Sports News and Trade Rumors: Pro Sports Daily

Ochocinco is in JaMarcus Russell's corner

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November 20

Contra Costa Times

"Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Ochocinco has a well-earned reputation for speaking his mind. He said Thursday that benched Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell is a victim of his supporting cast. "Man, JaMarcus is extremely good," Ochocinco said in a conference call with Bay Area media. "You have to remember, a quarterback can only be as good as his supporting cast. Case closed. Always. It will always be that way. Always." Ochocinco said New England's Tom Brady or Indianapolis' Peyton Manning would be struggling just as much as Russell in Oakland's offense, which is ranked 31st in terms of yards and points per game. It doesn't help Russell that he is playing for his second head ..."

Oakland Raiders put their trust in quarterback Bruce Gradkowski

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November 20

Contra Costa Times

"Raiders passing game coordinator Ted Tollner sees Bruce Gradkowski in practice every day guiding Oakland's offense with the ease of an experienced quarterback. That knowledge, combined with JaMarcus Russell's season-long struggles, gave coach Tom Cable comfort in making the radical switch to Gradkowski as his starting quarterback nine games into the season. "He's done those kinds of things on our practice field," Tollner said of Gradkowski on Thursday. "Now we have to see in this situation, with our players, can you do it? He can physically do it, but when you get the competition on the field, especially a good Cincinnati team that's playing good defense right now, you get to really ..."

Bengals running back Benson unlikely to play against Raiders

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November 20

Cincinnati Enquirer

"Running back Cedric Benson did not practice for a second straight day and is unlikely to play Sunday at Oakland. That means Larry Johnson's timetable to be somewhat comfortable with the playbook is accelerated. "It's a new offense and they have to get comfortable with trusting me to step in there," said Johnson, who celebrated his 30th birthday Thursday. "The plays are the same handing off and right now the exchange has been pretty good between Carson (Palmer) and myself.""

Benching Russell fine - for one game

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November 19

Sacramento Bee

columnist Paul Guiterrez

"Tom Cable was talking quarterbacks. In using complimentary words like "pros," he was gushing about the Raiders' signal callers. "I mean, they're here all the time," Cable cooed. "They're here early. They're here late. They study. They watch film. They talk about it. They draw it up. They involve their teammates to a great degree. Just what you'd expect." From the face of the franchise, right? Except, JaMarcus Russell was not included in that conversation. Rather, Cable was heaping his praise upon Bruce Gradkowski and Charlie Frye. Ouch. Still, Russell's noted poor off-field work ethic is not why he was benched in favor of Gradkowski on Wednesday, and not just for Sunday's home game against ..."

Oakland Raiders agree to stay at Coliseum

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November 19

Contra Costa Times

"The Raiders and the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Authority announced Wednesday that they have reached a tentative agreement to extend their lease through the 2013 season. The lease had been set to expire after the 2010 season. The Coliseum Authority, Oakland, Alameda County and the NFL must approve the agreement. County Supervisor Scott Haggerty, chairman of the authority, and Oakland Councilmember Ignacio De La Fuente, vice chairman of the authority, anticipate that the authority, county and city will vote on the proposal before the end of the year. De La Fuente said terms of the extension are basically the same as the current lease, which calls for the team to pay $525,000 per season ..."

New lease, same old Oakland Raiders

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November 19

Contra Costa Times

columnist Cam Inman

"JAMARCUS RUSSELL's loss of his starting job Wednesday cleared the way for the Coliseum to welcome back the Raiders as tenants through 2013. Pure coincidence? Never. Power to the people of Oakland and Alameda County! Just make sure wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey, ahem, drops off the Raiders' signed lease extension. Confidential terms of that lease state if the Raiders keep losing into 2013, they must change their Web site from www.Raiders.com to "LLL.Raiders.com." Want more confidential insight? The Week 10 picks: Bengals 23, Raiders 20: Russell tosses the keys to his starting role to Bruce Gradkowski, missing his intended target of Charlie Frye by several yards. Chad Ochocinco's Bengals ..."

Russell benched, for how long?

