July 25, 2008
Oakland Raider News: Training camp day 2 roundup
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Apparently, the defense is ahead of the offense at this stage of the offseason. Multiple sources report that the Raiders offense fumbled the ball six times in one day of camp. Considering the Raiders have been close to the bottom of the league in forcing fumbles the past few years, this is either a very good or very bad omen.
Fumblitis-
Of the six fumbles the Raiders offense put on the ground, three of them were botched center exchanges. This evokes memories of last season where the center to quarterback exchange was a constant point of despair for the Raider Nation. Hopefully, this was a matter of shaking off the rust considering that it was Marques Tuiasosopo and Jesse Boone who had two of the three botches.
Wilson making an impact-
Gibril Wilson's hitting and tackling has been the talk of camp. This will be something welcomed in Oakland after the long list of mediocre safeties who have manned the position in recent years. Our friend Jerry McDonald recently did a feature on Wilson and what he brings to the team. The key seems to be hitting and tackling.
The most recent vintage included Stuart Schweigert and Hiram Eugene, crucified by fans as secondary turnstiles last season while running backs ran for a league-worst 4.8 yards per carry and 10 individual 100-yard games.Wilson plans on changing all that, and the early indications are encouraging. When asked if he considers himself an intimidator or someone who simply plays hard and makes plays, Wilson says both.
``I take a lot of pride in watching myself on film,'' Wilson said. ``I like to be physical. I don't like to have guys get extra yards or anything like that. I'm a very physical guy and the other team knows it.''
His own team knows it. His own coach knows it.
``It borderlines right now on the safety of our other players but our defense needs to see that, so it's something I don't want him to back off on right now,'' coach Lane Kiffin said. ``I want to let them feel him so that it grows around the rest of the defense and we become more physical.''
Fullback Justin Griffith describes Wilson as a ``for sure'' tackler.
``Most of your hitters, if they don't get the kill shot, they won't make the tackle,'' Griffith said. ``This guy is a `for sure' tackler, but if the big hit is there, he'll make the big hit.''
Now that sounds like a safety that the Raider Nation has been craving for ages.
Defensive line making strides
The primary area of concern when it comes to the Raiders in this spot for the entire offseason has been the defensive line. The reports have the defensive line doing well, with Lane Kiffin saying that he has been impressed thus far. Jay Richardson has been seen running down Darren McFadden, and Tommy Kelly has been getting to the quarterback.
The defense is usually ahead of the offense at this stage of camp, but will take any good news possible on the defensive line front.
The black clouds feel like they are parting and giving way to a silver lining. Whilst there is still rust, there appears to be a team coming together to get better. A team that is going to step up and alleviate the earlier fears and just win baby!
Feeling some optimism early in camp here at TFDS
Discussion
21 Comments on "Oakland Raider News: Training camp day 2 roundup"
#1
Posted by Camp Day 2 Round Up - Oakland Raiders Forum, July 25, 2008 9:33 PM
[...] Day 2 Round Up Thinks are looking up for camp, so far... Thoughts from the Dark Side | MVN - an Oakland Raiders independent news, commentary, analysis, and m... __________________ Check out the latest news and views by and for the Raider Nation at [...]
#2
Posted by Rob Calonge, July 25, 2008 10:05 PM
Great job Patrick! You sure have been busy!
The Raiders defense is going to be a MONSTER this season! Can't wait to see how they fare when they are playing an opponent.
#3
Posted by Bill, July 25, 2008 10:45 PM
I also read somewhere that the reason our D line is looking so good is because Harris can't pass block. He could not block Edwards and he has not gone up against Burgess yet. This is a cause for some concern right now. On the positive side he did spring some of our running backs for big gains when they ran to his side. I'm worried for Russell, we can't run every single play.
#4
Posted by Thoughts from the Dark Side: Oakland Raider News: Training camp day 2 roundup | The RaiderCast, July 25, 2008 10:48 PM
[...] Read more. Posted in Blog, Oakland Raiders | [...]
#5
Posted by LDizzle, July 25, 2008 10:51 PM
Ah yes my favorite offseason aquisition for the Raiders is bringing the kind of intensity I expected from him. He played no small role in the Giants winning the Superbowl and he is living up to his billing of CHAMPION. Now if he can only convince the other guys that they can do it too.
The Raiders lost out on drafting Bob Sanders so many years ago and now they have the next best thing. I am so excited to see him lay some receivers out and stuff some RBs in the backfield. Makes me all excited just thinking about it.
#6
Posted by Raidermomo64, July 25, 2008 10:56 PM
Fumbilitis, 3 were from our back up QB's, thats par for the first day.... Wilson an impact..... all year long baby. He will make Huff even better also. These 4 DB's are going to have a great year....... D-line making strides, it is earlly and against our O-line. Enough said...... I am still optimistic. Our D will be a monster this year, including our DT's...... I heard Harris actually did pretty good in the evening practice, from Jason Jones in our Sac Bee..... Go Raiders!! 10-6
#8
Posted by pat. T, July 26, 2008 12:56 AM
Hey Rob that saying about teams not letting good players walk isn't true at all... Some teams want to keep their players but they simply can't afford it... Anyways how many good players have the Raiders gotten if free agency because teams gave up on them... cough, cough Rich Gannon...
GO RAIDERS!!!
