The San Francisco Chronicle reports that JaMarcus Russell "looks slim" at the first day of media access to OTAs.
Russell says he's at 269 pounds, and was never close to the reported 300 pounds that offseason rumors had him weighing. Last year's No. 1 overall pick still wants to shed five more. He's officially listed at 255.
Ronald Curry underwent surgery on his foot two weeks ago.
He'll at least miss the team's first mandatory minicamp June 3-5. Curry was questionable for one game last year with an undisclosed foot injury and tore his Achilles in 2004, but it's unclear what this latest setback is. It's definitely a situation to keep track of. Curry, Oakland's leading receiver in 2007, may not be a sure thing for the start of training camp.
He wouldn't have much to do there anyways behind Justin Fargas, Michael Bush, Darren McFadden, and possibly Joe Echemandu. Jordan will likely be cut eventually. Derrick Burgess is also sitting out, which he does annually.
The Raiders have formally moved Michael Huff to free safety.
It limits Huff's IDP potential, but he wasn't a great fantasy target anyways. Huff could make a nice leap this season at the position he's best suited for. SS Gibril Wilson will roam more in the box and has 100-tackle potential.
The Raiders are trying Ed Hartwell at middle linebacker in minicamps.
The SF Chronicle suggests MLB Kirk Morrison could switch to the strong side, which would be an extremely questionable move. Morrison is Oakland's best linebacker and Hartwell couldn't even make the Bengals last summer. We wouldn't take this too seriously. Hartwell will probably end up at the SAM.
Kalimba Edwards opened Organized Team Activities as the Raiders' starting right defensive end.
He's there over Greg Spires. Jay Richardson opened at left end with Derrick Burgess absent. The Lions couldn't get any production out of Edwards, but perhaps coordinator Rob Ryan can. It isn't ability Edwards is lacking.
Carter is the favorite for third receiver duties over Johnnie Lee Higgins and Arman Shields. Hopefully we'll get some word on how Walker (knee) looked.
Justin Fargas ran with the Raiders' first-stringers at voluntary OTAs Thursday.
This was expected. Like Adrian Peterson last year, it'll likely take Darren McFadden at least a few weeks during the regular season to pass Fargas on the depth chart. That doesn't mean McFadden will see fewer carries.
Javon Walker says he couldn't separate late last season because he returned too quickly from arthroscopic knee surgery.
Walker declared himself healthy on Thursday. We'd still be hesistant to touch him in a fantasy league before seeing him run in the preseason.
The most intriguing notes were about Curry's foot and about Hartwell at MLB. If Curry had a problem with his foot, why wait so long for surgery? And how do you guys feel about Morrison getting moved to his more natural position on sure running downs if Hartwell can be healthy enough to be a run stopper in the middle.
I'm not too concerned, A_A House. It doesn't say what the problem is. It could be as minor as an ingrown toenail, given the quick recovery time (expected, anyway).
If he can bounce back from multiple achilles injuries and still be the kind of receiver he is, this shouldn't hurt him much.
The Raiders are trying Ed Hartwell at middle linebacker in minicamps.
If he can play, then good for us.
The SF Chronicle suggests MLB Kirk Morrison could switch to the strong side, which would be an extremely questionable move.
Oh ya? Well MTM74 reported the same thing like 2 minutes after Hartwell was signed, saying if Ed Hartwell can secure the middle, Morrison will play strong side LB. Hartwell aside, if we had a bone crusher in the middle, like a Takeo Spikes, Ray Lewis or Brian Urlacher for example, Morrison would be a great OLB. Not that hes not a great MLB, just saying.
If Kalimba Edwards is worth a sht, Jay Richardson will ride pine. I like JRich, but better is gooder. (Write that down.)
Nice post 89! Sounds like the Raiders are moving along nicely. With Derrick Burgess making his usual disappearing act, and all the additions of DE's, could he be traded? And no mention of Stuey? I know its killing someone!
I have always felt that Morrison would do much better at outside linebacker just as I have always thought that Huff would do much better at free safety here is why. Middle linebackers specialize in stopping the run and for the most part they struggle in pass defense however olb are usually more reliable for coverave and blitzes and for the most part are or can be a liabilty in the run defense game. Strong Safeties are your statement safeties if you will. The Free Safety is more of your ballhawker. For as talented as Huff is I dont expect too many booms delivered from him I see more pick sixes from him. Now he gets his chance. Hartwell HAS had some very productive seasons even though he has been injured the last two. I know a lot of people have been down on this guy but Ive seen him up play a bit and the man can play when healthy. Lets hope hes healthy. I liked the signing for more than one reason. He s not even 30 and has had these injuries so (when you have an injury earlier on its easier for your body to recover) rather than if he was like 32 and trying to make a comeback. I really think he will work well with Oakland.
I think had I been right about the Raiders taking Rivers that they would have moved Rivers inside and moved Morrison outside. I just think they like Morrison but they could be looking at a financial aspect as well. Dont ILB get payed more than OLB? Its relivant because they where able to get Gallerys contract reduced because they signed him as a tackle not a guard. If the Raiders move Morrison outside they can either tag him as an OLB for a cheaper cost than if he was ILB or they could sign him longterm to a cheaper deal because his responsibility is not as much being Out rather than IN.
