OAKLAND RAIDERS (2-4) VS. TENNESSEE TITANS (4-2)

Transcription

1 THE OAKLAND RAIDERS OAKLAND RAIDERS (2-4) VS. TENNESSEE TITANS (4-2) October 22, 2007 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DATE: Sunday, October 28, 10:00 a.m. PT SITE: LP Field, Nashville, Tennessee THIS WEEK: The Oakland Raiders, members of the American Football Conference Western Division, take on the AFC South Tennessee Titans in Nashville in 2007 NFL regular season Week 8 action. TELEVISION: This week s game will be televised on the CBS Television Network with Kevin Harlan providing play-by-play and former Raiders quarterback Rich Gannon handling color analysis. The game will air locally on KPIX Channel 5. The game would also air in Sacramento on KOVR Channel 13 as well as on KHSL in Chico, KION in Monterey and KJEO in Fresno. RADIO: KSFO 560 AM is the Raiders flagship for the multi-state Raiders Radio Network. Greg Papa and former Raiders player, head coach and assistant Tom Flores will man the booth for the 11 th straight year. The pregame show and postgame show will feature Raider Legends George Atkinson and David Humm along with KGO s Rich Walcoff. SPANISH RADIO: Univision radio station KLOK 1170 AM serves as the team s official flagship station for The Oakland Raiders Spanish radio broadcasts. Armando Botello and Angel Dinamita handle announcing duties. Popular radio personalities Victor Zaragoza and Sal Acevedo are the sideline reporters. THE TEAM OF THE DECADES THE OAKLAND RAIDERS ARE THE ONLY NFL TEAM TO HAVE PLAYED IN SUPER BOWLS IN FOUR DIFFERENT DECADES THE 1960s (SUPER BOWL II), THE 1970s (SUPER BOWL XI), THE 1980s (SUPER BOWLS XV AND XVIII) AND THE 2000s (SUPER BOWL XXXVII). THE GREATNESS OF THE RAIDERS THE SILVER AND BLACK HAVE FINISHED 33 SEASONS WITH A.500 OR BETTER REGULAR SEASON RECORD. THE RAIDERS ARE ONE OF NINE NFL TEAMS THAT HAVE QUALIFIED FOR THE PLAYOFFS IN EACH OF THE PAST FIVE DECADES ALONG WITH MINNESOTA, GREEN BAY, PHILADELPHIA, ST. LOUIS, CLEVELAND, INDIANAPOLIS, NEW ENGLAND AND TENNESSEE. THE RAIDERS ARE THE ONLY AMERICAN FOOTBALL CONFERENCE TEAM AND ONE OF JUST THREE NFL TEAMS ALONG WITH MINNESOTA AND ST. LOUIS TO PLAY IN CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES IN EACH OF THE LAST FIVE DECADES. IN THEIR FIVE SUPER BOWLS, THE RAIDERS HAVE HAD FOUR HEAD COACHES AND FOUR STARTING QBS: SUPER BOWL COACH STARTING QB SUPER BOWL II JOHN RAUCH DARYLE LAMONICA SUPER BOWL XI JOHN MADDEN KEN STABLER SUPER BOWL XV TOM FLORES JIM PLUNKETT SUPER BOWL XVIII TOM FLORES JIM PLUNKETT SUPER BOWL XXXVII BILL CALLAHAN RICH GANNON THE TEAM OF THE DECADES

2 RAIDERS IN THE AFC WEST THE RAIDERS HAVE THE TOP ALL-TIME WIN PERCENTAGE AMONG ORIGINAL AFL TEAMS. THE RAIDERS ARE THE LAST AMERICAN FOOTBALL CONFERENCE WESTERN DIVISION TEAM TO GO TO THE SUPER BOWL (2002 SEASON). THE RAIDERS ARE THE LAST AFC WEST TEAM TO CAPTURE THE DIVISION THREE YEARS IN A ROW (2000, 2001, 2002). THE RAIDERS ARE ONE OF ONLY TWO AFC WEST TEAMS TO WIN A PLAYOFF GAME IN THE NEW MILLENNIUM, WITH THE RAIDERS WINNING FOUR AND DENVER WINNING ONE. THE RAIDERS ARE ONE OF ONLY TWO AFC WEST TEAMS TO BOTH PLAY IN AND HOST THE AFC CHAMPIONSHIP SINCE 1998 AND HAVE HOSTED TWO (2000, 2002). DENVER HOSTED THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME IN THE RAIDERS ARE THE ONLY AFC WEST TEAM TO QUALIFY FOR THE PLAYOFFS IN EACH OF THE PAST FIVE DECADES SILVER AND BLACK SUPERLATIVES 100 YARDS RUSHING Justin Fargas 179 yards at Miami LaMont Jordan 159 yards at Denver LaMont Jordan 121 yards vs. Cleveland 100 YARDS RECEIVING Ronald Curry 133 yards vs. Detroit 300 YARDS PASSING Josh McCown 313 yards vs. Detroit AT LEAST THREE FIELD GOALS MADE Sebastian Janikowski 4 (32, 22, 23, 48) vs. Cleveland AT LEAST TWO TOUCHDOWNS RUSHING Daunte Culpepper 3 (2, 5, 3) at Miami AT LEAST TWO TOUCHDOWNS PASSING Daunte Culpepper 2 (7, 27) at Miami AT LEAST TWO TOUCHDOWNS RECEIVING Jerry Porter 2 (7, 27) at Miami FIELD GOAL BLOCK Tommy Kelly vs. Cleveland INTERCEPTION RETURN FOR TOUCHDOWN Thomas Howard 66 yards at San Diego Thomas Howard 44 yards at Denver AT LEAST 10 TACKLES (ACCORDING TO UNOFFICIAL PRESS BOX FIGURES) Thomas Howard at Denver

3 SERIES: The Raiders hold a advantage over Tennessee in regular season contests since 1960 when the teams began pro football competition as original members of the American Football League. The Titans were based in Houston and named the Oilers. The Houston franchise relocated to Tennessee in The Raiders are 4-0 versus the Tennessee franchise in playoff games, including the AFC Championship win in RAIDERS VS. TITANS REGULAR SEASON Houston 37, at Oakland Houston 27, at Oakland 26 -Oakland 14, at Houston Oakland 14, at Houston at Houston 55, Oakland at Oakland 34, Houston 29 -Houston 47, at Oakland at Oakland 21, Houston Houston 28, at Oakland at Houston 31, Oakland 17 -at Houston 32, Oakland at Houston 17, Oakland Oakland 24, at Houston at Los Angeles 20, Houston 6 -at Oakland 52, Houston Los Angeles 24, at Houston at Houston 42, Oakland Los Angeles 28, at Houston 17 -at Oakland 20, Houston at Houston 38, Los Angeles at Oakland 21, Houston at Houston 23, Los Angeles 7 -Oakland 33, at Houston at Houston 47, Los Angeles at Houston 31, Oakland at Los Angeles 17, Houston 14 -at Oakland 38, Houston at Tennessee 24, Oakland 21(OT) Oakland 19, at Houston at Tennessee 21, Oakland Oakland 24, at Houston Tennessee 13, at Oakland at Oakland 21, Houston at Oakland 52, Tennessee at Oakland 41, Houston at Tennessee 25, Raiders Oakland 34, at Houston at Oakland 40, Tennessee Oakland 17, at Houston Oakland 34, at Tennessee 25 *Franchise in Houston prior to LAST TIME: The Oakland Raiders defeated the Tennessee Titans, 34-25, at The Coliseum in Nashville on October 30, WR Jerry Porter had six catches for 123 yards and two touchdowns. QB Kerry Collins threw for 238 yards and three TDs in the Raiders triumph. The defense pitched in with six sacks and two fumble recoveries, including one that resulted in a TD. DT Warren Sapp had two-and-a-half sacks. The Raiders jumped out to a 17-0 lead with Collins connecting with Porter on a 26-yard TD, K Sebastian Janikowski hitting on a 22-yard field goal and RB LaMont Jordan s getting an 18-yard TD catch. The Titans scored 12 before Sapp s sack would force the fumble that Cooper recovered in the end zone for a Raiders lead. The Titans cut the Raiders lead to A 32-yard FG from Janikowski in the third quarter gave the Raiders a lead which was made possible thanks to a Tyler Brayton strip allowing DE Bobby Hamilton to recover the fumble. A Titans FG cut the Raiders lead to before Collins and Porter connected on a 44-yard TD with 4:37 left in the game to make the final score, CONNECTIONS RAIDERS: Raiders Head Coach Lane Kiffin and Titans offensive coordinator Norm Chow coached on the same staff at the University of Southern California DT Terdell Sands attended Howard High in Chattanooga and the University of Tennessee- Chattanooga LB Tyler Brayton and Titans RB Chris Brown were teammates at Colorado C Jake Grove and Titans S Vincent Fuller were teammates at Virginia Tech DE Tommy Kelly and Titans T David Stewart were teammates at Mississippi State C Jake Grove was born in Johnson City Player personnel executive Rich Snead was the Player personnel director for Tennessee S Michael Huff was college teammates at Texas with Titans QB Vince Young, DB Michael Griffin, RB Armand Hall and TE Bo Scaife G Robert Gallery was a college teammate at Iowa with Titans LB LeVar Woods T Mario Henderson was a college teammate at Florida State with Titans WR Chris Davis DT Gerard Warren was a college teammate at Florida with Titans TE Ben Troupe WR Mike Williams was a college teammate at USC with Titans RB LenDale White Raiders Head Coach Lane Kiffin also coached White at USC TE John Madsen was a college teammate at Utah with Titans RB Quinton Ganther WR Ronald Curry was a college teammate at North Carolina with Titans LB David Thornton S Stuart Schweigert was a college teammate at Purdue with Titans LB Gilbert Gardner RB LaMont Jordan was a college teammate at Maryland with Titans DT Randy Starks CB Fabian Washington was a college teammate at Nebraska with Titans DE Kyle Vanden Bosch RBs coach Tom Rathman and Titans WRs coach Fred Graves coached together with Detroit in 2005 WRs coach Charles Coe coached at the University of Tennessee from and at the University of Memphis from DBs coach Darren Perry was Titans S Chris Hope s position coach at the Pittsburgh Steelers from DE Derrick Burgess plated with Titans DT Corey Simon at Philadelphia RB LaMont Jordan played with Titans C Kevin Mawae for the N.Y. Jets QB Josh McCown played with Titans DE Kyle Vanden Bosch and LB LeVar Woods played at Arizona RB Dominic Rhodes played at Indianapolis with Titans LB David Thornton, CB Nick Harper, LB Gilbert Gardner and DT Corey Simon While Jordan played at the University of Maryland, Titans QBs coach Craig Johnson was the offensive coordinator. TITANS: QB Kerry Collins played for the Raiders from DE Travis LeBoy is from San Rafael and attended Marin Catholic High WR Paul Williams attended Fresno State Titans GM Mike Reinfeldt originally signed with the Raiders as a free agent defensive back in 1975 and worked in the team s front office from RB Chris Henry was born in Oakland was attended high school in Stockton.

4 RAIDERS IN THE TOP 10 OFFENSE 3 AFC, 4 NFL Rushing AFC, 4 NFL Rushing Yards per Game t AFC, 7t NFL Fourth Down Efficiency AFC Rushing Yards per Attempt AFC Inside The 20 (TD%) AFC Points per Game 21 DEFENSE 7 AFC Passing AFC Passing Net Yards per Game t AFC Third Down Efficiency AFC First Downs per Game AFC First Downs, Third Downs, Fourth Downs 10 AFC Points per Game AFC Points per Game Differential 10 AFC Inside The 20 (TD%) 50.0 SPECIAL TEAMS, MISC. 1 AFC, 2 NFL Net Punting Average AFC, 5 NFL Gross Punting Average AFC Kickoffs (Avg. Start) AFC Punt Return Average (Defense) 9.2 Daunte Culpepper 7 AFC Fourth Quarter Passing (Rating) Ronald Curry 10t AFC Third Down Receiving 10 Thomas Howard 1t AFC, 2t NFL Interceptions 4 Sebastian Janikowski 1 AFC, 1 NFL Touchbacks on Kickoffs 16 LaMont Jordan 5 AFC, 7 NFL Most Yards From Scrimmage AFC, 7t NFL First Downs 33 7 AFC, 9 NFL Rushing (Yards) 495 Shane Lechler 1 AFC, 2 NFL Punting (Net Avg.) AFC, 5 NFL Punting (Gross Avg.) 49.0 Kirk Morrison 4t AFC, 6t NFL Interceptions 3 Stanford Routt 4t AFC, 6t NFL Interceptions 3 Bold indicates No. 1 ranking in the AFC and/or NFL

5 JANIKOWSKI TIES RECORD FOR MOST FIELD GOALS AS A RAIDER K Sebastian Janikowski s 37-yard field in the fourth quarter of the October 21 contest versus the Kansas City Chiefs at McAfee Coliseum gives him 162 in his career which ties him with Chris Bahr (162) on the Silver and Black s all-time list for field goals in the regular season. Janikowski was the Raiders first round pick in 2000 and has led the Silver and Black in scoring in each year that he has been in the NFL. YEAR FIELD GOALS TOTAL 16 ONE MORE TO TIE FOR MOST IN REGULAR/POSTSEASON: Sebastian Janikowski needs one successful field goal to tie Chris Bahr for most field goals as a Raider including regular and postseason. REGULAR SEASON POSTSEASON TOTAL CHRIS BAHR =176 SEBASTIAN JANIKOWSKI =175 SILVER AND BLACK LININGS SAPP ATTACK: DT Warren Sapp recorded his first sack of 2007 on October 21 versus the Kansas City Chiefs at McAfee Coliseum to give him 95.5 in his pro career. Sapp entered 2007 with a career total of 94.5 sacks to rank third on the all-time career list for defensive tackles. The seven-time Pro Bowler who was NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1999, ended 2006 with 10 sacks to lead all National Football League interior linemen. ROUTT IS ON: Stanford Routt got his third interception of 2007 when he picked off a pass on October 21 versus the Kansas City Chiefs at McAfee Coliseum. Routt got his second interception of the season and third of his pro career when he picked off a pass on September 30 against the Dolphins in Miami. SEASON LONG: QB Daunte Culpepper hooked up with WR Jerry Porter for a season-long 59-yard gain to set up a score in the third quarter of the October 21 contest against the Kansas City Chiefs at McAfee Coliseum. On the following play, Culpepper connected with WR Ronald Curry on a 21-yard touchdown for Culpepper s fourth touchdown throw of 2007 and Curry s team-high tying third scoring catch of the year. Porter also has three touchdown catches in TOUCHDOWN THOMAS: LB Thomas Howard recorded his second touchdown of the year with a 66-yard interception return for a score on October 14 against the Chargers in San Diego. Thomas has recorded an interception in four consecutive games, marking the first time that feat has been accomplished by a linebacker since 1980 (Al Richardson, Atlanta). With two interceptions for scores, Thomas is one short of tying the NFL record of three interception returns for touchdowns in a single season held by Derrick Brooks. MORE I-N-TS FOR LBS: LB Thomas Howard s interception on October 14 at San Diego marked the seventh time a Raiders linebacker has intercepted a pass in Howard, the Raiders second round pick in 2006, also intercepted a pass on September 30 against the Dolphins in Miami. Howard recorded the first interception of his pro career, which he converted into the first score of his young career on a 44-yard return in the third quarter of the September 16 contest at Denver, also intercepted a pass on September 23 against Cleveland. LB Kirk Morrison has already set his single season career-high in interceptions with three after picking off a pass on September 23 against Cleveland. Morrison also intercepted a pass on September 16 in Denver and picked off a pass in the end zone on September 9 against Detroit. The most interceptions in a season by a linebacker since the merger (1970) is eight by Stan White (Baltimore) in 1975.

