Raiders News

"It appears everyone the Raiders want in training camp will be on the field for the team's first practice. Cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, the team's franchise player, reported Wednesday, according to published reports, signed a one-year contract for $9.765 million and will practice this afternoon. "I'm going to go into camp focused and play the year out and see what happens," Asomugha told Sportsillustrated.com via text message. Indications from those familiar with the situation were that Asomugha would not report to camp because he was unhappy about being franchised after Asomugha and the Raiders failed to agree on a long-term deal by the July 15 deadline. One of Asomugha's new teammates, ..."

"Defensive end Derrick Burgess arrived first, at 1:55 p.m. From there, it was a steady stream of sport utility vehicles, luxury cars and even a bus for the next three hours or so, until almost all of the 80 players on the Raiders' roster reported in time for training camp. Meanwhile, coach Lane Kiffin holed up somewhere in the heart of the Napa Valley Marriott, checking off names and making sure he has a full complement of players for today's first practice. To that end, Wednesday's proceedings were a rousing success, with everyone expected in camp on time present and accounted for. As an added bonus, word came down Wednesday evening that veteran cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha has opted against ..."

"Raiders cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha won't be holding out, after all. Team officials are "optimistic" Asomugha will sign his one-year contract and report for today's first practice of training camp, according to a league source familiar with the situation. A second source from outside the organization confirmed Asomugha's anticipated arrival. Players began arriving for training camp Wednesday at the Napa Valley Marriott, where the Raiders' camp will be held for the next three weeks. No one has to officially report until today. Until Wednesday, team officials did not know when Asomugha would arrive. He had yet to sign his franchise-tag tender, a one-year deal worth $9.675 million. "The team ..."

"The agent for Raiders running back LaMont Jordan confirmed his client was told not to report to the team's opening day of training camp in Napa, even though the seven-year veteran has two years remaining on his contact. According to the current collective bargaining agreement, an NFL player under contract must be allowed to report and participate in all offseason and training camp meetings and workouts. Alvin Keels, who represents the running back, said he told the Raiders on Wednesday they have just more than 24 hours to release his client, trade him or permit him to report as scheduled. The team's first official workout is at 3 p.m today. On Friday, the Raiders are scheduled to hold two ..."

"Raiders coach Lane Kiffin attempted to remove longtime defensive coordinator Rob Ryan within days of the conclusion of his team's disappointing 4-12 season in 2007. Raiders managing general partner Al Davis intervened on Ryan's behalf and, in turn, initiated a showdown with Kiffin that brought about the prospect of the team having its fourth different coach in four seasons. More than six months passed without either scenario playing out. Ryan is back for a fifth season. Kiffin and Davis reached an accord. All may not be right in Raiderland, but at least everyone is in agreement that the Raiders are prepared for the upcoming season."

"The Raiders signed veteran safety Greg Wesley to a one-year contract Tuesday in a move that adds depth to the secondary. Wesley, 30, spent his first eight NFL seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs. He was released last week. He is expected to compete against the likes of Tyvon Branch, Jarrod Cooper and Hiram Eugene for a backup spot. In other news, the Raiders released second-year wide receiver Will Buchanon. He spent time with the Raiders at training camp and during the season last year."

"Neither the Raiders nor 49ers did anything of note this day, or really any day since the draft ended. Thus, as they enter the start of their training camps (the Raiders today in Napa, the 49ers Thursday in Santa Clara) they missed many opportunities to get our undivided attention by: -- Making loud and obnoxious runs at Brett Favre. -- Making loud and obnoxious runs at Jason Taylor. -- Making loud and obnoxious runs at Jeremy Shockey. -- Blah-blah-blah-de-blah-blah with Chad Johnson or Jared Allen or Plaxico Burress. -- Offering to play regular-season games in Vancouver. -- Getting caught cheating (the Lance Briggs tampering fiasco happened before that). -- Getting caught talking with ..."

"Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell will report to camp today, which is a first. Raiders coach Lane Kiffin will be there to greet him at the Napa Valley Marriott, which wasn't always a given. Who else shows, and what shape they arrive in, will go a long way toward deciding if reporting day is mundane (preferred by ownership) or something requiring three rings and a lion tamer. Even Kiffin, whose job security was the subject of offseason rumors, wonders what will unfold when the players arrive for training camp this afternoon. He hasn't seen most of the team since offseason training ended last month and, as receiver Javon Walker learned, time off could lead to time out if not used ..."

