Oakland Raiders news: Today's camp a hit for Jarrod Cooper and a miss for JaMarcus Russell

Thoughts from the Dark Side

July 30, 2008

Oakland Raiders news: Today's camp a hit for Jarrod Cooper and a miss for JaMarcus Russell

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The big news out of Raiders' camp today is that JaMarcus Russell missed a session of practice with what has been described as a minor elbow injury. Jarrod Cooper knocked John Madsen for a loop on a pass play, leaving Madsen's head ringing. Another former Raider added his voice to the offseason chorus coming out of those who have left the building. It was a mixed bag for the Raiders today as they are gearing up for their first preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers.

Aggressive defense-

Back up safety and special teams ace Jarrod Cooper delivered two big blows in the practice sessions today. The hit on Madsen drew praise from Lane Kiffin, as he has acknowledged that tacking and aggressive play from defense is something that needs to be worked on. Kiffin was not so happy with Coop's hit on Darrell Strong as it came in low. Coop echoed the ghosts of Raider safties past when he said, "Hey, I don't catch the ball, I knock the s*** down, OK?" If only Jack Tatum had knocked the ball down back in December of 1972.

Offensive line woes-

The Raiders offensive line had a better session today than they had so far, which leads to some optimism. It seems that the leitmotif coming out of Napa is that the play of the offensive line has been less than impressive. In fact, it has been downright disconcerting. Over on Examiner.com, I delved into the problems with the offensive line.

Barry Sims runs his mouth-

Barry Sims joined the cast of former Raiders running off at the mouth. He is reported as saying, "In Oakland, we only had handful of plays and just disguised them up to look different. Here, we're actually running different plays."

You can't help to wonder if that playbook was kept limited by a left tackle who could not even remember the correct snap count. Having to run everything on one so that he wouldn't false start likely put a damper on the number of plays the team could actually run. That number was further diminished by a left tackle who couldn't stop a pass rush from a junior college team, since others had to stay in to help block. Playbooks are only as deep as the abilities of the players, and Sims's ability to stick with the snap count was never that strong.

Derrick Burgess on the move-

Calm down. Take a breath. Burgess was not traded along with half the Raiders 2009 draft picks for Brett Favre. After having played nearly exclusively at left end for the past three years, Burgess has been lining up at right end, and even standing up as a pass rush linebacker on occasion.

Apparently, the team is practicing to use some 3-4 looks during the season. This could help Burgess improve on his worst season as a Raider last year, as they will have to find ways to account for him moving around. Don't panic, this won't be the return of the failed 3-4 experiment from 2005 which saw Warren Sapp lined up at defensive end. This will likely just be a way to show some different defensive looks and give Burgess a chance to harass some quarterbacks.

Cornering the market-

DeAngelo Hall has received more accolades over his career than Nnamdi Asomugha. Hall gets the interception stats, whilst Nnamdi gets quarterbacks ignoring him. They are a contrast in styles that will likely compliment each other well. From camp reports, Hall has been all over the place jumping routes to get the interceptions, while Aso has been in position breaking up passes. The difference is Hall is getting burnt much more than Aso. Quarterbacks will have to pick their poison this season.

More positions than the Jamaicans in that old In Living Color skit had jobs-

DE, TE, OG, OT, Fred Wakefield is developing a reputation for being all over the field. No, its not that he has been making a lot of plays as he spent all of last year on the injured reserve. He just lines up at every position in practice. He has moved from tight end to defensive end, and is now a combination back-up guard and tackle. There are even rumors being started by Patrick Patterson of Thoughts from the Dark Side that Kiffin is planning on lining him up as a wide receiver on occasion just to do something different.

In all seriousness, kudos to Wakefield for being willing to work hard and change position to do whatever it takes to help the Raiders. That kind of dedication seems to be lost in the current generation of athletes.

Scouting report on Patrick Patterson-

The University of Kentucky Wildcats have a player named Patrick Patterson. Here is a scouting report from the NCAA Hoops department here at TFDS who just happens to have some inside info:

Patrick Patterson is old for a college athlete, and has nearly zero vertical leap, and shoots free throws so bad he makes Shaq look automatic. He also smokes a pack or so a day, and rather than wearing the usual blue and white has been seen exclusively in Silver and Black.

Oh wait, thats me. Hopefully, my namesake can be a good player for the 'Cats and help them make some noise. I'll make him a deal, I'll stay off the NCAA hardwood if he doesn't try to take over TFDS.

Knockin S*** down here at TFDS, OK?

Tags: NFL, Oakland Raiders, Raiders

Discussion

16 Comments on "Oakland Raiders news: Today's camp a hit for Jarrod Cooper and a miss for JaMarcus Russell"

Posted by Todays practices a hit for coop a miss for J Russ - Oakland Raiders Forum, July 30, 2008 3:43 AM

[...] practices a hit for coop a miss for J Russ Thoughts from the Dark Side | MVN - an Oakland Raiders independent news, commentary, analysis, and m... Coop was layin fools OUT! JamRock missed a practice... MORE __________________ Check out the [...]

