive Sports Editor
Quarterback off limits
Monday, July 28, 9:51 p.m.
When he couldn’t find a receiver, backup quarterback Marques Tuiasosopo took off and ran with the ball on a play at Oakland Raiders training camp this afternoon. Because he wears a red jersey, the quarterback is off limits — meaning no one gets a hand on him.
But with that said, several defenders reacted to the play and got just close enough to Tuiasosopo, letting him know they were just doing their job.
As he finished his run, Tuiasosopo looked straight at me — as I was alone, watching near the corner of the north end zone at Redwood Middle School — and said with a smile: “I don’t know if that’s going to work right there.”
The offense went against the defense, but again there was no tackling.
Raiders owner Al Davis was on hand, watching from the sidelines.
Standing outside the practice facility and waiting to get autographs were Chris and Greg Meza, Vintage High School graduates and twins who play football as offensive linemen at Foothill Community College-Los Altos Hills.
There was only one practice today, the fifth day of camp. Two are scheduled for tomorrow, starting at 9 a.m.
Just a normal Monday, but next week it gets fun
Monday, July 28, 9 a.m.
Just one practice today, going from 3-5 p.m., followed by two practices Tuesday, 9-11 a.m. and 7-9 p.m.
Next Monday is a different story, as not only will there be two-a-days, but the crossBay-rival 49ers come to the Napa training facility to join in the workouts.
For the first time in their 13 years of coming to Napa for summer training camp, the Raiders will practice against someone other than themselves at the Raiders complex at Redwood Middle School.
"It just gives us a more competitive environment to practice two times in that day," Oakland coach Lane Kiffin said Sunday. "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."
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.
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.
From a logistical standpoint, the teams are in close proximity, so travel isn't an issue.
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.
--Marty James, Executive Sports Editor
OK, so the last blog post was too early
Friday, July 25, 4:30 p.m.
Well, Lamont Jordan survived the morning as a Raider, but his tenure came to a close by mid-afternoon as the team announced the running back had been released.
Coach Kiffin said yesterday thre's no decision so far on who the starting RB is, be it last year's 1,000 yards-plus from USC's Justin Fargas, Michael Bush or this year's first-rounder Darren McFadden.
Nothing new on Jordan front
Friday, July 25, noon
Kiffin had nothing new on Lamont Jordan and his time with the team. In yesterday's video you can see on this site, Kiffin said the negotiations were between the disgruntled running back's agent and team owner Al Davis.
With Jordan the only player not practicing, and the depth at running back now, doesn't seem likely he'll be a Silver and Black member for long. Stranger things have happened in recent years, though.
--Dan Ross
Now the real camp begins
Friday, July 25, 11:15 a.m.
There were as many media as players yesterday for opening day. Today, however, and the media throng was down to a hardy few.
As morning practice broke, the barbecues were all fired up alongside the pool at the Napa Valley Marriott for players and coaches to chow down poolside, or go into the massive ballroom where the size of the TV gives a whole new meaning to Big Screen.
Sure, there's lots of food to go around, a pool to check out during the meal, a TV the size of three linemen's appetites and all, but it IS camp after all, and the daily bulletin board showed that with a simple reminder in the last line of the daily agenda.
11:15 p.m. curfew/bed check.
--Dan Ross
Watch the line
Thursday, July 24, 9 p.m.
It was only Day 1, but it might be the biggest day of training camp for the NFL’s Oakland Raiders, who are headquartered at the Napa Valley Marriott and practice at Redwood Middle School.
Darren McFadden, the No. 4 overall selection in the 2008 NFL Draft out of Arkansas, made his Raiders debut, carrying the ball and looking good on every play.
Quarterback JaMarcus Russell took charge of the offense in his first day of camp.
It was an intense afternoon practice, with players — wearing helmets, shoulder pads and shorts — already hitting.
Head coach Lane Kiffin had the offense running plays against the defense.
Practices are closed to the general public, but the media — and there was a throng today — is able to watch each day from the sidelines. I can’t get enough of the game, so I’m once again having the time of my life. I’m especially interested in offensive line play, so I tend to watch the Raiders drill in that area. The foundation of any team starts with your guys up front doing the run and pass blocking.
