Oakland Raiders' Training Camp 2011: News and Notes

Seems Like Old Times

Napa, California.

As I stood on the sideline watching the Oakland Raiders practice, I had a strange wave of deja vu roll over me.

I saw guys like Mike Waufle, Chuck Bresnahan and Rod Woodson, and ex-Oakland Raiders Linebacker Greg Biekert was around somewhere.

Al Davis has decided to surround himself with familiar faces for the 2011 season.

Bresnahan was brought back to take over at defensive coordinator. This will be Bresnhan’s second time running the defense, and he made it clear that losing the Super Bowl with the Raiders has made him hungrier than ever for that elusive ring.

Bresnahan on his return to the Raiders: "What better place to come back to than the place that you kind of let one slip away in 2002 and come back and shoot for another opportunity, to do it right and win one for this organization and our owner?”

Defensive line coach Mike Waufle was also on that Raiders team that lost the Super Bowl in 2002.

Waufle is in the second year of his new tenure as a Raider, and coach Bresnahan is very happy to be reunited with the fiery coach.  “Mike Waufle is the best defensive line coach in the league,” said Bresnahan.

Head Coach Hue Jackson: Cool and Calm, But Ready to Get Things Started!

As the Oakland Raiders’ head coach strolled to the podium, he seemed relaxed and even messed around with one of the reporters. "That’s a nice shirt. Can I borrow it?” Jackson joked.

After that little moment of levity, Hue was all about business.  The new coach seemed happy with the way things went as the Raiders head towards their first game under his leadership.

“I loved the spirit of practice,” said Jackson. ”A very good practice, a business-like practice.”

The Raiders play the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday night at the O.com Coliseum.  The team will practice early on Wednesday, conducting what Jackson called a “mock game.”

Missing in Action!

The NFL lockout lasted most of the summer. The season is now upon us and the Raider Nation is chomping at the bit to get 2011 underway, for the team to improve on last year's 8-8 record and make the playoffs for the first time since the 2002 season.

Expectations for the Raiders are sky high. However, if fans have anything to worry about, it might be the fact that several key players were watching Tuesday’s practice instead of mixing it up with the rest of the team.

The three players that missed time were Darren McFadden (broken orbital bone), Louis Murphy and Jacoby Ford. All three players are expected to play big roles in 2011.

Although the injuries are not supposed to keep these guys out for an extended period of time (except for maybe Ford and his broken hand), the Raiders probably still want those guys on the field getting the reps they need in a shortened offseason.

Who Did What? Who said What?

I’m not sure, but I think the Raiders have this rookie from the Tennessee Volunteers named Denarius Moore that has been turning heads at camp.

Of course I’m kidding, but today was the first time I have seen him in action.  He didn’t put on the show that he has in practices past, but this kid does look like the real deal.  In a red zone drill, Moore got plenty of distance between him and his defender and caught a perfectly thrown pass from Jason Campbell in the back of the end zone for a touchdown.

Quarterback Jason Campbell looked steady and controlled the offense.  Campbell threw plenty of passes in the direction of running back Michael Bush and fullback Marcel Reece, something that the Raiders are expected to do when the season starts.

Throwing to the guys out of the backfield was a nice weapon for the Raiders last season, especially when McFadden was in the mix.

Running back Michael Bush was on the field after the Raiders finally signed the unrestricted free agent earlier this week.

Bush looked in shape and ready to hit the field. He also seemed ready to learn from his friend and counterpart McFadden: “It’s exciting, I watch him just as hard when he’s on the field, maybe I might pick up some things that I don’t see. Just knowing him as a person makes it even more fun."

Raiders Notes

Newcomer Chad Jackson (WR) saw plenty of action Tuesday. Jackson was signed by the Raiders on Saturday in order to add a veteran receiver to a young group.  Jackson played college ball at the University of Florida and was drafted by the New England Patriots in 2006.

Tight end Kevin Boss was on the field and seemed to be feeling his way through practice after only a short time with the team. Boss was one of the Raiders' big acquisitions in the offseason after the loss of veteran tight end Zach Miller to the Seattle Seahawks

Rookie receiver David Ausberry showed some flashes that could make a case for the seventh round draft pick making the team. At one point, Ausberry snagged a pass out of the air with one hand, controlled the ball and cruised the rest of the way down the field.

The Quotes for this article were taken from interviews by Gean May and various reporters at the Oakland Raiders' training camp on 8-9-2011.