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November 19

Contra Costa Times

columnist Cam Inman

"ASIDE FROM VOWING to stay at the Coliseum through 2013, the Raiders' future just got a whole lot murkier Wednesday with JaMarcus Russell losing his job as the starting quarterback. Bruce Gradkowski will start Sunday's home game against the upstart Cincinnati Bengals. But who will start the following Thanksgiving Day at Dallas? Or next season, when Russell is due a $11.5 million base salary? Or in 2013? Russell's play merited a benching. Such demotions also should be doled out to many of his teammates, including his rookie receivers. But Russell is the flashpoint to the Raiders' woes. He lacked accuracy, accountability and, most of all, victories. Gradkowski relieved Russell in the past two ..."

The future is no longer now - Russell's out

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November 19

San Francisco Chronicle

"JaMarcus Russell is back to being the quarterback of the future. Bruce Gradkowski has replaced him as the quarterback of the now. Raiders coach Tom Cable made it official Wednesday, benching the No. 1 overall pick of 2007 and naming Gradkowski the starter for Sunday's game against the visiting Bengals. Don't think this is some one-game fix, Cable said. The job is Gradkowski's going forward, all with owner Al Davis' approval. "It was an easy decision because I feel the responsibility for this football team to give them the best chance to succeed," Cable said after practice. "I just felt like he would give us the best chance to win." "This is in no way giving up on" Russell, Cable said. ..."

Raiders bench ineffective JaMarcus Russell

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November 19

Oakland Tribune

"The JaMarcus Russell era officially is on hold. Coach Tom Cable said Wednesday that Bruce Gradkowski has replaced Russell as the Raiders' full-time starting quarterback. Russell now is the No. 2, ahead of Charlie Frye. "It was an easy decision, because I feel the responsibility for this football team to give them the best chance to succeed," Cable said. Russell was unavailable for comment before and after practice. He said Sunday that he supports Cable whether or not he is the starter. Cable said he has been patient with Russell, cognizant that the Raiders start two rookie wide receivers and were without running back Darren McFadden and left guard Robert Gallery for a large chunk of the ..."

Oakland Raiders bench JaMarcus Russell, will start Bruce Gradkowski at quarterback

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November 18

Oakland Tribune

"Bruce Gradkowski will replace JaMarcus Russell as the Oakland Raiders starting quarterback, coach Tom Cable said following practice. Gradkowski will start Sunday when the Raiders host the Cincinnati Bengals. Cable said the plan is for Gradkowski to start the rest of the season. Russell has been benched in favor of Gradkowski in two of the past three games. This will be just the second start for Gradkowski since 2006. He started one game last year in Cleveland and 11 games as a rookie for Tampa Bay in 2006. Gradkowski is 17 for 30 for 163 yards and two interceptions."

Gradkowski might start for Raiders

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November 17

San Francisco Chronicle

"Raiders coach Tom Cable said he'll have the final say on who will start at quarterback. It's just that he hasn't finalized his say yet. Cable spoke with Raiders owner Al Davis after Sunday's 16-10 loss to the Chiefs, and said he has been given the latitude to make his own decision - even if that means benching JaMarcus Russell for backup Bruce Gradkowski. Expect a decision Wednesday when the Raiders begin practicing for Sunday's game against the visiting Bengals. "It will be focused on winning, period, what gives us the best chance to win," Cable said Monday. "I'm just waiting to put all my facts together here and make a good decision for this team." The problem is, Cable doesn't have the ..."

Quarterback JaMarcus Russell remains Oakland Raiders' starter -- for now

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November 17

Contra Costa Times

"JaMarcus Russell remains the starting quarterback for the Raiders, at least for the time being. Coach Tom Cable said a hamstring injury suffered by Bruce Gradkowski complicates the decision of who will start against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. Cable wants to meet with his quarterbacks, go over the plan for Sunday and the rest of the season, and put that plan in motion. That's going to take more time than expected. "We haven't gotten anywhere with that decision," Cable said Monday at his weekly news conference. "We hoped to be able to talk about it now, but we're not ready to do that." The discussions will be among Cable and his quarterbacks, with managing general partner Al Davis not ..."