Photographers are asked to turn off their cameras at certain times in practice in keeping with team policy.
A bank of lights is already in place on the east and west sides of the field. Friday night marks the first evening practice.
This year, the team’s PR department has set up a podium off to the side of the field, where Kiffin addresses the media.
In the 13 years I’ve been covering camp, today was by far the biggest turnout for media. It was great seeing Arran Andersen, a sports anchor/reporter for CBS 13 KOVR of Sacramento and a Vintage High School graduate who played basketball for the Crushers.
Additional TV crews from around the Bay Area were joined by newspaper beat writers and columnists.
-- Marty James, Executive Sports Editor
Are Niners sightings coming in early August?
Thursday, July 24, 1:15 p.m.
Kiffin confirmed this afternoon the Raiders and 49ers will practice together Aug. 4 in Napa.
"We are going to practice against them in our normal format," said Kiffin about practicing together before their opening preseason game against one another Aug. 8
--Dan Ross
Some Kiffin dimplomacy on day one
Thursday, July 24, 12:30 p.m.
In his first at-camp press conference, Lane Kiffin was as diplomatic as he could be when talking about running back Lamont Jordan and owner Al Davis.
Kiffin said Jordan would not be fined for not being at camp today, and that he was not part of the group working on that issue.
As for his ability to get along with Davis — after an offseason where it appeared the owner could be dumping the coach — Kiffin offered a simple reply.
"We have a working relationship."
--Dan Ross
Camp Kiffin is open for business
Wednesday, July 23, 8 p.m.
Reporting day for Oakland Raiders training camp got busy when a bus carrying about two dozen players from team headquarters in Alameda arrived just before 3 p.m. today at the Napa Valley Marriott.
Players dressed in T-shirts, shorts and wearing sport-type caps and athletic-type shoes got off the bus. They collected their luggage and gear, checked in with hotel personnel, and headed to their rooms.
Other Raiders found their way to Napa in their personal vehicles.
Making the trip by bus was Darren McFadden, a running back from Arkansas whom the Raiders selected with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft. McFadden rushed for 4,590 yards on 785 attempts, averaging 5.8 yards, and scored 44 touchdowns during his career at Arkansas.
He also caught 46 passes for 365 yards and two touchdowns. He threw seven touchdown passes and returned a kickoff for a score.
In 2007, he rushed for 1,830 yards on 325 attempts, averaging 5.6 yards, and scored 17 touchdowns.
McFadden was a two-time Heisman Trophy runner-up.
On my way to camp, I noticed two sets of ping pong tables set up outside meeting rooms in the hotel. Last year there was a ping pong tournament in camp.
I said hello to Raiders head coach Lane Kiffin, who welcomed me to camp.
Nothing has been written as far as a daily schedule yet on the grease board near the meeting rooms, but I saw a taping schedule that is based on groups at 7 a.m., 1 and 5 p.m., and 7:25 a.m., 1:25 and 5:25 p.m.
I was joined by six other writers from news organizations from around the Bay Area.
The action heats up Thursday with the first practice.
-- Marty James, Executive Sports Editor
McFadden's gas-saving measures
Wednesday, July 23, 3 p.m.
A bus carrying two dozen or so free agents and rookies showed up this afternoon at the Napa Valley Marriott as the players came to get checked in before tonight's mandatory team dinner.
Most of the time the players on the bus are ones who are going to get little if any playing time, that is if they even make the team.
That's probably not the case for one running back who used Raider Public Transit to get to Napa .. Darren McFadden.
See, high gas prices can even get to someone with a multi-million dollar contract.
The Raiders planned to use tonight’s practice — the second of a two-a-day — specifically for the purpose of preparing for Friday’s game against the 49ers.
“The outcome of the game is not that important to me,” said coach Lane Kiffin. “What is important to me is for us to install game plans to see how our guys react and how our young guys learn and carry over tendencies and tips into the game. We’ve gone to work on that (Tuesday) night and then (tonight) our whole practice will be dedicated to that.”
Friday’s game will be televised locally on tape-delay on KICU Channel 6 at 10 p.m. KPIX-Channel 5 will also carry the contest at 11:35 p.m. Live radio coverage is on KSFO 560 AM.
Michael Bush’s play at running back in the morning practice today impressed Kiffin.
