Nothing we didn’t see coming, but ESPN is reporting that the Oakland Raiders have told running back LaMont Jordan to stay away from the Napa training facilities.  Jordan would like to be cut, but the Raiders are still adamant about trading him.  If Jordan leaves Oakland pissed off because the Raiders held onto him for so long, limiting his chance to start for any other team, the feeling will be mutual.  Jordan has burned a lot of bridges while in Oakland, and deserves nothing but the door.

For the second time in seven weeks, the Raiders have told running back LaMont Jordan to stay away from team activities.

Jordan’s agent, Alvin Keels, said Wednesday he was informed by the team that the Raiders do not want his client to report to camp in Napa, Calif. The Raiders start training camp Thursday. Keels said he hopes the Raiders either release or trade his client immediately.

“I am just hoping for a quick resolution,” Keels said. “I’d like for this thing to be resolved within the next 24 hours.”

The Raiders kept Jordan away from their minicamp in the first week of June. They have been trying to trade him. Jordan visited Detroit recently, but a deal with the Lions does not appear imminent. Chicago, New Orleans and New England could have interest in Jordan if he becomes available.

I took a couple days off from my inspection of the Oakland Raiders depth chart to do a couple other things, but with the players checking into the Napa Marriott in the next 24 hours it’s time to get back to it.

No.1 Javon Walker

Walker will be examined early and often by Raider coaches during training camp.  He may be cleared to play by then, but it’s still unclear what to expect from the wide receiver.  Walker was held out of the second practices of the mandatory mini-camp and OTA’s.  Twice Kiffin referred to Walker’s weight, once telling the Sacramento Bee,“he’s a little heavy right now.”  Walker has said all the right things since his Vegas mugging to try and reassure his coaches that he’ll be there for training camp, and fans that he’ll be ready for the start of the season.  I still don’t trust him, but with his back already against the wall due to the many questions about his commitment and work ethic, maybe his effort will increase.  I’m hoping he feels regret for his conditioning and choices in Vegas, and proves to everyone that he wants it as much as he says he does.  Next Up: practice starts Thursday, the first chance for Walker to live up to his words.

No.2 Ronald Curry

Curry has recovered from offseason surgery to remove bone-spurs in his left foot, and not only looks to be ready to run at 100% by training camp, he looks stronger. “I never took the weight room too seriously.  I would do just enough,” Curry said.  ”But Kiffin wanted me to get in there and really hit the weights, and [strength] coach [Brad] Roll was really a blessing for me.”   Having trained with both football players and power lifters for most my adult life, I can’t stress how important I think the weight room is to staying healthy on the field. Curry didn’t make any of the mini-camps, and seemed to sit out every other play during OTA’s, but when he showed up, he made sure to impress.  Anyone concerned with Curry’s surgery needn’t be, because the 6’1” pass catcher played at a high level even with the injury last year, and in no way are the bone-spurs linked to any of his prior injuries.  Next Up: dust off the rest of the rust with a strong training camp.

No.3 Drew Carter

This was one offseason move that I was really excited about, and after mini-camps and OTA’s I’ve got reason to think Carter may surpass my expectations. “He has been really impressive,” said a team observer.  “He has looked like the best player at the position during workouts.”   JaMarcus Russell has been able to find the 6’3” former Panther with ease.  With Walker and Curry out for the better part of the last few months, Carter has become Russell’s primary target and the receiver he trusts the most.  Carter is a bigger target than Curry, and might find himself on the outside no matter if Curry and Walker get the nod to start or not.  Curry has always been effective inside, and Carter has the frame to stretch the field, so if Carter can finally live up to his amazing skills the Raiders might have one hell of a threat down field; Walker or no Walker.  Next Up: continue to keep play at a high level, and force Walker and Curry to keep up.

There was little I could find on the remaining receivers that I could assess, so here’s from a guy who gets a closer look; NFL writer Jerry McDonald.

No.4 Johnnie Lee Higgins – “Higgins is being talked up by Kiffin for his playmaking skills and improvement in Year 2, and will be given every chance to be the punt return specialist.”

No.5 – Todd Watkins – I do know Watkins well, and am glad to have heard many good things about him this offseason. “Based on what he showed in the offseason, Watkins is an extremely gifted physical receiver who has a chance to stick if either of the rookie draft picks isn’t deemed ready for the 53-man roster.”