Raiders will announce QB choice Wednesday

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November 17

Sacramento Bee

"Even as the wreckage from Sunday's 16-10 defeat to the putrid Chiefs still smoldered over the Coliseum, and as a full-blown quarterback controversy threatened to envelop Raider Nation, Tom Cable maintained a stiff upper lip. Yes, it was his hasty, if decisive decision to yank JaMarcus Russell from his second consecutive home game that has created the latest power vacuum under center. But Cable confidently defended his call, even as - shocker! - Bruce Gradkowski has suddenly developed a strained hamstring injury. Of course, that would seemingly mean the door is open for Russell to reclaim his starting job after twice being embarrassed in front of the home fans. Unless. Yes, Charlie Frye, ..."

Time now has arrived for Russell to take seat

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November 16

Sacramento Bee

columnist Paul Guiterrez

"Rarely, if ever, is it easy to defend JaMarcus Russell as an NFL quarterback. He entered camp out of shape. His work ethic is questionable. His refusal to show accountability is deplorable. But, as I close my eyes, take a deep breath and plug my nose, here goes: Russell should not have been pulled from the Raiders' 16-10 loss to the appalling Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. There, I typed it. Go ahead, pile on. But keep in mind that coach Tom Cable counted eight dropped balls by his hands-of-stone receivers. And two crucial plays that changed everything: First, a beautiful 55-yard bomb to Darrius Heyward-Bey in the second quarter that would have put the Raiders inside the 5-yard line went ..."

In Bush's mind, yards can't make up for loss

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November 16

Sacramento Bee

"So much was made of this week's return of four injured offensive starters: left guard Robert Gallery, right tackle Cornell Green, running back Darren McFadden and wide receiver Chaz Schilens. But it was a familiar face on offense that had the best day. Running back Michael Bush rushed for a season-high 119 yards on 14 carries. More than half his output came on an electrifying 60-yard run up the gut on the game's second play from scrimmage. Bush thought he had a touchdown, until he was caught from behind by Kansas City cornerback Brandon Carr at the Chiefs' 4-yard line. "What went wrong was I looked up at the screen, trying to see who was behind me, forgetting that it's kind of (a) couple ..."

Succop again proves he's a weapon

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November 16

Kansas City Star

"Succop again proves he's a weapon Chiefs rookie kicker Ryan Succop made three of his four field-goal attempts Sunday, missing only from 52 yards. He made kicks from 50, 25 and 31 yards. Succop has made 14 field goals this season, and he trails only Hall of Famer Jan Stenerud's 21 field goals for the team's record among rookies. The Chiefs did, however, keep Succop on the sideline in the third quarter when coach Todd Haley opted to try to convert fourth and 1 from Oakland's 14. Matt Cassel rolled to his right and misfired on a pass intended for tight end Brad Cottam. But the one Haley really wanted back was his decision to have Succop try his 52-yard field goal. His miss gave Oakland ..."

Brown and defensive reserves make big plays for Chiefs

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November 16

Kansas City Star

"After being the victim on a couple of key plays in last week's loss to Jacksonville, Chiefs safety Mike Brown promised coach Todd Haley he would make up for it Sunday against the Raiders. Brown was good on his word in the Chiefs' 16-10 win. He intercepted two passes in the fourth quarter, both on tipped balls. The last one came at the Chiefs' 10-yard line with just 30 seconds left. "I had the feeling," Brown said. "I told him I was going to get at least one. "You know what they say. You'd rather be lucky than good. I just happened to be in the right spot." The Chiefs are fortunate for that. The Raiders, with backup Bruce Gradkowski playing for the benched JaMarcus Russell, moved to the ..."

Raiders do major favor for Haley

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November 16

Kansas City Star

columnist Jason Whitlock

"Todd Haley answered the question before it was asked. "Was that a well-coached game?" Kansas City's first-time head coach said after the Chiefs' 16-10 victory over the Raiders. "No. No, but we've got to do things - we've got to think outside the box a little bit as we find our way through." Had Raiders first-round disaster Darrius Heyward-Bey held on to Oakland's final pass and the Raiders completed their final drive, Haley's credible tenure as an NFL head coach would've ended nine games into his first season. Heyward-Bey saved Haley's job and what little credibility he has left. By inexplicably bobbling and then batting the ball into the hands of Chiefs safety Mike Brown at the KC 10, ..."