6 LECHLER BEGINS ANOTHER 50-YARD STREAK: P Shane Lechler impressively began a new streak of punts of 50 yards or longer on October 14 against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. He had six punts of 50 yards or longer on October 21 against the Kansas City Chiefs at McAfee Coliseum. LECHLER AGAINST SAN DIEGO QUARTER DISTANCE First 62 LECHLER AGAINST KANSAS CITY QUARTER DISTANCE First 59 Second 54 Second 52 Third 51 Third 58 Third 66 LECHLER S 50-YARD STREAK ENDS: P Shane Lechler s streak of at least one punt of 50 yards or longer came to an end at five when he fell just one yard of that mark on his first punt on September 30 at Miami against the Dolphins with a 49-yard boot. Lechler ended the 2006 season having at least punt travel 50 yards or longer when he booted a 59-yarder in the first quarter of the Raiders road contest against the New York Jets in the season finale. He began the 2007 season with a 52-yard punt on his first attempt against the Detroit Lions on September 9. He had a 51-yard punt on September 16 in Denver versus the Broncos in his first attempt. On September 23 against Cleveland, Lechler recorded a 69-yard punt. Lechler s streak of having a punt travel 50 yards or longer ended in 2006 at 17 straight games as he did not have a punt of that distance during the 12/23/06 contest against Kansas City. During the streak, he had 48 punts exceeding 50 yards and seven over 60. He set a record with 33 straight games with a punt of 50 or more yards, the longest streak since the NFL/AFL merger in The streak, which lasted from 11/30/03 against Denver until 12/11/05 at the N.Y. Jets, surpassed Rick Tuten s mark of 30 straight games from with Seattle. During the record-setting streak, Lechler topped 50 yards 65 times with 12 punts of over 60. Lechler is the NFL leader in net punting average in 2007 at LECHLER PUNTING AVERAGE TOPS IN NFL HISTORY: Shane Lechler s 46.2-yard punting average now in his eighth pro season is the highest in NFL history for players with at least 250 attempts. Lechler reached the qualifier of 250 punts during the 11/23/03 contest at Kansas City. He surpassed Pro Football Hall of Famer Sammy Baugh (45.1). Lechler led the AFC and finished second in the NFL in gross punting average (47.5) in Lechler, a two-time Pro Bowler, finished 2005 tied for the NFL lead in punting average at 45.7-yards per attempt. In 2005, he led the NFL for the third straight year. JORDAN CENTURY: LaMont Jordan s 121 yards on September 23 against Cleveland marked the eighth time that he has reached the 100-yard plateau in his pro career, sixth time as a Raider and the first time in the NFL that he has posted consecutive 100-yard games. Jordan rushed for a career-high 159 yards on 29 carries, also a career high, against the Broncos on September 16 at Denver. His previous high was 132 yards on versus the Cleveland Browns. The yardage against Cleveland was also the third straight year that Jordan has gained at least 100 yards against the Browns. On September 9 against the Detroit Lions, Jordan recorded a career high in receptions with nine, surpassing his high of seven, which he accomplished twice. Jordan produced 159 yards of total offense 70 yards rushing and 89 yards receiving and added a 12-yard score against Detroit. Jordan was well on his way to his third straight 100-yard game, rushing for 74 yards in the first half of the September 30 contest against the Dolphins in Miami before being sidelined with an injury just prior to halftime. LaMONT JORDAN S 100-YARD GAMES YARDS DATE OPPONENT vs. Cleveland at Denver versus Cleveland versus Cleveland versus Buffalo versus Dallas versus Miami* at San Diego* *With NY Jets

7 FIRSTS: FB Justin Griffith, who joined the Raiders as an unrestricted free agent during the offseason, scored his first touchdown as a Raider on a seven-yard pass from QB Josh McCown against Detroit on September 9. Griffith got his first rushing opportunity on September 30 versus the Dolphins in Miami, totaling five carries for 18 yards. DE/LB Chris Clemons recorded his first sack as a Raider while LB Thomas Howard posted the first sack of his pro career against Detroit on September 9. S Michael Huff recorded the first sack of his pro career when he was credited with running the Broncos QB out of bounds during the September 16 contest at Denver. TE Zach Miller recorded his first touchdown catch as pro during the October 14 contest at San Diego against the Chargers. LB Isaiah Ekejiuba and RB Dominic Rhodes both saw their first action of 2007 during the October 14 contest at San Diego against the Chargers. Ekejiuba returned from injury while Rhodes came off the suspended list. WR Johnnie Lee Higgins recorded his first reception as a pro on October 14 at San Diego, catching two passes for 15 yards. Rhodes got his first rushing carries and first reception as a Raider on October 21 versus the Kansas City Chiefs at McAfee Coliseum. Rhodes, who joined the Raiders as a free agent during the offseason, had nine carries for 21 yards with a long of 11 yards and caught a pass for 10 yards against the Chiefs. He also returned two kickoffs for 45 yards. S Jarrrod Cooper saw his first action as a Raider in 2007 and led the Silver and Black with two special teams tackles on October 21 versus the Kansas City Chiefs at McAfee Coliseum. JANIKOWSKI X 4: K Sebastian Janikowski s four field goals on September 23 against Cleveland marked the sixth time that he has converted at least four kicks in a game. He has made five field goals in a game twice. NO. DATE OPPONENT at San Diego at Chicago vs. Cleveland vs. Dallas vs. New Orleans vs. NY Jets at Kansas City IN A RUSH: The Raiders rushed for more than 175 yards for the three weeks in a row when the Silver and Black recorded a season-high 299 yards rushing on September 30 versus the Dolphins in Miami. The Raiders rushed for 186 yards on September 23 against Cleveland after posting 200 yards on the ground on September 16 at Denver versus the Broncos. The 299 yards rushing by the Raiders were the most in a game since they ran for a club-record 356 yards on November 30, 1987 at Seattle. FARGAS GOES FAR: RB Justin Fargas had a career-high in rushing on September 30 against the Dolphins in Miami when he ran for 179 yards (on 22 carries). Fargas also broke off a 48-yard run in the second half. DOUBLE BARREL BACKFIELD: Six games into the 2007 NFL regular season, the Raiders have two runners with at least 45 carries and at least 270 yards rushing. LaMont Jordan has 495 yards rushing on 113 carries while Justin Fargas has 272 yards on 46 carries. Jordan is averaging 4.4 yards per carry with a long run of 33 yards while Fargas is averaging 5.9 yards per rush with a long run of 48 yards. As a team, the Raiders are averaging 4.5 yards per rushing attempt. NO. YDS AVG. LONG TD LaMONT JORDAN JUSTIN FARGAS PEP IN HIS STEP: QB Daunte Culpepper is among the 10 highest-rated passers of all-time with at least 1,500 attempts entering the 2007 season. ATT COMP. YARDS TDS INTS RATING 2,833 1,814 21, Of those 10, eight are still active and two Steve Young and Joe Montana are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Culpepper ranks sixth on the all-time list, behind Young, Peyton Manning (Indianapolis), Kurt Warner (Arizona), Montana and Marc Bulger (St. Louis). Others in the top 10 are Chad Pennington (N.Y. Jets), Tom Brady (New England), Drew Brees (New Orleans) and Trent Green (Miami).

8 UN-DAUNTE-D: Daunte Culpepper had three rushing scores and added two touchdown passes on September 30 against the Dolphins in Miami to become only the second player in NFL history with 3+ TD runs and 2+ TD passes in one game. Jake Plummer did it on November 22, 1998 for the Arizona Cardinals. For his performance against Miami, Culpepper was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week. CURRY CATCHES: WR Ronald Curry s 10 receptions against Detroit on September 9 was the secondhighest total of his pro career, topped only by his 11 catches on against Kansas City. His 133 receiving yards were also second-most of his pro career, topped only by 141 yards on against Kansas City. Curry led the Raiders in receiving with 62 catches for 727 yards in 2006 and earned the Ed Block Courage Award for his efforts. During a three-game stretch from Weeks 14-16, he racked up 28 catches for 292 yards and a touchdown. Against Cincinnati on December 10, Curry had eight catches for 99 yards including a five-yard touchdown. Curry followed it up with nine catches for 87 yards against St. Louis. The next week, Curry set a single-game high with 11 catches for 106 yards against Kansas City. Curry has two touchdown receptions in 2007 a 4-yard catch from QB Josh McCown on September 9 against Detroit and a 41-yarder from McCown on September 23 against Cleveland. PORTER MAKES THE MOST: WR Jerry Porter made the most of his three catches on September 30 against the Dolphins in Miami. Of those passes from QB Daunte Culpepper, two went for scores of seven and 27 yards-and another was for 18 yards and a first down on third-and-five. The scores were Porter s second and third of the season and put him in the team lead in touchdown receptions on just seven receptions in Porter also had a 46-yard touchdown on September 16 against the Broncos in Denver. TIME OF POSSESSION: The Raiders dominated time of possession on September 30 at Miami, holding the ball on offense over 10 minutes longer that the Dolphins. The Raiders had the ball on offense for 62 plays and 35:07 while the Dolphins ran 47 plays and had the ball 24:53. Four games into the 2007 regular season, the Raiders are averaging 32:30 in time of possession to their opponents 27:30. FOURTH QUARTER DOMINANCE: Equally impressive was the fact that the Raiders had the ball in the important fourth quarter for all but about two minutes in the heat and humidity of Miami versus the Dolphins on September 30. The Raiders offense was on the field for 12:56, rushed for eight first downs and threw for one while Miami had the ball for 2:04 with one first down. SCORING EXPLOSION: The Raiders 35 points on September 30 versus the Dolphins in Miami was the most scored since the Raiders racked up 38 points in a win over the Buffalo Bills on October 23, NO JOSH-ING AROUND: QB Josh McCown s 313 yards passing against Detroit on September 9 marked the first time that he has surpassed the 300-yard mark since he put together back-to-back performances of 385 yards on 10/2/05 versus San Francisco and a career-high 398 yards on 10/9/05 vs. Carolina. McCown, who was acquired by the Raiders in a trade with Detroit during the offseason, also tossed his first touchdown pass as a Raider when he connected with WR Ronald Curry on a four-yard score in the third quarter of the contest against Detroit. WARREN-TING ATTENTION: DT Gerard Warren posted a sack in his third straight game when he downed the Miami quarterback for a 13-yard loss in the first quarter of the September 30 contest against the Dolphins. DE Tommy Kelly also got in on the sack action when he tackled the Miami quarterback for an 8-yard loss. MORE SACKS FOR 56: DE Derrick Burgess entered 2007 having played in the last two Pro Bowls. Burgess led the NFL with 16 sacks in 2005, finished with 11 in 16 games last season, earning a second consecutive Pro Bowl bid. Burgess finished tied for 6 th in the AFC and 11 th in the NFL. Burgess now has 27.0 sacks as a Raider since joining the Silver and Black as a free agent in SACK ATTACK: Thanks to Burgess and Sapp, the 2006 season marked the first time since 1991 that two Raiders players have recorded double-digit sacks. SPECIAL TEAMS SPECIAL: The Raiders got a blocked field goal by DE/DT Tommy Kelly to preserve a win over the Cleveland Browns on September 23. The last Raiders blocked field goal was on September 18, 2005 against Kansas City by Langston Walker. During the September 16 contest against the Broncos in Denver, the Raiders successfully executed an onside kick in the third quarter with K Sebastian Janikowski kicking and CB Chris Carr recovering.

9 SCHEDULE EXTRA POINTS This year the Raiders face members of the NFC North Chicago and Detroit at home and Green Bay and Minnesota on the road and have a cumulative record versus those teams. The Raiders also face members of the AFC South Houston and Indianapolis at home and Jacksonville and Tennessee on the road hold a cumulative record against those teams. The Silver and Black travel to Jacksonville for the first time ever. The Jaguars entered the NFL in 1995 as an expansion franchise. Cleveland travels to Oakland to face the Raiders for the third straight year; Houston travels to Oakland to face the Raiders for the second straight year. The defending Super Bowl champion is on the Raiders schedule for the third consecutive year. The Raiders face Indianapolis at home this year after facing Pittsburgh last year and New England in The Raiders play one or both participants from the previous season s Super Bowl for the sixth time in the past seven years. The Raiders play Indianapolis and Chicago this year; Pittsburgh and Seattle last year; New England and Philadelphia in 2005; Carolina in 2004, New England in 2002, and the New York Giants in The Raiders play six games versus teams that made the playoffs in 2006 with four of those contests at home at McAfee Coliseum. The Silver and Black play AFC Western Division foes Kansas City and San Diego twice, home and away, Indianapolis and Chicago both at home. The Raiders travel to Florida twice in 2007 to Miami to face the Dolphins and to Jacksonville to play the Jaguars. The Raiders travel to Green Bay and Minnesota for the first time since Indianapolis travels to Oakland for the first time since 1995; Detroit travels to Oakland for the first time since 1996 and Chicago travels to Oakland for the first time since RAIDERS VERSUS 2007 OPPONENTS 2006 FIRST LAST RAIDERS vs. OPPONENT RECORD MET MET OPPONENT Chicago Cleveland Denver Detroit Green Bay Houston Indianapolis Jacksonville Kansas City Miami Minnesota San Diego Tennessee

10 LAST WEEK: The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Oakland Raiders at McAfee Coliseum in Oakland. WR Ronald Curry caught a 21-yard TD pass from QB Daunte Culpepper, CB Stanford Routt recorded his third interception of the season, and DT Warren Sapp and DE Chris Clemons recorded quarterback sacks. On the opening possession of the game, the Chiefs drove to the Raiders 23 before having to settle for a field goal attempt. Kansas City s 41-yard field goal capped a 10-play, 57-yard drive, and gave the Chiefs a 3-0 lead with 10:40 left in the first quarter. Following a turnover, the Chiefs moved to the 14 before the Raiders forced a field goal attempt. Kansas City s successful 31-yard attempt capped a 6-play, 16-yard drive and gave Kansas City a 6-0 lead with 14:01 left in the second quarter. That score held up at the half. In the third quarter, Culpepper connected with WR Jerry Porter for a 59-yard bomb to the Chiefs 21. Culpepper then hit WR Ronald Curry in the back of the end zone for a 21-yard score. K Sebastian Janikowski s PAT gave the Raiders a 7-6 lead with 2:37 left in the third quarter. Kansas City capped a 9-play, 74-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown run. The two-point conversion attempt failed. The Chiefs led 12-7 with 11:30 left in the fourth quarter. The Raiders then drove to the Chiefs 19 before having to settle for a field goal attempt. Janikowski s 37-yard kick was true and cut the Chiefs lead to with 5:49 left in the 4th quarter. The Chiefs secured the victory on an interception with 35 seconds left. NEXT WEEK: The Raiders return home for two straight games at McAfee Coliseum on November 4 against the Houston Texans, followed by a November 11 contest versus the defending National Football Conference champion Chicago Bears OAKLAND RAIDERS SCHEDULE PRESEASON Saturday, August 11 ARIZONA CARDINALS W Saturday, August 18 at San Francisco 49ers L Friday, August 24 ST. LOUIS RAMS W Saturday, August 30 at Seattle Seahawks L REGULAR SEASON Sunday, September 9 DETROIT LIONS L Sunday, September 16 at Denver Broncos L (OT) Sunday, September 23 CLEVELAND BROWNS W Sunday, September 30 at Miami Dolphins W Sunday, October 7 BYE Sunday, October 14 at San Diego Chargers L Sunday, October 21 KANSAS CITY CHIEFS L Sunday, October 28 at Tennessee Titans 10:00 a.m. CBS Sunday, November 4 HOUSTON TEXANS 1:15 p.m. CBS Sunday, November 11 CHICAGO BEARS 1:15 p.m. FOX Sunday, November 18 at Minnesota Vikings 10:00 a.m. CBS Sunday, November 25 at Kansas City Chiefs 10:00 a.m. CBS Sunday, December 2 DENVER BRONCOS 1:05 p.m. CBS Sunday, December 9 at Green Bay Packers 10:00 a.m. CBS Sunday, December 16 INDIANAPOLIS COLTS 1:05 p.m. CBS Sunday, December 23 at Jacksonville Jaguars 10:00 a.m. CBS Sunday, December 30 SAN DIEGO CHARGERS 1:15 p.m. CBS (ALL TIMES ARE PACIFIC TIMES) 2007 RAIDERS HOME GAME CREDENTIAL REQUESTS: All credential requests must be sent to Brian Proctor via , bproctor@raiders.com. Please include the following in your request: 1) Affiliation. 2) The name(s) of all working persons requesting credentials. 3) The type of credential each person is requesting. Members of the media who have not been issued season long credentials should request single-game credentials. All game-by-game requests must be received by 5 p.m. Monday prior to the home game ROAD GAME CREDENTIAL REQUESTS: Credential requests should be made to Brian Proctor via bproctor@raiders.com. Requests must be received at least 10 days prior to an away game.