Rookie Draft Picks: Chaz Shilens and Arman Shields – “Shields and Schilens both seem extremely bright and earnest, and have the physicality the Raiders are looking for as receiving partners for Russell.  Shields is a project who needs plenty of snaps but who promptly had a hamstring pull, robbing him of valuable learning time. He will need to catch up to Schilens in training camp.”

Long shots: Jonathon Holland, Chris McFoy, Drisan James, Will Buchanon (just cut to make room for Greg Wesley) – “McFoy was elevated to the 53-man roster late last season, but rates no better than a longshot to stick this year along with one-time camp phenom Buchanon, Holland and James.”

Marcel Reece – “Kiffin would love to see Reece make a move if for no other reason that the Washington receiver made the training camp roster on a tryout basis.  If he were to contend for a roster spot or make the practice squad, he would serve as an example that draft status or salary takes a back seat to production when it comes to making the team.

Reece has a tight end’s size and a wideout skills.”

Tight Ends

No.1 Zach Miller

One of the bright spots last season was Millers progression.  Great numbers (44 rec. 444 yds. 3 TD) came as Millers effort on the practice field and in the film room increased.  Miller’s draft concerns (4.86 40, 16 reps at the bench) came to show early in 2007.  He struggled with blocking and getting off the line quick enough to get down field. By the end of the season Miller had improved on all levels, but will never be a great blocker or get any faster.  He runs precise routs, takes the right angle to get the most out of his strength when blocking, and doesn’t let the defender keep him from getting off the line of scrimmage.  Miller is kind of like the complete opposite of Rickey Dudley.  Miller struggles with speed and power, something Dudley didn’t lack. Where Dudley failed was with rout running and pass catching; exactly what Miller excels at.  Next Up: sophomore year begins on July 24th, hope there’s no slump.

No.2 John Madsen

I love the way this guy always finds a way to get open.  He lacks everything you want in a tightend: size, strength, speed; but yet he’s always open.  He’s not the prettiest rout runner, but catches every pass thrown his way.  He even seems to break a tackle or two with ease after every catch.  Madsen’s an average blocker that’s not going to get much better, and most of the time needs to be used off the line of scrimmage to find success.  He’s nothing special, but one hell of an asset to this team.  Next Up: look for him to at least triple his current 1 touchdown a season average.

No.3 Tony Stewart, No. 4 & 5 Chris Wagner, Darrell Strong

“Stewart was a non-factor in the passing game, his two main roles being as a special teams player and as the union player rep.

Wagner and Strong are practice squad hopefuls.” – Jerry McDonald

It is a common trend in the NFL for talented, but aging NFL veterans to change teams within their division.  Neil Smith went to Denver, Marcus Allen went to K.C., and now Greg Wesley heads to Oakland.  Small joke; there’s no way I can compare the Smith and Allen transfers to Wesley’s arrival.  But there is one thing that should occur in a similar fashion.  Players often persuade themselves into getting revenge on the teams that let’em go, and if they can’t help their new team on the field, they know they can help them prepare during the week. 

Wesley was disgruntled with his old team before the 2007 season started, and after nearly a year of continued employment it comes with little surprise that he’s been deciding between the Denver Broncos and the Oakland Raiders since being cut last week.  There is no way Wesley was going to make it on the starting roster in either Denver or Oakland for that matter, and could’ve had a better shot at starting elsewhere, but decided otherwise.  Revenge???  I sure hope so. 

Ex-Oakland Raider and future Hall of Famer Tim Brown had some comments that made a few headlines last Friday.

Now if you watch the Favre segment of PTI video above you’ll hear them mention one quote that is not printed in the LA Times link from the last sentence.  That Tim Brown thinks Brett Favre should just go back to Mississippi and keep quiet.  Brown told me he never said that, but he did speak to me at length about the Favre situation and the quotes that were printed all over.

Brown believes that not only has Favre made things difficult for the front office in Green Bay, but also his teammates.  “Imagine being one of his receivers, he made it clear that he was upset that the Packers didn’t get Randy Moss.  It’s not my fault you threw an interception behind me to a New York Giant to end our season.  Randy Moss isn’t catching that ball.”

Although Favre made it clear in his recent infamous Fox News interview that he’s been upset with a few other personnel moves during the last couple years, Brown doesn’t think he realizes the comments he made during that time had to have found their way through the entire organization.  Favre was upset that the Packers didn’t interview Steve Mariucci.  “That was 3 years ago, are you still upset about that? Do you realize that McCarthy took you to the NFC Championship game.”   I followed those comments from Brown with a reminder about what Favre said on the departure of the currently retired Marco Rivera.  “Last time I checked his (Favre’s) line was doing pretty well, and Rivera was injured most of the time in Dallas.”