Chiefs benefit from struggles of Raiders' QBs

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November 16

Kansas City Star

"JaMarcus Russell said he was confused by being benched Sunday against the Chiefs. He said he thought he was being productive, if not perfect. Whether Russell, Oakland's starting quarterback, was putting an optimistic face on another sour performance - or testing the limits of denial - he and his replacement, Bruce Gradkowski, were as responsible as anyone for the Chiefs' 16-10 victory. Russell overthrew receivers and underthrew them. He threw to their left, to the right and far above their heads. Russell, the No. 1 pick in the 2007 NFL draft, was as erratic as ever Sunday, and it helped cost Oakland the win - and possibly Russell's job. "Things were going OK," he said. "I thought we were ..."

Bowe, Chambers give Chiefs some stability at receiver

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November 16

Kansas City Star

"Dwayne Bowe joked about the old man in the corner, and Chris Chambers wondered aloud whether he could learn a thing or two from the student. "He doesn't listen to me," Bowe said with a laugh. As the most inconsistent and frequently upgraded position group inches toward noticeable rhythm, the two Chiefs receivers are benefiting from the other's presence. Bowe finally has a wingman, and Chambers has a receiver who relieves pressure while he proves he still belongs. Bowe, the young receiver, was immature. Bullied by coach Todd Haley. Miles from his potential. Chambers, the old guy, was given up on by San Diego. He's 31. That's ancient in his universe. Now they've landed in the same ..."

Charles leads Chiefs to 16-10 win over Raiders

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November 16

Kansas City Star

"Jamaal Charles wasted no time claiming ownership of the newly vacant Chiefs running back job. Charles delivered the Chiefs' first individual 100-yard game of the season Sunday against the Raiders. He provided their first rushing touchdown, a brilliant 44-yarder on a fourth-down play. The Chiefs needed every one of his 103 yards and that touchdown to take their second win of the season, 16-10. "I told the coaches I can make the 40-yard runs, I can make the 60-yard runs," Charles said. "Just give me the chance to prove myself and what type of player I am. I'm not going to be the biggest back, and I'm not going to be the strongest back, but I will go out there and give you my all." That ..."

Kansas City defeats Oakland, 16-10

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November 16

Kansas City Star

"The Chiefs seem to have their running back, and it doesn't matter that he's not perfect. Jamaal Charles was competent, reliable and occasionally dynamic. And now he's a winner as Kansas City's featured rusher. Charles scored the Chiefs' first rushing touchdown of 2009, and as dubious an accomplishment as that was, it's something Larry Johnson couldn't do in seven games as the team's primary runner. Johnson is gone, the ball belongs to Charles, and Kansas City defeated the Oakland Raiders on Sunday, 16-10. Charles fumbled in the first half, and that has been a problem for the second-year rusher for most of his career. He's fast and packs a big-play threat, but his coaches have held back on ..."

Russell shows no improvement

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November 16

San Francisco Chronicle

columnist Scott Ostler

"JaMarcus Russell got the hook Sunday for the second time in three games, and for the second straight home game. Really, what's the big deal? Tim Lincecum doesn't finish every game he starts. At least coach Tom Cable is giving Raiders fans a reason to cheer. Bruce Gradkowski is getting loose! Hooray! ... Hooray! (echo off empty seats). Sunday's benching of Russell in the third quarter of a 16-10 loss to Kansas City was a major statement, a strong indicator of Cable's frustration with the quarterback. When Cable yanked Russell in the second quarter against the Jets two games ago, New York was crushing the Raiders. On Sunday when Cable pulled Russell, the Chiefs were leading 13-10 and Russell ..."

Punt returns leave something to be desired

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November 16

San Francisco Chronicle

"Johnnie Lee Higgins finally got some groove in at wide receiver, catching double his season total with four receptions for 41 yards. Now if only he could return punts worth a yard. Higgins returned three punts for minus-2 yards - that's minus-0.7 yards per try - to fortify his standing as the league's last-ranked punt returner after Sunday's 16-10 loss to the visiting Chiefs. "I just need to go back to the basics," Higgins said. "I'll watch film to see what I can improve on." Catching the ball would be a good place to start. Twice, Higgins let a catchable punt hit the ground instead of attempting a fair catch. Yards lost by bounce: 20. "I thought we made some decisions that could have ..."

