SB Nation Bay Area - Raiders QB Battle Loses A Participanthttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48817/bayrea-fave.png2010-08-21T10:02:51-07:00http://bayarea.sbnation.com/rss/stream/13596682010-08-21T10:02:51-07:002010-08-21T10:02:51-07:00Concussed Fullback Comes Back In A Worse State Of Mind
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<p>Just when we thought the Raiders were headed in the right direction, just when we thought the days of discontent were over, FB <span>Luke Lawton</span> unleashes a couple of bombshells. After sustaining a concussion during training camp, Lawton came back this week to <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/08/21/SPNK1F163V.DTL&feed=rss.raiders">find his job apparently at risk</a>. He was predictably unhappy and bitter as a result.</p>
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<p>“I think they made their mind up,” said Lawton, who started seven games for Oakland in 2008 and three last season. “I’m just not getting any reps. If they were trying to bring me back in slowly, I would be getting some. But I am not getting any. I am getting hosed.”</p>
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<p>“Either (the Raiders) know what they’ve got with me, or they’re trying to get rid of me,” Lawton said. “I am the best one we’ve got, and if they want to keep me, they can. And if they don’t, fine. Somebody will pick me up.”</p>
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<p>Lawton is serving a four-game suspension to start the season anyway for performance-enhancing drugs, but he apparently feels when he’s eligible to play he won’t be needed.</p>
<p>Lawton said after the concussion he “didn’t have any air in my helmet.” A suspension for performance-enhancing drugs and a disruptive diatribe right when he gets back, apparently Luke “Lawless” Lawton does, however, have air in his head.</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/2010/8/21/1635034/concussed-fullback-comes-backryrudy2010-08-20T12:40:30-07:002010-08-20T12:40:30-07:00Charlie Frye Likely Out For Season
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<p><a href="http://www.mercurynews.com/raiders/ci_15834408" target="new">His wrist injury will likely put him on injured reserve for 4-5 months.</a></p>
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<p>The Raiders placed backup quarterback Charlie Frye on the injured-reserve list once they learned he is going to need four or five months to rehabilitate his right wrist.</p>
<p>Frye suffered ligament damage in his wrist while bracing himself as he fell during a drill Aug. 5. He underwent surgery Wednesday and is out for the rest of the season.</p>
<p>“I don’t know enough about it to give you details,” Raiders coach Tom Cable said. “It’s a ligament (injury) in the wrist that is very rare.”</p>
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<p>This could mean very good things for Kyle Boller, who is battling for that third string spot.</p>
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<p>Frye’s misfortune is Kyle Boller’s good fortune. Boller was signed as a free agent in June as an extra quarterback to take reps in camp. Now he’s in line to make the 53-man roster.</p>
<p>“He’s getting a new start, and he’s making the most of it, certainly,” Cable said</p>
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<p>(<a href="http://www.silverandblackpride.com/2010/8/19/1632547/report-raiders-place-qb-charlie" target="new">HT Rated-R Superstar at Silver & Black Pride</a> for alerting us to the news)</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/2010/8/20/1633838/charlie-frye-injured-reserve-wrist-injuryAvinash Kunnath2010-08-13T11:32:28-07:002010-08-13T11:32:28-07:00Two Wily Old Vets Competing for No. 3 RB Spot
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<p>We all know <span>Darren McFadden</span> and <span>Michael Bush</span> will be holding onto the top two RB spots heading into the season, barring injury (oh wait, there <a href="http://bayarea.sbnation.com/2010/8/10/1616440/darren-mcfadden-injury-raiders-nfl-training-camp">already was an injury</a>). But there should be an <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/08/11/SPKM1ES1ME.DTL">interesting battle for the No. 3 spot</a> between vets <span>Michael Bennett</span> and <span>Rock Cartwright</span>, both who have taken different paths but find themselves in relatively the same <span class="caps">SPOT</span> these days.</p>
<p>Bennett, the 2001 first-round pick by Minnesota, was a Pro Bowl selection in just his second season. But he missed half of 2003 due to injury and never regained his starting spot. Cartwright was the fifth-to-last pick in the 2002 draft and it’s a tribute to him that he’s remained a serviceable player after not being highly-regarded headed into the <span class="caps">NFL</span>.</p>
<p>Should be a good battle of wills and over-the-hills this preseason. For selfish reasons, I’m hoping Rock Cartwright gets the job: the headlines with a name like that are endless. And who knows, if McFadden is injury-riddled this season (all signs point to “yes”), one of these guys could have a bigger role than they expected.</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/2010/8/13/1621728/two-wily-old-vets-competing-no3-rb-spotryrudy2010-08-10T15:54:39-07:002010-08-10T15:54:39-07:00Darren McFadden To Miss Thursday Exhibition Game Due To Hamstring Injury
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<p>Oakland Raiders runningback Darren McFadden will miss Thursday night’s exhibition game in Dallas due to a hamstring injury <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/trainingcamp10/news/story?id=5452808" target="new">according to the Associated Press</a>.</p>