Brown went on to say that this isn’t all Brett’s fault.  That some of his actions should’ve been prevented by a little aide from love-ones.  “Everybody goes through what he’s going through where you say, ‘I’m going back. I can still do it,’  But it takes somebody around you to say, ‘No, you’re not. I remember what you said at the end of the season, and you’re not going back.’.

After thinking about it, I’m very surprised about the comments that have surfaced from both Favre’s brother and mother.  Instead of helping Brett deal with this itch, they’re making it worst.  Maybe Brett rules the family, and there is no real matriarch to question anything he says.  I don’t know, all I know is no one is telling Brett no, and everyone around him would rather talk to the media about his treatment from the Packers than remind Brett that he’s getting really old, and that he’s told them time after time about his dying passion for the everyday rigors of the NFL life.  I’m sorry, I just don’t remember the last time I read quotes from Brett Favre about his love for the game.  Maybe it’s the major network media, but all I can remember from the last 3 seasons is Brett’s indecisiveness.

“But I know for a fact that the organization doesn’t want him back.  They didn’t want him there last year.” - One of Brown’s quotes up for debate that he declined to give his source for the assertion.

“They didn’t want him at the beginning of the last year, but wanted him at the end of it.”  Michael Wilbon in the video above

I got a great opportunity to attend a star studded charity event on Friday night.  The All-Star Celebrity Fantasy Football Draft Party was thrown by Fox Sports and Yarbarker in San Francisco.  Thanks goes to Diana over at Yardbarker for the hookup.  The event was hosted by former 49er Ronnie Lott, and featured former ball players Tim Brown, Jerry Rice, Ted Hendricks, Marcus Allen, Warren Moon, Tom Rathman, and many others.  There were a couple current Raiders, including one the newest, Darren McFadden.

My experience was definitely surreal at times.  One minute I’m playing Nintendo Wii next to McFadden (the event had a couple Wii stations), and the next he’s being hounded by guys with media passes who want to ask meaningless questions like about his relationship with JaMarcus Russell, and what it feels like to be a Raider.  The man’s been in the NFL for only two months, training camp hasn’t even started yet.  I would be surprised if he has any true feelings or thoughts on his first few months with the Raiders.  Hell, I bet since mid-January he’s been through hundreds of interviews, worked in the gym for hundreds of hours, been on a dozen plane flights, and has had to move his life 2,500 miles from home.

One of McFadden’s first chances to organize his life has come during this stretch of off-time between the end of mini-camps and the start of training camp.  Maybe he’s now starting to reflect on the last 6 months, but I’m sure he’d rather just stick to business and put the interviews on hold for a minute.  He had to sell himself to scouts, coaches, and fans for about four months straight; imagine all the interviews he had no choice but to do.  I wonder how many times he’s been asked the same questions, and how many times he had to just suck it up and answer (maybe with a little twist, but still the same answer).  I frankly just wanted to play video games with the guy, shoot the shit, and not ask him how many carries he thinks he’s gonna get this season.

After McFadden left to an adjoining room for more interviews I just wandered around looking for more Raiders.  I talked to Ted Hendricks for a second mainly to see if he remembered playing high school ball against my father; he didn’t.  Overheard former Niner Keena Turner give this shout out to Yardbarker; “I don’t know what they do, but whoever they (Yarbarker) are they’re doing a great job”.  Turner, the interviewer, and all that could overhear started laughing.  I talked to a couple other different players, but really wanted to keep to the mood of the laidback evening.  In other words I really didn’t ask anything worth posting on a blog, I actually think I might have talked about other sports more than football.  But there was one guy that I knew I wanted to chat with.  Check out my next article for the interview. 

No.1 Justin Fargas

This might be Fargas’ first and last season as a starter in Oakland, but no matter what his future holds, he deserves to go into this upcoming season as the Raiders lead back.  Knowing what Fargas offers is why he’ll get the nod Week 1.  Head coach Lane Kiffin is smart enough to know that he doesn’t need to start young Darren McFadden to get the rookie plenty of touches.  Although McFadden likes blocking, and is fairly decent at it, Fargas is far more stronger (27 reps at the 2003 NFL combine, 13 reps for McFadden 3 months ago), experienced, and confident to take on the every down duties of a No.1 running back.  Look for the drafting of McFadden to light a fire under Huggy Bear’s son, and for him to do everything he can to keep the Raiders from taking him off the field.  Next Up: securing the starting spot with a strong training camp.