Raiders hit bottom with loss to lowly Chiefs

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November 16

San Francisco Chronicle

"The Raiders have a big problem on their hands, and not only the 270-pound quarterback named JaMarcus Russell. The passing game is so bad, the scoring offense is so putrid, they can't even beat the one-win Chiefs at home on two weeks' rest. As far as losses go, Sunday's 16-10 loss to Kansas City is as season-sinking as they come. Russell got benched for the second straight home game. The Chiefs won at the Coliseum for a record seventh straight time. The Raiders' 2-7 season is spiraling toward an NFL-record seventh straight trip to the land of 11-plus losses. "This is one that got away," cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha said. Got away? The Raiders gave it away on a silver-and-black platter. And ..."

Raiders start second half with a dud

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November 16

Contra Costa Times

"Things went from bad to worse for the Raiders on Sunday at a time when they expected a turnaround in the second half of their season. Instead, they are all but officially out of playoff contention for the seventh straight season after a 16-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs at the Oakland Coliseum. The Raiders also are at a crossroads with quarterback JaMarcus Russell. Raiders coach Tom Cable yanked Russell, the supposed franchise savior, for the second time in three games in favor of Bruce Gradkowski. Russell played inconsistently and failed to generate much production as the leader of the offense. "I'm just looking for the guy who gives us the best chance to win, and the same (goes) at ..."

When it comes to the Raiders' 'Chosen Ones,' it's better to laugh

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November 16

Contra Costa Times

columnist Cam Inman

"WELCOME TO today's celebrity roast. Have we got a funny show lined up for you. Instead of honoring just one of our beloved Raiders, we've got three on the marquee. You may know them as "The Chosen Ones" - quarterback JaMarcus Russell, running back Darren McFadden and wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey. Round One draft picks, each of them. Yes, that's true. Go ahead, start your laughter. Oh, these potential busts might get the last laugh before their careers are done. But we kid you not about how poorly they performed in the Raiders' 16-10 loss to the one-win-coming-in Kansas City Chiefs at a half-empty Oakland Coliseum. The Chosen Ones are supposed to boost the Raiders' offense. Awesome, ..."

Web of Raiders' despair on full display in loss to Chiefs

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November 16

Contra Costa Times

columnist Monte Poole

"THEY ARE TOO stubborn to give up, and they wouldn't be men of status in the NFL if they weren't stubborn. So Al Davis and Tom Cable will not raise the white flag, the international symbol of surrender. But if a flag can be raised to express exasperation, the Raiders boss and his appointed functionary can raise it any minute. Maybe they already have. The Raiders' latest exhibition of self-hatred, a 16-10 loss to the equally young and defective Kansas City Chiefs before more than 20,000 empty seats Sunday at the Coliseum, captured in full a team caught in a web of despair, operating under a thin and paralyzed management and an increasingly distant or uninterested ownership. In between, we ..."

Tom Cable is losing faith in Raiders' JaMarcus Russell, but what about Al Davis?

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November 16

Contra Costa Times

columnist Jerry McDonald

"The Raiders' downward spiral of a season entered a different phase Sunday when Tom Cable, a company man to the core, admitted through his actions he no longer has faith in quarterback JaMarcus Russell.He gave Russell the hook for the second consecutive time in front of the dwindling home fan base, only this time it wasn't while the Raiders were hopelessly behind in what would wind up a 38-0 loss to the New York Jets.Instead, with the Raiders locked in an unsightly 10-10 tie with the Kansas City Chiefs, Russell misfired on third-and-9, throwing high to tight end Brandon Myers with 2:29 left in the third quarter, and was immediately informed he'd be getting the rest of the day off.The ..."

JaMarcus Russell benched as Raiders lose again to Chiefs in Oakland

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November 16

Contra Costa Times

"The Raiders marched 70 yards on the game-opening drive and walked off the field with a 7-0 lead. They spent the rest of the game searching for ways to move the ball as the lowly Kansas City Chiefs did just enough to pull off a 16-10 victory at the Coliseum on Sunday. Struggling Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell was benched for the second time this season and Oakland wound up losing its seventh straight game at home to the Chiefs. Things looked good for the Raiders in the early going. They took the opening kick, marched 70 yards in four plays and scored a touchdown on a 1-yard leap by running back Justin Fargas. Running back Michael Bush spearheaded the drive by taking a hand-off, ..."

