Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Javon Walker lives
Raiders wide receiver Javon Walker couldn't get on the active list for Monday's season opener. Now, he's about to become the No. 3 receiver and backup punt returner.
So said Raiders coach Tom Cable after practice Wednesday.
The reason isn't because Walker suddenly showed the burst, speed and cutting ability Cable said he wanted to see one day earlier. It's because No. 3 receiver/punt returner Johnnie Lee Higgins is questionable with a sprained shoulder.
It's not like rookie Nick Miller can help. He's out 4-to-6 weeks with a busted ankle.
For Walker, his number can't be called soon enough. Read More »
| Sep 16 at 05:50 PM
Miller time is over, for now
Wide receiver/kick returner Nick Miller was a feel-good story coming out of training camp, going from an undrafted rookie from Southern Utah to the 53-man roster as the starting kick returner.
Miller missed the opener with what was described as shin splints, but now he is on crutches with a hairline fracture in his right ankle. He's out 4-to-6 weeks.
That means Louis Rankin will continue returning kicks, assuming the Raiders don't go out and re-sign Justin Miller after cutting him in training camp.
Rankin could also become the punt returner. Johnnie Lee Higgins missed practice with a shoulder sprain, so Rankin and Hiram Eugene took turns fielding punts at the start of practice Wednesday.
At first glance, the punt return game is going to take some work. More after practice ...
| Sep 16 at 12:32 PM
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
WRs hurting all around
Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell clearly needed help from his wide receivers in Monday night's 24-20 loss to the Chargers.
From the sounds of it Tuesday, help is not yet on the way.
SFGate.com
Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell is running out of wide receivers to depend on.
No. 3 receiver Johnnie Lee Higgins has an AC shoulder sprain from a ferocious hit over the middle. No. 1 receiver Chaz Schilens will start running this week but is at least one, and more likely two, games from getting back on the field.
Javon Walker? We'll see, Raiders coach Tom Cable said. It depends on if there's enough healthy receivers to go around. That, after Walker was inactive Monday when there were just four healthy receivers to begin with.
Cable wants to see Walker run fast and get separation. That may take awhile, given all his knee surgeries.
Other Cable quotes and notes from Tuesday's press conference ... Read More »
| Sep 15 at 03:36 PM
Blog 4: the quotebook
Early deadlines and a late finish meant just one or two quotes got into the Sporting Green stories about the Raiders' 24-20 loss to the Chargers on Monday.
Here's what players and coaches were saying afterward. Read More »
| Sep 15 at 12:22 AM
Monday, September 14, 2009
Blog 3: the offense
We already dealt with the Louis Murphy un-touchdown two blogs ago. There wasn't much more he could do on that and it shouldn't ruin a wonderful rookie debut.
But where was the rest of the offense on a night the Raiders defense gave them every chance to put this one to bed?
It starts with JaMarcus Russell, who has a lot of improving to do. Read More »
| Sep 14 at 11:57 PM
Blog 2: The defense
Sure, the defense did not hold, not one, but two leads in the fourth quarter.
But this was different. There's actually hope for better days as opposed to the feeling of here we go again.
"Yeah, absolutely," Pro Bowl cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha said. "We had a chance." Read More »
| Sep 14 at 11:39 PM
Blog 1: the overruled TD
We'll do a few blogs addressing the Raiders' 24-20 loss to the Chargers in Monday night's season opener at The Coliseum.
The first will deal with the play Raiders fans will be bemoaning all year: Louis Murphy's overruled touchdown in the first half.
The rookie wide receiver got both feet down on an apparent 19-yard touchdown catch with 45 seconds left in the half. It would have given the Raiders a 14-10 lead, and mathematically was the difference between losing the game and going into overtime.
Referee Carl Cheffers explained the rule that led officials to overrule the initial touchdown call in a replay review. Keep in mind the ball popped loose when Murphy hit the ground. Read More »
| Sep 14 at 11:20 PM
Game Night in Oakland
Welcome to The Coliseum, where the parking lots are jammed pack, the tailgating smoke is in the air Richard Seymour is signing autographs by the tunnel and everyone has their Raiders gear on.
Well, everyone but defensive tackle William Joseph. He just got cut to make roster room for newcomer Richard Seymour -- for the second time in eight days.
Not much pregame news to report, other than Jeff Garcia landing back in Philly as a backup. Here are the Oakland's inactives for tonight's season opener against the Chargers: Read More »
| Sep 14 at 05:46 PM
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Update: Al Davis steals the show
Richard Seymour is a Raider, but Al Davis stole his show Saturday night. That's fine, because Davis only speaks so often. Seymour gets to do his talking Monday night.
Davis couldn't resist crashing the press conference Saturday where Seymour was introduced as the Raider in No. 92. He wanted to make it clear Seymour always wanted to play for the Raiders.
All of that is covered in the print edition Sunday, which also will pop up at www.sfgate.com soon enough.
Here are some other highlights ... (with updated stuff at the very bottom) Read More »
| Sep 12 at 08:09 PM
No blackout for Black Hole
The Raiders just announced their Monday night opener will not be blacked out, which means everyone can see Richard Seymour make his Raiders debut live on Channel 5 locally and ESPN nationally.
The announcement came just 2 hours before Saturday's blackout deadline. The Raiders had not sold the game out 72 hours in advance but they were granted a 24-hour extension Friday.
The Seymour press conference is minutes away ...
| Sep 12 at 05:23 PM