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With the start of Oakland Raiders’ training camp only a week away I thought I’d spend the next few days breaking down their current depth chart. 

No.1 JaMarcus Russell

After an offseason full of speculation over his weight, Russell came into last months mini-camps in great shape.  JaMarcus threw the ball well enough throughout May and June to warrant recognition from his head coach.  “The way that the team is responding to him as you talk to different players, their feelings about him, they’re ready to get behind him and go.”   Considering it wasn’t training camp it’s hard to have a great deal of excitement for Russell right now, but you can’t ask for a better start.  Next up: Training Camp on July 23rd, first exhibition on August 8th against the 49ers.

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The Oakland Raiders look set to bring in a little experience to their young coaching staff.  Jerry McDonald has just reported that the Raiders are in the midst of hiring former Tampa Bay Buc coach, and quarterback guru Paul Hackett.  I’ve heard many good things about Hackett in the past, and many bad, but I’m still stoked that the Raiders have made a smart move to help the growth of the most important position on the field. 

The Raiders often simply add people to their organization, with confirmation coming the day they’re either seen on the field or around the building or when their name is added to the Web site.

Hackett is regarded within the league as an excellent technician and teacher of offense, and particularly quarterbacks.

It was Hackett who hired Jon Gruden on his college staff at Pittsburgh. It was Hackett who recommended Rich Gannon to both Al Davis and Gruden. He sent Gruden a tape of Gannon converting a broken play against the Raiders in 1997 for a touchdown, and extolled Gannon’s skills as a leader.

He worked for Gruden on the Bucs staff, on the same staff with Monte Kiffin.

Hackett would give the Raiders an extra set of eyes as the Raiders work on developing Russell, assisting Kiffin, Greg Knapp and John DeFilippo.

Hackett’s critics, however, believe his offense is far too conservative and horizontal. His teams will pile up a high completion percentage, but too often will throw in front of the stake and miss a chance at moving the chains or getting big plays.

The Raiders are set at the coaching positions, and Lane Kiffin already knows what he wants to do with the offense.  So Hackett’s critics won’t have to worry, cause if this does go through, his place will be at JaMarcus Russell’s side, and in his ear.  The other good thing is that if he works out well this year, then he could replace Knapp when he leaves (presumably) for Seattle to join Jim Mora’s regime.  Love the move.  Here’s a little more on Hackett. 

It is being reported that a second suspect in the Javon Walker Las Vegas mugging has been taken in by police. 

Police say 40-year-old Deshawn Thomas was arrested Monday in Las Vegas on kidnapping, robbery and conspiracy charges.

He is accused of beating and robbing the Oakland Raiders wide receiver June 16 and leaving him unconscious on a side street near the Las Vegas Strip.

Thomas was being held without bail pending an appearance in Las Vegas Justice Court.

His arrest comes almost two weeks after 30-year-old Arfat Fadel was arrested on similar charges.

-Associated Press

Updated (see comments)

Below is an Associated Press clip on the arrest of the guy who robbed Javon Walker.  I wrote after the incident that I was more concerned with how this happened than with his injuries.  I still feel the same because a cloud of controversy remains over the situation. 

“I was just back at my room and at about 5:30 in the morning, I got a knock at the door, I opened it and three guys with guns were there, they cracked me in the head a few times knocking me unconscious,” Walker said “They then robbed me of everything I had, my watch, money, everything! Somehow they got me to the car and dropped me off in the street. That’s what happened.”  - Quotes via Dirty.com

The Las Vegas Review Journal
“Oakland Raiders wide receiver Javon Walker was seen entering a car under his own power at the Bellagio the morning he was found beaten and unconscious, it was learned Friday. Metro police have surveillance tape of Walker going to the car, and it doesn’t match the abduction story he told a Web site Tuesday, the source said. It does not appear on the tape that Walker is being coerced, the source said.

If the Dirty.com quotes are true, Why would Walker lie?  Those are two drastically different stories.  Did Walker really think he was going to get away with saying these guys came to his room, knocked him out, and some how got him out of the room and to a car without the thousands of cameras that are in every Las Vegas casino seeing anything.

True or not, something isn’t right here.  I’m not sure what’s going on, but I already want him gone.  The Raiders made Walker one of the highest paid receivers in the game, and now he can’t be trusted.  We’re just going to have to wait and see, but I gotta admit, I’ve got a bad feeling about this.