Raiderschick
05-22-2007, 02:27 PM
The Raiders will hold another session for the media Wednesday at an organized team activity, allowing the outside world a chance to see who is playing where and ask a few questions of the ultra-positive Lane Kiffin.
Unless he's getting cranky in his old age _ Kiffin turned 32 on May 9 _ it will be a predictable stream of optimism. Glad to see such a great turnout. Everyone is working hard. JaMarcus Russell keeps improving. Josh McCown has grasped the system. Andrew Walter is out there competing for a job.
There will be no depth chart, no timetables. Everything counts. Every lift during weight sessions, every snap during practice, every nuance during film study. It's open competition and no one is safe.
Coaches say this stuff all the time.
Of course, some guys are safe, although there are probably fewer players on the Raiders who are all but guaranteed roster spots than on most teams by virtue of the new staff and a 2-14 record.
You could come up with more than 40 players who will probably be on the 2007 Raiders.
The list that follows are the sure things, players whose names are etched in stone on the 53-man roster barring injury, arrest or leaving football for the priesthood:
Quote
JaMarcus Russell: You may not see him in a regular season game until November, but there are about $30 million reasons he'll be at the top of this list for the next few years.
Michael Huff: Last year's No. 1 pick was steady as a rookie, hopes to be sensational in Year 2.
Shane Lechler: The pride and joy of Al Davis, who is of the belief he drafted the two best punters ever.
Nnamdi Asomugha: Likely to be franchised next season after he voids his contract _ assuming he doesn't sign a big bucks extension. If Asomugha is anything like he was in 2006, he's a bargain.
Terdell Sands: Signed a four-year extension with $4 million in bonus money.
Thomas Howard: A 16-game starter as a rookie, Howard played to the level of more publicized first-year players such as A.J. Hawk and Ernie Sims.
Fabian Washington: The hope is he will elevate his game in 2007 as Asomugha did in 2006 _ and he is already an above-average corner.
Zach Miller: Rookie could be first Raiders tight end to catch 50 passes since Ethan Horton in 1991.
Kirk Morrison: Could be around as long as former MLB Greg Biekert.
Josh McCown: Expect him to be the Week 1 starter against Detroit.
Derrick Burgess: If free agency is a crap shoot, this roll came up a big winner.
Robert Gallery: Some arm-chair general managers want him out now. Raiders want to see how he responds to Tom Cable.
Jake Grove: See Robert Gallery.
Jerry Porter: If he doesn't get 1,000 yards receiving this season as a featured receiver, it isn't going to happen.
Ronald Curry: One of the few bright spots in 2006 offense.
Dominic Rhodes: Super Bowl hero will give LaMont Jordan a push and some relief.
Warren Sapp: Unless he drops into the 250s and becomes the tight end he was in high school, Sapp is making his Hall of Fame push.
Justin Griffith: Could become important check-down receiver in Kiffin system.
Quintin Moses: Will be given every opportunity to win starting job at right end.
Paul McQuistan: Currently running No. 1 at left guard on the invisible depth chart.
Kevin Boothe: Don't bet against him re-emerging as a starter before September.
Robert Thomas: Valuable because he can play all three linebacker spots.
LaMont Jordan: Accepting a cut in pay kept him around for at least one more year.
Johnnie Lee Higgins: If he's not ready as a big-play receiver, he could contribute immediately in return game.
Tommy Kelly: Signed on for another year as restricted free agent, can play both inside and outside.
Mario Henderson: Third-round draft picks make the team, and the Raiders need tackles.
Cooper Carlisle: Imported from Denver because he has expertise in new blocking scheme.
http://www.ibabuzz.com/raidersblog/2007/05/22/mortal-locks/
Unless he's getting cranky in his old age _ Kiffin turned 32 on May 9 _ it will be a predictable stream of optimism. Glad to see such a great turnout. Everyone is working hard. JaMarcus Russell keeps improving. Josh McCown has grasped the system. Andrew Walter is out there competing for a job.
There will be no depth chart, no timetables. Everything counts. Every lift during weight sessions, every snap during practice, every nuance during film study. It's open competition and no one is safe.
Coaches say this stuff all the time.
Of course, some guys are safe, although there are probably fewer players on the Raiders who are all but guaranteed roster spots than on most teams by virtue of the new staff and a 2-14 record.
You could come up with more than 40 players who will probably be on the 2007 Raiders.
The list that follows are the sure things, players whose names are etched in stone on the 53-man roster barring injury, arrest or leaving football for the priesthood:
Quote
JaMarcus Russell: You may not see him in a regular season game until November, but there are about $30 million reasons he'll be at the top of this list for the next few years.
Michael Huff: Last year's No. 1 pick was steady as a rookie, hopes to be sensational in Year 2.
Shane Lechler: The pride and joy of Al Davis, who is of the belief he drafted the two best punters ever.
Nnamdi Asomugha: Likely to be franchised next season after he voids his contract _ assuming he doesn't sign a big bucks extension. If Asomugha is anything like he was in 2006, he's a bargain.
Terdell Sands: Signed a four-year extension with $4 million in bonus money.
Thomas Howard: A 16-game starter as a rookie, Howard played to the level of more publicized first-year players such as A.J. Hawk and Ernie Sims.
Fabian Washington: The hope is he will elevate his game in 2007 as Asomugha did in 2006 _ and he is already an above-average corner.
Zach Miller: Rookie could be first Raiders tight end to catch 50 passes since Ethan Horton in 1991.
Kirk Morrison: Could be around as long as former MLB Greg Biekert.
Josh McCown: Expect him to be the Week 1 starter against Detroit.
Derrick Burgess: If free agency is a crap shoot, this roll came up a big winner.
Robert Gallery: Some arm-chair general managers want him out now. Raiders want to see how he responds to Tom Cable.
Jake Grove: See Robert Gallery.
Jerry Porter: If he doesn't get 1,000 yards receiving this season as a featured receiver, it isn't going to happen.
Ronald Curry: One of the few bright spots in 2006 offense.
Dominic Rhodes: Super Bowl hero will give LaMont Jordan a push and some relief.
Warren Sapp: Unless he drops into the 250s and becomes the tight end he was in high school, Sapp is making his Hall of Fame push.
Justin Griffith: Could become important check-down receiver in Kiffin system.
Quintin Moses: Will be given every opportunity to win starting job at right end.
Paul McQuistan: Currently running No. 1 at left guard on the invisible depth chart.
Kevin Boothe: Don't bet against him re-emerging as a starter before September.
Robert Thomas: Valuable because he can play all three linebacker spots.
LaMont Jordan: Accepting a cut in pay kept him around for at least one more year.
Johnnie Lee Higgins: If he's not ready as a big-play receiver, he could contribute immediately in return game.
Tommy Kelly: Signed on for another year as restricted free agent, can play both inside and outside.
Mario Henderson: Third-round draft picks make the team, and the Raiders need tackles.
Cooper Carlisle: Imported from Denver because he has expertise in new blocking scheme.
http://www.ibabuzz.com/raidersblog/2007/05/22/mortal-locks/