January

Jan. 8, 2009   

Raiders assessing options for RB Bush

The Raiders have a crowded backfield, with three capable running backs — Justin Fargas, Darren McFadden and Michael Bush — in stock. Oakland needed all three of them this year due to the injury problems that Fargas and McFadden went through at different points of the season. While the team shopped Bush at the trade deadline last year, sources say it won’t actively pursue a deal this offseason but will at least entertain offers for him, to get a better idea of his value. After a standout performance in Week 17, in which Bush ran 27 times for 177 yards and two touchdowns, sources say you can bet on owner Al Davis asking for a lot in return from any interested team. If Oakland doesn’t come upon a swap to its liking, it will be happy to have Bush, who is going into only his second season at full health, back again.

December

Dec. 31, 2008   

Cable has inside track to Raiders' head job

Updated at 9:30 a.m. EST Monday, Jan. 5

Sources say Tom Cable’s chances of keeping his job into next season have increased dramatically. Cable, who appeared to be on his way out after the Raiders posted a 2-8 record under his leadership through Week 15, had his case bolstered by a two-game winning streak to end the season. Word is, he has won over the locker room by keeping an even keel through stormy times, and his relationship with owner Al Davis appears to be sound. With Davis pulling the strings, however, nothing is certain. Giants offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride has already met with team officials, and Davis will have to interview at least one minority candidate for the job to adhere to the league’s Rooney Rule. Reports indicate he also wants to speak with Raiders scout Paul Hackett and Stanford head coach Jim Harbaugh about filling the vacancy. Despite being the leading candidate, Cable will have to dangle in limbo for a while.

Dec. 24, 2008   

Russell's maturation a bright spot for Raiders

Updated at 10:20 a.m. EST Monday, Dec. 29

Raiders QB JaMarcus Russell, and the team’s entire offense in general, has taken a significant step forward, sources say, giving the franchise a legitimate reason to be optimistic as it nears the offseason. “For the first time, from start to finish, I saw a real NFL quarterback,” one team observer told PFW after Russell’s performance vs. the Texans in Week 16. “We’re watching the maturation of a quarterback.” The second-year signalcaller completed 18-of-25 passes for 236 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions in Oakland’s 27-16 victory. He followed that up in a Week 17 win over the Buccaneers by completing 14-of-21 passes for 148 yards with two touchdowns and one interception.

Interim head coach Tom Cable has indicated he, too, believes Russell has turned a corner. We hear that part of the reason for Russell’s improvement has been a personnel change on the O-line. The installation of Mario Henderson at left tackle has been a major upgrade over Kwame Harris, who consistently set the club back with false-start penalties and breakdowns in pass-blocking. Russell was under constant pressure earlier in the season and didn’t fare well when Cable instituted an offensive game plan that asked him to throw more often. From Weeks 6-9 — Cable’s first four games at the helm after taking over for Lane Kiffin — he completed just 43.6 percent of his passes.

Since Week 11, however, Russell has completed 61.6 percent of his throws. Word is he has made major strides in making his reads, thanks, in part, to the extra time he’s receiving from better pass protection.

Russell has dealt with large obstacles in his first two seasons, including one that was at least in part self-made — a lengthy holdout his rookie year that cost him an entire training camp. This year, though, the problems were out of his control. His development took a hit when Kiffin, who seemed to have a good relationship with Russell, was fired. The Raiders didn’t do Russell any favors as they shuffled through three different play-callers this season, either. Despite those factors, he is showing signs of growing into his role. Owner Al Davis has a chance to ramp up Russell’s development by assembling a more capable supporting cast around him this offseason.

Dec. 18, 2008   

Raiders' Pro Bowlers Asomugha and Lechler could depart in offseason

Despite their team’s shoddy record, two Raiders — CB Nnamdi Asomugha and P Shane Lechler — were named to the Pro Bowl. Both players, though, will be free agents this offseason and there is no guarantee either of them will be back in Oakland. Sources say each is unhappy with some of the organization’s recent decisions as well as the overall direction of the club. Asomugha, who is playing under the franchise tag, has been vocal about his disagreements with the front office and there’s little doubt he’ll explore options that would lead him elsewhere. He recently replaced his long-time agent, Steve Baker, with Tom Condon, sending a signal of his intentions to get the long-term deal he failed to obtain last year. Al Davis will have a tough decision to make, since both players would like to move on and he’ll only be able to franchise one of them.

Dec. 11, 2008   

MLB Morrison's steady play overshadowed by erratic Raiders

CB Nnamdi Asomugha isn’t the only standout defender who has had a strong season diminished by the Raiders’ dysfunction. Sources say MLB Kirk Morrison, while not playing at the Pro Bowl level of Asomugha, is having yet another strong year overshadowed by Oakland’s poor play. Morrison has never had fewer than 116 tackles in a season and he’s on pace to set a career high in ’08. He’s tremendously skilled when it comes to taking down ballcarriers, but doesn’t get a lot of opportunities to make plays because the Raiders are so weak up the middle in their run defense. Defensive coordinator Rob Ryan is almost forced to keep Morrison from blitzing since rushers so frequently break through the D-line and the safeties behind him aren’t all that reliable. If the Raiders ever surrounded Morrison with a more complementary cast, he could be a much more effective defender.