Bengals running back Cedric Benson hopes to be ready for Oakland Raiders

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November 16

Cincinnati Enquirer

"Bengals running back Cedric Benson said after the game that he hopes to be ready for next Sunday's game at Oakland. Despite leaving in the second quarter, he was happy to see Bernard Scott have success. "I'm happy for him that he was able to get out there and play," Benson said. "You kind of hate to see it happen due to injury but he was able to go out there and do well." Bengals running back Cedric Benson said after the game that he hopes to be ready for next Sunday's game at Oakland. Despite leaving in the second quarter, he was happy to see Bernard Scott have success. "I'm happy for him that he was able to get out there and play," Benson said. "You kind of hate to see it happen due to ..."

NFL unlikely to discipline Raiders coach Tom Cable over alleged physical abuse of women

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November 16

Contra Costa Times

"Raiders coach Tom Cable finally received a bit of good news Sunday after a season's worth of bad news regarding his personal and off-field exploits. On Sunday, ESPN reported that the NFL isn't inclined to discipline Cable for the recent allegations of physical abuse levied against him by his first wife and a former girlfriend. Cable still faces the prospect of a clinical evaluation by independent doctors as to whether he needs counseling for anger-management issues. The league also is considering whether to discipline Cable for his alleged attack of defensive assistant Randy Hanson during a training-camp incident in which Hanson wound up with a broken jaw. No charges have been filed ..."

Source: NFL unlikely to punish Cable

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November 15

ESPN.com

"Unless other facts emerge, the NFL is not expected to discipline Oakland Raiders coach Tom Cable for the assault allegations that a former wife and girlfriend levied against him, a league source has said. However, the league has directed Cable into a clinical evaluation process to determine whether further action is necessary due to conditions such as anger management or substance abuse. Historically, the NFL has not disciplined people when law enforcement has studied the incident and determined there is not enough evidence to proceed with the case."

Raider receives a warm welcome

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November 15

Sacramento Bee

"Forget for a moment that the Raiders are trudging along at 2-6 at the season's midway point for the sixth time in the past seven seasons. Ignore, if you can, Tom Cable coaching for his very career, considering the poor record and seemingly everybody but the water boy from his Pee Wee League team accusing him of roughing them up. Put on your silver-and black- colored glasses, take a deep breath and bask in the warm glow that comes with the start of the season's second half. A healthy team. A fresh start. A chance to make right what went wrong. Open your arms and your heart, Raider Nation, to your savior – Chaz Schilens. What? A second-year wide receiver from nondescript San Diego State who ..."

Russell regressing from 2008

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November 15

San Francisco Chronicle

"As quarterback JaMarcus Russell goes, so goes the Oakland Raiders' season. That explains their 2-6 record with one half to go. His two touchdown throws are dwarfed by 14 turnovers. His completion rate and passer rating are second to one - Cleveland's Derek Anderson. In a league with 33 qualifying quarterbacks, Russell ranks 32nd. Raiders owner Al Davis asks for patience with his former No. 1 overall pick. Let's see how much patience Davis shows coach Tom Cable if he keeps losing games while Russell's development takes its sweet time. "I did OK, but it could be a lot better than what it was," Russell said. "Got some bad breaks, but other than that, I think I can do a whole lot better." If ..."

Raiders receivers play catch-up during bye week

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November 14

San Francisco Chronicle

"The Raiders' wide receivers have the fewest catches in the NFL because quarterback JaMarcus Russell doesn't throw to them enough. Russell doesn't throw to them enough because they don't catch it when he does. This catch-22 has left the Raiders in a catch-28 - the number of receptions by their receivers in the first half of the season. "We're just not getting the throws outside in terms of numbers," said Raiders coach Tom Cable, who calls the offensive plays. "If you're not throwing it out there, you're certainly not getting any completions." Actually, the Raiders aren't getting many completions even when they do throw it outside to rookie starters Darrius Heyward-Bey and Louis Murphy, and ..."

