By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Monday, August 25th, 2008 at 6:09 pm in Oakland Raiders.
Quick hits from Monday’s practice and press availability at Raiders’ camp:
– With Oren O’Neal on injured reserve and waiver claim Luke Lawton yet to arrive, running back Michael Bush got in some reps at fullback. Bush said he saw it as an opportunity to get on the field and was willing to do what it took to help the team, but it’s fair to say he wasn’t exactly jumping for joy about the news.
“I’ve always been a team player, too, so it’s one of those things, you just suck it up, go about your business and try to have some fun with it,” Bush said.
Bush has fullback size at 245- to 250 pounds, and has the requisite receiving skills to be a weapon out of the backfield. But his blocking remains a work in progress _ he was a quarterback in high school and usually had the ball in his hands in college at Louisville _ and fullbacks with the Raiders seldom carry the ball from scrimmage.
“I’ve never played it before, but a player has to adjust and do what you’re coached,” Bush said.“I’m still waiting for my chance to carry the ball, as well. The more I can do the better, be a versatile player. So, that’s a good thing.”
If the Raiders are serious about Bush playing fullback along with Justin Griffith, it could mean Lawton’s time with the Raiders will be short. If it isn’t working out or Bush’s services are required as a running back due to attrition, they could always add another fullback at a later date.
– Marviel Underwood, the San Leandro High product who joined the Raiders Monday, and Nate Lyles, a safety from Virginia also signed, got plenty of work in the secondary and will play plenty against Seattle Friday night.
The injuries to O’Neal and Drew Carter have Kiffin thinking about emptying his bench before the game even starts. Cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha and safeties Michael Huff and Rashad Baker all missed practice with ankle injuries and probably won’t face the Seahawks.
“For one series of work, I don’t see where that’s really worth the benefit of going out there,” Kiffin said.
– Defensive end Jay Richardson had a 105 degree temperature and did not practice. Kiffin said the medical staff was considering taking him to the hospital.
– Wide receiver Arman Shields, who hadn’t practiced since the first week of August, participated in drills and some team sessions, Kiffin said.
Kiffin said the Raiders will be watching his recovery closely Tuesday and acknowledged it will tough for Shields to make up for all the time he missed in terms of making the 53-man roster.
Shields is carefully filtering out all negative vibes.
“I’m in a positive situation. I have positive teammates that support me, they’re not negative,” Shields said. “I have a positive core group of wide receivers. All they do is support me. My coaches really support us so when you’re in that surrounding with supportive people, you’re not going to get frustrated. You’re going to find ways to get better and overcome that adversity.”
– Monday’s transactions left the Raiders with 77 players, meaning two more players will be released Tuesday.
– Jarrod Cooper’s exit is being characterized as a “retirement.” Kiffin said Cooper’s speed had not totally returned since his last surgery, and that the safety/special teams player decided to call it quits after a seven-year career.
“Whether we would have released him or not, that is really irrelevant,” Kiffin said. “He came in and was just done playing and wanted to retire.”
Fellow core special teams player Isaiah Ekejiuba said Cooper told him Monday morning he was going to talk to Kiffin about retiring. Ekejiuba figured Cooper was joking.
“I didn’t take him serious for a minute. I mean, it’s Coop,” Ekejiuba said. “He said it with a sly smile of his face, so I played it off, he went up stairs and said `I talked to Kiff,’ and Kiff made the announcement. Came as a shock really. It’s hard to lose somebody like that.”
Ekejiuba said Cooper had relayed doubts about his speed in recent days and that he had pain in his knee.
“When your body says it’s time, it’s time,” Ekejiuba said.
– Cooper’s exit was hastened by the development of fourth-round draft pick Tyvon Branch.
“He’s had a rep that’s looked like a Pro Bowl gunner, a guy who looks like a legitimate special teams Pro Bowler,” Kiffin said. “If he can carry that over, he can be a dynamic special teams player for us.”
– Monday’s roster additions included no wide receivers, with Kiffin hinting it was a matter that was out of his hands.
“I’m sure our personnel department will find us a wide receiver, add it to our group and we’ll see how far we can take him,” Kiffin said.
A possible mitigating factor on adding a veteran receiver before the regular season begins _ any vested veteran on the roster in Week 1 is guaranteed his entire salary. That means if you sign Joe Horn or Koren Robinson, you’d better be sure they’re good enough and healthy enough and problem-free enough to stick for the entire season.
– Kiffin said a starting regular season center could be named today.
– The Raiders closed practice to the media after warmups and drills as workouts included not only review of the Seattle game, but preparations for the Sept. 8 season opener against Denver.
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