Dec. 5, 2008   

Cable coaching his way out of Raiders' head job

Interim head coach Tom Cable built up some goodwill with wins over the Jets and the Broncos, but sources in Oakland say his chances of keeping the job beyond this season have taken a serious hit over the past two weeks. He’s made major mistakes in the Raiders’ back-to-back losses to the Chiefs and Chargers, including calling a fake field goal on 4th-and-long in Week 13. That trickery resulted in a botched play that was a bad idea from the start as it put PK Sebastian Janikowski in a position where he had to pull off a long run to convert a first down. Sources have also been critical of his handling of rookie RB Darren McFadden, who was on the sideline in Week 14 on a 3rd-and-long play, even though he’s the team’s best receiver out of the backfield. The front office is catching on to the pattern of mishaps, and Cable’s time is running out.

November

Nov. 27, 2008   

McFadden injects hope, breakaway ability into Raiders' offense

Updated at 8:40 a.m. EST Monday, Dec. 1

Darren McFadden

The Raiders’ offense has a chance to make a break from its dreadful past, sources in Oakland say. That is, as long as RB Darren McFadden stays healthy.

In a season marred by a coaching change and a carousel of play-callers, Al Davis’ struggling club had gone 15 consecutive quarters (206 plays) without scoring an offensive touchdown before McFadden, in his second game back since suffering through turf toe on both feet, scored on a one-yard run in Week 12. It was the first of two TDs for McFadden as the Raiders went on to pummel the Broncos 31-10.

The Raiders are not on the verge of becoming a juggernaut, but there are promising signs that things are getting better, not worse, as they appeared to be headed at some trying points earlier this season. If QB JaMarcus Russell can perform like he did at Denver (10-of-11 passing, zero interceptions), it will help Oakland’s cause. He didn’t in Week 13, though, completing 10-of-28 passes for 132 yards in a loss to the Chiefs.

TE Zach Miller has been a steady option all season long. He has the ability to give the team a boost, turning dump-off passes into big gains.

McFadden, however, changes the equation for the Raiders’ offense more than any other factor, the way we hear it.

McFadden is Oakland’s one breakaway option. The receiving corps is devoid of playmakers. Miller can’t outrun corners or safeties to break long runs to the endzone. RB Justin Fargas is a solid, tough rusher, but he rarely gets loose. His longest run of the season is 42 yards, and he gains 3.9 yards per carry.

The Raiders struggled to score when McFadden was sidelined. The Raiders scored 31 points in their previous four games combined before exploding for 31 vs. the Broncos. The Raiders came back to earth last week, though, scoring 13 points.

Team insiders say McFadden isn’t afraid to speak up when he thinks the ball would be best in his hands, either. He’s heady enough to realize when a play from the Raiders’ playbook might work and bold enough to suggest it to his head coach. McFadden recommended a flip pass to interim head coach Tom Cable against Denver. When Cable called that play, McFadden powered into the endzone, ending the team's scoring drought.

Nov. 20, 2008   

Raiders players, coaches finding ways to remain cohesive

Updated at 10:05 a.m. CST Monday, Nov. 24

There’s always a concern with losing teams like the Raiders about players quitting and worrying more about individual concerns than those of the team late in the season, but that isn’t a reality in Oakland yet, as evidenced by the Raiders’ 31-10 win over the Broncos last week. We hear that as bad as things are in Oakland, no disconnect has emerged between players and the coaching staff. In a recent interview with PFW, CB Nnamdi Asomugha, who probably has been the most critical voice from within the team this season, said everyone appears to be on the same page. “Coaches and players are definitely in sync,” Asomugha said. “One thing (interim coach Tom Cable) wanted to do when he came in was make sure that nothing changed. (He) made sure that everyone was comfortable with what was going on. That has been the case. I think that the players and coaches have a relationship that is sound.”

Nov. 14, 2008   

Raiders' mishandling delays Russell's development

JaMarcus Russell

A lack of direction and continuity within the organization has jeopardized the development of Raiders QB JaMarcus Russell, the way we hear it. Sources in Oakland say his numbers, which are respectable, aside from a poor completion percentage, and calm demeanor tend to disguise the true nature of his situation. Serious damage has been done to the 2007 No. 1 overall pick's progress in the past few months.

It's bad enough when a young quarterback experiences a change in head coaches during his first full season as a starter, especially one that was as ugly as Al Davis' dismissal of Lane Kiffin. Russell had to deal with Davis telling the media that Kiffin, who is still close to Russell, never wanted to draft him. That public embarrassment provided a huge obstacle. Plus, the team is on its third play-caller in the past two months. Kiffin handled the duties before offensive coordinator Greg Knapp took over in full when Kiffin was fired. Knapp was stripped of the responsibility prior to Week 10, when interim head coach Tom Cable started handling it.

Things only have grown worse for Russell since the head-coaching change, close observers of the team say. Cable's decision to implement a more open passing game was a mistake, by most accounts. Even Cable has hinted that it was too much for Russell to handle. Fans of the team and Davis were frustrated by Kiffin's slow, deliberate approach with Russell, but it appears to have been the correct one. Russell was playing much better under a more conservative scheme.