Raiders set up for years of failure

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November 14

San Francisco Examiner

columnist Glenn Dickey

"This is the time of the year when bad NFL teams turn the standings upside down to see where they are in the race for the No. 1 draft pick. The Raiders won't even win that one because this is a vintage year for really bad NFL teams. Detroit, St. Louis, Cleveland and Kansas City - the Raiders' Sunday opponent at the Coliseum - all appear to be worse teams. Tennessee seemed to be for a time, but the Titans have righted themselves. But when it comes to being consistently bad, nobody is in a class with the Raiders. Last year they set the dubious NFL record of six straight seasons with double digit losses. This year they'll extend that record. At best, they'll be 5-11. More likely, they'll ..."

Chaz Schilens' return to Raiders might help bad passing game

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November 14

Oakland Tribune

"A media throng gathers around wide receiver Chaz Schilens every time he enters the locker room these days. It's a safe bet that he's going to be just as popular with defenders every time he's on the field Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Raiders are pinning an inordinate amount of emphasis on Schilens' successful return from a broken bone in his left foot as a basis for improving their fortunes in the second half. Time will tell. Schilens has yet to play in a game this season because of the injury he suffered during training camp. The Raiders' passing game has languished without a suitable replacement. Yet, coach Tom Cable said the lack of production has more to do with ..."

Oakland Raiders receiver Javon Walker seeking his freedom

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November 13

Contra Costa Times

"Javon Walker, signed by the Raiders in 2008 to be their No. 1 receiver, has asked for his release. The veteran wideout is looking for a chance to resurrect his NFL career with a team interested in a former Pro Bowl player who believes he is in his prime. Nowadays, he is nothing more than an afterthought on the Raiders. "That would be nice," Walker said earlier this week, "because, the thing about it is, it's not that I can't play. I can play. From everyone who sees me at practice, I still got it going on." Thursday was an exception, as Walker left practice early with a hamstring injury. Walker struggled through his first season with the Raiders. He battled another hamstring injury most ..."

Oakland Raiders receiver Javon Walker seeking his freedom

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November 13

Oakland Tribune

"Javon Walker, signed by the Raiders in 2008 to be their No. 1 receiver, has asked for his release. The veteran wideout is looking for a chance to resurrect his NFL career with a team interested in a former Pro Bowl player who believes he is in his prime. Nowadays, he is nothing more than an afterthought on the Raiders. "That would be nice," Walker said earlier this week, "because, the thing about it is, it's not that I can't play. I can play. From everyone who sees me at practice, I still got it going on." Thursday was an exception, as Walker left practice early with a hamstring injury. Walker struggled through his first season with the Raiders. He battled another hamstring injury most ..."

Lechler hopes to give Baugh's record the boot

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November 13

San Francisco Chronicle

"Raiders punter Shane Lechler is chasing the ghost of Slingin' Sammy Baugh, and has been all his NFL life. Ten seasons into the hunt, Lechler is finally within kicking distance of a punting record thought to be unreachable by the modern leg: Baugh's 51.4-yard average in the 1940 season. "I looked it up when I first got in the league and I'm still chasing him," said Lechler, who leads the NFL with a 52.3-yard punting average and a 44.9 net average. "It's funny, you look at those records and you see the numbers and you're like, 'Were their calculations right then? You guys serious? How close were you guys watching this because these numbers are amazing,' " Indeed, only one other NFL punter ..."

Game against Raiders will be emotional for Cassel

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November 13

Kansas City Star

"Last season's New England Patriots, then quarterbacked by Matt Cassel, were preparing for a December game against the Raiders in Oakland when Cassel's father, Greg, died. Cassel eventually played anyway, throwing four touchdown passes in a New England victory. Now with the Chiefs, Cassel will return to Oakland for Sunday's game against the Raiders. He said the game will be emotional for him for that reason. "It brings back memories already," Cassel said. "I've talked with my wife a little bit. It was a tough game last year. It's a tough go anytime you lose your father, but it was a great way to honor him by getting a win out there in Oakland. I thought the team rallied around me and it was ..."

Raiders won't gloat over Johnson's departure from the Chiefs

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November 12

Kansas City Star

"T he Chiefs, tangled in recent weeks in the storm surrounding the suspension and release of running back Larry Johnson, are trying to move past the controversy and find a way to win a game. That will put things out of kilter Sunday when the 1-7 Chiefs play the 2-6 Raiders in Oakland. The Raiders have had a tumultuous season, even by their standards, but things in Oakland have been relatively peaceful the past couple of weeks. The Chiefs aren't strangers to controversy, particularly as it relates to Johnson, but normally that's an area where they can't compete with the Raiders. Oakland almost always had a drama or two keeping the Raiders occupied. "We're still the controversial team, ..."

