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The NFL’s offseason is almost over. Several free agents have changed teams, and the draft choices have settled in with the respective teams, learning their role on the team...

Oakland Raiders: The Most Intriguing Training Camp Battles

by Jeff Little (Senior Writer)

29

5,030 reads

Opinion

July 07, 2008


The NFL’s offseason is almost over. Several free agents have changed teams, and the draft choices have settled in with the respective teams, learning their role on the team.

 

This is the time of the year that NFL teams put in a tremendous amount of work, focusing on installing their system, coaching philosophies, developing chemistry, and coming together as a team.

 

The Oakland Raiders will yield several improvements due to this being the second year in the system for the majority of the team.  

 

A solid move by head coach Lane Kiffin was to send the message to everyone on the team that you need to always work hard and practice at game speed. The message that there are no scholarship players so to speak. He made sure that everyone knew that they were all competing for a position.

 

Every team in the league is working on improving, and the Raiders are no different.

 

You can’t get away from the basics of the game, which are a strong defensive and offensive line, blocking, tackling, and hitting. These fundamentals never go out of style and are the main areas of improvement.

 

We’re three weeks away from the start of training camp, and this article will focus on some of the most intriguing positional training-camp battles.

 

The majority of the major media, when speaking of the Oakland Raiders, has inundated us fans with the same tired drag about how bad the offensive line is, which isn’t exactly true.

 

Every Raiders fan thought that the draft would yield at least one offensive lineman, and since that didn’t happen, the media went into their “what are the Raiders doing" mode.

 

The offensive line was able to turn the corner, make several strides, and become one of the bright spots on the team last season. Bringing in offensive line coach Tom Cable, essentially at the 2007 scouting combine, was a huge hire for Kiffin and the Raiders.

 

They have an excellent working relationship. He previously worked on the same staff as offensive coordinator Greg Knapp.

 

He is perfect for the two back, run-oriented offense the Kiffin ran. He installed his version of the zone-blocking scheme, which made the offensive line very productive.

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29 comments Last one added 12 months ago — Leave a Comment

  1. Raider Revenge Payback about 1 year ago

    Very interesting article. Good read. Jeff this is good stuff. Can't wait

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  2. RaginRaider about 1 year ago

    Great article, I am so excited for the season to start. I am new here, though I have been reading articles here for quite some time now. I just wanted to thank you for the great read, its nice to see articles that are written in a non-biased fashion. I think that barring to many injuries, the Raiders will do well this year. GO RAIDERS!!!

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    • Jeff Little about 1 year ago

      Thanks for the compliments and the comments, Ragin Raider. I'm extremely hyped as well but I refuse to be myopic about the squad. The Oakland Raiders will make noise in 2008. Check out my article titled "Oakland Raiders: Building a better Defense." Thanks for stopping by and taking the time comment.

      I leave you as always with a loud and proud shout out to the worldwide Raider Nation.
      GO RAIDERS!!!

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  3. Castor Troy about 1 year ago

    Jeff,

    I always enjoy your articles, here and at TFDS. Keep up the good work.

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    • Jeff Little about 1 year ago

      Thanks for the compliments and the comments, Castor. I will continue to work hard and earn the praise. Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment.

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  4. Daniel Topchi about 1 year ago

    Dude it's July we're almost there I'm getting chills down my spine.
    GO RAIDERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  5. BabyTate about 1 year ago

    Excellent article. Please keep us informed as to developments in camp.
    I'm hopeful Huff will become a dominant force. A good smack goes a long way in making a winner.

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    • Jeff Little about 1 year ago

      Thanks for the compliments and the comments, BT. I really hope this is his breakout year. He is now in a position to use his speed and athleticism. The Raiders should move him around to makehim more of a playmaker.

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  6. The_KRAKEN about 1 year ago

    Nice Pre-Training Camp Analysis

    I'm chompping at the bit to see how these new RAIDERS due in pre-season !!!

    Dammmmmm.......... THE SILVER AND BLACK IS BACK !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Hooorah....................

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    • Jeff Little about 1 year ago

      Thanks for the compliments and the comments, The KRAKEN. Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment.

      Go Raiders!!!

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  7. James Adler about 1 year ago

    If Hartwell is healthy and Morrison can move to OLB, it will be one of the biggest improvements for our 'D'. Hopefully, this is how it turns out because improvement against the run from our LB's has been overlooked this off-season. If Hartwell does not work out, then we are in the same spot as last year. If we go into the season with the same LB's, they are going to need a young Sam Adams and Teddy Washington in front of them. They will need monster DT's, who can take up two gaps each so the LB's can run free. A 3-tech DT with a MIA nose tackle will not work. Additions to our LB's and DT's have been Hartwell and Joeseph. (THAT IS IT) and that is not enough. I would feel a hell of alot better if we could pick another veteran LB and DT who could at least play on run downs and help us out. Against the pass we look very good.