As young quarterbacks like the Ravens' Joe Flacco and the Falcons' Matt Ryan are flourishing on well-structured teams with solid talent surrounding them, Russell has been left with a club in peril. The Raiders lost to Baltimore and Atlanta this season, and the difference in the QB situations, along with the direction of the franchises, could not have been clearer.

Despite all the shuffling and losing, Russell has displayed remarkable poise. He has a strong arm and huge frame, but his sense of calm is arguably his best quality. It's a good thing he has it. A cool head might be the one thing that can get him through this trying start to his professional career.

Nov. 7, 2008   

Dumping Hall doesn't sit well inside Raiders' locker room

Sources in Oakland say the Raiders’ decision to waive CB DeAngelo Hall after just eight games smacks of a club with no direction or leadership. We hear the move left players feeling as if the front office was calling it quits on the season, even though the team was only two games out of the lead in the AFC West going into Week 10 and, if not for a couple of fourth-quarter collapses, could very well have been tied for the division’s top spot. No one was more outspoken about his disappointment than CB Nnamdi Asomugha, who is the Raiders’ MVP, according to close observers. It appears Asomugha, who’ll become a free agent after the season, wants out of Oakland more than ever. If owner Al Davis is hoping that by shaking things up he may be able to spark his troops, it appears to be having the opposite effect, demoralizing the club.

October

Oct. 30, 2008   

Raiders' Gallery evolving into blue-chip guard

Robert Gallery

Raiders OLG Robert Gallery has “recreated himself” in his second season since moving inside from tackle, according to close observers of the team. Sources say Gallery, a fifth-year veteran, looks far more comfortable, and he has been consistent despite not having much help from the blockers around him. Gallery’s name even came up when experts were assessing candidates for midseason All-Pro honors, we hear. It’s been a remarkable turnaround for a player who was maligned as a major bust when he failed to become the anchor on the O-line’s left side after having been selected with the second overall pick in the 2004 draft. Gallery’s transition to the interior was monitored closely by interim head coach Tom Cable, who became the O-line coach before last season. Sources say Cable’s decision to continue working as the de facto O-line coach despite his new role should be a big help to Gallery.

Oct. 24, 2008   

Rookie DE Scott helps bridge gap on Raiders' D-line

The Raiders were dealt a tough blow when DE Derrick Burgess, who led the team or was tied for the lead in sacks each of the past three seasons, suffered a triceps injury. It has kept him off the field since Week Four, leaving Oakland without its top pass rusher. Burgess' absence freed up playing time for rookie Trevor Scott, a sixth-round pick, and Scott has taken advantage of the opportunity. Scott had two sacks, including one in overtime, and forced a fumble in the Raiders' Week Seven win over the Jets. Team insiders say Scott's success is due in large part to his preparation skills, which are unusually refined for a rookie. We hear Scott isn't likely to take snaps away from Burgess once the veteran is healthy, but if Burgess needs to ease himself back into playing shape, the coaching staff won't hesitate to rotate Scott in.

Oct. 17, 2008   

Raiders FS Huff gets demoted

The Raiders decided to bench FS Michael Huff in favor of backup Hiram Eugene, who will get the start for Oakland in Week Seven. Sources in Oakland say Huff is not being physical enough and he has not shown any improvement in his third season, even though the team moved him from strong to free safety, where it was believed he would be a more natural fit. Insiders would not call the decision to demote Huff a permanent one, but he’s on the cusp of falling into the category of draft busts. Drafted seventh overall in 2006, Huff has been a major disappointment after entering the league with high expectations. Eugene had an opportunity to start five games late last season when he replaced Stuart Schweigert, but he didn’t do enough to convince coaches he should hold on to the job heading into this season.

Oct. 10, 2008   

Raiders' offseason coaching changes not expected to include Ryan

Updated at 9:36 a.m. EDT Monday, Oct. 13

Almost all of the Raiders’ assistant coaches, many of whom were picked by ex-head coach Lane Kiffin, face uncertain futures and likely dismissals after the season. But defensive coordinator Rob Ryan is a safe bet to stick around. Ryan is a favorite of Al Davis. When Kiffin tried to fire Ryan in the offseason, Davis stepped in and overruled his young head coach. Sources say Ryan is a good, reliable company man — he’s open to what Davis has to say and takes his advice into consideration when he implements strategy. Team insiders were a bit surprised when Davis chose O-line coach Tom Cable as Kiffin’s successor, rather than Ryan. Davis explained his decision, saying he considered Ryan but believed Ryan was too important to the defense. Sources said it’s very likely Ryan will be strongly considered for the head-coaching job this offseason if Cable is not retained. Oakland lost 34-3 in Cable’s debut as head coach.

Oct. 3, 2008   

Raiders pick up the pieces as war between Kiffin and Davis lingers

As the Raiders attempt to move on with interim head coach Tom Cable in place, sources in Oakland say the bad blood spilled in the feud between owner Al Davis and Lane Kiffin has yet to dry. Players are frustrated with the constant turnover at head coach — Cable is the fifth one in six seasons — and insiders say that Kiffin is prepared to take action against Davis in order to recoup the remainder of his contract, which is believed to be worth close to $3.5 million.

At a Sept. 30 press conference, where Davis announced his decision to make a change in coaches, the owner said Kiffin was being fired “for cause,” which indicated that he did not intend to pay Kiffin the rest of what the contract called for. Team insiders say multiple high-ranking officials expressed concern to Davis about his handling of the Kiffin situation, and his response was to stop speaking to them. Davis answered with confidence when asked about the strength of his argument for firing Kiffin for cause.