“Michael Bush was really special today. If he could practice like that every day, we’d have something.”
Kiffin likes the talent and productivity shown by the team’s young wide receivers — in particular Todd Watkins, Arman Shields, Chaz Schilens and Jonathan Holland.
“Our young guys have had a lot of opportunities this whole camp. There’s great competition all over the place, from making the roster to making the practice squad. It’s going to be really exciting to see these guys play. We’ve got some guys that can run.
“It’s by far a better unit than it was a year ago as far as the depth and competition to make the roster. They all flash at times and they all show some special things.”
In addition to morning and afternoon practices, the Raiders also had two special teams practices today.
-- Marty James, Executive Sports Editor
Fans, and ESPN, come out for camp
Tuesday, Aug. 5, 9:45 p.m.
The team’s 18th practice of training camp this afternoon drew one of the largest groups of fans, most of whom were seated in bleachers on the west side of the Redwood Middle School complex.
Looking on was Jim Sochor, the former UC Davis head football coach, who had a streak of 18 consecutive conference championships, from 1971 to 1988. This is more than any other football program on any level in NCAA history. His overall record between 1970 and 1988 was 156-41-5, a winning percentage of .785. In conference games under Sochor, the Aggies were 92-5. He had winning streaks of 41 and 38 in conference games. He was named national coach of the year in NCAA Division II in 1983 and was also the coach of future NFL quarterbacks Mike Moroski and Ken O’Brien and kicker Rolf Benirschke. He was also a mentor to several future head coaches, including Dan Hawkins, Paul Hackett, Mike Bellotti, Chris Petersen and Bob Biggs. Many athletes from Napa Valley schools played for Sochor in the Aggies program over the years. “We had some real good ones,” Sochor said.
NFL officials worked the Raiders’ practice yesterday.
Also on hand was John Clayton, a reporter for ESPN and a senior writer for ESPN.com.
The Raiders have two practices Wednesday (9-11 a.m. and 7-9 p.m.) and they have a single practice Thursday (3-5 p.m.). They open the NFL preseason Friday against the San Francisco 49ers at 7 p.m. at McAfee Coliseum in Oakland.
Wide receiver Drisan James had one of the biggest catches today, pulling in a long pass from Marques Tuiasosopo in the end zone. James got past defenders and caught the ball in stride.
The Raiders are on a camp schedule that calls for two-a-days every other day, but coach Lane Kiffin pointed out that some of the practices have been shorter. Yesterday’s ended at 4:30 p.m. “We know so much more about guys than we did a year ago,” the coach said. “There’s not as much competition as there was a year ago as far as for the last spots and the depth chart moving. We’re in a different place this year than last year.”
The Raiders rested Andrew Walter, whose throwing arm is sore and tired. Most likely, he’ll get substantial time in Friday’s game, said Kiffin. “We want to make sure that he’s fresh for that.”
--Marty James, Executive Sports Editor
Morning session thoughts from Marty
Monday, Aug. 4, 1 p.m.
Marty James' blog entry for the morning session was too big to fit in here, so we gave the item its own home.
Click here to read all of Marty's thoughts from the morning.
Tonight, he's coming back with a column about the day, and writing about once-local product Kyle Wright, now trying to make it as a backup QB for the Niners.
--Dan Ross
Now it sounds like football season is here
Monday, Aug. 4, 11:15 a.m.
Finally, the sounds of football season were echoing through Raiderville. Seeing — and hearing — the Raiders and Niners going at it this morning in Napa made it feel like the season is getting close.
I spent about 30 minutes watching the Raiders offense go against the Niners defense. Not a full scrimmage, but it was well worth watching players try to blast through holes in the defense, and the D try to cut off lanes for the running backs.
In receiver vs. d-back drills, Raider QB JaMarcus Russell showed why he's No. 1 on the depth chart, as his passes are so much stronger and crisper than either Andrew Walter or Marques Tuiasosopo. Sorry, no Jeff Otis sightings during the drill.
--Dan Ross
Walker isolating himself from team on field during practice
Saturday, Aug. 2, 5 p.m.
Interesting to see today's reports that Javon Walker approached the team Thursday with plans to retire.