11 OAKLAND RAIDERS / WEEK 6 / THROUGH SUNDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2007 WON 2, LOST 4 * RUSHING No. Yds Avg Long TD 09/09 L Detroit 61,547 Jordan /16 L OT at Denver 76,784 Fargas /23 W Cleveland 51,075 McCown /30 W at Miami 70,621 Culpepper /14 L at San Diego 67,523 Rhodes /21 L Kansas City 62,240 Griffith /28 at Tennessee Lechler /04 Houston TEAM /11 Chicago OPPONENTS /18 at Minnesota * RECEIVING No. Yds Avg Long TD 11/25 at Kansas City Curry /02 Denver Jordan /09 at Green Bay Miller /16 Indianapolis Porter /23 at Jacksonville Griffith /30 San Diego Madsen Oak. Opp. M. Williams TOTAL FIRST DOWNS Fargas Rushing Higgins Passing Rhodes Penalty 8 4 TEAM rd Down: Made/Att 38/88 35/84 OPPONENTS rd Down Pct * INTERCEPTIONS No. Yds Avg Long TD 4th Down: Made/Att 6/9 4/4 Howard t 2 4th Down Pct Morrison POSSESSION AVG. 31:34 28:26 Routt TOTAL NET YARDS TEAM t 2 Avg. Per Game OPPONENTS Total Plays * PUNTING No. Yds Avg Net TB In Lg B Avg. Per Play Lechler NET YARDS RUSHING TEAM Avg. Per Game OPPONENTS Total Rushes * PUNT RETURNS Ret FC Yds Avg Long TD NET YARDS PASSING Higgins Avg. Per Game Carr Sacked/Yards Lost 17/113 9/72 Asomugha Gross Yards TEAM Att./Completions 161/99 184/112 OPPONENTS Completion Pct * KICKOFF RETURNS No. Yds Avg Long TD Had Intercepted 8 10 Carr PUNTS/AVERAGE 26/ /45.1 Rhodes NET PUNTING AVG. 26/ /42.7 TEAM PENALTIES/YARDS 40/288 36/232 OPPONENTS t 1 FUMBLES/BALL LOST 17/6 2/0 * FIELD GOALS TOUCHDOWNS Janikowski 0/ 0 2/ 2 3/ 3 1/ 2 0/3 Rushing 5 9 TEAM 0/ 0 2/ 2 3/ 3 1/ 2 0/3 Passing 8 6 OPPONENTS 0/ 0 6/ 6 1/ 2 3/ 5 0/1 Returns 2 1 Janikowski: (50B,46N,57N)(38G,52N)(32G,22G, * SCORE BY PERIODS Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 OT PTS 23G,48G)()()(37G) TEAM OPPONENTS: (46G,46G,23G)(23G,45N,20G,23G)(23G, OPPONENTS B)(29G)(50N)(41G,31G,30N) * SCORING TD-Ru-Pa-Rt K-PAT FG S PTS Janikowski /14 6/ Curry Culpepper Porter Howard Jordan Griffith Miller Warren TEAM /14 6/ OPPONENTS /14 10/ Pt. Conversions: Curry, TEAM 1-1, OPPONENTS 0-2 SACKS: Warren 3, Clemons 2, Howard 1, Huff 1, Kelly 1, Sapp 1, TEAM 9, OPPONENTS 17 FUM/LOST: McCown 7/1, Culpepper 3/1, Newberry 2/0, Asomugha 1/1, Higgins 1/1, Miller 1/1, Morrison 1/0, M. Williams 1/1 * PASSING Att Cmp Yds Cmp% Yds/Att TD TD% Int Int% Long Sack/Lost Rating Culpepper / McCown t 8/ Curry / TEAM / OPPONENTS /

12 2007 OAKLAND RAIDERS OFFENSIVE HIGHS, DEFENSIVE LOWS THROUGH WEEK 7 RAIDERS OPPONENTS HIGH LOW Points 35 MIA) 12 (10/21 vs. KC) First Downs 24 (9/9 vs. DET) 13 MIA) Total Offense 396 (9/23 vs. CLE) 278 MIA) Net Yards Rushing 299 MIA) 88 (9/23 vs. CLE) Net Yards Passing 283 (9/9 vs. DET) 137 MIA) Offensive Plays 69 (9/23 vs. CLE) 47 MIA) Rushing Attempts 49 MIA) 19 (9/30 vs. CLE) Pass Attempts 40 (9/9 vs. DET) 21 SD) Pass Completions 30 (9/9 vs. DET) 14, two times, last SD) Time of Possession 36:17 (9/23 vs. CLE) 23:43 (9/23 vs. CLE) Defensive Interceptions 2, four times, last MIA) 0, two times, last MIA) Total Takeaways 2, four times, last MIA) 1 MIA) Longest Drive (Plays) 15 (9/23 vs. CLE) 1, four times, last MIA) Longest Drive (Yards) 93 (9/23 vs. CLE) -14 MIA) Third Down Conversions 9 MIA) 3 MIA) Fourth Down Conversions 2 MIA) 0 (9/9 vs. DET) 2007 SINGLE-GAME INDIVIDUAL HIGHS Yards Rushing 179 Justin Fargas MIA) Rushing Attempts 29 LaMont Jordan (9/23 vs. CLE) Rushing TDs 3 Daunte Culpepper MIA) Receptions 10 Ronald Curry (9/9 vs. DET) Yards Receiving 133 Ronald Curry (9/9 vs. DET) Receiving TDs 2 Jerry Porter MIA) Total Yards from Scrimmage 179 Justin Fargas MIA) All-Purpose Yards 179 Justin Fargas MIA) Yards Passing 313 Josh McCown (9/9 vs. DET) Pass Attempts 40 Josh McCown (9/9 vs. DET) Pass Completions 30 Josh McCown (9/9 vs. DET) TD Passes 2 Josh McCown (9/9 vs. DET), Daunte Culpepper MIA) Longest Run 48 Justin Fargas MIA) Longest Pass Completion 46 from McCown to Porter DEN) Longest Kickoff Return 35 Chris Carr (9/9 vs. DET) Longest Punt Return 6 Johnnie Lee Higgins DEN) Longest Int. Return 45 Kirk Morrison (9/23 vs. CLE) Longest Punt 69 Shane Lechler (9/23 vs. CLE) Longest Field Goal 48 Sebastian Janikowski (9/23 vs. CLE) Touchdowns Scored 3 Daunte Culpepper MIA) Points Scored 18 Daunte Culpepper MIA) 2007 SEASON LEADERS Yards Rushing 466 LaMont Jordan Rushing Attempts 102 LaMont Jordan Rushing TDs 3 Daunte Culpepper Receptions 22 Ronald Curry Yards Receiving 296 Ronald Curry Receiving TDs 3 Jerry Porte Total Yards From Scrimmage 640 LaMont Jordan All-Purpose Yards 640 LaMont Jordan (466 rushing, 174 receiving) Yards Passing 494 Josh McCown Pass Attempts 68 Josh McCown Pass Completions 44 Josh McCown TD Passes 4 Josh McCown Touchdowns Scored 3 Daunte Culpepper, Jerry Porter Points Scored 28 Sebastian Janikowski

13 2007 OAKLAND RAIDERS GAME-BY-GAME STATISTICS (OFFENSE) 9/9 9/16 9/23 9/30 10/14 10/21 10/28 11/4 11/11 11/18 11/25 12/2 12/9 12/16 #### 12/30 VS VS DET DEN CLE MIA SD KC TEN HOU CHI MIN KC DEN GB IND JAC SD FIRST DOWNS Total Rush Pass Penalty THIRD DOWNS Attempts Converted Percentage TOTAL OFFENSE Net Yards Plays Avg./Play RUSHING Net Yards Attempts Avg./Att PASSING Gross Yards Attempts Completions Intercepted Net Yards Sacked Yards Lost RAIDER PENALTIES Number Yards FUMBLES Number Lost SCORING Points TD Rushing TD Passing TD KO Returns TD Punt Returns TD Defensive Returns Other (Blocked Kicks) Safeties FG Attempts FG Made

14 2007 OAKLAND RAIDERS GAME-BY-GAME STATISTICS (DEFENSE) 9/9 9/16 9/23 9/30 10/14 10/21 10/28 11/4 11/11 11/18 11/25 12/2 12/9 12/16 12/23 12/30 VS VS DET DEN CLE MIA SD KC TEN HOU CHI MIN KC DEN GB IND JAC SD FIRST DOWNS Total Rush Pass Penalty THIRD DOWNS Attempts Converted Percentage 46% 53% 36% 27% 50% 35% TOTAL OFFENSE Net Yards Plays Avg./Play RUSHING Net Yards Rush. Att Avg./Att PASSING Gross Yards Attempts Completions Intercepted Net Yards Sacked Yards Lost OPPONENT PENALTIES Number Yards FUMBLES Number Lost SCORING Points TD Rushing TD Passing TD KO Returns TD Punt Returns TD Defensive Returns Other (Blocked Kicks) Safeties FG Attempts FG Made

15 1 THE OAKLAND RAIDERS ALPHABETICAL ROSTER (AS OF 10/22/07) NO NAME POS HT WT D.O.B. AGE EXP COLLEGE HOMETOWN HOW ACQ. P S DNP INA 94 Jon Alston LB /4/ Stanford Los Angeles, CA FA-' Nnamdi Asomugha CB /6/ California Los Angeles, CA D1-' John Bowie CB /11/84 23 R Cincinnati Columbus, OH D4-' Tyler Brayton DE /20/ Colorado Pasco, WA D1-' Ricky Brown LB /27/ Boston College Cincinnati, OH FA-' Derrick Burgess DE /12/ Mississippi Greenbelt, MD UFA-'05 PHI Cooper Carlisle G /11/ Florida McComb, MS UFA-'07 DEN Chris Carr CB /30/ Boise State Reno, NV FA-' Chris Clemons LB/DE /30/ Georgia Griffin, GA FA-' Jon Condo LS/LB /26/ Maryland Philipsburg, PA FA-' Jarrod Cooper S /31/ Kansas State Pearland, TX FA-' Daunte Culpepper QB /28/ Central Florida Ocala, FL FA-' Ronald Curry WR /28/ North Carolina Hampton, VA D7-' Isaiah Ekejiuba LB /5/ Virginia Somerset, NJ FA-' Hiram Eugene S /24/ Louisiana Tech Jeanerette, LA FA-' Justin Fargas RB /25/ Southern California Sherman Oaks, CA D3-' Robert Gallery G /26/ Iowa Masonville, IA D1-' Cornell Green T /25/ Central Florida St. Petersburg, FL FA-' Justin Griffith RB /21/ Mississippi State Magee, MS UFA-'07 ATL Jake Grove C /22/ Virginia Tech Forest, VA D2-' Mario Henderson T /29/84 22 R Florida State Lehigh Acres, FL D3-' Johnnie Lee Higgins WR /8/83 24 R UTEP Sweeny, TX D3-' Thomas Howard LB /14/ Texas-El Paso Lubbock, TX D2-' Michael Huff S /6/ Texas Irving, TX D1-' Sebastian Janikowski K /2/ Florida State Daytona Beach, FL D1-' Chris Johnson CB /25/ Louisvile Longview, TX UFA-'07 KC LaMont Jordan RB /11/ Maryland Suitland, MD UFA-'05 NYJ Tommy Kelly DE/DT /27/ Mississippi State Jackson, MS FA-' Shane Lechler P /7/ Texas A&M Sealy, TX D5-' John Madsen TE /9/ Utah West Valley City UT FA-' Josh McCown QB /4/ Sam Houston State Jacksonville, TX TR-'07 DET Paul McQuistan G /30/ Weber State Lebanon, OR D3-' Zach Miller TE /11/85 21 R Arizona State Phoenix, AZ D2-' Chris Morris C /2/ Michigan State Temperance, MI D7-' Kirk Morrison LB /19/ San Diego State Oakland, CA D3-' Jeremy Newberry C /23/ California Antioch, CA UFA-'07 SF Oren O'Neal RB /8/83 24 R Arkansas State Stuttgart, AR D6-' Jerry Porter WR /14/ West Virginia Washington, DC D2-' Dominic Rhodes RB /17/ Midwestern State Abilene, TX UFA'07 IND Jay Richardson DE /27/84 23 R Ohio State Washington D.C. D5-' Stanford Routt CB /26/ Houston Austin, TX D2-' JaMarcus Russell QB /9/85 22 R LSU Mobile, AL D1-' Terdell Sands DT /31/ Tenn. Chattanooga Chattanooga, TN WAI-' Warren Sapp DT /19/ Miami (FL) Plymouth, FL UFA-'04 TB Stuart Schweigert S /21/ Purdue Saginaw, MI D3-' Barry Sims T /1/ Utah Park City, UT FA-' Tony Stewart TE /9/ Penn State Allentown, PA UFA-'07 CIN Robert Thomas LB /17/ UCLA El Centro, CA FA-' Andrew Walter QB /11/ Arizona State Grand Junction, CO D3-' Gerard Warren DT /25/ Florida Lake City, FL TR-'07 DEN Fabian Washington CB /9/ Nebraska Bradenton, FL D1-' Mike Williams WR /4/ Southern California Tampa, FL TR-'07 DET Sam Williams LB /28/ Fresno State Clayton, CA D3-' RESERVE/PHYSICALLY UNABLE TO PERFORM 29 Michael Bush RB /16/84 23 R Louisville Louisville, KY D4-'07 RESERVE/INJURED 18 Jonathan Holland WR /18/85 22 R Louisiana Tech Archibald, LA D7-'07 42 ReShard Lee RB /12/ Middle Tennessee St. Brunswick, GA FA-'06 47 Fred Wakefield TE /17/ Illinois Tuscola, IL UFA-'07 ARI

16 1 THE OAKLAND RAIDERS NUMERICAL ROSTER (AS OF 10/22/07) NO NAME POS HT WT D.O.B. AGE EXP COLLEGE HOMETOWN HOW ACQ. P S DNP INA 2 JaMarcus Russell QB /9/85 22 R LSU Mobile, AL D1-' Daunte Culpepper QB /28/ Central Florida Ocala, FL FA-' Shane Lechler P /7/ Texas A&M Sealy, TX D5-' Sebastian Janikowski K /2/ Florida State Daytona Beach, FL D1-' Josh McCown QB /4/ Sam Houston State Jacksonville, TX TR-'07 DET Johnnie Lee Higgins WR /8/83 24 R UTEP Sweeny, TX D3-' Andrew Walter QB /11/ Arizona State Grand Junction, CO D3-' Mike Williams WR /4/ Southern California Tampa, FL TR-'07 DET Nnamdi Asomugha CB /6/ California Los Angeles, CA D1-' Chris Carr CB /30/ Boise State Reno, NV FA-' Michael Huff S /6/ Texas Irving, TX D1-' Justin Fargas RB /25/ Southern California Sherman Oaks, CA D3-' Stanford Routt CB /26/ Houston Austin, TX D2-' Fabian Washington CB /9/ Nebraska Bradenton, FL D1-' Stuart Schweigert S /21/ Purdue Saginaw, MI D3-' Hiram Eugene S /24/ Louisiana Tech Jeanerette, LA FA-' Dominic Rhodes RB /17/ Midwestern State Abilene, TX UFA'07 IND LaMont Jordan RB /11/ Maryland Suitland, MD UFA-'05 NYJ John Bowie CB /11/84 23 R Cincinnati Columbus, OH D4-' Justin Griffith RB /21/ Mississippi State Magee, MS UFA-'07 ATL Chris Johnson CB /25/ Louisvile Longview, TX UFA-'07 KC Jarrod Cooper S /31/ Kansas State Pearland, TX FA-' Oren O'Neal RB /8/83 24 R Arkansas State Stuttgart, AR D6-' Isaiah Ekejiuba LB /5/ Virginia Somerset, NJ FA-' Chris Morris C /2/ Michigan State Temperance, MI D7-' Kirk Morrison LB /19/ San Diego State Oakland, CA D3-' Thomas Howard LB /14/ Texas-El Paso Lubbock, TX D2-' Sam Williams LB /28/ Fresno State Clayton, CA D3-' Robert Thomas LB /17/ UCLA El Centro, CA FA-' Derrick Burgess DE /12/ Mississippi Greenbelt, MD UFA-'05 PHI Ricky Brown LB /27/ Boston College Cincinnati, OH FA-' Chris Clemons LB/DE /30/ Georgia Griffin, GA FA-' Jon Condo LS/LB /26/ Maryland Philipsburg, PA FA-' Gerard Warren DT /25/ Florida Lake City, FL TR-'07 DEN Jeremy Newberry C /23/ California Antioch, CA UFA-'07 SF Jake Grove C /22/ Virginia Tech Forest, VA D2-' Barry Sims T /1/ Utah Park City, UT FA-' Cooper Carlisle G /11/ Florida McComb, MS UFA-'07 DEN Cornell Green T /25/ Central Florida St. Petersburg, FL FA-' Mario Henderson T /29/84 22 R Florida State Lehigh Acres, FL D3-' Robert Gallery G /26/ Iowa Masonville, IA D1-' Paul McQuistan G /30/ Weber State Lebanon, OR D3-' Zach Miller TE /11/85 21 R Arizona State Phoenix, AZ D2-' Jerry Porter WR /14/ West Virginia Washington, DC D2-' John Madsen TE /9/ Utah West Valley City UT FA-' Tony Stewart TE /9/ Penn State Allentown, PA UFA-'07 CIN Ronald Curry WR /28/ North Carolina Hampton, VA D7-' Terdell Sands DT /31/ Tenn. Chattanooga Chattanooga, TN WAI-' Tyler Brayton DE /20/ Colorado Pasco, WA D1-' Tommy Kelly DE/DT /27/ Mississippi State Jackson, MS FA-' Jon Alston LB /4/ Stanford Los Angeles, CA FA-' Jay Richardson DE /27/84 23 R Ohio State Washington D.C. D5-' Warren Sapp DT /19/ Miami (FL) Plymouth, FL UFA-'04 TB RESERVE/PHYSICALLY UNABLE TO PERFORM 29 Michael Bush RB /16/84 23 R Louisville Louisville, KY D4-'07 RESERVE/INJURED 18 Jonathan Holland WR /18/85 22 R Louisiana Tech Archibald, LA D7-'07 42 ReShard Lee RB /12/ Middle Tennessee St. Brunswick, GA FA-'06 47 Fred Wakefield TE /17/ Illinois Tuscola, IL UFA-'07 ARI