“I wouldn't do it unless I was going to prevail,” he said.

However, sources say the case is far from over. Kiffin reportedly will discuss the situation with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, who likely will serve as the arbiter between the two parties as the feud escalates.

With this ongoing distraction playing itself out on the side, Cable is charged with mending the fractures within the team, which is talented and very easily could have a 3-1 record, rather than 1-3, if not for late collapses in losses to Buffalo and San Diego. There's no doubt, sources say, that Cable is perceived by players as a lame duck, since his chances of keeping the top job beyond this season are slim to none, but there is no mutiny and he has been accepted, for the most part.

Close observers of the team say Cable seems like a nice guy and he isn't likely to rock the boat, as Kiffin did, by calling out players, coaches and Davis in public, but they're still scratching their heads. If Cable can't get the offensive linemen to pass-block well enough for QB JaMarcus Russell, how is he going to “dominate” the locker room, as Davis suggested he should, and lead a full team out of the doldrums?

September

Sept. 26, 2008   

Lack of consistency holding back Raiders WR Higgins

Updated at 9:10 a.m. EDT Monday, Sept. 29

Second-year WR Johnnie Lee Higgins has emerged as a dual threat for the Raiders this season. He has big-play ability, whether it’s as a receiver or a returner, and his game is built on pure breakaway speed, an attribute owner Al Davis is fascinated by. However, consistency has been a major problem for Higgins. Until he resolves that issue, sources say to not count on Higgins gaining a bigger role in the offense. Higgins’ roller coaster approach is not the only problem holding the Raiders back from airing it out to deep threats on a more frequent basis. Head coach Lane Kiffin has been conservative with QB JaMarcus Russell. Kiffin tried to limit Russell’s number of throws through the first three contests, but opened things up a bit in Week Four. Russell completed 22 of a career-high 37 pass attempts vs. the Chargers, and he threw his first interception of the season in a 28-18 loss.

Sept. 19, 2008   

Raiders owner Davis plotting head coach Kiffin's exit

Updated at 9:26 a.m. EDT Monday, Sept. 22

The sideshow in Oakland continues as Raiders head coach Lane Kiffin and owner Al Davis go back and forth in an extremely public feud that appears to be headed for a conclusion in the near future.

Kiffin survived Week Two with a win over the Chiefs, but sources say he’s hanging on to his job by a thread and could be let go at any time following the team’s last-second loss to the Bills in Week Three. There are numerous distractions hovering around the squad as the battle spreads through all corners of the organization, including the public-relations department, which has begun doing Davis’ bidding, according to sources. Yet, we hear the majority of players don’t seem wrapped up in the controversy.

However, a few influential Raiders, most notably CB Nnamdi Asomugha, have thrown their support behind Kiffin. Most Raiders fans appear to be in his corner, as well, close observers of the team tell us.

When Davis does act on his desire to cut Kiffin loose, sources say there could be a major backlash. The most likely replacements as head coach come from a relatively uninspiring group consisting of defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, WR coach James Lofton and Paul Hackett, who has reportedly worked as a consultant for the team.

Rumors spread in the winter that Kiffin had interest in heading back to the college ranks — he had been the offensive coordinator at USC before he was hired in Oakland — and they started what has morphed into a nasty fight between him and Davis, who was infuriated when he learned of the reports. That speculation cropped up again recently, this time linking Kiffin to the Syracuse job, should head coach Greg Robinson be let go.

Davis is well aware of Kiffin’s perceived interest in a collegiate job, and it’s not unthinkable that Davis might go out of his way to block Kiffin from getting such a position. The Raiders could keep Kiffin through November and December, when college programs make their staff changes, which would in effect keep him from being able to interview until all the vacancies are filled.

Sept. 12, 2008   

Raiders CB Hall not living up to expectations, contract

Updated at 8:45 a.m. EDT Monday, Sept. 15

Sources in Oakland say that Raiders CB DeAngelo Hall will have a target on his jersey the rest of the season. After signing a contract for nearly $70 million in the offseason, Hall was lit up by Broncos rookie WR Eddie Royal in Week One. He played better in Week Two against the woeful Chiefs, but not enough to relax concerns. The Raiders were expected to have one of the best corner tandems in the league with Hall, a two-time Pro Bowler as a member of the Falcons, playing alongside Nnamdi Asomugha. Offenses are focusing much of their attack toward Hall’s side of the field. To his credit, Hall took part of the blame for the defense’s struggles, but he doesn’t appear to be anywhere near the player Al Davis thought he was getting.

Sept. 5, 2008   

Richardson unable to claim full-time spot at defensive end for Raiders

Sources in Oakland say the Raiders were hoping that second-year DE Jay Richardson would prove he could handle a full-time starter’s load, but thus far, he hasn’t shown he’s prepared for it. Instead, the team is likely to use Richardson on first and second downs and bring in Kalimba Edwards as a pass-rush specialist in 3rd-and-long situations. Richardson had just one sack as a rookie last season and didn’t have a single sack in three preseason starts in August. He has been very strong against the run, but hasn’t made enough of an impact on passing downs. The Raiders are counting on Edwards to be a playmaker off the edge, but he has been far from reliable in past seasons. The seventh-year player has been slowed by a groin injury recently and if it gets worse, Richardson could be thrust into the full-time role, even if he’s not ready for it.