Raiders DB Chris Johnson: 8-0 second half is possible

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November 12

Oakland Tribune

"Cornerback Chris Johnson said the Raiders have a shot at running the table after a 2-6 start. "If you really want to look at it, you can go 8-0 and you might end up 10-6," Johnson said Wednesday. "There's a possible way you can actually do it." It all starts with a home game Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs, a team that has beaten the Raiders at the Coliseum each of the past six seasons. Also, the Raiders have lost their past six times after the bye week. Middle linebacker Kirk Morrison said the Raiders made the most of their practice time and off-field studies during the bye week. "We looked at ourselves, made some corrections, and now it's trying to go out there and put what we did ..."

Raiders lineman Matt Shaughnessy improves despite adversity

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November 12

Contra Costa Times

"The phone call came a little more than a year ago. Matt Shaughnessy's father was on the line, and Shaughnessy sensed something wasn't quite right. He was right. Kevin Shaughnessy was calling to relay the news that Matt's older brother had died unexpectedly. His brother's death was just the latest in a string of setbacks. Yet, through it all, Shaughnessy hasn't let personal tragedy and two severe injuries keep him from making it in the NFL. A rookie defensive end, Shaughnessy has become an integral part of the Raiders line rotation. Shaughnessy's stock tumbled a bit when he suffered a broken leg in a spring practice before his senior season at Wisconsin, and the death of 25-yard-old Jamie ..."

Raiders DB Chris Johnson: 8-0 second half is possible

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November 12

Contra Costa Times

"Cornerback Chris Johnson said the Raiders have a shot at running the table after a 2-6 start. "If you really want to look at it, you can go 8-0 and you might end up 10-6," Johnson said Wednesday. "There's a possible way you can actually do it." It all starts with a home game Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs, a team that has beaten the Raiders at the Coliseum each of the past six seasons. Also, the Raiders have lost their past six times after the bye week. Middle linebacker Kirk Morrison said the Raiders made the most of their practice time and off-field studies during the bye week. "We looked at ourselves, made some corrections, and now it's trying to go out there and put what we did ..."

Raiders' Cable fights for his survival

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November 12

Sacramento Bee

columnist Paul Gutierrez

"Robert Gallery is back in the trenches. So is his offensive linemate Cornell Green. There's Darren McFadden, itching to create in open space, and Chaz Schilens, eager to make his season debut and catch some passes. The Raiders' offensive walking wounded are healthy; it's the healthiest the team has been all season. Indeed, all that's missing in the locker room now are excuses. As such, Tom Cable enters the second half of the season coaching for his survival. A 2-6 record at the midway point would be bad enough. But Cable was assailed throughout the end of training camp and most of the season's first half by claims he assaulted Randy Hanson and broke the former assistant's jaw. Then Cable ..."

Report: Raiders want to fire Cable

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November 11

Yahoo! Sports

(scroll down)

"Some people expressed surprise at a report Sunday by ESPN that the Raiders are actually cooperating with the NFL in the investigation/evaluation of coach Tom Cable. Don't be surprised. The reason, a source familiar with the case said, is that Oakland owner Al Davis is hoping to gather enough information to fire Cable with cause at the end of the season so that Davis doesn't have to pay Cable."

Will Oakland Raiders fans be next to step up and be heard?

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November 11

Contra Costa Times

columnist Monte Poole

"WHEN THE RAIDERS announce Thursday that Sunday's home game against Kansas City will be blacked out on local TV, the news will be completely expected. We're getting used to it. The only home game shown on local TV this season was the Monday night opener, for which the blackout deadline was extended. The last home game, a 38-0 loss to the Jets on Oct. 25, was played before the smallest assemblage of NFL fans here in 41 years. This is not what managing partner Al Davis had in mind when he moved the team from Los Angeles and signed a 16-year lease to play in Oakland. Nor does it delight the voiceless hostages, also known as his minority partners. But somebody, or some group, is bound to be ..."

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