17 THE OAKLAND RAIDERS UNOFFICIAL DEPTH CHART (AS OF 10/22/07) OFFENSE WR 89 R. Curry 15 J. Higgins LT 65 B. Sims 75 M. Henderson LG 76 R. Gallery 79 P. McQuistan C 62 J. Newberry 64 J. Grove 51 C. Morris RG 66 C. Carlisle 79 P. McQuistan RT 74 C. Green 75 M. Henderson TE 80 Z. Miller 85 J. Madsen 86 T. Stewart WR 84 J. Porter 17 M. Williams FB 36 J. Griffith 46 O. O'Neal RB 34 L. Jordan 25 J. Fargas 33 D. Rhodes QB 8 D. Culpepper 12 J. McCown 16 A. Walter/ 2 J. Russell DEFENSE DE 93 T. Kelly 98 J. Richardson DT 99 W. Sapp 91 T. Brayton DT 61 G. Warren 90 T. Sands DE 56 D. Burgess 58 C. Clemons OLB 54 S. Williams 55 R. Thomas MLB 52 K. Morrison 57 R. Brown OLB 53 T. Howard 50 I. Ekejiuba 94 J. Alston SS 24 M. Huff 40 J. Cooper FS 30 S. Schweigert 31 H. Eugene CB 21 N. Asomugha 23 C. Carr 37 C. Johnson CB 26 S. Routt 27 F. Washington 35 J. Bowie SPECIALISTS K 11 S. Janikowski P 9 S. Lechler KC 59 J. Condo 51 C. Morris KOR 23 C. Carr 15 J. Higgins PR 15 J. Higgins 23 C. Carr H 9 S. Lechler Rookies and first-year players are underlined;injured players are in italics 2007 COACHING STAFF LANE KIFFIN, Head Coach Greg Knapp, Offensive Coordinator; Rob Ryan, Defensive Coordinator; Willie Brown, Defensive Backs, Squad Development; Tom Cable, Offensive Line; Charles Coe III, Wide Receivers; James Cregg, Assistant Offensive Line; John DeFilippo, Quarterbacks; Jeff Fish, Strength & Conditioning; Curtis Fuller, Quality Control, Special Teams; Randy Hanson, Asst. Defensive Backs; Adam Henry, Quality Control, Offense; Don Johnson, Assistant Defensive Line; Sanjay Lal, Quality Control, Offense; Don Martindale, Linebackers; George Martinez, Quality Control, Defense; Keith Millard, Defensive Line; Darren Perry, Defensive Backs; Tom Rathman, Running Backs; Brian Schneider, Special Teams Coordinator; Kelly Skipper, Tight Ends PRONUNCIATION GUIDE Nnamdi Asomugha Daunte Culpepper Isaiah Ekejiuba Hiram Eugene Sebastian Janikowski Shane Lechler Paul McQuistan Dominic Rhodes Stanford Routt Stuart Schweigert NAHM-Dee Asso-Moo-WAH Don-tay Eck-E-joo-bah Hi-Rum JAN-Ah-COW-Sk LECK-Ler MIC-Qwist-Ann DOM-n-NEEK Sounds like "OUT" SHWHY-Gurt

18 THE OAKLAND RAIDERS BY POSITION ROSTER (AS OF 10/22/07) NO NAME POS HT WT D.O.B. AGE EXP COLLEGE HOMETOWN HOW ACQ. OFFENSIVE LINE (9) 51 Chris Morris C /2/ Michigan State Temperance, MI D7-'06 62 Jeremy Newberry C /23/ California Antioch, CA UFA-'07 SF 64 Jake Grove C /22/ Virginia Tech Forest, VA D2-'04 65 Barry Sims T /1/ Utah Park City, UT FA-'99 66 Cooper Carlisle G /11/ Florida McComb, MS UFA-'07 DEN 74 Cornell Green T /25/ Central Florida St. Petersburg, FL FA-'07 75 Mario Henderson T /29/84 22 R Florida State Lehigh Acres, FL D3-'07 76 Robert Gallery G /26/ Iowa Masonville, IA D1-'04 79 Paul McQuistan G /30/ Weber State Lebanon, OR D3-'06 QUARTERBACKS (4) 2 JaMarcus Russell QB /9/85 22 R LSU Mobile, AL D1-'07 8 Daunte Culpepper QB /28/ Central Florida Ocala, FL FA-'07 12 Josh McCown QB /4/ Sam Houston State Jacksonville, TX TR-'07 DET 16 Andrew Walter QB /11/ Arizona State Grand Junction, CO D3-'05 RUNNING BACKS (6) 25 Justin Fargas RB /25/ Southern California Sherman Oaks, CA D3-'03 29 Michael Bush RB /16/84 23 R Louisville Louisville, KY D4-'07 33 Dominic Rhodes RB /17/ Midwestern State Abilene, TX UFA'07 IND 34 LaMont Jordan RB /11/ Maryland Suitland, MD UFA-'05 NYJ 36 Justin Griffith RB /21/ Mississippi State Magee, MS UFA-'07 ATL 46 Oren O'Neal RB /8/83 24 R Arkansas State Stuttgart, AR D6-'07 TIGHT ENDS (3) 80 Zach Miller TE /11/85 21 R Arizona State Phoenix, AZ D2-'07 85 John Madsen TE /9/ Utah West Valley City UT FA-'06 86 Tony Stewart TE /9/ Penn State Allentown, PA UFA-'07 CIN WIDE RECEIVERS (4) 15 Johnnie Lee Higgins WR /8/83 24 R UTEP Sweeny, TX D3-'07 17 Mike Williams WR /4/ Southern California Tampa, FL TR-'07 DET 84 Jerry Porter WR /14/ West Virginia Washington, DC D2-'00 89 Ronald Curry WR /28/ North Carolina Hampton, VA D7-'02 DEFENSIVE BACKS (10) 21 Nnamdi Asomugha CB /6/ California Los Angeles, CA D1-'03 23 Chris Carr CB /30/ Boise State Reno, NV FA-'05 24 Michael Huff S /6/ Texas Irving, TX D1-'06 26 Stanford Routt CB /26/ Houston Austin, TX D2-'05 27 Fabian Washington CB /9/ Nebraska Bradenton, FL D1-'05 30 Stuart Schweigert S /21/ Purdue Saginaw, MI D3-'04 31 Hiram Eugene S /24/ Louisiana Tech Jeanerette, LA FA-'06 35 John Bowie CB /11/84 23 R Cincinnati Columbus, OH D4-'07 37 Chris Johnson CB /25/ Louisvile Longview, TX UFA-'07 KC 40 Jarrod Cooper S Kansas State DEFENSIVE LINE (8) 56 Derrick Burgess DE /12/ Mississippi Greenbelt, MD UFA-'05 PHI 58 Chris Clemons DE/LB /30/ Georgia Griffin, GA FA-'07 61 Gerard Warren DT /25/ Florida Lake City, FL TR-'07 DEN 90 Terdell Sands DT /31/ Tenn. Chattanooga Chattanooga, TN WAI-'03 91 Tyler Brayton DE /20/ Colorado Pasco, WA D1-'03 93 Tommy Kelly DE/DT /27/ Mississippi State Jackson, MS FA-'04 98 Jay Richardson DE /27/84 23 R Ohio State Washington D.C. D5-'07 99 Warren Sapp DT /19/ Miami (FL) Plymouth, FL UFA-'04 TB LINEBACKERS (8) 50 Isaiah Ekejiuba LB /5/ Virginia Somerset, NJ FA-'05 52 Kirk Morrison LB /19/ San Diego State Oakland, CA D3-'05 53 Thomas Howard LB /14/ Texas-El Paso Lubbock, TX D2-'06 54 Sam Williams LB /28/ Fresno State Clayton, CA D3-'03 55 Robert Thomas LB /17/ UCLA El Centro, CA FA-'06 57 Ricky Brown LB /27/ Boston College Cincinnati, OH FA Jon Condo LS/LB /26/ Maryland Philipsburg, PA FA-'06 94 Jon Alston LB /4/ Stanford Los Angeles, CA FA-'07 SPECIALISTS (2) 9 Shane Lechler P /2/ Texas A&M Sealy, TX D5-'00 11 Sebastian Janikowski K /2/ Florida State Daytona Beach, FL D1-'00

19 THE OAKLAND RAIDERS 2007 GAME-BY-GAME STARTERS OFFENSE WR LT LG C RG RT TE WR RB FB QB 9/9 VS DET Porter Sims Gallery Newberry Carlisle Green Miller Curry Jordan Griffith McCown DEN Porter Sims Gallery Grove Carlisle Green Miller Curry Jordan Griffith McCown 9/23 VS CLE Porter Sims Gallery Grove Carlisle Green Miller Curry Jordan Griffith McCown MIA Porter Sims Gallery Newberry Carlisle Green Miller Curry Jordan Griffith Culpepper SD Porter Sims Gallery Newberry Carlisle Green Miller Curry Jordan Madsen (XTE) Culpepper 10/21 VS KC Porter Sims Gallery Newberry Carlisle Green Miller Higgins Jordan Griffith Culpepper TEN 11/4 VS HOU 11/11 VS CHI MIN KC 12/2 VS DEN GB 12/16 VS IND JAX 12/30 VS SD DEFENSE DE DT DT DE OLB MLB OLB CB CB SS FS 9/9 VS DET Kelly Sapp Sands Burgess S. Williams Morrison Howard Asomugha Washington Huff Schweigert DEN Kelly Sapp Sands Burgess S. Williams Morrison Howard Asomugha Washington Huff Schweigert 9/23 VS CLE Kelly Sapp Warren Richardson S. Williams Morrison Howard Asomugha Routt Huff Schweigert MIA Kelly Sapp Warren Richardson S. Williams Morrison Howard Asomugha Routt Huff Schweigert SD Richardson Sapp Kelly Burgess Thomas Morrison Howard Asomugha Routt Huff Schweigert 10/21 VS KC Richardson Sapp Sands Burgess Thomas Morrison Howard Asomugha Routt Huff Schweigert TEN 11/4 VS HOU 11/11 VS CHI MIN KC 12/2 VS DEN GB 12/16 VS IND JAX 12/30 VS SD

20 THE OAKLAND RAIDERS 2007 PARTICIPATION CHART 9/9 VS 9/23 VS 10/21 VS 11/4 VS 11/11 VS 12/2 VS 12/16 VS 12/30 VS DET DEN CLE MIA SD KC TEN HOU CHI MIN KC DEN GB IND JAX SD Jon Alston PS PS SUB SUB SUB SUB Nnamdi Asomugha CB CB CB CB CB CB John Bowie INA INA INA INA INA INA Tyler Brayton SUB SUB SUB SUB SUB SUB Ricky Brown SUB SUB SUB SUB SUB SUB Derrick Burgess DE DE INA INA DE DE Cooper Carlisle RG RG RG RG RG RG Chris Carr SUB SUB SUB SUB SUB SUB Chris Clemons SUB SUB SUB SUB SUB SUB Jon Condo SUB SUB SUB SUB SUB SUB Jarrod Cooper NWT NWT NWT NWT INA SUB Daunte Culpepper DNP DNP SUB QB QB QB Ronald Curry WR WR WR WR WR SUB Adimchinobe Echemandu INA INA SUB SUB WAI WAI Isaiah Ekejiuba INA INA INA INA SUB SUB Hiram Eugene SUB SUB SUB SUB SUB SUB Justin Fargas SUB SUB SUB SUB SUB SUB Robert Gallery LG LG LG LG LG LG Cornell Green RT RT RT RT RT RT Justin Griffith FB FB FB FB SUB FB Jake Grove SUB C C SUB SUB SUB Mario Henderson INA INA INA INA INA INA Johnnie Lee Higgins SUB SUB SUB SUB SUB WR Thomas Howard OLB OLB OLB OLB OLB OLB Michael Huff SS SS SS SS SS SS Sebastian Janikowski SUB SUB SUB SUB SUB SUB Chris Johnson SUB SUB SUB SUB SUB INA LaMont Jordan RB RB RB RB RB RB Tommy Kelly DE DE DE DE DT SUB Shane Lechler SUB SUB SUB SUB SUB SUB John Madsen SUB SUB SUB SUB XTE SUB Josh McCown QB QB QB INA INA INA Paul McQuistan SUB SUB SUB SUB SUB SUB Zach Miller TE TE TE TE TE TE Chris Morris INA DNP SUB DNP INA INA Kirk Morrison MLB MLB MLB MLB MLB MLB Jeremy Newberry C INA DNP C C C Oren O'Neal SUB SUB INA INA SUB SUB Jerry Porter WR WR WR WR WR WR Jay Richardson SUB SUB DE DE DE DE Dominic Rhodes SUS SUS SUS SUS SUB SUB Stanford Routt SUB SUB CB CB CB CB JaMarcus Russell UNS EXE EXE INA INA INA Terdell Sands DT DT SUB SUB SUB DT Warren Sapp DT DT DT DT DT DT Stuart Schweigert FS FS FS FS FS FS Barry Sims LT LT LT LT LT LT Duane Starks INA INA INA WAI WAI WAI Tony Stewart SUB SUB SUB SUB SUB SUB Travis Taylor INA SUB WAI WAI WAI WAI Robert Thomas SUB SUB INA INA OLB OLB Andrew Walter INA INA INA DNP DNP DNP B.J. Ward SUB SUB SUB SUB WAI WAI Gerard Warren SUB SUB DT DT INA INA Fabian Washington CB CB SUB SUB SUB SUB Mike Williams SUB INA SUB SUB SUB SUB Sam Williams OLB OLB OLB OLB INA INA INA-Inactive; SUB-Substitute; NWT-Not with team; DNP-Did not play; UNS-Unsigned; WAI-Waived; SUS-Suspended; EXE-Exempt; PS-Practice Squad

21 ADDITIONAL BIOS

22

23 94 JON ALSTON, LB BORN: June 4, RAIDERS: 1 NFL: 2 COLLEGE: STANFORD St. Louis Rams, Signed by Raiders as free agent in September, PRO: Signed to Raiders practice squad in September 2007 and promoted to active roster prior to September 23 contest versus Cleveland Spent 2007 training camp and preseason with St. Louis Rams before being released in final roster cutdown 2006: Played in three league games for St. Louis Rams as reserve linebacker and on special teams Entered NFL as third round selection by St. Louis Rams in 2006 COLLEGE: As a senior, named All-Pac 10 honorable mention Began season with eight tackles (three solo) and one sack against Navy Had eight tackles (four solo), one pass defensed, and one sack vs. Washington State Posted nine tackles (seven solo) with three sacks vs. Arizona State.Second-team all-pac 10 as a junior and was only player in Pac 10 to finish among top six in sacks (fourth), forced fumbles (tied for fifth), and tackles for loss (sixth with 14.0) eight tackles (four solo) and forced fumble on RB Reggie Bush vs. USC Posted season-high 10 tackles (six solo), one sack, and one fumble recovery against Notre Dame Exploded for four sacks against Arizona State, forcing and recovering a fumble Had season-high seven tackles and one sack against Arizona as redshirt freshman In second collegiate game as redshirt freshman, made four tackles, one sack, and one forced fumble vs. San Jose State. PERSONAL: One of the top linebackers in the southern United States... Registered 134 tackles and 21 tackles-forloss in his senior season at Loyola College Prep School... Named to SuperPrep's All-Southwest Region team as a senior... Class AA First-Team All-State, All-City and All-District selection as a senior... Was also named All-District at running back... First-Team Academic All-State... Named First-Team All-District and Academic All-District after his junior campaign... Played free safety, middle linebacker and tight end as a sophomore... First-Team All-District as a sophomore... Started at running back as a freshman... Member of the National Honor Society... A 2000 Wendy's High School Heisman Student... Named a Presidential Scholar in 2000.