August

Aug. 22, 2008   

Raiders, CB Hall not seeing eye-to-eye on hand injury

Raiders CB DeAngelo Hall continues to practice with the team, although he suffered ligament damage in his right hand before the first preseason game and is wearing a brace on it. Word is the injury won’t require surgery and the Raiders are confident he’ll be healed and ready to go by Week One. However, Hall has indicated that it might not be such a great idea for him to be playing through the discomfort. Sources say they have witnessed Hall grabbing the hand in pain recently after he swatted a ball and are concerned that the Raiders might be handling him in a foolish manner. Oakland wants Hall and his fellow starting CB Nnamdi Asomugha to be on the field together for as much time as possible as they get used to each other and prepare for the season. The Raiders locked up Hall with a seven-year contract in the offseason, but their urgency to win now might force them into a short-sighted decision in this case.

Aug. 15, 2008   

Raiders WR Walker closes strong at camp, but not out of Kiffin's doghouse

Updated at 5 p.m. EDT Sunday, Aug. 17

Something seemed to have clicked with Raiders WR Javon Walker just as camp wrapped up, the way we hear it, but he still has a great deal of work to do before he gets in the good graces of head coach Lane Kiffin. Walker was challenged early in camp by Kiffin as the free-agent acquisition struggled and came nowhere near the high expectations Oakland had for him. Then word came from Walker that he strongly had considered retirement and wanted to return his bonus money, until owner Al Davis convinced him to work through his fatigue. Walker finally responded, coming up with his best two practices just before camp closed Aug. 13. The seventh-year veteran looks like he's back in shape after showing up at camp overweight, and his overall mindset appears to have improved. However, Kiffin changed his tone again in an Aug. 16 conference call with the team's media and said Walker needs to start playing up to the $55 million contract he received in the offseason. Walker was ineffective and didn't have a single catch in Oakland's second preseason contest. The Raiders, who have a very inexperienced receiver corps, are counting on him to be an explosive force in the passing game.

Aug. 1, 2008   

Raiders QB Russell can ill afford more lost time

Raiders QB JaMarcus Russell was kept out of two practices this week after he banged his right elbow on the helmet of rookie RB Darren McFadden. Head coach Lane Kiffin has indicated the injury doesn’t appear serious, and he said X-rays on the elbow came back clean. Yet for Russell, entering his first season as a full-time starter, any bit of missed time hurts. Though he’s technically entering his second season, Russell still hasn’t been in the league for a full year, after a lengthy contract holdout lasted into the first week of the ’07 campaign. Russell needs as much time as possible to gain a comfort level with his receiving corps, which is also very inexperienced as a group. In addition, he’ll need to establish a rapport with the offensive line, which sources say has looked very unimpressive in the early stages of camp. The Raiders will have to proceed with care in their handling of Russell — he has a lot of work to do, but they have to keep his wide frame out of harm’s way.

July

July 19, 2008   

Raiders CB Asomugha may not report to camp on time

Nnamdi Asomugha

Sources in Oakland say don’t be surprised if Raiders CB Nnamdi Asomugha holds out from the first couple of weeks of training camp to express disappointment with his contract situation. The Raiders failed to work out a long-term extension for their star corner prior to the July 15 deadline for franchise players to sign contracts longer than one year. The parties cannot resume negotiations until after the season, and Asomugha has yet to sign his tender of just under $10 million. Word is Asomugha, widely regarded as one of the best man corners in the league, has received no assurances that he won’t be tagged again next offseason, much to his dismay. We hear Asomugha might have agreed to play for the league minimum base salary this season, had he been given a long-term deal with a lucrative bonus, just so he could have some security in the future. There is a sense in Oakland that the Raiders dropped the ball on this one and that Asomugha will be looking for a way out of town after the season.

July 4, 2008   

Trade winds for Raiders RB Jordan still stagnant

It’s been nearly a full month since RB LaMont Jordan was told to stay off the practice field and he received permission from Raiders head coach Lane Kiffin to seek out a trade to another club. One month, yet Jordan still sits in limbo, with no takers for his services. The way we hear it, the 29-year-old’s status is unlikely to change any time soon. Sources in Oakland say teams are waiting out the Raiders, knowing that Jordan will be cut before long if no trade materializes. The most likely scenario has Jordan being released sometime before or during camp and then joining a team that has felt the injury bug bite in their backfield. There’s still an outside chance the Raiders could work a deal that brings them a low draft pick, if another team becomes desperate enough. However, by handling Jordan’s situation with such transparency, his trade value has been greatly diminished.

