MVN: Most Valuable Network

There's definitely no doubt about his desire to win. Is that true for the rest of the team?

Of course, nobody likes to lose.  If you've ever played on a team that just couldn't seem to get it together and forced you to suffer through a losing season, then you know what I mean.  Losing affects players differently.  Some accept it, while others make life miserable for their teammates with criticism.  Other players may stop putting forth their total effort or complete focus, while others play better than they normally would on a better team.  There is no set rule for how players on losing teams react, but there are two rules that apply to winning and losing seasons nearly every time:

• Losing begets losing
• Winning begets winning

Lane Kiffin was asked,"Justin Fargas had a huge year for you last year. How has he looked at camp, and what are your expectations for him?"  This is Kiffin's response:

"I think even when you have a dynamic competitor like Justin, competition helps everybody.  I think by drafting Darren [McFadden] that Justin looks better than he ever has before.  I think it was a positive thing, and he took it the right way.  He is excited and it goes back to that these guys are tired of losing.  You don’t hear players complaining about who we drafted or what free agent we brought in at their position, they just want to win.  Justin [Fargas] is a great example.  Nnamdi [Asomugha] coming in on time even though he didn’t have to shows you that we are going in the right direction."

Hopefully, Kiffin is correct in his presumption.  We also hope that the players on the squad handle winning and losing in the method that makes the team successful as a whole.  Bringing up two of his most talented and devoted players should be a no-brainer for the young coach.  Those two are considered two of the hardest working players on the team and are the past two Commitment to Excellence Award winners, an award, "to honor a player who demonstrates Pride and Poise for the Oakland Raiders. During the season, teammates vote for the player they think exemplifies these qualities and dedication, and that player is then honored on the field at the last home game of the season."

Nobody is worried about either of those guys, but it's the other 51 who make the team that we hope Kiffin is right about.  Either way, the team is much more talented this season than the past few, seems to have better character on and off of the field, and the coaching staff is continuing the formula they began last season.  They have to improve.  Hopefully, that improvement will beget wins that will in turn beget winning. (sorry, just love to write the word beget)

Quick hits

• Tyvon Branch is the 'penciled in' starter for kick returns while Johnnie Lee Higgins is set to return punts.  Kiffin also commented on Higgins' ball control issues, "He had some ball security issues last year, but his confidence continues to grow as a receiver and a returner."
• Sam Williams is in a heated battle with Robert Thomas for the SLB spot.  Apparently, Grant Irons was also being considered strongly until he got hurt.
• Terdell Sands is lighter on his feet this year compared to last, but Kiffin thinks he could lose a few more pounds to get closer to the weight that he was at prior to signing that four year contract.  Kiffin would also be excited if Sands can play consistently like he would sometimes flash then also.

• The Raiders aren't tackling in practice to avoid injuries to key players, but they are still emphasizing tackling by technique.  Kiffin is also excited about the possibilities of DeAngelo Hall being able to help out when he is the last line of defense.  He was quoted saying, "I think we have added some very good tacklers to our unit, and nobody talks about DeAngelo [Hall] but you could make a really good case about DeAngelo tackling and coming up and hitting people.  He is just not a cover corner.  He has made a number of hits and he has played in a cover-two system where he would come up sometimes and hit guys in the flat.  He will throw himself in there and he is going to help as well."
• More stories are being written about Drew Carter and the exceptional receiving that he's done as a Raider.  Some are even going on record as saying he might be the Raiders best new addition. (If he's the best addition due to great play, that will be a welcomed change from past years).
• Greg Wesley returned to practice from having back spasms.  Kwame Harris did not, but was supposed to attend the night practice (no report on if he did at this writing).  Marcel Reese performed agility drills, but did not practice due to a hammy.  Tommy Kelly and Javon Walker sat out the morning excercise, but practiced during the evening event.
• Derrick Burgess is playing like a monster.  He's utterly unstoppable according to all accounts.
• Edgarton Hartwell's name keeps being mentioned when talking about stopping the running plays.  There could be something to that, though nobody has raved about him yet.

Posting 'begets' posting here at TFDS