MVN: Most Valuable Network

Aren't you happy that this guy is happy? We are!

I'm happy, Patrick is happy, Raider Nation should be happy, because JaMarcus Russell is happy.  At least he is according to one reporter that we here at TFDS know and trust.  According to Jerry McDonald, when asked about the pain of his injured elbow, Russell responded, "None whatsoever.  I’m OK and I’m pretty happy."  So one of our rules at TFDS is if J-Russ is happy, we're going to try and be happy too.  Russell did start practice today, but was taken out midway through because he was feeling some discomfort in his elbow.

Kiffin had this to say about Russell's injury and his early exit from practice:

"Lane Kiffin:  JaMarcus went through the beginning of practice, threw some individual routes. His elbow’s bothering him a little bit. He actually wanted to stay in himself, but we took him out just to err on the side of safety, and we don’t perceive this being a very long issue."

A reporter actually forgot his brain today, because he decided that it was a good idea to make sure that Kiffin wanted Russell out on the field.

Reporter: Is this the type of practice you'd like to have him (Russell) out there, you're working on the two minute drill, things that you were working on...

Kiffin:  There's no practice we wouldn't like to have him out there because he's always learning...

Now that's good to know!  In fact, just knowing that Kiffin ALWAYS wants his starting quarterback to be on the field when he would normally want his starting quarterback on the field...well, that just makes me happy.  Doesn't it make you happy too?

Kiffin had glowing remarks about his backup quarterback, well one of his backup quarterbacks.  He was asked about Andrew Walter, and about how much more upbeat that Walter seems this year compared to last.  This is what Kiffin had to say:

"He's responded to a lot of adversity.  You know here's a guy that, really when we made the move to take him out of the competition a year ago with Josh and Daunte he actually completed a higher percentage of passes in practice, and so you know it was a very close competition, we just decided to move it to a two man race and went from there and it was a long year for him.  It was a year that there were a couple of points where he was hoping to be traded, and that didn't happen obviously and he came back and had a good offseason and you know it's just been one thing after another.  He played a little bit then another guy comes in then we draft JaMarcus and then we sign Daunte.  So he's had a lot of stuff to go through and I think it's made him stronger...I think he's throwing really well and if you can protect him, he can be a really good quarterback in this league I believe because he can throw the ball extremely well."

So not only has Walter's attitude changes this year, but Kiffin's attitude towards him surely has improved as well.  This doesn't make Walter the number two just yet, but it sure can't help his chances.  With the fear over Russell getting injured over the past 24 hours, you've gotta' be just a little happy that the head man in charge, not named Al, has confidence in his backup.  Right?

Only one practice on Wednesday, but they'll have two on Thursday at 9am and 7pm.  During the one practice, the Raiders put it all on the line.  Late game situations were the theme of the day.  From most reports, the defense won the battles, but Tuiasosopo was able to get a score by getting the ball to Zach Miller and setting up a Janikowski 54 yard field goal.  Later, Seabass would miss a 48 yarder from an Andrew Walter/Darren McFadden drive.

Kiffin had McFadden working with receivers also, and continued to sing his praises when asked.  Basically, Kiffin said that it's remarkable to have a rookie working in so many different areas so soon.  Normally the rookie would only be focusing on his own position, but they've been moving him all over the place and he's responded phenomenally.

As you probably know by now, Fred Wakefield and Darren McFadden aren't the only Raiders trying out more than one position during this camp.  All Pro, Derrick Burgess is playing linebacker as well as defensive end.  You have to love the quote that Burgess had about how he likes the change:

"No, it’s cool. The only thing different about that is it’s all these different sets and everything. But it’s cool. It’s nothing. I’m an athlete man."

Is it me or does Burgess seem edgier this season?  From everything so far, I get the impression that some of the criticisms that have been out in the media over the past six months has bothered him enough to come to camp mean and nasty, just like a Raiders defensive player should.

John Bowie and Arman Shields are hobbled with an injured knees (don't think they're serious), Grant Irons is having hamstring problems still, and Greg Wesley is still having back spasms.  None of those guys practiced.  Gerrard Warren had a pull in his thigh and exited practice early.

With all of the praise that's been heaped on Brad Roll over the past week, his start with the Raiders seems to be going the way he finished in St. Louis, with a bunch of injuries.  It could also be that no matter what type of shape you're in, football shape is another monster altogether.

Tuiasosopo learned under the tutelidge of former Raider great, Rich Gannon.  During the two minute dril practice, he showed his Gannonesque leadership.  When Chaz Schilens made a grab near the sidelines, but stayed in bounds with little time left on the clock, Tui made sure to tell him, "Unless the guy falls down and there's nothing but grass get your a$$ out of bounds!"  Those dollar signs do signify Chaz' moneymaker too.

One last thought.  It's July 30th.  the Hall of Fame game is five days away, and the Raiders first preseason game is nine days away.  One week into Training camp is not enough time to start annointing players to the team.  We've all seen players start out great in training camp only to get cut two weeks later, anyone remember Quentin Moses?  So hold off on any conclusions until AFTER the Raiders put a whipping on the 49er's.

Until then, take the time to go here and vote for Nnamdi Asomugha or Kirk Morrison for week 4 of Essence.com's 'Do Right Men 2008.'  I don't have a clue what that is, but as of the time of this writing, Morrison is first with 25.7% and Asomugha is in second with 22.5%.  The next closest guy is David Oliver with 9.6%.  So I guess Nnamdi and Kirk have to be happy with those results.  Don't it make you happy?

Just taking our happy pills here at TFDS