June

June 27, 2008   

Raiders WR Walker a major disappointment thus far

Ex-Bronco Javon Walker

Javon Walker's night of partying in Las Vegas — which ended with him being beaten, robbed and left in a street with a concussion, multiple facial wounds and a fractured orbital bone, according to some reports — speaks to a larger issue of the wide receiver's immaturity, the way we hear it. Rather than stay home and prepare for the week's session of OTAs, Walker was out drinking and reportedly spraying people with champagne in a club. Sources say the Raiders are taking a wait-and-see approach as Las Vegas law-enforcement officials uncover more details about the June 16 beating and robbery. One arrest had been made in relation to the incident, and another suspect was being sought at the time of this writing. The extent of the impact from his injuries is not yet known, but the team says it expects Walker to be ready for training camp. The Raiders were counting on Walker to bring some much-needed experience to their receiving corps when they signed him to a six-year, $55 million contract in the winter. Walker, who had been limited to just one practice per day during OTAs because of a bad knee, already was behind schedule in establishing a rapport with QB JaMarcus Russell, and this is yet another setback, which doesn't bode well for Walker's future.

June 6, 2008   

Huff, Wilson taking snaps at both safety positions for Raiders

We hear the Raiders have been using starting safeties Gibril Wilson and Michael Huff interchangeably between the strong and free safety positions in offseason workouts thus far. It’s the type of flexibility head coach Lane Kiffin has wanted since he arrived in Oakland, but he didn’t have the personnel to do it last season. Wilson is considered a better fit at strong safety because of his hard-hitting, run-stuffing style, which were elements the Raiders' safety corps was lacking before the team signed him to a six-year, $39 million deal in the offseason. However, he started at free safety for the Giants as they plowed to a Super Bowl title last season. Regardless of his position, sources say Wilson’s presence should make a major impact on the team’s defense because he’s the sure tackler that Huff, a first-round pick in 2006, has yet to become. Unless Huff improves on that part of his game, Kiffin may be forced to keep him at free safety and lose the interchangeable aspect he desires.

May

May 29, 2008   

Russell moving toward leadership role with Raiders

JaMarcus Russell

Raiders QB JaMarcus Russell appears to be on the fast track toward a leadership position with the team, the way we hear it. Sources in Oakland say Russell has gained his teammates’ respect through showing a commitment and strong work ethic in offseason workouts. He has looked in command of the offense during practices thus far, which is a big departure from where he left off at the end of last season. Russell’s development as a rookie was crippled by a lengthy contract holdout that lasted into the regular season. He is primed to enter the ’08 campaign under a vastly improved set of circumstances that are more conducive to winning. There were widespread reports that Russell had gained weight in the offseason to the point where he was teetering on 300 pounds. Those stories seem hard to believe, we hear, considering how well Russell has been moving around in workouts. Plus, he recently told reporters he weighs 269 pounds and would like to drop five before the season.

May 23, 2008   

Raiders disappointed in WR Walker's conditioning

We hear Raiders WR Javon Walker showed up at OTAs out of shape, which frustrated team officials, who expected more from him after he received a six-year, $55 million contract in March. Walker is slotted as Oakland’s No. 1 receiver and was signed to provide QB JaMarcus Russell with a proven go-to guy as the second-year quarterback embarks on his first year as the full-time starter. The news on Walker wasn’t completely negative, though — he was able to make sharp cuts on slant routes and didn’t appear to be slowed by the multiple knee injuries that have dogged him in the past. There are some concerns about the health of No. 2 WR Ronald Curry, as well. He underwent foot surgery recently, although the procedure has been called minor. As more questions emerge about a fragile passing game, the Raiders’ deep backfield is looking more valuable with each passing day.

May 14, 2008   

Raiders RBs McFadden, Bush impress at weekend minicamp

Word out of the Raiders’ rookie minicamp is RB Darren McFadden lined up in the backfield, split out wide as a receiver and even took a few shotgun snaps as a quarterback during non-contact drills this past weekend. So much for easing him into things. Head coach Lane Kiffin wasn’t kidding when he said on draft weekend that McFadden would be a major part of the passing game, and he apparently isn’t opposed to drawing up some of the direct-snap plays that worked so well for the ballcarrier during his career at Arkansas, either. 2007 fourth-round pick RB Michael Bush, who spent last season on injured reserve, was being utilized as a receiver out of the backfield, as well, during the camp. We hear both players looked crisp, but, of course, the weekend was only an orientation. When the full pads go on in training camp, things will change in a hurry. This, however, was a preview of things to come, and it’s clear that Kiffin is willing to get creative with some intriguing weapons on offense.

May 2, 2008   

Choice of McFadden leaves Raiders with tenuous situation at defensive end

The Raiders selected RB Darren McFadden and passed on DE-OLB Vernon Gholston in last weekend’s draft, leaving them with a somewhat fragile situation at defensive end. The stage has been set for a training-camp battle between DEs Kalimba Edwards and Jay Richardson to win the starting nod opposite Derrick Burgess, but neither appears to be a sufficient replacement for the departed Chris Clemons, who jump-started Oakland’s pass rush last season with eight sacks before signing with the Eagles as a free agent in March. Edwards, who was cut by the Lions in March, has had just three sacks in each of the last two seasons, and Richardson is known more as a run stuffer, netting just one sack as a rookie in ’07. Raiders owner Al Davis didn’t snag any help at end in the later rounds of the draft — sixth-round pick DE Trevor Scott has been characterized as a prospect who may be more useful at tight end. Burgess, who is seeking a new contract, would seem to have some leverage in negotiations for a deal, especially if he threatened to hold out. Without Burgess, who has either held or tied for the team lead in sacks at the end of each of the past three seasons, Oakland’s pass rush would be significantly weakened.