24 8 DAUNTE CULPEPPER, QB BORN: February 26, RAIDERS: 1 NFL: 9 COLLEGE: CENTRAL FLORIDA Minnesota, ; Miami, Signed by Raiders as free agent in July, PRO: Entered the 2007 season the third highest completion percentage among active quarterbacks (64.2) Three Pro Bowl appearances (2000, 2003, 2004) 2006 In only season with Miami Dolphins, started 4 games before a knee injury ended his season Threw for 929 yards and 2 TDs 2005 With Minnesota Vikings, started 7 games before a knee injury ended his season Completed 64.4% of his passes for 1564 yards and 6 TDs 2004 Led the Vikings to the playoffs in his best season as a pro Set career highs in completion percentage (69.2), yards (4717), touchdown passes (39), and QB rating (110.9) Led the NFL in passing yards and led the NFC in touchdown passes Third Pro Bowl appearance Threw for five touchdowns three times and four touchdowns twice Passed for 396 yards and 5 touchdowns against the Texans including the game winning 50 yard TD pass in a overtime victory Led the Vikings on two fourth quarter touchdown drives to beat the Lions Passed for 284 yards and 4 touchdowns in the Wild Card playoff game to beat Green Bay Threw for 3479 yards and 25 touchdowns in 14 games Elected to second Pro Bowl Threw for three touchdowns in the season opener at Lambeau Field to lead the Vikings to a victory vs. Green Bay Passed for a season high four touchdowns against San Diego 2002 Finished the season with 3853 yards and 18 touchdown passes Had his best game in Week 15 against New Orleans when he threw for a season-high 312 yards and ran for a season-high 73 yards in a victory Led the team on a touchdown drive in the final minutes of the game and ran for the two point conversion to win the game Completed at least 69% of his passes in each of the final three games as the Vikings went Passed for 2612 yards and 14 touchdowns in 11 games Threw for a season-high 4 touchdowns in a win vs. the defending NFC champion Giants...Missed the final 5 games of the season with an injury 2000 Tied for the NFL lead in passing touchdowns (33) and finished fourth in QB rating (98.0) in his first full season as the starting QB Led the Vikings to an 11-5 record and a trip to the NFC Conference game Had 8 three-touchdown performances, including one against the Saints in the Divisional playoff game Led the team to fourth quarter comeback wins against Chicago and Buffalo Selected to his first Pro Bowl 1999 Drafted 11 th overall by the Vikings played in 1 games. COLLEGE: Led UCF to its best record ever at 9-2 Consensus preseason first-team All-American Completed 296 of 402 attempts (.736) for 3,690 yards and 28 touchdowns with only seven interceptions Carried the ball 141 times for 463 yards and 12 touchdowns Finished the year third in the nation in passing efficiency at First team All- American by the Sports Network and NFL Draft Report Named Player of the Year by the Sports Network Finalist for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, semifinalist for the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award and finished sixth in the Heisman Trophy balloting Positive Performer by USA Today Online for community service and academics Led the Golden Knights at one point in the game to scores on eight straight possessions, including five consecutive touchdowns Became the school's all-time leader in total offense As a junior had a record-setting year while leading a young Division I-A program into Nebraska as well as the stadiums of four established SEC foes...voted the Florida Sports Hall of Fame's People's Choice Award winner as male amateur athlete of the year in Florida...finished fourth in the nation in total offense with an average of 320 yards per game and 15th in passing efficiency with a rating of Named a finalist for the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award, a semifinalist for the Football News Offensive Player of the Year, and First-Team All-American by the NFL Draft Report Set 15 school records during the course of the season, most notably single-season passing yards (3,086) and single-season total offense (3,524). As a sophomore was a pre-season All-American Completed 187 of 314 passes (.596) for 2,565 yards with 19 touchdowns Named UCF's Offensive MVP Completed 168 of 294 passes (.571) for 2,071 yards with 12 touchdowns as a freshman...named UCF's Most Outstanding Offensive Rookie. PERSONAL: Graduated from Ocala, Florida's Vanguard High School in 1995 where he set the school record for career passing with 6,107 yards and 57 touchdowns Rushed for 927 yards and 26 touchdowns Passed for 3,074 yards with 31 touchdowns and rushed for 602 yards as a senior, earning All-America honors and the title "Mr. Football" by the Florida Athletic Coaches Association Led Vanguard to its first undefeated regular season and the Class 5A state championship game Lettered in basketball, baseball and weightlifting at Vanguard Drafted by the New York Yankees in the 26th round Named to the honor roll as a senior.

25 61 GERARD WARREN, DT BORN: July 25, RAIDERS: 1 NFL: 7 COLLEGE: FLORIDA Cleveland, ; Denver, Acquired by Raiders in trade with Denver in August, PRO: Entered NFL as third pick overall by Cleveland in 2001 and acquired by Raiders in 2007 preseason trade with Denver 2006 In his second season as a Bronco, started all 15 games that he played in Posted 51 tackles (32 solo), 2.5 sacks and two passes defensed while recording at least six tackles in a game three times during the season Placed second among the club s defensive linemen with six tackles (5 solo) in the season opener at St. Louis (9/10) before leading the unit with a season-high eight tackles (4 solo) in the home opener vs. Kansas City (9/17)...Tied for the lead among his position group with six tackles (4 solo) on Sunday Night Football at New England (9/24)...Recorded two solo stops, including a 5-yard sack, at Arizona (12/17) 2005 In his first season with the Broncos after being acquired him from Cleveland in an off-season trade, started all 16 regular season games as a vital member of the NFL s second-ranked run defense (85.2 ypg) Placed second among Broncos defensive linemen with 42 tackles (22 solo) while amassing three sacks, three passes defensed and one forced fumble Helped Denver allow the third fewest points in franchise history (258) Also saw brief action as a lead blocker in goal-line situations during the year Made six tackles (4 solo) in two postseason games 2004 Started 13 games at defensive tackle for Cleveland Recorded 38 tackles (21 solo), four sacks and a team-high three forced fumbles Ranked third on the team in sacks and tied for second on the team with 21 quarterback pressures 2003 Played in all 16 regular season games, including 15 starts at LDT Recorded 64 tackles, including 22 solo and 6 tackles for loss, a career-high 5.5 sacks, 34 QB pressures and 2 fumble recoveries His 34 QB pressures led the team and 5.5 sacks ranked third on the club.2002 In his second season with the Browns started all 16 regular season games at LDT and totaled 54 tackles, including 34 solo and 3 tackles for loss Tied for second on the club with 9 QB hits and was third with 25 QB pressures Added 2 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and 2 fumble recoveries 2001 Made an immediate impact on the Browns defensive line during his rookie campaign Started 15 games at LDT Recorded 78 tackles, including 63 solo and ranked third on the club with 5 sacks Led the club with 34 QB pressures His 5 sacks ranked fourth in the AFC and sixth in the NFL among rookies Drafted third overall by Cleveland in the 2001 NFL Draft. COLLEGE: Was one of the top interior defensive linemen in the country at the University of Florida where he posted 159 career tackles (91 solo), 9.5 sacks, and 30 tackles for loss in 35 games (22 starts) A first-team All-SEC selection as a junior, he was rated the best defensive tackle in college football and an All-America Dream Team selection by The NFL Draft Report in 2000 Instrumental in the Gators SEC Championship victory against Auburn in 2000 and received the team s Most Inspirational Player Award One of five team captains, Warren started the first seven games of his junior season at left defensive tackle before switching to the right side for the final four contests 2000 In his final year at Florida he posted 76 tackles (45 solo) along with 4.5 sacks and 12 tackles for loss Led the Gators with 23 QB pressures and added one forced fumble 1999 As a sophomore, Warren was named a second-team All-SEC choice Co-recipient of Florida s Best Effort Award, started 10 games (five at each DT position) and recorded 52 tackles, 2 sacks and 13 tackles for loss Posted a team-high 19 quarterback pressures and broke up three passes 1998 Played in 10 games as a redshirt freshman, recording 27 tackles (14 solo) and 2 sacks Started at defensive tackle against Florida State 1997 Played the first three games before being granted a medical redshirt due to a knee injury. PERSONAL: Named to PrepStar's All-America Dream Team and was ranked among the nation's Top-10 defensive linemen by PrepStar at Union County High School in Lake Butler, Florida Posted 36 career sacks for Union County and was tabbed a SuperPrep All-American Named to Florida's prestigious Super Seniors Team Was a first-team all-state (3A) selection for two seasons, helping Union County to three state titles and a 49-4 overall record Secondteam All-America selection by USA Today Chosen as SuperPrep's Dixie Defensive Player-of-the-Year.

26

27 2007 GAME SUMMARIES

28

29 Game 1 Detroit 36, at Oakland 21 September 9, 2007 Raiders Lions SCORING (Game Clock) Lions Williams 13 Yd. Pass from Kitna (Hanson kick) 8:34 Lions Hanson 46 Yd. Field Goal 01:13 Lions Johnson 16 Yd. Pass from Kitna (Hanson Kick) 09:21 Raiders Curry 4 Yd. Pass from McCown (Janikowski Kick) 03:53 Raiders Jordan 12 Yd. Run (Janikowski Kick) 00:55 Lions Hanson 46 Yd. Field Goal 12:19 Raiders Griffith 7 Yd. Pass from McCown (Janikowski kick) 07:49 Lions McDonald 32 Yd. Pass from Kinta (Two Point Conversion Failed) 04:22 Lions Hanson 23 Yd. Field Goal 02:00 Lions Bell 14 Yd. Run (Hanson Kick) 01:21 INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS RUSHING Raiders Jordan td, Fargas 5-19, McCown 3-3 Lions td, Kinta 3-17, Docket 3-4 PASSING Raiders McCown tds Lions Kinta tds RECEIVING Raiders Curry td, Jordan 9-89, Porter 2-26, Miller 3-23, Griffith 3-21, Williams 1-11, Madsen 2-10 Lions McDonald td, Johnson td, Furrey 5-52, McHugh 2-45, Williams td, Bell 4-6, Calhoun 1-5 TEAM STATISTICS Raiders Lions First Downs Total Net Yards Rushes-Yards Passing Yards Passes Att-Comp-Int Sacks 2 3 Penalties-Yards Fumbles Lost 1 0 Time of Possession 33:06 26:54 Attendance: 61, 547

30 Game 2 at Denver 23, Oakland 20 September 16, 2007 Raiders Broncos SCORING (Game Clock) Broncos Stokley 9 Yd. Pass from Cutler (Elam Kick) 05:02 Raiders Janikowski 38 Yd. Field Goal 10:26 Broncos Sapp 4 Yd. Run (Elam Kick) 07:34 Broncos Elam 23 Yd. Field Goal 00:18 Raiders Porter 46 Yd. Pass from McCown (Janikowski Kick) 5:19 Raiders Cutler Tackled By Warren in End Zone 14:15 Raiders Howard 44 Yd. Interception Return (McCown Pass to Curry for Conversion) 08:55 Broncos Elam 20 Yd. Field Goal 02:18 Broncos Elam 23 Yd. Field Goal 05:48 INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS RUSHING Raiders Jordan , McCown 2-28, Fargas 8-13 Broncos Henry , Young 3-43, Bell 4-7, Sapp 2-6-1td PASSING Raiders McCown td Broncos Cutler td RECEIVING Raiders Porter td, Miller 3-18, Curry 2-12, Broncos Walker 8-101, Marshall 5-82, Stokley td, Sapp 2-18, Graham 1-9, Henry 2-8, Bell 1-7, Young 1-1 TEAM STATISTICS Raiders Broncos First Downs Total Net Yards Rushes-Yards Passing Yards Passes Att-Comp-Int Sacks 2 4 Penalties-Yards Fumbles Lost 0 0 Time of Possession 30:30 38:42 Attendance: 76, 784

31 Game 3 at Oakland 26, Cleveland 24 September 23, 2007 Raiders Browns SCORING (Game Clock) Raiders Janikowski 32 Yd. Field Goal 00:37 Raiders Janikowski 22 Yd. Field Goal 11:00 Raiders Curry 41 Yd. Pass from McCown (Janikowski Kick) 4:45 Raiders Janikowski 23 Yd. Field Goal 2:05 Browns Cribbs 99 Yd. Kickoff Return (Dawson Kick) 1:53 Browns Dawson 23 Yd. Field Goal 00:11 Browns Edwards 21 Yd. Pass from Anderson (Dawson Kick) 9:16 Raiders Jordan 1 Yd. Run (Janikowski Kick) 00:10 Raiders Janikowski 48 Yd. Field Goal 8:11 Browns Anderson 1 Yd Run (Phil Dawson Kick) 3:33 INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS RUSHING Raiders Jordan td, Fargas 8-50, McCown 4-15 Browns Lewis 15-56, Wright 1-13, Anderson td, Cribbs 1-7 PASSING Raiders Culpepper td, 0 int. McCown td, 0 int. Browns Anderson td, 0 int RECEIVING Raiders Curry td, Madsen 3-61, Jordan 2-32, Williams 1-24, Porter 1-20, Miller 1-13, Griffith 2-7, Fargas 1-7 Browns Winslow 6-88, Edwards td, Jurevicius 3-33, Lewis 2-22, Carter 1-14, Wright 2-8 TEAM STATISTICS Raiders Browns First Downs Total Net Yards Rushes-Yards Passing Yards Passes Att-Comp-Int Sacks 2 1 Penalties-Yards Fumbles Lost 2 0 Time of Possession 36:17 23:43 Attendance: 51, 075

32 Game 4 Oakland 35, at Miami 17 September 30, 2007 Raiders Dolphins SCORING (Game Clock) Raiders Porter 7 Yd. Pass from Culpepper (Janikowski kick) 00:37 Raiders Culpepper 2 Yd. Run (Janikowski Kick) 2:01 Dolphins Brown 9 Yd. Run (Feely Kick) 12:40 Dolphins Feely 29 Yd. Field Goal 6:10 Raiders Culpepper 5 Yd. Run (Janikowski Kick) 4:00 Dolphins Peelle 3 Yd. Pass from Trent Green (Feely Kick) 00:08 Raiders Porter 27 Yd. Pass from Culpepper (Janikowski Kick) 7:58 Raiders Culpepper 3 Yd. Run (Janikowski Kick) 00:23 INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS RUSHING Raiders Fargas , Jordan 15-74, Culpepper td s, Griffith 5-18 Dolphins Brown td, Mauia 2-5, Chatman 3-2 PASSING Raiders Culpepper TDs Dolphins Green td RECEIVING Raiders Porter tds, Curry 1-16, Jordan 1-7 Dolphins Brown 6-73, Peelle td, Chambers 2-21, Booker 1-8, Martin 1-6, Mauia 1-5 TEAM STATISTICS Raiders Dolphins First Downs Total Net Yards Rushes-Yards Passing Yards Passes Att-Comp-Int Sacks 2 1 Penalties-Yards Fumbles Lost 1 0 Time of Possession 35:07 24:53 Attendance: 70,621

33 Game 5 at San Diego 28, Oakland 14 October 14, 2007 Raiders Chargers SCORING (Game Clock) Chargers Tomlinson 3 Yd. Run (Kaeding Kick) 09:24 Chargers Tomlinson 27 Yd. Run (Kaeding Kick) 06:51 Raiders Howard 66 Yd. Interception Return (Janikowski Kick) 06:54 Chargers Tomlinson 13 Yd. Run (Kaeding Kick) 09:42 Raiders Miller 1 Yd. Pass From Culpepper (Janikowski Kick) 05:18 Chargers Tomlinson 41 Yd. Run (Kaeding Kick) 02:43 INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS RUSHING Raiders Jordan 18-42, Fargas 2-10, Culpepper 2-5 Chargers Tomlinson td s, Turner 5-8, Rivers 2-1 PASSING Raiders Culpepper TD Chargers Rivers RECEIVING Raiders Curry 6-73, Jordan 6-46, Williams 3-35, Porter 3-28, Miller td, Fargas 1-16, Higgins 2-15 Chargers Gates 3-58, Davis 2-30, Floyd 2-25, Manumaleuna 2-18, Tomlinson 3-16, Jackson 1-5, Neal 1-4 TEAM STATISTICS Raiders Chargers First Downs Total Net Yards Rushes-Yards Passing Yards Passes Att-Comp-Int Sacks 0 6 Penalties-Yards Fumbles Lost 1 0 Time of Possession 31:12 28:48 Attendance: 67, 523

34 Game 6 Kansas City 12, at Oakland 10 October 21, 2007 Raiders Chiefs SCORING (Game Clock) Chiefs Rayner 41 Yd. Field Goal 10:40 Chiefs Rayner 31 Yd. Field Goal 14:01 Raiders Curry 21 Yd. Pass From Culpepper (Janikowski Kick) 02:37 Chiefs Johnson 1 Yd. Run (Two-point Conversion Failed) 11:30 Raiders Janikowski 37 Yd. Field Goal 05:49 INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS RUSHING Raiders Jordan 11-29, Rhodes 9-21, Culpepper 3-4, Fargas 1-1 Chiefs Johnson td, Holmes 4-9, Wilson 1-5, Parker 1-2 PASSING Raiders Culpepper TD Chiefs Huard RECEIVING Raiders Porter 1-59, Miller 4-48, Curry td, Jordan 4-40, Fargas 3-19, Rhodes 1-10, Griffith 1-7 Chiefs Bowe 3-84, Gonzalez 4-66, Johnson 6-21, Wilson 1-7, Parker 1-5 TEAM STATISTICS Raiders Chiefs First Downs Total Net Yards Rushes-Yards Passing Yards Passes Att-Comp-Int Sacks 2 2 Penalties-Yards Fumbles Lost 1 0 Time of Possession 28:09 31:51 Attendance: 62,240