"One thing about a Raiders offseason – it's never boring. Head coach Lane Kiffin wanted to fire defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, but owner Al Davis wouldn't allow it. Davis, in return, wanted Kiffin to resign, but Kiffin instead wanted to be fired. In the end, the Raiders enter training camp this week with the same head coach, same defensive coordinator and, of course, same owner. Unlike last summer, however, there will be no holdout by the team's first-round pick after the Raiders signed running back Darren McFadden in June."

"NFL training camps open this week, so hold me back. The anticipation for fifth-string cornerbacks covering sixth-string receivers . . . it's just too much! Frankly, there's no better time to set the stage for the best story lines and open up multiple cans of worms as the 49ers start up in Santa Clara and the Raiders head to Napa. Story line No. 1: 49ers Coach Mike Nolan is on the hot seat after three wobbly seasons. Nolan knows he's on the hot seat. What does this mean? I bet Nolan did his research and found an example of a tightly wound coach who was under fire after three seasons and then fixed the problems resoundingly in Year 4. The perfect precedent for Nolan: Tom Coughlin, who ..."

"We know this much about the 49ers and the Raiders: They aren't dealing with trade offers for Brett Favre. Is he playing? Retiring? Demanding a trade? Bored with driving his lawn tractor in circles in Kiln, Miss. Who cares? Given what we've seen from the Packers' quarterback the past two weeks, maybe Favre should invest in a Waffle House, which are as ubiquitous in the South as pickup trucks and mildew. The Bay Area NFL teams might not be playoff locks, or even sure bets to reach the magical .500 mark. But they don't need Favre. Heck, they've got plenty of quarterbacks - a pair of young, expensive No. 1 overall draft picks in Alex Smith and JaMarcus Russell, along with ample backup ..."

"Everybody has questions. How soon can quarterbacks Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco start in Atlanta and Baltimore? Where does Brett Favre play in 2008, if he plays at all? Is there another team such as the New York Giants that will come out of the shadows at playoff time to seize the Super Bowl? There are no ready answers in July and August. Training camp is a time to grind, but it's also a time for optimism. Let's set the stage for the NFL's 89th season."

"Yes, the Bears have some issues as they head into training camp this week. But they are not alone. Each of the 32 teams in the NFL will be trying to answer deep questions, tie together loose ends and bury ghosts of the past. Here is a look at the other 31:"

"The Raiders and 49ers have agreed to a joint practice during training camp in Napa, Raiders senior executive John Herrera said. No date has been announced, though the practice likely is to take place before the teams' exhibition game Aug. 8. The Raiders last participated in a joint practice with the Dallas Cowboys in 1998, when they met in El Paso, Texas. Before that, the Raiders traveled to Austin, Texas, for joint practices with the Cowboys on an annual basis."

"The Raiders and cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha failed to work out a long-term contract in advance of Tuesday's deadline for franchise-tag players. Therefore, Asomugha is bound to a one-year deal and can't resume negotiations on a long-term deal until the end of the 2008 season. Asomugha, though, has yet to sign the tender for slightly less than $10 million. Two people familiar with the negotiations said it's likely he won't sign before training camp begins next Wednesday and will miss part or all of training camp."

"It's day 15 of "Green Bay Held Hostage," and everyone's wondering how this standoff will end between the Packers and Brett Favre, their quarterback-turned-retiree-turned-Greta Van Susteren-stalker. In the spirit of the NFL's all-time interceptions leader, let's heave up some wild scenarios for what's next in the NFL's most compelling quarterback controversy since Joe vs. Steve in 1993:"

"One thing is certain: Nnamdi Asomugha will be well-compensated for the 2008 season. Just when his season begins remains the question. Asomugha, the Raiders' exclusive franchise player, and the team failed to reach a long-term deal by Tuesday's league-mandated 1 p.m. deadline. Therefore, Asomugha will earn $9.765 million for the season once he signs his one-year franchise tender. But those waiting to see how the Asomugha-DeAngelo Hall cornerback tandem looks might have to wait a while. Asomugha isn't expected to sign his one-year tender before the Raiders open training camp in Napa on July 23."

