July 31st, 2007 05:33pm
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Introducing the newest member of the Oakland Raiders: quarterback Daunte Culpepper, one of the league’s mega-stars until a serious knee injury shelved him during the 2005 season.
Culpepper threw about 60 passes for the Raiders on Tuesday morning, then left the building without speaking to reporters. He was not at the Tuesday-afternoon practice, generating speculation that he departed without a contract. But after practice, coach Lane Kiffin said Culpepper had signed …
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July 31st, 2007 02:39pm
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Yes, Daunte Culpepper is here in Napa. He just wrapped up a workout with the Raiders, and is showering before he leaves the Marriott. Will anyone get to talk to him? That remains to be seen.
If Culpepper escapes without an interview, you can bet it’s his decision to do it that way. The Raiders have everything to gain from letting the quarterback speak to the world. Because at this point, …
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July 30th, 2007 09:33pm
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Daunte Culpepper is flying to California for a workout. Lane Kiffin confirmed after the Monday-night practice that the three-time Pro Bowl quarterback will work out with the team Tuesday morning. The Dolphins cut Culpepper July 19 after one disappointing and injury-wracked season.
Think this development has something to do with JaMarcus Russell’s holdout (which isn’t technically a holdout, since he is not under contract)? You bet. Even Kiffin noted that Culpepper’s …
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July 29th, 2007 02:52pm
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Here’s something I never expected to be writing on the third day of training camp: Andrew Walter looks like the best quarterback on the team.
The proclamation comes with a major disclaimer, of course, because the Raiders have practiced only three times. But in those three sessions, Walter has clearly outplayed his major competition at this point, Josh McCown. Jeff Otis has gotten minimal repetitions, Cody Pickett just joined the team …
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July 28th, 2007 02:42pm
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Zach Miller, the second-round draft choice from Arizona State, was on the field for the Raiders’ practice this morning after signing his first NFL contract the night before. Miller had driven to Napa from Oakland on Friday in anticipation of getting his deal done, but the two sides were unable to forge a deal before practice began at 2:45 that day.
So he waited a night and took the …
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July 27th, 2007 06:56pm
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Defensive end Derrick Burgess showed up on time to camp, but he’s temporarily out of commission. The two-time Pro Bowl choice had a hernia operation two weeks ago, and has been placed on the Raiders’ physically unable to perform list. He worked out individually with a trainer, and seemed to be moving pretty well. Indeed, coach Lane Kiffin said if the team had to play tomorrow, Burgess would suit up.
In …
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July 27th, 2007 02:23pm
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The recent moves that most caught the attention of Raiders fans were probably the dismissals of Adam Treu and Jarrod Cooper. Both were popular in the Nation, Treu for his steadfast snapping and humility, Cooper for his wild abandon, general hilarity and famed tattoo contest.
But the transactions that surprised me most involved Darnell Bing and Courtney Anderson, both of whom were waived this week. Bing is a stout, impressive-looking safety, …
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July 25th, 2007 10:27am
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Here’s the second half of my look at the Raiders’ roster entering training camp. I broke down the offense Monday. Here comes the defense, along with the kickers. (And by the way, I’m not counting out anyone in the OTHERS category; somebody from this group will see playing time in 2007.) Players report for camp tomorrow afternoon.
DEFENSIVE LINE
THE STARTERS: Derrick Burgess (LDE), 6-2, 260, 7th season, Mississippi: Reigning two-time Pro …
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July 24th, 2007 07:11pm
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Today I had a story in the print edition of the Press Democrat called “10 Questions,” with an eye toward training camp. Make that 9 1/2 questions. The last query asked “Is this the end of the line for Treu and Crockett?”
Today, the Raiders released one of those guys — center Adam Treu, the longest-serving player on the team. So much for my sanguine observation about not counting out the …
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July 23rd, 2007 06:53pm
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The Raiders report to training camp in three days, with the first practice on Friday. We got our camp schedule today (including a total of seven evening practices, 7-9 p.m.!). This thing is really happening.
To get the ball bouncing, I’ll be breaking down the roster by position group, starting with offense. I’m only guessing at the starters, of course, based largely on the mini-camps and OTAs. Consider this a starting …
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Phil Barber covers the Raiders for The Press Democrat, uncovering news and features despite the team’s best efforts to keep everything a secret. He’ll keep our online audience up-to-date and informed with his blog “Instant Raiders.”