35 UPDATED BIOS 1

36 2

37 94 JON ALSTON, LB 9/9 vs. DET: On practice squad. DEN: On practice squad. 9/23 vs. CLE: Signed to active roster Saw time on special teams. MIA: Saw time on special teams. SD: Saw time at LB. 10/21 vs. KC: Saw time at LB and on special teams Recorded 1 solo tackle. DEFENSE TKL AST CMB SCK/ YDS QH INT PD FF FR NNAMDI ASOMUGHA, CB 9/9 vs. DET: Started at CB Made 2 tackles. DEN: Started at CB Had 5 solo tackles and a team-high 3 passes defended. 9/23 vs. CLE: Started at CB Recorded 3 solo tackles and assisted on another. MIA: Started at CB Had 3 solo tackles. SD: Started at CB Recorded 4 solo tackles. 10/21 vs. KC: Started at CB Made 2 solo tackles. DEFENSE TKL AST CMB SCK/YDS QH INT PD FF FR PUNT RETURNS NO YDS AVG FC LG TD JOHN BOWIE, CB 9/9 vs. DET: Inactive. DEN: Inactive. 9/23 vs. CLE: Inactive. MIA: Inactive. SD: Inactive. 10/21 vs. KC: Inactive. 91 TYLER BRAYTON, DE 9/9 vs. DET: Saw time on the defensive line. DEN: Saw time on the defensive line. 9/23 vs. CLE: Saw time on the defensive line. MIA: Saw time on the defensive line Recorded 2 solo tackles and deflected a pass that was nearly intercepted. SD: Saw time on the defensive line. 10/21 vs. KC: Saw time on the defensive line and on special teams. DEFENSE TKL AST CMB SCK/YDS QH INT PD FF FR RICKY BROWN, LB 9/9 vs. DET: Saw time on special teams. DEN: Saw time on special teams. 9/23 vs. CLE: Saw time on special teams. MIA: Saw time on special teams Made 1 special teams tackle. SD: Saw time on special teams Made 1 special teams tackle. 10/21 vs. KC: Saw time on special teams. SPECIAL TEAMS TKL AST FF FR BL DERRICK BURGESS, DE 9/9 vs. DET: Started at DE Made 1 tackle. DEN: Started at DE. 9/23 vs. CLE: Inactive. MIA: Inactive. SD: Started at DE Hit QB Philip Rivers on third down to force an incompletion. 10/21 vs. KC: Started at DE Recorded 4 solo tackles and assisted on another. DEFENSE TKL AST CMB SCK/YDS QH INT PD FF FR

38 66 COOPER CARLISLE, G 9/9 vs. DET: Started at RG Blocked for 3 Raider TD drives including a 6-play, 62-yard drive and an 8-play, 70-yard drive Created a hole up the middle for LaMont Jordan s 12-yard score in third quarter. DEN: Started at RG Pushed the defensive line back to allow LaMont Jordan to convert a key fourth-and-one on that drive. 9/23 vs. CLE: Started at RG Blocked for an 8-play, 93-yard touchdown drive and a 15-play, 80-yard touchdown drive Held the line to allow Josh McCown to throw a 41-yard touchdown strike to Ronald Curry Created a hole up the middle for LaMont Jordan s 1-yard touchdown run. MIA: Started at RG Part of unit that allowed just one sack and blocked for 5 touchdown drives and for 299 rushing yards. SD: Started at RG Blocked for a 17-play, 60- yard fourth quarter touchdown drive. 10/21 vs. KC: Started at RG Held the line to give QB Daunte Culpepper time to hit WR Jerry Porter on a 59-yard pass as part of a 2-play, 80-yard touchdown drive. 23 CHRIS CARR, CB 9/9 vs. DET: Saw time at CB and KR Returned 7 kickoffs for 155 yards. DEN: Saw time at CB and KR Returned 3 kickoffs for 61 yards Had 1 solo tackle. 9/23 vs. CLE: Saw time at CB, KR, and PR Returned 4 kickoffs for 79 yards and 1 punt for 1 yard Recorded 1 solo tackle and assisted on another. MIA: Saw time at CB and KR Returned 4 kickoffs for 84 yards. SD: Saw time at CB, KR, and PR Returned 4 kickoffs for 74 yards. 10/21 vs. KC: Saw time at CB, KR, and PR Recorded 1 solo tackle Returned 2 kickoffs for 45 yards Returned 4 punts for 27 yards. DEFENSE TKL AST CMB SCK/ YDS QH INT PD FF FR KICKOFF RETURNS NO YDS AVG FC LG TD PUNT RETURNS NO YDS AVG FC LG TD CHRIS CLEMONS, DE 9/9 vs. DET: Made an impact in his time at DE Sacked Lions QB Jon Kitna on a third down in Raiders territory to force a punt Also had a solo tackle, assisted on 2 others, and 1 pass defended. DEN: Saw time at DE. 9/23 vs. CLE: Saw time at DE and on special teams Made 1 special teams tackle. MIA: Saw time at DE Recorded 1 solo tackle. SD: Saw time at DE and on special teams Made 2 special teams tackles. 10/21 vs. KC: Saw time at DE Recorded 1 solo tackle and assisted on another Sacked QB Damon Huard on third down to force a punt. DEFENSE TKL AST CMB SCK/ YDS QH INT PD FF FR SPECIAL TEAMS TKL AST FF FR BL JON CONDO, LS 9/9 vs. DET: Handled all snaps on punts and place kicks Tackled Detroit return specialist Troy Walters on a punt return. DEN: Handled all snaps on punts and place kicks. 9/23 vs. CLE: Handled all snaps on punts and place kicks. MIA: Handled all snaps on punts and place kicks. SD: Handled all snaps on punts and place kicks assisted on a special teams tackle. 10/21 vs. KC: Handled all snaps on punts and place kicks Recorded 1 special teams and assisted on another. SPECIAL TEAMS TKL AST FF FR BL

39 40 JARROD COOPER, S 9/9 vs. DET: Not on active roster. DEN: Not on active roster. 9/23 vs. CLE: Not on active roster. MIA: Not on active roster. SD: Inactive. 10/21 vs. KC: Saw time on special teams Recorded 2 special teams tackles. SPECIAL TEAMS TKL AST FF FR BL DAUNTE CULPEPPER, QB 9/9 vs. DET: Did not play. DEN: Did not play. 9/23 vs. CLE: Came into the game at QB when Josh McCown was injured Completed 8 of 14 passes for 118 yards Led a 15-play, 80-yard drive that culminated with a LaMont Jordan 1-yard touchdown run Engineered an 11-play, 55-yard fourth quarter drive that led to a Sebastian Janikowski 48-yard field goal to give the Raiders a lead. MIA: Started at QB Contributed to all 5 Raider touchdowns Completed 5 of 12 passes for 75 yards and 2 touchdowns Carried the ball 7 times for 28 yards and 3 touchdowns Led scoring drives of 16, 58, 61, 79, and 82 yards On a 12-play, 58-yard scoring drive, ran for 4 yards on third-and-two, and scored on a 2-yard run on fourth-and-one to cap off the drive Sealed the victory by leading a 9-play, 82-yard drive which he finished by scoring on a 3-yard run on fourth-and-goal with 23 seconds left. SD: Started at QB Completed 24 of 37 passes for 230 yards and 1 touchdown Carried the ball 2 times for 5 yards Led a 17-play, 60-yard fourth quarter scoring drive which he capped off by throwing a touchdown pass to TE Zach Miller. 10/21 vs. KC: Started at QB Completed 18 of 29 passes for 230 yards and 1 touchdown Carried the ball 3 times for 4 yards Drove the team 80 yards in 2 plays which he capped off by throwing a 21-yard touchdown pass to WR Ronald Curry. PASSING ATT CMP YDS SK/ YDS TD LG INT RT RUSHING NO YDS AVG LG TD RONALD CURRY, WR 9/9 vs. DET: Started at WR...Had a game-high 10 receptions and 133 receiving yards Caught a 42-yard pass to set the Raiders up in the Lions red zone and capped off the drive with a 4-yard touchdown reception Caught 2 passes for 24 yards on the Raiders 8-play, 70-yard touchdown drive that gave the team a lead. DEN: Started at WR Had 2 receptions for 12 yards. 9/23 vs. CLE: Started at WR Caught 3 passes for a team-high 62 yards, including a 41-yard touchdown reception from Josh McCown to give the Raiders a 13-0 lead. MIA: Started at WR Made 1 reception for 16 yards. SD: Started at WR Had 6 receptions for a team-high 73 yards Caught an 18-yard pass on fourth-and-twelve to keep the team s 17-play, 60-yard touchdown drive alive. 10/21 vs. KC: Saw time at WR Had 4 receptions for 45 yards Caught a 21-yard touchdown pass to give the team a 7-6 lead in the third quarter. RECEIVING NO YDS AVG LG TD PASSING ATT CMP YDS SK/ YDS TD LG INT RT ADIMCHINOBE ECHEMANDU, RB 9/9 vs. DET: Inactive. DEN: Inactive. 9/23 vs. CLE: Saw time on special teams. MIA: Saw time on special teams. SD: Released. 10/21 vs. KC: Released. 50 ISAIAH EKEJIUBA, LB 9/9 vs. DET: Inactive. DEN: Inactive. 9/23 vs. CLE: Inactive. MIA: Inactive. SD: Saw time on special teams Made 2 special teams tackles. 10/21 vs. KC: Saw time on special teams Recorded 1 special teams tackle. SPECIAL TEAMS TKL AST FF FR BL

40 31 HIRAM EUGENE, S 9/9 vs. DET: Saw time at S Made 2 tackles. DEN: Saw time at S and on special teams. 9/23 vs. CLE: Saw time at S and on special teams Assisted on 1 tackle and made a special teams tackle. MIA: Saw time at S and on special teams...recorded 1 special teams tackle. SD: Saw time at S and on special teams. 10/21 vs. KC: Saw time at S and on special teams. DEFENSE TKL AST CMB SCK/ YDS QH INT PD FF FR SPECIAL TEAMS TKL AST FF FR BL JUSTIN FARGAS, RB 9/9 vs. DET: Saw time at RB Carried the ball 5 times for 19 yards His 11-yard run in the 4 th quarter set the table for Justin Griffith s 7-yard touchdown reception. DEN: Saw time at RB Carried the ball 8 times for 13 yards. 9/23 vs. CLE: Saw time at RB Carried the ball 8 times for 50 yards and caught 1 pass for 7 yards Had a 21-yard run on third-and-one to prolong Josh McCown s eventual 8-play, 93-yard touchdown drive Carried the ball 4 times for 20 yards on Daunte Culpepper s 15-play, 80-yard touchdown drive. MIA: Saw significant time at RB after an injury to LaMont Jordan Carried the ball a game-high 22 times for 179 yards His 48-yard run set up Daunte Culpepper s 5-yard touchdown run in the 3 rd quarter Had 8 carries for 79 yards on the team s final drive that took up 5:54 to seal the victory. SD: Saw time at RB Carried the ball 2 times for 10 yards Had a 16-yard reception on third-and-fourteen to prolong the team s eventual 17-play, 60-yard touchdown drive. 10/21 vs. KC: Saw time at RB Carried the ball once for 1 yard Had 3 catches for 19 yards. RUSHING NO YDS AVG LG TD RECEIVING NO YDS AVG LG TD ROBERT GALLERY, G 9/9 vs. DET: Started at LG Helped block for 3 Raider touchdown drives including a 6-play, 62-yard drive and an 8- play, 70-yard drive Created a hole up the middle for LaMont Jordan s 12-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. DEN: Started at LG Blocked for the team s 7-play, 65-yard drive that culminated in WR Jerry Porter s 46- yard touchdown catch Pushed the defensive line back to allow LaMont Jordan to convert a key fourth-and-one on that drive. 9/23 vs. CLE: Started at LG Blocked for an 8-play, 93-yard touchdown drive and a 15-play, 80-yard touchdown drive Held the line to allow Josh McCown to throw a 41-yard touchdown strike to Ronald Curry Created a hole up the middle for LaMont Jordan s 1-yard touchdown run. MIA: Started at LG Was a crucial part of the offensive line unit that allowed just one sack and blocked for 5 Raider touchdown drives Led the way for the team s 299 rushing yards and Daunte Culpepper s 3 rushing touchdowns. SD: Started at LG Blocked for a 17-play, 60-yard fourth quarter touchdown drive. 10/21 vs. KC: Started at LG Held the line to give QB Daunte Culpepper time to hit WR Jerry Porter on a 59-yard pass as part of a 2-play, 80-yard touchdown drive. 74 CORNELL GREEN, T 9/9 vs. DET: Started at RT Helped block for 3 Raider touchdown drives including a 6-play, 62-yard drive and an 8- play, 70-yard drive. DEN: Started at RT Blocked for the team s 7-play, 65-yard drive that culminated in WR Jerry Porter s 46-yard touchdown catch Pushed the defensive line back to allow LaMont Jordan to convert a key fourth-and-one on that drive. 9/23 vs. CLE: Started at RT Blocked for an 8-play, 93-yard touchdown drive and a 15- play, 80-yard touchdown drive Held the line to allow Josh McCown to throw a 41-yard touchdown strike to Ronald Curry. MIA: Started at RT Was a crucial part of the offensive line unit that allowed just one sack and blocked for 5 Raider touchdown drives Led the way for the team s 299 rushing yards and Daunte Culpepper s 3 rushing touchdowns. SD: Started at RT Blocked for a 17-play, 60-yard fourth quarter touchdown drive. 10/21 vs. KC: Started at RT Held the line to give QB Daunte Culpepper time to hit WR Jerry Porter on a 59-yard pass as part of a 2-play, 80-yard touchdown drive. 6

41 36 JUSTIN GRIFFITH, RB 9/9 vs. DET: Started at FB Had 3 receptions for 21 yards Capped off an 8-play, 70-yard touchdown drive with a 7- yard touchdown reception. DEN: Started at FB Had 2 receptions for -3 yards. 9/23 vs. CLE: Started at FB Had two receptions for 7 yards. MIA: Started at FB Had 5 carries for 18 yards. SD: Saw time at FB. 10/21 vs. KC: Started at FB Caught 1 pass for 7 yards. RUSHING NO YDS AVG LG TD RECEIVING NO YDS AVG LG TD JAKE GROVE, C 9/9 vs. DET: Came into the game at C in the first quarter after starter Jeremy Newberry was injured Helped block for 3 Raider touchdown drives including a 6-play, 62-yard drive and an 8-play, 70-yard drive Created a hole up the middle for LaMont Jordan s 12-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. DEN: Started at C Blocked for the team s 7-play, 65-yard drive that culminated in WR Jerry Porter s 46-yard touchdown catch Pushed the defensive line back to allow LaMont Jordan to convert a key fourth-and-one on that drive. 9/23 vs. CLE: Started at C Blocked for an 8-play, 93-yard touchdown drive and a 15-play, 80-yard touchdown drive Held the line to allow Josh McCown to throw a 41-yard touchdown strike to Ronald Curry Created a hole up the middle for LaMont Jordan s 1-yard touchdown run. MIA: Saw time on special teams. SD: Saw time on special teams. 10/21 vs. KC: Did not play. 75 MARIO HENDERSON, T 9/9 vs. DET: Inactive. DEN: Inactive. 9/23 vs. CLE: Inactive. MIA: Inactive. SD: Inactive. 10/21 vs. KC: Inactive. 15 JOHNNIE LEE HIGGINS, WR 9/9 vs. DET: Saw time at WR and PR Returned 2 punts for 0 yards. DEN: Saw time at WR and PR Returned 1 punt for 6 yards. 9/23 vs. CLE: Saw time at WR and PR Returned 2 punts for 1 yard. MIA: Saw time at WR and PR Returned 2 punts for 9 yards. SD: Saw time at WR Caught 2 passes for 15 yards, including his first career NFL reception in the first quarter. 10/21 vs. KC: Started at WR. RECEIVING NO YDS AVG LG TD PUNT RETURNS NO YDS AVG FC LG TD THOMAS HOWARD, LB 9/9 vs. DET: Started at LB Had 5 solo tackles and assisted on another In the fourth quarter, sacked Lions QB Jon Kitna on third-and-goal to hold the Lions to a field goal. DEN: Started at LB Intercepted a Jay Cutler s pass and returned it 44 yards for a touchdown to give the Raiders an fourth quarter lead Led the team with 9 solo tackles and 10 combined tackles Also had 2 passes defended and a fumble recovery. 9/23 vs. CLE: Started at LB Intercepted QB Derek Anderson s pass in the 2 nd quarter and returned it 26 yards Recorded 5 solo tackles and had 3 assists. MIA: Started at LB Returned an interception 28 yards to the Miami 11-yard line to set up a Jerry Porter touchdown reception Had 4 solo tackles and 2 passes defended. SD: Started at LB Intercepted a pass for the fourth consecutive game and returned it 66 yards for a touchdown Recorded 2 solo tackles and assisted on another. 10/21 vs. KC: Started at LB Recorded 6 solo tackles, assisted on 2 others, and had a pass defended. DEFENSE TKL AST CMB SCK/ YDS QH INT PD FF FR INTERCEPTIONS NO YDS AVG LG TD