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<p>“It’s very frustrating,” McFadden said Tuesday. “I feel like I’ve been having a good camp. It happened. It’s just something you have to deal with right now.”</p>
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<p>McFadden hurt his hamstring in practice Saturday morning when he tried to accelerate after slowing down. He immediately felt tightness so he pulled up to make sure the injury didn’t get any worse.</p>
<p>McFadden said he wants to make sure he waits until the hamstring is completely healed before returning to the field so he doesn’t have to deal with this throughout the entire season.</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/2010/8/10/1616440/darren-mcfadden-injury-raiders-nfl-training-campScott Schroeder2010-08-08T21:32:21-07:002010-08-08T21:32:21-07:00Raiders Training Camp: New LB Quentin Groves Fights Teammate
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<p>Former Jacksonville Jaguar <span>Quentin Groves</span>, acquired for a fifth-round draft pick in April, has wasted no time <a href="http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_15705277">showing he has fight</a>. He threw 260-pound fullback Alex Daniels to the ground Saturday and landed some punches before jabbing out a swift kick that barely missed his terrified teammate. Apparently, it all was premeditated.</p>
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<p>“I was just trying to provide a spark,” Groves said while taking a break between practices. “I talked to my ‘backers last night and said we have to come out and be one of the most feared groups in the league. That’s what the Raiders are known for … that’s what we are.”</p>
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<p>Coach Tom “Cable Guy” Cable apparently wasn’t very impressed, particularly with his Karate kick, noting, “That would probably get him kicked out of the game.” (no pun intended)</p>
<p>Groves is currently “fighting” to make the 53-man roster and is listed behind LB <span>Kamerion Wimbley</span> on the depth chart, who was acquired from Cleveland in March.</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/2010/8/8/1613009/raiders-training-camp-new-lbryrudy2010-08-07T21:12:45-07:002010-08-07T21:12:45-07:00Raiders Sign QB Colt Brennan
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<p>The Raiders have signed former Washington Redskins QB and 2007 Heisman Trophy finalist Colt Brennan to an <a href="http://www.rotoworld.com/content/clubhouse_news.aspx?sport=NFL&majteam=OAK" target="new">undisclosed contract</a>. Brennan will be competing with Kyle Boller, Charlie Frye, and Bruce Gradkowski for the chance to back up Jason Campbell.</p>
<p>Colt Brennan has a decent amount of upside, but coming into training camp at this late a juncture puts him in a tough position. He’ll have to learn the playbook and wrestle away some practice reps from the other backup QB options. I’d imagine that barring an impressive showing in the next few weeks, Brennan is basically auditioning for the rest of the league.</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/2010/8/7/1611707/raiders-sign-qb-colt-brennanDavid Fucillo2010-08-04T00:25:44-07:002010-08-04T00:25:44-07:00Raiders Training Camp: Rookie LB Rolando McClain Makes A Splash
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<p>It’s obviously way too early to jump to major conclusions, but for now rookie linebacker Rolando McClain is certainly <a href="http://www.mercurynews.com/raiders/ci_15671474?nclick_check=1" target="new">impressing folks</a>:</p>
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<p>What the Raiders have is a 6-foot-3, 255-pound linebacker who studies the playbook like a quarterback, knows the defense like a seasoned veteran and takes charge of the defense.</p>
<p>“It’s a little bit of (he) gets it,” coach Tom Cable said. “He does study, but he has a great feel for his depth and where he needs to be. He’s a good communicator; he kind of sees where the play starts and kind of gets himself in a position where he can have the depth to get underneath those balls. That interception was a heck of a play.”</p>
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<p>As I’m traditionally a 49ers fan, I’m curious what people think about McClain and the impact they’re expecting year 1. My standard-bearer is of course Patrick Willis who, in his rookie season, set the record for most tackles ever in a single season (since they’ve started recording the stat). It’s hard to say McClain will look like Willis right out of the gates, but are Raiders fans expecting such an immediate impact? It sounds like that would be the case given the trade of Morrison.</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/2010/8/4/1604533/raiders-training-camp-rookie-rolando-mcclainDavid Fucillo2010-08-03T10:11:10-07:002010-08-03T10:11:10-07:00Raiders Training Camp: Jacoby Ford Sticking Out at WR
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<p>Raiders training camp has seen Chaz Schilens and Louis Murphy both go down with injuries. Murphy remains out with a concussion, while Schilens is finally getting back to practice after experiencing soreness in his surgically repaired left foot.</p>
<p>In the meantime, rookie receiver Jacoby Ford is <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/raiders/detail?&entry_id=69246" target="new">apparently impressing folks</a> in his extended practice time. Nobody likes injuries, but sometimes the team can benefit from limited injuries:</p>
<p>“We’re enthused,” coach Tom Cable said Monday. “He’s learning to play fast, and when you get that kind of speed and he’s able to use it in routes and use it on his release, it really shows what he’s capable of. He certainly catches the ball well.”</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/2010/8/3/1603079/raiders-training-camp-jacoby-ford-wide-receiverDavid Fucillo