"Two men accused of abducting, beating and robbing NFL player Javon Walker got new lawyers and another court date Tuesday from a judge who told them he'll consider requests to reduce bail later this month. "We need to find both of them new lawyers and reset the preliminary hearing," Las Vegas Justice of the Peace Tony Abbatangelo said as Deshawn Lamont Thomas, 40, and Arfat Abdo Fadel, 30, appeared before him by videoconference from the Clark County jail."

"Thank you, Brett Favre. Thank you for creating a genuine sports soap opera, one that explores the complicated emotions of a superstar in the final stage of his career and the messy business of a team trying to move forward with a living, breathing monument strapped to its back. L'Affaire A-Rod reached the brink of tedium pretty quickly. That story was always too campy to generate deep drama for the sports world. What's at stake here - whether Madonna and her friendly third baseman can set off more cougar jokes than Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore? Favre and the Packers, on the other hand, already have established a record for the most bungled parting in team sports. For sheer ..."

"The New England Patriots didn't do much this off-season, which is why not much has changed in the American Football Conference. New England did lose All-Pro cornerback Asante Samuel, but otherwise looks like the same team that went 16-0 last season. The Patriots have won 20 regular-season games in a row, dating to a 21-0 loss at Miami on Dec. 10, 2006. They have broken their own NFL record of 18 consecutive victories set in 2003-04. The Indianapolis Colts, the San Diego Chargers and the Jacksonville Jaguars didn't change much in the off-season, either, which is why they are given the best shots to challenge the Patriots for AFC supremacy this season."

"Veteran offensive coordinator Paul Hackett is expected to join the Raiders as a consultant, Bay Area News Group staff writer Jerry McDonald reported. Hackett last worked in the NFL for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He also has worked for the Cleveland Browns, 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs, Denver Broncos, and New York Jets during his long career. Raiders senior executive John Herrera confirmed that Raiders coach Lane Kiffin and Hackett have talked about a consultant's job"

"His passion for the Oakland Raiders stretched back to Ken Stabler, George Blanda and the glory days of the 1970s. It even led his friends to call him "Raider Joe" when they gathered in the pre-dawn darkness outside McAfee Coliseum for a tail-gate party before the silver-and-black took to the field. Now his fellow fans are mourning George Marceline, who died Saturday morning after a hit-and-run driver struck him as he walked along Shore Line Drive."

"A second man was arrested on charges of abducting, beating and robbing Oakland Raiders wide receiver Javon Walker in Las Vegas last month. Deshawn L. Thomas, 40, was arrested Monday in Las Vegas and held without bail at the Clark County jail, police said Tuesday. Thomas will be scheduled to appear in Las Vegas Justice Court to face felony kidnapping, robbery and conspiracy charges, police said in a statement. Jail officials said it was not immediately clear if Thomas had a lawyer."

"The start of Raiders practices is a lot louder with Brad Roll around. Roll, the Raiders' new strength and conditioning coach, has a voice that booms out instructions during team stretches. But what makes Raiders head coach Lane Kiffin happy is that Roll's message is getting through – loud and clear – to players before they take the field. Roll replaced Jeff Fish , who left to become the director of athletic performance for the Atlanta Falcons. Roll comes to the Raiders from the St. Louis Rams."

"He came to say goodbye. He had them at hello. Warren Sapp, who made his reputation hunting down NFL quarterbacks, charmed an intimate gathering of friends, former teammates and coaches Saturday night after arriving fashionably late at a retirement party to celebrate his glittering 13-year career. Sapp, 35, announced his retirement in January after nine seasons as a Buccaneer topped by a Super Bowl victory and four frustrating years in Oakland. "If Warren Sapp doesn't go into the Hall of Fame on the first ballot, you'd better check the IQ of the voters," said Bucs coach Jon Gruden"

"Friends and former teammates from the Bucs gathered at the Seminole Hard Rock Casino on Saturday night to honor Warren Sapp. The 35-year-old defensive tackle retired in January after nine years in Tampa and four seasons with the Raiders. Sapp arrived fashionably late, strolling into his retirement party two hours into the festivities. While a DJ kept the music going, guests dined on sushi and an assortment of appetizers. "Warren's the straw that stirred our drink," said Bucs coach Jon Gruden, who attended the party with his wife, Cindy."