42 24 MICHAEL HUFF, S 9/9 vs. DET: Started at S Finished second on the team with 6 solo tackles. DEN: Started at S Recorded 5 solo tackles and assisted on another Sacked QB Jay Cutler in the first quarter. 9/23 vs. CLE: Started at S Had 5 solo tackles and 1 assist. MIA: Started at S Recorded 3 solo tackles. SD: Started at S Recorded 7 solo tackles and 1 pass defended Held Pro Bowl TE Antonio Gates to a season-low 3 receptions for 58 yards. 10/21 vs. KC: Started at S Recorded 6 solo tackles and 2 passes defended. DEFENSE TKL AST CMB SCK/ YDS QH INT PD FF FR SEBASTIAN JANIKOWSKI, K 9/9 vs. DET: Went 0/3 in field goal attempts and 3/3 in extra points Pushed Detroit return man out of bounds on a kickoff. DEN: Went 1/2 in field goal attempts and 1/1 in extra points...kicked a successful onside kick in the third quarter. 9/23 vs. CLE: Made all 4 of his field goal attempts and both extra points His 48-yard field goal in the fourth quarter proved to be the difference in the game. MIA: Made all 5 of his extra point attempts. SD: Made both of his extra point attempts. 10/21 vs. KC: Made a 37-yard field goal and his only extra point attempt. KICKING FG LG XP PTS BL 6/ / SPECIAL TEAMS TKL AST FF FR BL CHRIS JOHNSON, CB 9/9 vs. DET: Saw time at CB and on special teams. DEN: Saw time at CB and on special teams Recorded 1 special teams tackle. 9/23 vs. CLE: Saw time at CB and special teams Recorded 1 special teams tackle. MIA: Saw time at CB and special teams. SD: Saw time at CB and on special teams. 10/21 vs. KC: Inactive. SPECIAL TEAMS TKL AST FF FR BL LaMONT JORDAN, RB 9/9 vs. DET: Started at RB Paced the offense with a team-high 15 carries for 70 yards and added 9 receptions for 89 yards Capped off the Raiders 4-play, 27-yard drive with a 12-yard touchdown run Gained 22 yards from scrimmage on the team s 8-play, 70-yard drive. DEN: Started at RB Carried the ball 25 times for a gamehigh 159 yards Had 4 carries for 19 yards on the team s 7-play, 65-yard touchdown drive Converted a key fourthand-one on that drive with a 10-yard rush to the right side. 9/23 vs. CLE: Started at RB Had a game-high 29 carries and 121 rushing yards Caught 2 passes for 32 yards Carried the ball 9 times for 30 yards and rushed for a touchdown on the team s 15-play, 80-yard scoring drive Caught a 27-yard pass from Daunte Culpepper on 3 rd and 23 to prolong the drive for Sebastian Janikowski s 48-yard field goal. MIA: Started at RB Had 15 carries for 74 yards before leaving the game with a back injury at the end of the 2 nd quarter Caught 1 pass for 7 yards. SD: Started at RB Carried the ball 18 times for 42 yards Caught 6 passes for 46 yards. 10/21 vs. KC: Started at RB Carried the ball 11 times for 29 yards Had 4 receptions for 40 yards. RUSHING NO YDS AVG LG TD RECEIVING NO YDS AVG LG TD

43 93 TOMMY KELLY, DE 9/9 vs. DET: Started at RE Made 2 solo tackles. DEN: Started at LE Recorded 6 solo tackles and assisted on another. 9/23 vs. CLE: Started at LE Had 4 solo tackles and a pass deflection Blocked K Phil Dawson s gamewinning field goal attempt as time expired to preserve the victory. MIA: Started at LE Recorded 3 solo tackles and 1 sack. SD: Started at DE Recorded 2 solo tackles. 10/21 vs. KC: Saw time on the defensive line Recorded 6 solo tackles and assisted on another. DEFENSE TKL AST CMB SCK/ YDS QH INT PD FF FR SPECIAL TEAMS TKL AST FF FR BL SHANE LECHLER, P 9/9 vs. DET: Punted 3 times for 149 yards Punted 52 yards to pin Detroit at their own 1 yard line in the first quarter Held for all field goals and extra points. DEN: Punted 4 times for 194 yards Twice pinned the Broncos inside their own 10-yard line, one of which led to Gerard Warren s sack of QB Jay Cutler in the end zone for a safety Held for all field goals and extra points. 9/23 vs. CLE: Punted 3 times for 165 yards Had a booming 69- yard punt in the first quarter Downed the Browns inside their own 10-yard line with just over one minute remaining in the game Held for all field goals and extra points. MIA: Punted 3 times for 133 yards Did not allow a single punt return and downed 1 punt inside the 20 Held for all field goals and extra points. SD: Punted 4 times for 172 yards including a 62-yarder Held for all field goals and extra points. 10/21 vs. KC: Punted 9 times for 461 yards 6 of his punts were 50 yards or longer including a 66-yarder Downed 3 punts inside the 20 Held for all field goals and extra points. PUNTING NO YDS AVG NET TB IN20 LG RUSHING NO YDS AVG LG TD JOHN MADSEN, TE 9/9 vs. DET: Played TE and caught 2 passes for 10 yards. DEN: Saw time at TE. 9/23 vs. CLE: Saw time at TE Had 3 receptions for 61 yards His 39-yard reception set the Raiders up inside the Browns red zone Caught 2 passes for 22 yards on the team s 15-play, 80-yard touchdown drive. MIA: Saw time at TE. SD: Started at TE. 10/21 vs. KC: Saw time at TE. RECEIVING NO YDS AVG LG TD JOSH MCCOWN, QB 9/9 vs. DET: Started at QB Completed 30 of 40 passes for 313 yards and 2 touchdowns Led touchdown drives of 62, 27, and 70 yards Capped off a 6-play, 62-yard drive by throwing a 4-yard touchdown pass to Ronald Curry Capped off an 8-play, 70-yard drive with a 7-yard toss to Justin Griffith Led all AFC QBs in passing yardage for Week 1. DEN: Started at QB Completed 8 of 16 passes for 73 yards and 1 touchdown Capped off a 7- play, 65-yard drive by throwing a 46-yard touchdown pass to Jerry Porter. 9/23 vs. CLE: Started at QB Completed 6 of 12 passes for 108 yards and rushed 4 times for 15 yards before leaving the game with a foot injury Engineered an 8-play, 93-yard scoring drive which capped off by throwing a 41-yard TD pass to Ronald Curry. MIA: Inactive. SD: Inactive. 10/21 vs. KC: Inactive. PASSING ATT CMP YDS SK/ YDS TD LG INT RT RUSHING NO YDS AVG LG TD

44 79 PAUL MCQUISTAN, G 9/9 vs. DET: Saw time on special teams. DEN: Saw time on special teams. 9/23 vs. CLE: Saw time on special teams. MIA: Saw time on special teams. SD: Saw time on special teams. 10/21 vs. KC: Did not play. 80 ZACH MILLER, TE 9/9 vs. DET: Started at TE Caught 3 passes for 23 yards. DEN: Started at TE Caught 3 passes for 18 yards. 9/23 vs. CLE: Started at TE Had 1 reception for 13 yards. MIA: Started at TE. SD: Started at TE Caught 3 passes for 17 yards Capped off a 17-play, 60-yard scoring drive with a 1-yard touchdown reception, the first of his NFL career. 10/21 vs. KC: Started at TE Held the line to give QB Daunte Culpepper time to hit WR Jerry Porter on a 59-yard pass as part of a 2-play, 80-yard touchdown drive. RECEIVING NO YDS AVG LG TD CHRIS MORRIS, C 9/9 vs. DET: Inactive. DEN: Did not play. 9/23 vs. CLE: Saw time at LG while Robert Gallery was sidelined with an injury. MIA: Did not play. SD: Inactive. 10/21 vs. KC: Inactive. 52 KIRK MORRISON, LB 9/9 vs. DET: Started at MLB Led the team with 9 solo tackles Made a key interception in the end zone to halt Detroit s scoring attempt in the first quarter Also had 2 passes defended. DEN: Started at MLB Intercepted QB Jay Cutler s pass in the second quarter Recorded 5 solo tackles and assisted on 2 others Had 2 passes defended Recorded a special teams tackle. 9/23 vs. CLE: Started at MLB Intercepted a Derek Anderson pass and returned it 45 yards to set up a Sebastian Janikowski field goal Recorded 2 solo tackles, 2 assists, and 2 passes defended. MIA: Started at MLB Had 4 solo tackles. SD: Started at MLB Had 7 solo tackles and assisted on another. 10/21 vs. KC: Started at MLB Recorded 6 solo tackles and a pass defended. DEFENSE TKL AST CMB SCK/ YDS QH INT PD FF FR INTERCEPTIONS NO YDS AVG LG TD SPECIAL TEAMS TKL AST FF FR BL JEREMY NEWBERRY, C 9/9 vs. DET: Started at C Left the game in the 1 st quarter with a hamstring injury and did not return. DEN: Inactive. 9/23 vs. CLE: Did not play. MIA: Started at C Was a crucial part of the offensive line unit that allowed just one sack and blocked for 5 Raider touchdown drives Led the way for the team s 299 rushing yards and Daunte Culpepper s 3 rushing touchdowns. SD: Started at C Blocked for a 17-play, 60-yard fourth quarter touchdown drive. 10/21 vs. KC: Started at C Held the line to give QB Daunte Culpepper time to hit WR Jerry Porter on a 59-yard pass as part of a 2-play, 80-yard touchdown drive. 46 OREN O NEAL, RB 9/9 vs. DET: Saw time on special teams. DEN: Did not play. 9/23 vs. CLE: Inactive. MIA: Inactive. SD: Saw time on special teams. 10/21 vs. KC: Saw time at FB and on special teams Recorded 1 special teams tackle. SPECIAL TEAMS TKL AST FF FR BL

45 84 JERRY PORTER, WR 9/9 vs. DET: Started at WR Caught 2 passes for 26 yards. DEN: Started at WR Caught a 46-yard touchdown pass from QB Josh McCown for the Raiders first touchdown. 9/23 vs. CLE: Started at WR Caught 1 pass for 20 yards to convert a key third down late in the game. MIA: Started at WR Caught a team-high 3 passes for 52 yards and 2 touchdowns. SD: Started at WR Had 3 receptions for 28 yards. 10/21 vs. KC: Started at WR Caught a 59-yard strike from QB Daunte Culpepper to set up WR Ronald Curry s 21-yard touchdown reception. RECEIVING NO YDS AVG LG TD MISCELLANEOUS TKL AST FF FR DOMINIC RHODES, RB 9/9 vs. DET: Not on active roster. DEN: Not on active roster. 9/23 vs. CLE: Not on active roster. MIA: Not on active roster. SD: Saw time at RB. 10/21 vs. KC: Saw time at RB Carried the ball 9 times for 21 yards Had 1 reception for 10 yards. RUSHING NO YDS AVG LG TD RECEIVING NO YDS AVG LG TD KICKOFF RETURNS NO YDS AVG FC LG TD JAY RICHARDSON, DE 9/9 vs. DET: Saw time at DE. DEN: Saw time at DE Deflected QB Jay Cutler s pass which led to Thomas Howard s 44-yard interception return touchdown in the fourth quarter Also had a solo tackle and assisted on 2 others. 9/23 vs. CLE: Started at RE Assisted on 3 tackles. MIA: Started at RE Made 2 solo tackles. SD: Started at DT Had 2 solo tackles. 10/21 vs. KC: Started at DE Recorded 1 solo tackle. DEFENSE TKL AST CMB SCK/ YDS QH INT PD FF FR STANFORD ROUTT, CB 9/9 vs. DET: Saw time at CB Made a crucial interception and returned it 31 yards to set up the Raiders 4-play, 27- yard touchdown drive...had 1 solo tackle. DEN: Saw time at CB Recorded 2 solo tackles. 9/23 vs. CLE: Saw time at CB Recorded 1 solo tackle and had 1 pass defended. MIA: Started at CB Intercepted QB Trent Green s pass at the Raiders 2-yard line to end a Miami scoring bid Recorded 3 solo tackles. SD: Started at CB Made 1 solo tackle. 10/21 vs. KC: Started at CB Intercepted a pass in Raiders territory to halt the Chiefs drive Recorded 1 solo tackle. DEFENSE TKL AST CMB SCK/ YDS QH INT PD FF FR INTERCEPTIONS NO YDS AVG LG TD JaMARCUS RUSSELL 9/9 vs. DET: Not on active roster. DEN: Not on active roster. 9/23 vs. CLE: Not on active roster. MIA: Inactive (3 rd QB). SD: Inactive. 10/21 vs. KC: Inactive. 11

46 90 TERDELL SANDS, DT 9/9 vs. DET: Started at DT Made 1 solo tackle. DEN: Started at DT. 9/23 vs. CLE: Saw time at DT Assisted on 1 tackle. MIA: Saw time at DT Recorded 1 solo tackle and deflected a pass on third down to force a punt. SD: Saw time at DT Made 1 solo tackle and assisted on another. 10/21 vs. KC: Started at DT Recorded 1 solo tackle. DEFENSE TKL AST CMB SCK/ YDS QH INT PD FF FR WARREN SAPP, DT 9/9 vs. DET: Started at DT Made 3 solo tackles. DEN: Started at DT Recorded 1 solo tackle and assisted on 2 others. 9/23 vs. CLE: Started at DT Had 2 solo tackles and assisted on another. MIA: Started at DT Recorded 1 solo tackle and 1 quarterback hit. SD: Started at DT Assisted LB Robert Thomas in stopping Chargers RB Michael Turner on third-and-two to force a punt. 10/21 vs. KC: Started at DT Recorded 3 solo tackles Sacked QB Damon Huard for a 9-yard loss. DEFENSE TKL AST CMB SCK/ YDS QH INT PD FF FR STUART SCHWEIGERT, S 9/9 vs. DET: Started at S Made 4 solo tackles and assisted on another. DEN: Started at S Recorded 7 solo tackles and assisted on 2 more. 9/23 vs. CLE: Started at S Recorded 2 solo tackles and a special teams tackle. MIA: Started at S Recorded 3 tackles and a special teams tackle. SD: Started at S Made 3 solo tackles and assisted on another. 10/21 vs. KC: Started at S Recorded 1 solo tackle, assisted on another, and had 1 pass defended. DEFENSE TKL AST CMB SCK/ YDS QH INT PD FF FR SPECIAL TEAMS TKL AST FF FR BL BARRY SIMS, T 9/9 vs. DET: Started at LT Helped block for 3 Raider touchdown drives including a 6-play, 62-yard drive and an 8- play, 70-yard drive. DEN: Started at LT Blocked for the team s 7-play, 65-yard drive that culminated in WR Jerry Porter s 46-yard touchdown catch Pushed the defensive line back to allow LaMont Jordan to convert a key fourth-and-one on that drive. 9/23 vs. CLE: Started at LT Blocked for an 8-play, 93-yard touchdown drive and a 15- play, 80-yard touchdown drive Held the line to allow Josh McCown to throw a 41-yard touchdown strike to Ronald Curry. MIA: Started at LT Was a crucial part of the offensive line unit that allowed just one sack and blocked for 5 Raider touchdown drives Led the way for the team s 299 rushing yards and Daunte Culpepper s 3 rushing touchdowns. SD: Started at LT Blocked for a 17-play, 60-yard fourth quarter touchdown drive. 10/21 vs. KC: Started at LT Held the line to give QB Daunte Culpepper time to hit WR Jerry Porter on a 59-yard pass as part of a 2-play, 80-yard touchdown drive. 86 TONY STEWART, TE 9/9 vs. DET: Saw time at TE and on special teams. DEN: Saw time at TE and on special teams. 9/23 vs. CLE: Saw time at TE and on special teams. MIA: Saw time at TE and on special teams. SD: Saw time at TE and on special teams. 10/21 vs. KC: Saw time at TE and on special teams Recorded 1 special teams tackle. SPECIAL TEAMS TKL AST FF FR BL TRAVIS TAYLOR, WR 9/9 vs. DET: Inactive. DEN: Saw time at WR. 9/23 vs. CLE: Released. MIA: Released. SD: Released. 10/21 vs. KC: Released. 12

47 55 ROBERT THOMAS, LB 9/9 vs. DET: Saw time at LB and on special teams. DEN: Saw time at LB and on special teams. 9/23 vs. CLE: Inactive. MIA: Inactive. SD: Started at LB Led the team with 8 solo tackles Stopped Chargers RB Michael Turner on third-and-two to force a punt. 10/21 vs. KC: Started at LB Recorded 3 solo tackles. DEFENSE TKL AST CMB SCK/YDS QH INT PD FF FR ANDREW WALTER, QB 9/9 vs. DET: Inactive (3 rd QB). DEN: Inactive (3 rd QB). 9/23 vs. CLE: Inactive (3 rd QB). MIA: Did not play. SD: Did not play. 10/21 vs. KC: Did not play. 28 B.J. WARD, S 9/9 vs. DET: Saw time at S and on special teams. DEN: Saw time at S and on special teams. 9/23 vs. CLE: Saw time at S and on special teams. MIA: Saw time at S and on special teams Recorded 1 solo tackle and a special teams tackle. SD: Released. 10/21 vs. KC: Released. DEFENSE TKL AST CMB SCK/ YDS QH INT PD FF FR SPECIAL TEAMS TKL AST FF FR BL GERARD WARREN, DT 9/9 vs. DET: Saw time at DT. DEN: Made a huge impact at DT Sacked QB Jay Cutler in the end zone for a safety in the fourth quarter Recorded 2 solo tackles. 9/23 vs. CLE: Started at DT Had 2 solo tackles Sacked QB Derek Anderson in the first quarter and forced him to fumble, resulting in a 24-yard loss. MIA: Started at DT Sacked QB Trent Green for a 13-yard loss on third down to force a punt Recorded 3 solo tackles. SD: Inactive. 10/21 vs. KC: Inactive. DEFENSE TKL AST CMB SCK/ YDS QH INT PD FF FR FABIAN WASHINGTON, CB 9/9 vs. DET: Started at CB Made 2 solo tackles and had a pass defended. DEN: Started at CB Recorded 5 solo tackles and assisted on 2 others. 9/23 vs. CLE: Started at CB Had 2 solo tackles and a special teams tackle. MIA: Saw time at CB. SD: Saw time at CB Recorded 4 solo tackles and assisted on another Deflected 2 passes away from Chargers WR Vincent Jackson, holding him to 1 reception for 5 yards. 10/21 vs. KC: Saw time at CB. DEFENSE TKL AST CMB SCK/ YDS QH INT PD FF FR SPECIAL TEAMS TKL AST FF FR BL MIKE WILLIAMS, WR 9/9 vs. DET: Saw time at WR and caught 1 pass for 11 yards. DEN: Inactive. 9/23 vs. CLE: Saw time at WR Caught 1 pass for 24 yards. MIA: Saw time at WR. SD: Saw time at WR Had 3 receptions for 35 yards. 10/21 vs. KC: Saw time at WR. RECEIVING NO YDS AVG LG TD