I was at camp Wednesday, and other than a few deceny palys on the field from a few players, it was Walker's demeanor that stood out.
He placed himself away from the rest of the team during the morning session, but for a few times kneeling alongside Derrick Burgess.
As the other wide receivers stood together, Walker would take a knee off to the side of them, or he'd walk around off behind them, always staying to himself.
The closest he'd get to interacting would be to call for a ballboy to toss him a ball a few times.
I just chalked this up to his being new to the team and wanting some time for himself as his performance was less than stellar.
Seems his mind might not have been on playing football during that workout.
--Dan Ross
Get with the program
Wednesday, July 30, 9:23 p.m.
NFL training camp is no picnic.
It’s non-stop football — practices, meetings, film sessions. The cycle repeats itself day after day, with coaches constantly evaluating their personnel and players doing everything they can to lock down a roster spot in advance of the regular season.
All you have to know about the Oakland Raiders’ daily schedule can be found on a grease board outside the meeting rooms at the Napa Valley Marriott, where the team is spending 3 1/2 weeks with practices at Redwood Middle School.
Take today, for example. Here was the itinerary:
• 6:30-8 a.m., breakfast and treatment.
• 6:45 a.m., wake-up call.
• 8-8:45 a.m., special teams meeting.
• 8:45-10:45 a.m., defense meetings.
• 8:55-9:55 a.m., offense lifts.
• 10 a.m. to noon, offense meetings.
• 11 a.m. to noon, defense lifts.
• 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., lunch and treatment.
• 1:30-2:25 p.m., tape and dress.
• 2:35 p.m., special teams practice.
• 2:55 p.m., practice No. 10.
• 5-7 p.m., dinner and treatment.
• 7 p.m., special teams meeting.
• 7:45 p.m., team offense-defense meetings.
• 9:45-11 p.m., snack and treatment.
• 11:15 p.m., curfew and bed check.
A team chapel at 9:45 p.m. was also listed on the board.
Yes, it’s go, go, go — offensive and defensive players studying playbooks, coaches critiquing on the field and in the classroom.
Only one practice was scheduled today, but the Raiders will have two sessions Thursday, running from 9-11 a.m. and 7-9 p.m.
--Marty James, Executive Sports Editor
The morning sting
Tuesday, July 29, 9:53 p.m.
The Oakland Raiders went through what coach Lane Kiffin said was “probably our most physical practice of camp” this morning at Redwood Middle School.
It was a longer team period than usual, with the Raiders running 85 team plays. Again, there was no tackling to the ground, but there was still some noticeable contact. There were also short yardage and goal line situations.
“It was good to sting them a little bit this morning,” said Kiffin. “I thought they responded well.”
Strong safety Jarrod Cooper had a helmet-to-helmet hit on tight end John Madsen on a pass play. The pass was incomplete and Madsen fell to the ground.
The longer morning practice, said Kiffin, was “just really to challenge them a little bit. It is a two-a-day and usually this practice is a lighter practice. Without telling them, we wanted to challenge them and add more plays and see how they responded. I thought they responded great. I didn’t hear any complaining about it. They just went to work.”
A large group of visitors were on hand for the morning session, watching from the sidelines.
A second practice was scheduled for tonight starting at 7 p.m.
The Raiders return to their practice field Wednesday from 3-5 p.m.
--Marty James, Executive Sports Editor
Quarterback off limits
Monday, July 28, 9:51 p.m.
When he couldn’t find a receiver, backup quarterback Marques Tuiasosopo took off and ran with the ball on a play at Oakland Raiders training camp this afternoon. Because he wears a red jersey, the quarterback is off limits — meaning no one gets a hand on him.
But with that said, several defenders reacted to the play and got just close enough to Tuiasosopo, letting him know they were just doing their job.
As he finished his run, Tuiasosopo looked straight at me — as I was alone, watching near the corner of the north end zone at Redwood Middle School — and said with a smile: “I don’t know if that’s going to work right there.”
The offense went against the defense, but again there was no tackling.
Raiders owner Al Davis was on hand, watching from the sidelines.
Standing outside the practice facility and waiting to get autographs were Chris and Greg Meza, Vintage High School graduates and twins who play football as offensive linemen at Foothill Community College-Los Altos Hills.