Posted by Matador, July 30, 2008 7:48 AM

Good write up Patrick. Hopefully JaMarcus doesn't miss much time. He has alot to lern and won't do it on the sideline. Hopefully this is just a minor thing

Posted by OregonRaider, July 30, 2008 8:32 AM

I wouldn't wish the result of Jack Tatum's 1972 pre season knock down on anybody. However, I was just three years old and have only seen the hit on youtube. It was physical but it wasn't a bad hit.

Keep us posted on Russell. I am surprised he would miss anything. It seems like he is trying to prove something to the team and would play or practice through pain. Can't have him hurt though!

Go Raiders!

Posted by Raider Scott, July 30, 2008 8:34 AM

Patrick,

I followed the link to read your write-up on the offensive line. My stomach sank as I read what has been my biggest fear since the end of last season. I was happy with our running game last year but I was hopeful that we would build on that success and improve our passing game. Granted we have some receivers who will likely improve our passing game, but the turnstile offensive line is disheartening. If they are getting burned in practice I can only imagine that game time will be worse. I have read that Kiff has been stressing quick decisions/throws for JRuss. Initially I thought this was simply done to make JRuss a more effective QB. Now I am starting to feel like the quick decision/throw may be to save JRuss from getting killed. My only hope is that our running game is so dominant that we can take pressure off of our passing game. With only a few months away before regular season I can only hope that Cable pulls off a miracle.

Posted by JollyRaider, July 30, 2008 9:19 AM

OregonRaider: Patrick was alluding to the so-called immaculate reception, not the Stingley play. The latter took place in 1978. Raider on!

Posted by OregonRaider, July 30, 2008 11:23 AM

JollyRaider, Thanks. Sorry, he should be known for more than just that one play. Don't I feel stupid. I met him a two years ago at a diabetes benefit and read all three of his books afterward. Great read.

Go Raiders

Posted by azraider37, July 30, 2008 11:38 AM

Wow, Sims is talking crap. I don't know about some of the other classless turds that have ripped our organization after leaving, but this guy is just plain bitter. He talks about our limited play calling and our "individuals" instead of teammates.

Barry, you played for one of the greatest offenses in NFL history in Oakland, not to mention 3 strait division champs. So times have been rough of late, keep your mouth shut and show some class to the team that signed you as an undrafted free agent(I think).

Posted by Eflo- the Bleeder, July 30, 2008 1:28 PM

SIMS SHUT THE HELL UP!!!!! You got signed by a team that let you play and paid you while you got to play with on eof the best offenses in the history of footbal, need I say more. Learn to keep you r mouth shut when where your at now and what you have now is due to AL DAVIS. IF you got some sour lemons....make some freakin' lemonade and go change your diaper, but for heaven's sake, SHUT THE HELL UP!!!!

Eflo-Bleed of Silver & Black

Posted by Raider Raul, July 30, 2008 2:18 PM

Barry Sims should NEVER have been a 7-year NFL starter!!! He should be thanking Big Al up & down because no other organization would have given him as much opportunities as we gave that slow turd.

JaMarcus will be fine. I originally thought the injury was a hyperextension of his elbow, which would be awful. He're hoping he has a QUICK recovery.

#10

Posted by Hit, Tackle & Swarm...REM., July 30, 2008 3:47 PM

Regarding J.R.'s elbow injury I'm sure he will be alright with icing it and a little rest...Now its a great time for Tui & Walters to get more reps with the first team...Go Raiders...

#11

Posted by Rob Calonge, July 30, 2008 7:04 PM

Good read Patrick and please do stay off the hard wood. :-)

#12

Posted by pat. T, July 30, 2008 8:04 PM

Now what i Barry Sims talking about? He went from one of the worst teams in the league(in the past couple seasons) to the worst... The Whiners are in a worse position then we are...

GO RAIDERS!!!

#13

Posted by Raider Blues, July 31, 2008 8:03 AM

Sims really has room to talk. All these players who say these things were on the field and if they could play or would play in the case of at least one of them, we'd have won some games! If you're on the field and you don't score or you get scored on then you need to check yourself prior to opening your mouth!

Glad we're rid of these chumps, especially the non NFL caliber types!!!

#14

Posted by AIR RAIDER, July 31, 2008 4:21 PM

HELLO LETS THINK ABOUT CHAD JOHNSON CMON AL LETS PLAY THE BIG DOWNFIELD PLAY

#15

Posted by Mike49er, August 4, 2008 9:34 PM

pat. T says:

July 30th, 2008 at 8:04 pm

Now what i Barry Sims talking about? He went from one of the worst teams in the league"

Mike49er:LMAO...you finally said something that is true...the Raiders are the worst, aren't they?

Good for you, Patricia.

#16

Posted by Troy Marks, August 15, 2008 9:10 PM

Please let me begin with what I stand for as a fan. I have been a Oakland Raiders fan for over thirty years. I too have played the game and played it well from the left corner back position. What I see at this point with the Raiders Defense is that we have incompotent DB and this is very light if I may say. It start with the DB Coach Willie Brown who needs to retire. His selection of DB's are worthless just the same as he is. The Raiders need DB's that are not afraid to hit. They all ack confidence and is very weak in every asspect of the game at the Defensive Back position. judgement is everything how can you make a decision without good sound judgement. with that in mind get rid of those losers in the defensive backfield and that sorry excuse you call a coach willie brown. this is not just anger its experience and knowing the position