"Atlanta police were called to domestic disputes between Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall and longtime girlfriend Rasheedah Watley three times in a three-month span in 2007, according to police reports obtained by The Denver Post on Friday. According to the reports, Watley claimed Marshall punched her in all three incidents. In the first, filed on March 18, 2007, Watley told officers that Marshall had hit her and then took her purse from a hotel in downtown Atlanta. Marshall was not on the scene when police arrived, but according to the report, he sent Watley a text message on her phone while she was speaking to officers that said, "I am watching you. Why did you call the ..."

"San Ramon Valley High School graduate Sam Keller signed with the Raiders on Wednesday in a move that gives them another viable candidate for the two or three backup spots to projected starting quarterback JaMarcus Russell. Keller, 6-foot-4 and 235 pounds, went undrafted out of Nebraska earlier this year. He worked out for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Raiders within the first two weeks after the NFL draft."

"Warren Sapp never really had a sack dance. He would just kind of stomp over the fallen quarterback as if putting out a cigarette butt. But Sapp will enjoy one last tango in Tampa on Saturday night when he hosts a retirement party at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel"

"A man accused of robbing and beating Raiders receiver Javon Walker told a judge Wednesday that police pressured his girlfriend to press domestic violence charges against him before he was arrested in the Walker case. "My fiancee, she was forced by the police, because of the other matter, to go forward with these accusations," Arfat Fadel said as he appeared by videoconference before Las Vegas Justice of the Peace Eugene Martin. Officer Ramon Denby, a Las Vegas police spokesman, declined to comment on Fadel's accusation because investigations were continuing in both cases. He did say Fadel had not cooperated with investigators trying to identify a second man suspected of beating ..."

"With precious little depth at offensive tackle, the 49ers on Monday reached across the bay and plucked a longtime Raider, Barry Sims, to bolster the position. Sims, who had 119 starts in nine seasons in Oakland, agreed to a two-year deal. The 49ers fended off three teams, most notably division rival St. Louis, to land Sims, who felt his best chance for a starting job was in San Francisco. He is expected to sign today. Second-year player Joe Staley has a firm grip on the starting left tackle job. But there are questions at right tackle, where Jonas Jennings, who has yet to have an injury-free season in seven years in the league, is the current starter."

"Offensive lineman Barry Sims decided today to sign with the 49ers, in part because they gave him the best chance of winning playing time. The 49ers won't formally announce the free-agent signing until the ink is on the contract, but agent Ken Vierra confirmed the two-year deal today about a half-hour after Sims made up his mind. "It's a done deal. That's where he's going," Vierra said. Sims, 33, is a 10-year veteran who can play either tackle spot. He started 119 of 136 games during his Raiders career."

"In the span of a few months, the 49ers and the Raiders essentially have swapped offensive tackles that the other team didn't want. In early March, the Raiders signed free agent Kwame Harris. Monday, the agent for ex-Raider Barry Sims said his client will sign with the 49ers either today or Wednesday. Sims agreed to a two-year deal, according to San Francisco attorney Ken Vierra. He chose the 49ers over the Rams and Ravens because San Francisco offered more money and will give him a better chance to compete for a starting position, Vierra said. The terms were not disclosed. The 49ers, as is their policy, declined to comment on a signing until it was done."

"Doubts are surfacing about Raiders receiver Javon Walker's story that he was kidnapped from his Las Vegas hotel room before being beaten, robbed and left in a street off the strip. According to the the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Las Vegas Metro police have surveillance video of Walker getting into a car on his own power the morning before he was found. Las Vegas TV station KVBC-TV published a statement last week from the MGM-Mirage, owner of the Bellagio Hotel, saying: "The facts that have been reported regarding the incident involving Javon Walker are incorrect."