There was only one practice today, the fifth day of camp. Two are scheduled for tomorrow, starting at 9 a.m.
Just a normal Monday, but next week it gets fun
Monday, July 28, 9 a.m.
Just one practice today, going from 3-5 p.m., followed by two practices Tuesday, 9-11 a.m. and 7-9 p.m.
Next Monday is a different story, as not only will there be two-a-days, but the crossBay-rival 49ers come to the Napa training facility to join in the workouts.
For the first time in their 13 years of coming to Napa for summer training camp, the Raiders will practice against someone other than themselves at the Raiders complex at Redwood Middle School.
"It just gives us a more competitive environment to practice two times in that day," Oakland coach Lane Kiffin said Sunday. "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."
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.
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.
From a logistical standpoint, the teams are in close proximity, so travel isn't an issue.
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.
--Marty James, Executive Sports Editor
OK, so the last blog post was too early
Friday, July 25, 4:30 p.m.
Well, Lamont Jordan survived the morning as a Raider, but his tenure came to a close by mid-afternoon as the team announced the running back had been released.
Coach Kiffin said yesterday thre's no decision so far on who the starting RB is, be it last year's 1,000 yards-plus from USC's Justin Fargas, Michael Bush or this year's first-rounder Darren McFadden.
Nothing new on Jordan front
Friday, July 25, noon
Kiffin had nothing new on Lamont Jordan and his time with the team. In yesterday's video you can see on this site, Kiffin said the negotiations were between the disgruntled running back's agent and team owner Al Davis.
With Jordan the only player not practicing, and the depth at running back now, doesn't seem likely he'll be a Silver and Black member for long. Stranger things have happened in recent years, though.
--Dan Ross
Now the real camp begins
Friday, July 25, 11:15 a.m.
There were as many media as players yesterday for opening day. Today, however, and the media throng was down to a hardy few.
As morning practice broke, the barbecues were all fired up alongside the pool at the Napa Valley Marriott for players and coaches to chow down poolside, or go into the massive ballroom where the size of the TV gives a whole new meaning to Big Screen.
Sure, there's lots of food to go around, a pool to check out during the meal, a TV the size of three linemen's appetites and all, but it IS camp after all, and the daily bulletin board showed that with a simple reminder in the last line of the daily agenda.
11:15 p.m. curfew/bed check.
--Dan Ross
Watch the line
Thursday, July 24, 9 p.m.
It was only Day 1, but it might be the biggest day of training camp for the NFL’s Oakland Raiders, who are headquartered at the Napa Valley Marriott and practice at Redwood Middle School.
Darren McFadden, the No. 4 overall selection in the 2008 NFL Draft out of Arkansas, made his Raiders debut, carrying the ball and looking good on every play.
Quarterback JaMarcus Russell took charge of the offense in his first day of camp.
It was an intense afternoon practice, with players — wearing helmets, shoulder pads and shorts — already hitting.
Head coach Lane Kiffin had the offense running plays against the defense.
Practices are closed to the general public, but the media — and there was a throng today — is able to watch each day from the sidelines. I can’t get enough of the game, so I’m once again having the time of my life. I’m especially interested in offensive line play, so I tend to watch the Raiders drill in that area. The foundation of any team starts with your guys up front doing the run and pass blocking.
Photographers are asked to turn off their cameras at certain times in practice in keeping with team policy.
A bank of lights is already in place on the east and west sides of the field. Friday night marks the first evening practice.
This year, the team’s PR department has set up a podium off to the side of the field, where Kiffin addresses the media.
In the 13 years I’ve been covering camp, today was by far the biggest turnout for media. It was great seeing Arran Andersen, a sports anchor/reporter for CBS 13 KOVR of Sacramento and a Vintage High School graduate who played basketball for the Crushers.
Additional TV crews from around the Bay Area were joined by newspaper beat writers and columnists.
-- Marty James, Executive Sports Editor
Are Niners sightings coming in early August?
Thursday, July 24, 1:15 p.m.
Kiffin confirmed this afternoon the Raiders and 49ers will practice together Aug. 4 in Napa.
"We are going to practice against them in our normal format," said Kiffin about practicing together before their opening preseason game against one another Aug. 8
--Dan Ross
Some Kiffin dimplomacy on day one
Thursday, July 24, 12:30 p.m.