April

April 25, 2008   

Holdout by Asomugha could affect secondary's cohesiveness

For all the fawning over the Raiders’ CB tandem and the somewhat premature crowning of DeAngelo Hall and Nnamdi Asomugha as the best duo in the league, it’s important to note Asomugha remains unsigned. Asomugha received the exclusive franchise tag in February, which would pay him a salary of at least $9.465 million in 2008, but he is one of just four remaining tagged free agents who have yet to sign a tender. Word is Asomugha is holding off while his agent, Steve Baker, and the Raiders work on hammering out a long-term deal by the July 15 deadline. The holdout hasn’t had an adverse effect on Oakland’s free-spending offseason, but it could become more of a problem if it stretches into the team’s first minicamp, which is scheduled for May 9-11. With a new-look secondary in place, it would be helpful for Asomugha to be on the field to help guide and establish relationships with offseason additions like Hall and S Gibril Wilson.

April 11, 2008   

DE Burgess feeling left out of Raiders' spending spree

The Raiders’ massive spending this offseason has yet to include a new deal for DE Derrick Burgess, who is growing increasingly miffed about the issue, we hear. Burgess, who has tied for or held the team lead in sacks the past three seasons, watched as DT Tommy Kelly received the largest contract in league history for a defensive tackle (seven years, $50.5 million) on the eve of free agency. It struck some as a smack in the face to reward Kelly, who has just nine sacks as a defensive tackle and end over the past three seasons and missed nine games last season with a torn ACL, before giving Burgess a raise from the five-year, $17.5 million contract he signed in 2005. According to sources close to the team, Burgess was told by senior personnel executive Mike Lombardi last offseason that a new deal was on the way, but Lombardi was fired in May, and there has been no significant progress made on a contract since then. Thus far, Burgess has opted to take the high road, showing up for last year’s training camp and not venting to the media, but his patience may be wearing thin.

April 4, 2008   

Raiders’ Kiffin ends his silence

After months of speculation about his future as the Raiders’ head coach, Lane Kiffin confronted some of the rumors but did not put them to rest this week at the owners’ meetings in Palm Beach, Fla. For now, it appears Kiffin has weathered an offseason storm that began once owner Al Davis found out Kiffin had shown interest in college coaching vacancies at Arkansas and Michigan. Kiffin indicated there was some truth to reports that his relationship with Davis had unraveled, but he didn’t directly answer whether or not it was true that Davis had drafted a letter of resignation for him to sign. Kiffin spoke candidly, but carefully, admitting that Davis functions not only as an owner but as a general manager, college scout and defensive coordinator much of the time, as well — something that was pretty well known already. It’s not exactly clear how their partnership works, but it appears Kiffin and Davis have come to a mutual agreement and will put aside their differences in the short term. However, if the Raiders get off to a slow start next season, that truce will come to an end in short order.

March

March 26, 2008   

Raiders' offseason spending spree has yet to include a center

While the Raiders have thrown bundles of money at free agents in an attempt for a quick fix to the woes that left them with just 19 wins over the past five seasons, the team still hasn't addressed who will be snapping the ball to QB JaMarcus Russell next season and yet is quickly approaching the $116 million salary cap. Two-time Pro Bowl C Jeremy Newberry, a free agent, recently turned 32 but was able to start 14 games for Oakland last season and avoided the knee injuries that had slowed him in the past. Reports indicate Newberry has offers from other clubs, including the Buccaneers, but has not yet accepted any of them while hoping a deal with the Raiders can be worked out. This year's group of rookie centers is thought to be relatively weak, and sources say bringing back Newberry is the team's best option — his backup last season, Jake Grove, 28, was unable to win the starting job in a training-camp competition last year. Although the Raiders have resorted to loading up on massive contracts to fill holes on their roster, it appears they are looking for more of a bargain when it comes to the player who will be the shield directly in front of Russell.

March 21, 2008   

Even with CB Hall, Raiders' defense still vulnerable

As Falcons CB DeAngelo Hall and Raiders officials put the finishing touches on his new contract, Oakland is poised to have one of the strongest cornerback tandems in the league, although it may not solve some of their problems on defense. Opposing teams that tried to stay away from Raiders CB Nnamdi Asomugha in past seasons won’t be able to avoid throwing his way as much with Hall, a two-time Pro Bowler who could be entering his prime, on the other side. However, our source said acquiring Hall doesn’t solve the club’s biggest problem from last season, which was stopping the run. The Raiders were 31st against the run in 2007 and eighth vs. the pass. A full year of health from DT Tommy Kelly could strengthen the team’s attack against the ground game, but if Oakland doesn’t add another run-stuffing defensive lineman or linebacker in the draft or free agency, it could suffer through the same struggles, even with an improved secondary.

March 14, 2008   

Big-spending Raiders look to add another quarterback

The Raiders’ free-agent shopping may not be done. They are pursuing a backup quarterback and recently met with unrestricted free-agent QB Quinn Gray, who played behind David Garrard in Jacksonville last season. JaMarcus Russell is firmly entrenched as Oakland’s starter, but a gap on the depth chart was created when UFA QB Josh McCown, who started nine games for the Raiders last season, bolted to the Dolphins. Daunte Culpepper, who made six starts for Oakland in 2007, is also a free agent testing the market. The only other quarterback left on the roster is Andrew Walter, who played in just one game last season but started eight in 2006 while throwing three touchdowns and 13 interceptions. The team would be more comfortable with another backup in place, and if a deal can’t be worked out with Gray, negotiations to bring Culpepper back for another season could begin.