"When the pads go on and the hitting begins next month, look for the young guns to draw the most fire. If quarterback is the most demanding position in any team sport, inexperienced passers face the toughest challenge of all - especially if the franchises they represent are poised to make some noise. Oakland's JaMarcus Russell and Kansas City's Brodie Croyle won't be under that degree of pressure because the Raiders and Chiefs are afterthoughts behind San Diego in the AFC West. But for Trent Edwards, Jason Campbell, Matt Leinart and Tarvaris Jackson, fans and teammates are ready to analyze every training camp snap to judge whether these young quarterbacks are the real deal or merely ..."

"Despite coming off knee surgery and being dumped by his last team, the new wide receiver represented leadership on a unit starving for it. The massive contract he signed implied as much, and his veteran status put him among the few who could even pretend to qualify. Though Walker's curious past beat the drums of skepticism, this was his opportunity to silence the Broncos, Packers and other doubters. New team, new town, chance to set a new example. So much for that. While partying in Las Vegas last weekend, Walker reportedly spent $15,000 on champagne, was photographed spraying much of it on strangers, then wound up beaten and hospitalized. He was a victim and, ..."

"Out of a Las Vegas hospital, Raiders wide receiver Javon Walker was due back at team headquarters Wednesday evening to be examined by team doctors. Walker was injured while being robbed Monday morning. Raiders coach Lane Kiffin said he spoke with Walker on Wednesday morning. Kiffin said Walker "sounds really well" but offered no other details. "All I can give you is I spoke to him, he's doing well, and he's on a plane. He'll be on a plane this evening, back here," Kiffin said. "He'll be here (Wednesday) evening and (this) morning, as well.""

"JaMarcus Russell plans to rest a bit between the end of organized team activities today and the start of training camp July 25 in Napa. But the Raiders' second-year quarterback says he knows some will monitor his waistline more than his on-field progress this offseason. "You can only rest for so much," Russell said with a laugh. "Let people tell it, I might get back up to 300 pounds." Though rumors about Russell's conditioning swirled (he's listed at 255 pounds), he grew as an offensive leader this offseason. Raiders coach Lane Kiffin said his starter continues to improve in all areas of his game. "Right now, he's just really working so hard off the field as well ..."

"Three days after a weekend of partying in Las Vegas that left him beaten, mugged and unconscious near the strip, Raiders wide receiver Javon Walker was released from the hospital Wednesday after being treated for a concussion and facial injuries. Raiders coach Lane Kiffin, saying he spoke to Walker on Wednesday morning, said, "He sounds really well and he's doing well." Kiffin said Walker was flying back to the Bay Area on Wednesday night. "The information I have at this point is he's going to be fine," Kiffin said. "Training camp won't even be an issue." Training camp begins July 25 in Napa."

"The Oakland Raiders expect new receiver Javon Walker to be ready for training camp when he recovers from injuries incurred during a robbery in Las Vegas last weekend. Raiders coach Lane Kiffin finally spoke to Walker by phone on Wednesday morning, more than two days after Walker was discovered unconscious and beaten on a back street near the Las Vegas Strip following a night of partying. Walker was released from a hospital after treatment for a concussion and facial injuries. "The info that I have is he's going to be fine," Kiffin said. "Training camp won't be an issue. ... But until our guys look at him, I don't want to say (the extent of Walker's injuries).""

"IT WOULD BE hypocritical of anyone in Raider Nation - or Sportswriter Nation - to outright mock how Raiders wide receiver Javon Walker spent his weekend. He took his newfound fortune to Las Vegas and partied until sunrise. Who among us hasn't done that, or wished they could? But who among us has received a $55 million contract, and shortly thereafter been publicly reprimanded by our supervisor to shape up quickly? Would our next stop be Vegas-Baby-Vegas!? Even if we went, wouldn't we pony up cash for a bodyguard, alert the local sheriff for more protection or at least know the boundary of how far and long our good time should last? Walker put himself in a losing situation, and, no, ..."

"Raiders wide receiver Javon Walker remained hospitalized Tuesday in Las Vegas after being attacked, robbed and left unconscious early Monday morning. Walker, 29, suffered "a moderate concussion and significant injuries to his face" Las Vegas police told the Associated Press. Those injuries reportedly include a fractured orbital, the bone surrounding the eye socket. Police Lt. Clinton Nichols told AP that detectives had spoken with Walker on Monday and planned to speak to him again Tuesday evening. Hard Rock Hotel and Casino spokeswoman Dorian Contrell told the AP that Walker left the club Body English at the Hard Rock about 3:30 a.m. Monday. Police found Walker at the intersection ..."