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  8. hawaiiR8dr about 1 year ago

    Jeff, good read. Thanks for your insight and opinions!

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    • Jeff Little about 1 year ago

      Thanks for the comments and compliments, HawaiiR8dr! I will continue to do just that. Thanks for stopping by and reading the story and taking the time to comment.

      Go Raiders!!!!

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  9. DAVE LEON about 1 year ago

    GOOD ARTICLE CAN`T WAIT FOR MONDAY NIGHT SEEMS LIKE ITS TAKEING FOREVER GO RAIDERS

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  10. J K about 1 year ago

    Hey Finally a staight forward article breaking it all down and in good fashion.
    I really appreciate the read Jeff. Straight up good.

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  11. Ben Weixlmann about 1 year ago

    Jeff,

    This breakdown is absolutely thorough and fabulous. Great stuff.

    Ben

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  12. JSpicoli about 1 year ago

    I think the most potential from a "free roll" newcomer would be Spires and Harwell, with Edwards a close third. If two of these three contribute, and we get what we expect from the rest of the D, then we will have a strong basis for this year's team....Defense. Everyone forgets Gerald Warren was a good player for us last year too.

    We will try to recreate what the Steelers did with Big Ben his first year. That is, staunch D with a running attack based Offense. We will stretch the field at times, but JRuss will be allowed to grow into the position and speed in the NFL. Look for a rushing based offense with a possession passing attack with roll outs, screens and play action.

    We have alot to look forward to this year. Two keys are new contributers on D, and JRuss becoming an impact player, and minimizing mistakes. Our record range is 8-8 to 10-6 imho. Extra wildcard is our top draft pick. If McFadden becomes ROY, lookout.

    Raiders Forever.

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  13. riders76 12 months ago

    scholarship? what is Jano still doing with the team the worse kicker in the Nfl, far better kickers are out of the job or traded. If the Raiders defense perform as they had done in the past, rushing two or three on third down allowing third class qb to pick up the first either throwing or running look out is going to be a long sasson. Raiders76

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    • Jeff Little 12 months ago

      Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment, riders76.

      To answer your question, he is still on the team because he is the team's kicker. I disagree with you stating he is the worse kicker in the NFL. That take is below average and doesn't make sense.

      He has held the position for 9 years. He has scored a total of 808 points via Field Goals and extra points. 808 is good enough for third place in scoring in team history. in 2008 he could be the All-Time leader in scoring in team history. Chris Bahr and Hall of Fame QB & Kicker George Blanda sit in front of SeaBass, Bahr with 817 points and Blanda with 863 points.

      In 2007 SeaBass passed Chris Bahr's total of made field goals. His 50-yard Field Goal in the first quarter against the Titans gave him 163 in his pro career and set a team record for most All-Time field goals in the regular season. His third field goal in that game moved him ahead of Bahr for most field goals as a Raider in the regular and post-season.

      SeaBass needs just 10 points to move past Bahr into second place, and 56 to move past Blanda to become the All-Time leading scorer in Raiders history.

      I've written several articles regarding the Raiders defense, the most recent is titled "Building a Better Defense." This was based on the training camp positional battles. The Raiders have made veteran additions to the team via free agency, via the NFL Draft and un-drafted free agents. The team is daily working on improving and is currently preparing to make noise in 2008.

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    • Jeff Little 12 months ago

      My apologies for referring to you as riders76 as oppose to Raiders76.

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  14. rich leon 12 months ago

    lets not forget about jonnie lee higgins i really think jamarcus and jonnie had some chemistry at the end of the year. higgins in college was a play maker . dave an jeff in the same boat thats san francisco forty niners stuff, nice post dave

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    • Jeff Little 12 months ago

      Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment, Rich. I haven't forgotten about Johnnie Lee Higgins, he was mentioned in the article. He had a real up and down time during the mini camps and the team OTA's. Some days he made some solid receptions and others appeared to not catch anything. He is expected to make an impact on special teams but he is a young receiver, in his second year, and will need to continue his development and improve his game to be counted on as a playmaker like he was in college. He isn't there yet but he is putting in a strong effort to reach that level. He just needs to keep up the hard work.

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