In his first at-camp press conference, Lane Kiffin was as diplomatic as he could be when talking about running back Lamont Jordan and owner Al Davis.
Kiffin said Jordan would not be fined for not being at camp today, and that he was not part of the group working on that issue.
As for his ability to get along with Davis — after an offseason where it appeared the owner could be dumping the coach — Kiffin offered a simple reply.
"We have a working relationship."
--Dan Ross
Camp Kiffin is open for business
Wednesday, July 23, 8 p.m.
Reporting day for Oakland Raiders training camp got busy when a bus carrying about two dozen players from team headquarters in Alameda arrived just before 3 p.m. today at the Napa Valley Marriott.
Players dressed in T-shirts, shorts and wearing sport-type caps and athletic-type shoes got off the bus. They collected their luggage and gear, checked in with hotel personnel, and headed to their rooms.
Other Raiders found their way to Napa in their personal vehicles.
Making the trip by bus was Darren McFadden, a running back from Arkansas whom the Raiders selected with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft. McFadden rushed for 4,590 yards on 785 attempts, averaging 5.8 yards, and scored 44 touchdowns during his career at Arkansas.
He also caught 46 passes for 365 yards and two touchdowns. He threw seven touchdown passes and returned a kickoff for a score.
In 2007, he rushed for 1,830 yards on 325 attempts, averaging 5.6 yards, and scored 17 touchdowns.
McFadden was a two-time Heisman Trophy runner-up.
On my way to camp, I noticed two sets of ping pong tables set up outside meeting rooms in the hotel. Last year there was a ping pong tournament in camp.
I said hello to Raiders head coach Lane Kiffin, who welcomed me to camp.
Nothing has been written as far as a daily schedule yet on the grease board near the meeting rooms, but I saw a taping schedule that is based on groups at 7 a.m., 1 and 5 p.m., and 7:25 a.m., 1:25 and 5:25 p.m.
I was joined by six other writers from news organizations from around the Bay Area.
The action heats up Thursday with the first practice.
-- Marty James, Executive Sports Editor
McFadden's gas-saving measures
Wednesday, July 23, 3 p.m.
A bus carrying two dozen or so free agents and rookies showed up this afternoon at the Napa Valley Marriott as the players came to get checked in before tonight's mandatory team dinner.
Most of the time the players on the bus are ones who are going to get little if any playing time, that is if they even make the team.
That's probably not the case for one running back who used Raider Public Transit to get to Napa .. Darren McFadden.
See, high gas prices can even get to someone with a multi-million dollar contract.
Join the conversation
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wipemedown wrote on Jul 24, 2008 8:53 AM:
20$ per game all season..... that the Raiders will lose.
Anyone............. "
ANOTHERNAPAG wrote on Jul 24, 2008 11:09 AM:
chunk wrote on Jul 24, 2008 1:00 PM:
chunk wrote on Jul 24, 2008 1:02 PM:
rebraider wrote on Jul 24, 2008 6:40 PM:
Raider Cool, Raider Nation! "
funnyme wrote on Jul 25, 2008 6:28 AM:
I'll take you up on the bet.
Let's shake hands and make it official! "
tiredofcomplainingnapkins wrote on Jul 25, 2008 2:07 PM:
sportsfan wrote on Jul 27, 2008 10:18 AM:
gatekeeper wrote on Jul 28, 2008 9:37 PM:
jwk wrote on Aug 9, 2008 3:54 PM:
napadeb wrote on Aug 11, 2008 9:15 PM:
The least the team can do is have some open practices to keep in "good graces" with the community. Even the 49er's have open practices for fans at their own facility that they built with their own money, can't the Raiders afford to do this! This may even help your fan base grow so you can get more televised games. It's worth a shot!
In addition, it has come to my attention that the Napa Youth Soccer League & Pop Warner football organization normally has their bleachers and paint for stripping their fields, also located at Redwood Middle School, however the Raiders decided to take their bleachers off the field on the other side of the school and move them onto their practice field. They also saw fit to use their $60 can of paint for stripping the Raider practice field. This field belongs to Redwood Middle School/NVUSD (Napa Valley Unified School District).
I guess the Raiders don't care about their fans. "