"Raiders wide receiver Javon Walker was to be released from a Las Vegas hospital Tuesday after being found unconscious the previous morning, police said, but neither the Raiders nor the hospital would confirm any details. Police Lt. Clint Nichols told the Associated Press he believed Walker would be released after a 24-hour stay at Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center, although hospital officials would not confirm Walker's presence. A Las Vegas television station reported Walker had a fractured orbital bone, or eye socket. According to the police report, according to a police spokesperson, Walker had "facial injuries and a moderate concussion.""

"Al Davis had to know that wide receiver Javon Walker was a risky proposition at any price, right? After Denver released Walker last winter, Davis had to know that the Raiders' guarantee of $16 million topped all other Walker contract proposals by more than $10 million. Davis had to know he was betting part of the Raiders' future on an unpopular player with an iffy ACL, declining performance and some controversy in his past. - Right now, we all should be concerned about Walker's health and future after he was found robbed and beaten on a Las Vegas street early Monday. But if I'm a Raiders fan, I have to worry about Davis' instincts and vetting process."

"The Raiders invested $55 million in a player coming off a pair of knee surgeries, a tragic incident in Denver and now this. Wide receiver Javon Walker was found unconscious off the Las Vegas strip early Monday morning, apparently after being beaten and mugged, a Las Vegas law-enforcement official said. It is still uncertain what the lingering effects will be on Walker, who is expected to report to training camp in Napa on July 25. As for the incident, no arrests have been made, but police have some leads."

"Trouble had a habit of finding Javon Walker during his time with the Broncos, with some of the wounds self-inflicted. The receiver still is making news for all the wrong reasons as a member of the Oakland Raiders. Walker was the victim of an apparent robbery attempt after partying in Las Vegas early Monday, leaving him with an orbital bone fracture. Police said they are unsure how Walker received his injuries. But he was found unconscious Monday and was taken to Sunrise Medical Center, where he was treated in the facility's trauma unit."

"Former Broncos wide receiver Javon Walker was recovering in a Las Vegas hospital Monday night after police found him unconscious, an apparent victim of a robbery, on a street near the Tropicana Hotel and Casino. Police spokesman Bill Cassell said in a statement that Walker was taken to a hospital with "significant injuries" after being found early Monday. Walker reportedly was in fair condition Monday night at Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center."

"IT'S JUNE, AND supporters of the Raiders and 49ers are thinking intoxicating thoughts about the upcoming season. Hey, why not? They're unbeaten, right? After what's happened lately, you take your inspiration where you can find it. They are also winless, of course. But if you can't think the good thought in June ... well, we know what cold, cold December looks like. But read those cheeky online posts from fans, and you might catch the fever. That's fine. Go for it. Lord loves a duck. Occasionally. And far be it for this skeptic to spoil anybody's fun. There are upticks to savor."

"John Rauch, the man who succeeded Al Davis as Raiders coach more than four decades ago, died Tuesday at the age of 80 at his home in Oldsmar, Fla. Rauch's wife, Jane, reportedly said her husband died in his sleep, possibly from a heart problem. Rauch joined the Raiders in 1963, the year Davis became head coach and general manager. He took over for Davis in the 1966 season, when Davis became commissioner of the American Football League, and, in Rauch's second season, guided the Raiders to the first of their five Super Bowl appearances."

"Former Raiders coach and College Football Hall of Fame member John Rauch died Tuesday in his Oldsmar, Fla., home. He was 80. The cause of death is unknown. "Our hearts go out to his family who we knew well," a Raiders press release said. "John Rauch gave us several great years as an assistant and head coach. ... They were memorable years for the Raiders and they will never be forgotten." Mr. Rauch had a 33-8-1 record in three seasons (1966-68) with the Raiders. He was named AFL Coach of the Year in 1967 when the Raiders made it to Super Bowl II, losing to Vince Lombardi's Packers 33-14."