March 7, 2008   

WR Walker an expensive risk for Raiders

The Raiders raised more than a few eyebrows around the league when they signed WR Javon Walker to a six-year, $55 million contract — a deal that, at first glance, seemed a bit outrageous considering he was just cut by the Broncos and has been plagued by knee injuries in recent years. However, the deal is backloaded and Walker is guaranteed just $25 million over the first three years — a fairly standard price for a bona fide No. 1 receiver when healthy. Oakland could release or attempt to trade him before the contract escalates to $10 million per if the knee in question is acting up. A close observer of the Raiders said acquiring Walker was a wise move to make considering that the six-year veteran, if healthy, gives second-year QB JaMarcus Russell a go-to receiver — something Oakland has been searching for since Tim Brown left after the 2003 season. Aside from his knee, the biggest concern regarding Walker is his attitude, which has earned him ugly exits from Denver and Green Bay, but Raiders owner Al Davis never has shied away from taking players with character issues.

February

Feb. 27, 2008   

Ryan looks to bring accountability back to Raiders' defense

Updated at 5:00 EST Thursday, Feb. 28.

The Raiders’ defense nose-dived from third in the league in 2006 to 22nd last season, and according to reports, defensive coordinator Rob Ryan was almost fired by head coach Lane Kiffin after the season before owner Al Davis stepped in and vetoed the move. Ryan was at the Scouting Combine in Indianapolis and spoke with PFW about what it will take to restore order on Oakland’s “D.” “We had some problems with accountability, for one, so we’re going to go back to that, make sure everybody is accountable to each other first,” Ryan said. The Raiders were 31st against the run in 2007, and adding a defensive end figures to be high on their priority list this offseason. Free-agent DT Tommy Kelly was re-signed to a seven-year, $50.5 million contract Feb. 28, which is the largest contract ever given to a defensive tackle. Kelly moved to defensive end before tearing his ACL, but he likely will line up as a three-technique defensive tackle next season, filling the void left by Warren Sapp, who retired in the offseason. “Tommy’s an excellent player; he’s played well in our system,” Ryan said.

Feb. 22, 2008   

Raiders label CB Asomugha 'exclusive'

The Raiders placed an exclusive franchise tag on CB Nnamdi Asomugha, which will keep him in Oakland for the 2008 season. They were the only team in the league to utilize the exclusive designation. Asomugha is set to earn at least $9.465 million this year, the average salary of the five highest-paid cornerbacks in the league. The exclusive tag is different from the non-exclusive designation because it prevents the player from negotiating with other teams. If Asomugha had been given the non-exclusive tag, he could have taken offers from other teams, and the Raiders would have had the option to either match the contract or receive two first-round picks as compensation for losing him. It wasn’t surprising that Oakland used the franchise tag on Asomugha, but using the exclusive version could have implications for the next time the five-year veteran becomes a free agent. Recent talks about a longer-term contract for Asomugha never picked up steam, possibly signaling that he wasn’t interested in remaining in Oakland for many more years. Stopping him from even negotiating with other teams probably won't help matters when the next round of bargaining begins.

Feb. 15, 2008   

Fargas’ return changes Raiders’ plans for draft

The Raiders’ re-signing of RB Justin Fargas appears to have added clarity to what once was a muddled offseason situation in Oakland’s backfield. Fargas, who would have become a free agent Feb. 29, re-upped on a three-year deal worth $12 million, with $6 million guaranteed, and incentives that could make the contract worth up to $14 million. Many figured that Fargas, 28, would test the open market — he was one of the top running backs available following a career year in which he rushed for 1,009 yards — but the lifelong Raiders fan was devoted to staying with the team. His re-signing makes it far less likely that Oakland will have its sights set on Arkansas RB Darren McFadden in April’s draft. The Raiders will have either the third or fourth choice in the first round depending on a coin flip with the Falcons. Fargas’ decision likely signals that LaMont Jordan, Dominic Rhodes, or both, will be released and RB Michael Bush, who missed 2007, his rookie season, while recovering from a broken leg he suffered in college, could become the backup.

January

Jan. 30, 2008   

Davis-Kiffin rift tough on fans, could hurt free agency

Sources suggest the turmoil stemming from the power struggle between owner Al Davis and head coach Lane Kiffin and the general drama in Oakland since the season came to a close has really taken its toll on the Raiders’ fan base, and the fear among some members of the front office and coaching staff is it will hurt the team’s chances of landing impact free agents this offseason as well. As first reported by PFW weeks ago, the rift between Davis and Kiffin concerning authority over the roster and coaching staff is very real and may still force them to part ways sooner rather than later. In a poll on a local newspaper company’s Web site that asked readers who should step down, Davis or Kiffin, the overwhelming response was for Davis to call it a career. We hear the Raiders’ faithful who once stood blindly behind Davis are seriously beginning to doubt his guidance, and the continuing lack of stability in the coaching ranks after Davis reportedly sent a letter to Kiffin asking for his resignation will undoubtedly make it difficult to lure some prized free agents to town.