#9
Posted by KA1Z3R, July 26, 2008 6:27 AM
Bill's right, I heard that Ekejiuba pushed Harris back two yards. Ekejiuba!!! He's a special teams man, not a hefty D-Lineman. I fear that Harris will be the fall of this team this season.
#10
Posted by KUSHMAN, July 26, 2008 7:39 AM
yes it might be a 'bad omen' if boone and tui step in for grove(wade) and j-russ in the case of them being injured... but other than that, the exchanges between the starters will be much better. i don't know about grove... but i hear john wade did nothing of the sort with pittsburg and the buccs.. and russell didn't in any snaps he took in the end of the 07 season... not like culpepper's loppy ass anyway..
ahh yes gibril.. oo baby no RBs are getting passed these 4 guys we got runnin around inthe backfield.. im tellin ya... but i think cpt kirk will take the challenge from gibril for most tackles... i hope they outdo eachother all year long (130+ tackles apeice with 5 int would be nice haha)
hey so dmac hasn't been runnin circles around the defense at any point so far pat?! i know he's hit the homerun at least once against the starting lineup?! i mean, im patient.. so it aint so?!
#11
Posted by Johnnie Queefer, July 26, 2008 7:40 AM
Not to worry, if Harris is that bad he will be gone and someone else will step up...
#12
Posted by KUSHMAN, July 26, 2008 8:04 AM
one thing they are desperately missing is a SLB like willis that will hunt down a runner and plug up all holes on the line .. i mean williams needs to stay healthy ... so maybe he can be a run stopper.. and hartwell will be struggling im sure.. but man, they need somebody solid enough for every down.. throw lamont jordan's money at someone al, because that's where they will be lacking this season.
#13
Posted by Lamont Jordan, July 26, 2008 9:01 AM
I hate to say Kush is right about Sam. I know Sam and have got to know him a little so I always hope he works out. Besides Harris stinkin it up Sam has been looking pretty soft to. Sam is 6'5" and 245lbs which makes him one of our bigger backers. We need him to step up. Hey Kush D-mac did take one to the house with Harris leading the way. Harris has looked real good in the ZBS when it comes to the run. He also sprung Fargas foe a big gain to. The man can not pass block tho. I think Al needs to take Jordan's $ and get a LT (just in case). Our strenghts are out numbering our weaknesses by far. I only see 2 areas of need and they are LT and SAM Backer.
#14
Posted by KUSHMAN, July 26, 2008 9:55 AM
yes that's what seems to be the case... ah yea... damnit kwamme learn to passblock dude! i mean, they can still use him on running downs.. but the other guy there obviously needs to be able to rush block well so the defense can't pick up on the switch and expect a running play or a pass play... i mean, he's a big reason why frank gore had a suberb rookie season... harris is definetely just a project at the moment, i think with enough practice he can learn to passblock well.. people like mikewhiner say once a bust always a bust, but that's totally inaccurate.. he may never be an outstanding passblocker .. but he can at least become serviceable and trust enough to guard j-russ's blindside.. god that's so key... CMON KWAMME COME THRO FOR US BABY!
#15
Posted by Bill, July 26, 2008 10:14 AM
If Harris fails dose anyone know anything about Seth Ward? Alls I know about the guy is he came from the Texans. And we all know the Texans can not pass block. Is he any good?
#16
Posted by Rob Calonge, July 26, 2008 11:47 AM
Bill - The saying goes, "Teams don't let good players become free agents." Take what you will from that, but let's just say that if he was better than anyone they had, he'd still be in Texas.
#17
Posted by KUSHMAN, July 26, 2008 1:07 PM
and kaizer... he wont be the FALL OF THE RAIDERS dude.. he'll create problems on the passing game when j-russ isn't able to get outa the pocket and pass... but he's is a beast in the running game obviously... and that's the big reason why tom cable wanted him.. and since the raiders are primarily a rushing offense.. we've said it many times that j-russ will stay under 20 attempts a game most likely ... so he wont be the downfall dude.. have a lil more faith than that!
#18
Posted by Rob Calonge, July 26, 2008 1:37 PM
pat T - No doubt that good players get away because of salaries. Wilson is a prime example of that. Walker and Hall weren't wanted by their respective teams and if you get a chance to go to a Falcons or Broncos message board to see what people like ourselves said about those guys, you'll find out why. But those are big money free agents and Wand was anything but.
That's not to say that he couldn't be a star for the Raiders, but that the Texans didn't see the value in keeping a 6 year veteran around for the league minimum. System is also a good reason that good free agents find a home with the Raiders a la Carlisle.
Anyway, the reason that I'm less than certain about Wand being a star with the Raiders is that he wasn't (a star) in the same type of system with the Texans.
Good points though pat!
#19
Posted by KUSHMAN, July 26, 2008 2:02 PM
yes it is sad that al didn't pick up a solid LT man... they're hard to come by .. esp in free agency or even drafting one.. so i mean, they should make a move for one.. even if that means giving up a talented player.. theres just some things you have to do... and having a good core is key, obviously big gay al doesn't think so.
#20
Posted by tlcteck, July 27, 2008 8:17 AM
What day can you visit the raiders training camp?
or is it closed?
Thanx in advance.
Tim
#21
Posted by Oakland Raiders News: The Raider defense stepping up early in camp « Sactown Original Raider B, July 28, 2008 9:28 AM
[...] of deja vouz from last season the quarterbacks are having trouble receiving the snaps from center. The other day, the problem seemed to center around fourth string center Jesse Boone and Marques Tuiasosopo, but [...]
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