ALAMEDA — Second-year player Johnnie Lee Higgins made the most of his opportunity as the primary return man on punts and kickoffs in Oakland's first exhibition game, Aug. 8 against the 49ers.
The second game brought about the opportunity to solidify his standing. However, he fumbled a punt at his 5-yard line that the Tennessee Titans recovered and returned for a touchdown.
Now, Higgins is on shaky ground, unsure whether he will retain one or both chores, or even a roster spot. His best opportunity to sway coach Lane Kiffin's wavering position comes Saturday in a game against the Arizona Cardinals.
In that game, Higgins will handle both punt return and kick returns, as Kiffin seeks to make better sense out of a muddled situation.
"We'll just look for him to improve on it," Kiffin said. "The No. 1 thing is ball security."
On Thursday, the Raiders worked out Darren McFadden, Louis Rankin, Adimchinobi Echemandu, Tyvon Branch and Higgins on kick returns.
Branch participated despite wearing a cast on his right hand to protect the thumb injury he sustained earlier in training camp. Ultimately, Kiffin said, Branch is the ideal player for kick returns.
"He's got the speed and he was catching the ball really well all through the offseason with us," Kiffin said.
"And he was good at it in college. So, hopefully, he'll be the guy when he gets his cast off."
Quote of the day
"We're going to go old school Buddy Ryan, as they call it around here, and we'll come after him every snap and put a bounty in the locker room on him." — tongue-in-cheek Kiffin on Cardinals quarterback Matt Leinart, who played under Kiffin at USC.
Extra points
Wide receivers Arman Shields (knee) and Drisan James (sick), kicker Sebastian Janikowski (hamstring), punter Shane Lechler (quadriceps), linebacker Grant Irons (back), cornerback John Bowie (knee) and safety Hiram Eugene (hip) did not practice. James is the only one of the aforementioned players expected to play Saturday, Kiffin said. "... Drew Carter will start at wide receiver opposite Javon Walker, Kiffin said. Carter is competing against Ronald Curry for a starting spot in the regular season. "... Saturday's game did not sell out in time to avert a blackout of local TV coverage. Therefore, the game won't be shown live. Instead, it will be shown locally on tape delay Saturday on KICU (Chs. 6 and 36) at 10 p.m. and Sunday at 7 p.m.
— Steve Corkran
http://www.contracostatimes.com/raiders/ci_10270459