48 54 SAM WILLIAMS, LB 9/9 vs. DET: Started at LB Made 3 solo tackles. DEN: Started at LB Had 4 solo tackles and assisted on 3 others. 9/23 vs. CLE: Started at LB Assisted on 1 tackle. MIA: Started at LB Recorded 1 pass defended. SD: Inactive. 10/21 vs. KC: Inactive. DEFENSE TKL AST CMB SCK/ YDS QH INT PD FF FR

49 FLIP CARD/ PLAY-BY-PLAY 1

50 2

51 RAIDERS 2 JaMarcus Russell QB 8 Daunte Culpepper QB 9 Shane Lechler P 11 Sebastian Janikowski......K 12 Josh McCown QB 15 Johnnie Lee Higgins.....WR 16 Andrew Walter QB 17 Mike Williams WR 21 Nnamdi Asomugha CB 23 Chris Carr CB 24 Michael Huff S 25 Justin Fargas RB 26 Stanford Routt CB 27 Fabian Washington CB 30 Stuart Schweigert S 31 Hiram Eugene S 33 Dominic Rhodes RB 34 LaMont Jordan RB 35 John Bowie CB 36 Justin Griffith RB 37 Chris Johnson CB 40 Jarrod Cooper SS 46 Oren O Neal RB 50 Isaiah Ekejiuba LB 51 Chris Morris C 52 Kirk Morrison LB 53 Thomas Howard LB 54 Sam Williams LB 55 Robert Thomas LB 56 Derrick Burgess DE 57 Ricky Brown LB 58 Chris Clemons DE/LB 59 Jon Condo LS/LB 61 Gerard Warren DT 62 Jeremy Newberry C 64 Jake Grove C 65 Barry Sims T 66 Cooper Carlisle G 74 Cornell Green T 75 Mario Henderson T 76 Robert Gallery G 79 Paul McQuistan G 80 Zach Miller TE 84 Jerry Porter WR 85 John Madsen TE 86 Tony Stewart TE 89 Ronald Curry WR 90 Terdell Sands DT 91 Tyler Brayton DT 93 Tommy Kelly DE/DT 94 Jon Alston LB 98 Jay Richardson DE 99 Warren Sapp DT INACTIVES THE OAKLAND RAIDERS vs. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS RAIDERS OFFENSE WR 89 Ronald Curry 15 Johnnie Lee Higgins LT 65 Barry Sims 75 Mario Henderson LG 76 Robert Gallery 79 Paul McQuistan C 62 Jeremy Newberry 64 Jake Grove 51 Chris Morris RG 66 Cooper Carlisle 79 Paul McQuistan RT 74 Cornell Green 75 Mario Henderson TE 80 Zach Miller 85 John Madsen 86 Tony Stewart WR 84 Jerry Porter 17 Mike Williams FB 36 Justin Griffith 46 Oren O Neal RB 34 LaMont Jordan 25 Justin Fargas 33 Dominic Rhodes QB 8 Daunte Culpepper 12 Josh McCown 16 Andrew Walter/ 2 JaMarcus Russell CHIEFS DEFENSE LE 91 Tamba Hali 96 Jimmy Wilkerson 90 Turk McBride LT 95 Ron Edwards 96 Jimmy Wilkerson 92 James Reed RT 70 Alfonso Boone 93 Tank Tyler RE 69 Jared Allen 96 Jimmy Wilkerson 90 Turk McBride LOLB 56 Derrick Johnson 57 Johnny Baldwin 97 Keyaron Fox MLB 50 Napoleon Harris 98 Nate Harris ROLB59 Donnie Edwards 99 Kendrell Bell 57 Johnny Baldwin LCB 24 Ty Law 20 Benny Sapp 35 Rashad Barksdale RCB 23 Patrick Surtain 34 Tyron Brackenridge 22 Dimitri Patterson SS 49 Bernard Pollard 25 Greg Wesley FS 44 Jarrad Page 47 Jon McGraw RAIDERS SPECIALISTS K 11 Sebastian Janikowski P 9 Shane Lechler KC 59 Jon Condo 51 Chris Morris KOR 23 Chris Carr 15 Johnnie Lee Higgins PR 23 Chris Carr 15 Johnnie Lee Higgins H 9 Shane Lechler McAfee Coliseum, Oakland, CA Sunday, October 21, :05 p.m. RAIDERS DEFENSE DE 93 Tommy Kelly 98 Jay Richardson DT 99 Warren Sapp 91 Tyler Brayton DT 61 Gerard Warren 90 Terdell Sands DE 56 Derrick Burgess 58 Chris Clemons OLB 54 Sam Williams 55 Robert Thomas MLB 52 Kirk Morrison 57 Ricky Brown OLB 53 Thomas Howard 50 Isaiah Ekejiuba 94 Jon Alston CB 21 Nnamdi Asomugha 23 Chris Carr 37 Chris Johnson CB 26 Stanford Routt/ 35 John Bowie 27 Fabian Washington SS 24 Michael Huff 40 Jarrod Cooper FS 30 Stuart Schweigert 31 Hiram Eugene CHIEFS OFFENSE WR 18 Samie Parker 80 Jeff Webb 87 Eddie Kennison LT 77 Damion McIntosh 71 Will Svitek LG 54 Brian Waters 65 Herb Taylor C 62 Casey Wiegmann 64 Rudy Niswanger RG 76 John Welbourn 64 Rudy Niswanger RT 60 Chris Terry 74 Kyle Turley TE 88 Tony Gonzalez 89 Jason Dunn 84 Kris Wilson WR 82 Dwayne Bowe 83 Bobby Sippio 85 Eddie Drummond QB 11 Damon Huard 12 Brodie Croyle 4 Tyler Thigpen FB 84 Kris Wilson 46 Boomer Grigsby RB 27 Larry Johnson 21 Kolby Smith CHIEFS SPECIALISTS K 6 Dave Rayner 2 Dustin Colquitt P 2 Dustin Colquitt 6 Dave Rayner KC 51 J.P Darche 69 Jared Allen KOR 85 Eddie Drummond 80 Jeff Webb 20 Benny Sapp PR 85 Eddie Drummond 18 Samie Parker 87 Eddie Kennison H 2 Dustin Colquitt 11 Damon Huard CHIEFS 2 Dustin Colquitt P 4 Tyler Thigpen QB 6 Dave Rayner K 11 Damon Huard QB 12 Brodie Croyle QB 18 Samie Parker WR 20 Benny Sapp CB 21 Kolby Smith RB 22 Dimitri Patterson CB 23 Patrick Surtain CB 24 Ty Law CB 25 Greg Wesley S 27 Larry Johnson RB 34 Tyron Brackenridge CB 35 Rashad Barksdale CB 44 Jarrad Page S 46 Boomer Grigsby FB 47 Jon McGraw - C S 49 Bernard Pollard S 50 Napoleon Harris LB 51 Jean-Philippe Darche.....LS 54 Brian Waters - C G 56 Derrick Johnson LB 57 Johnny Baldwin LB 59 Donnie Edwards - C......LB 60 Chris Terry T 62 Casey Wiegmann C 64 Rudy Niswanger C 65 Herb Taylor G 69 Jared Allen DE 70 Alfonso Boone DT 71 Will Svitek T 74 Kyle Turley T 76 John Welbourn G 77 Damion McIntosh T 80 Jeff Webb WR 82 Dwayne Bowe WR 83 Bobby Sippio WR 84 Kris Wilson TE 85 Eddie Drummond WR 87 Eddie Kennison WR 88 Tony Gonzalez TE 89 Jason Dunn TE 90 Turk McBride DE 91 Tamba Hali DE 92 James Reed DT 93 Tank Tyler DT 95 Ron Edwards DT 96 Jimmy Wilkerson DE 97 Keyaron Fox LB 98 Nate Harris LB 99 Kendrell Bell LB INACTIVES /3rd QB Referee- Bill Leavy (127) Umpire- Richard Hall (49) Head Linesman- Gary Slaughter (30) Line Judge- Darryll Lewis (130) Field Judge- Rob Vernatchi (75) Side Judge- Mike Weatherford (116) Back Judge- Kirk Dornan (6) Replay- Jim Lapetina Video- Jim Pearson Trainer- Ron Botchan /3rd QB

52 RAIDERS 94 Alston, Jon LB 21 Asomugha, Nnamdi......CB 35 Bowie, John CB 91 Brayton, Tyler DE 57 Brown, Ricky LB 56 Burgess, Derrick DE 66 Carlisle, Cooper G 23 Carr, Chris CB 58 Clemons, Chris DE/LB 59 Condo, Jon LS 40 Cooper, Jarrod SS 8 Culpepper, Daunte QB 89 Curry, Ronald WR 50 Ekejiuba, Isaiah LB 31 Eugene, Hiram S 25 Fargas, Justin RB 76 Gallery, Robert G 74 Green, Cornell T 36 Griffith, Justin RB 64 Grove, Jake C 75 Henderson, Mario T 15 Higgins, Johnnie Lee.....WR 53 Howard, Thomas LB 24 Huff, Michael S 11 Janikowski, Sebastian.....K 37 Johnson, Chris CB 34 Jordan, LaMont RB 93 Kelly, Tommy DE/DT 9 Lechler, Shane P 85 Madsen, John TE 12 McCown, Josh QB 79 McQuistan, Paul G 80 Miller, Zach TE 51 Morris, Chris C 52 Morrison, Kirk LB 62 Newberry, Jeremy C 46 O Neal, Oren RB 84 Porter, Jerry WR 33 Rhodes, Dominic RB 98 Richardson, Jay DE 26 Routt, Stanford CB 2 Russell, JaMarcus QB 90 Sands, Terdell DT 99 Sapp, Warren DT 30 Schweigert, Stuart S 65 Sims, Barry T 86 Stewart, Tony TE 55 Thomas, Robert LB 16 Walter, Andrew QB 61 Warren, Gerard DT 27 Washington, Fabian......CB 17 Williams, Mike WR 54 Williams, Sam LB PRONUNCIATION GUIDE Nnamdi Asomugha NAHM-Dee Asso-Mu-WAH Daunte Culpepper Don-tay Sebastian Janikowski...JAN-Ah-COW-Ski Shane Lechler LECK-Ler Paul McQuistan MIC-Qwist-Ann Stanford Routt Sounds like OUT Stuart Schweigert SHWHY-Gurt THE OAKLAND RAIDERS No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Age Exp. College 2 JaMarcus Russell QB R LSU 8 Daunte Culpepper QB Central Florida 9 Shane Lechler P Texas A&M 11 Sebastian Janikowski K Florida State 12 Josh McCown QB Sam Houston State 15 Johnnie Lee Higgins WR R UTEP 16 Andrew Walter QB Arizona State 17 Mike Williams WR Southern California 21 Nnamdi Asomugha CB California 23 Chris Carr CB Boise State 24 Michael Huff S Texas 25 Justin Fargas RB Southern California 26 Stanford Routt CB Houston 27 Fabian Washington CB Nebraska 30 Stuart Schweigert S Purdue 31 Hiram Eugene S Louisiana Tech 33 Dominic Rhodes RB Midwestern State 34 LaMont Jordan RB Maryland 35 John Bowie CB R Cincinnati 36 Justin Griffith RB Mississippi State 37 Chris Johnson CB Louisville 40 Jarrod Cooper SS Kansas State 46 Oren O Neal RB R Arkansas State 50 Isaiah Ekejiuba LB Virginia 51 Chris Morris C Michigan State 52 Kirk Morrison LB San Diego State 53 Thomas Howard LB UTEP 54 Sam Williams LB Fresno State 55 Robert Thomas LB UCLA 56 Derrick Burgess DE Mississippi 57 Ricky Brown LB Boston College 58 Chris Clemons DE/LB Georgia 59 Jon Condo LS/LB Maryland 61 Gerrard Warren DT Florida 62 Jeremy Newberry C California 64 Jake Grove C Virginia Tech 65 Barry Sims T Utah 66 Cooper Carlisle G Florida 74 Cornell Green T Central Florida 75 Mario Henderson T R Florida State 76 Robert Gallery G Iowa 79 Paul McQuistan G Weber State 80 Zach Miller TE R Arizona State 84 Jerry Porter WR West Virginia 85 John Madsen TE Utah 86 Tony Stewart TE Penn State 89 Ronald Curry WR North Carolina 90 Terdell Sands DT Tenn.-Chattanooga 91 Tyler Brayton DE Colorado 93 Tommy Kelly DE/DT Mississippi State 94 Jon Alston LB Stanford 98 Jay Richardson DE R Ohio State 99 Warren Sapp DT Miami RAIDERS COACHES Head Coach: Lane Kiffin Assistants: Willie Brown (Defensive Backs, Squad Development), Tom Cable (Offensive Line), Charles Coe III (Wide Receivers), James Cregg (Asst. Offensive Line), John DeFilippo (Quarterbacks), Jeff Fish ( Strength & Conditioning), Curtis Fuller (Quality Control, Special Teams), Randy Hansen (Asst. Defensive Backs), Adam Henry (Quality Control, Offense), Don Johnson (Asst. Defensive Line), Gregg Knapp (Offensive Coordinator), Sanjay Lal (Quality Control, Defense), Don Martindale (Linebackers), George Martinez (Quality Control, Defense), Keith Millard (Defensive Line), Darren Perry (Defensive Backs), Tom Rathman (Running Backs), Rob Ryan (Defensive Coordinator), Brian Schneider (Special Teams Coordinator), Kelly Skipper (Tight Ends). KANSAS CITY CHIEFS No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Age Exp. College 2 Dustin Colquitt P Tennessee 4 Tyler Thigpen QB R Coastal Carolina 6 Dave Rayner K Michigan State 11 Damon Huard QB Washington 12 Brodie Croyle QB Alabama 18 Samie Parker WR Oregon 20 Benny Sapp CB Northern Iowa 21 Kolby Smith RB R Louisville 22 Dimitri Patterson CB Tuskegee 23 Patrick Surtain CB Southern Mississippi 24 Ty Law CB Michigan 25 Greg Wesley S Arkansas - Pine Bluff 27 Larry Johnson RB Penn State 34 Tyron Brackenridge CB R Washington State 35 Rashad Barksdale CB R Albany 44 Jarrad Page S UCLA 46 Boomer Grigsby FB Illinois State 47 Jon McGraw S Kansas State 49 Bernard Pollard S Purdue 50 Napoleon Harris LB Northwestern 51 Jean-Philippe Darche LS McGill 54 Brian Waters G North Texas 56 Derrick Johnson LB Texas 57 Johnny Baldwin LB R Alabama A&M 59 Donnie Edwards LB UCLA 60 Chris Terry T Georgia 62 Casey Wiegmann C Iowa 64 Rudy Niswanger C LSU 65 Herb Taylor G R TCU 69 Jared Allen DE Idaho State 70 Alfonso Boone DT Mt. San Antonio JC 71 Will Svitek T Stanford 74 Kyle Turley T San Diego State 76 John Welbourn G California 77 Damion McIntosh T Kansas State 80 Jeff Webb WR San Diego State 82 Dwayne Bowe WR R LSU 83 Bobby Sippio WR Western Kentucky 84 Kris Wilson TE Pittsburgh 85 Eddie Drummond WR Penn State 87 Eddie Kennison WR LSU 88 Tony Gonzalez TE California 89 Jason Dunn TE Eastern Kentucky 90 Turk McBride DE R Tennessee 91 Tamba Hali DE Penn State 92 James Reed DT Iowa State 93 Tank Tyler DT R North Carolina State 95 Ron Edwards DT Texas A&M 96 Jimmy Wilkerson DE Oklahoma 97 Keyaron Fox LB Georgia Tech 98 Nate Harris LB R Louisville 99 Kendrell Bell LB Georgia CHIEFS COACHES Head Coach: Herm Edwards Assistants: Don Blackmon (Linebackers), Gunther Cunningham (Defensive Coordinator), Dick Curl (Quarterbacks), Jon Embree (Tight Ends), David Gibbs (Defensive Backs), Charlie Joiner (Wide Receivers), Michael Ketchum (Defensive Assistant), Tim Krumrie (Defensive Line), John Matsko and Bob Bicknell (Offensive Line), Kevin Patullo (Offensive Assistant/Quality Control), Mike Priefer (Specialists), Brent Salazar (Assistant Strength and Conditioning), James Saxon (Running Backs), Cedric Smith (Strength and Conditioning), Mike Solari (Offensive Coordinator), Darvin Wallis (Defensive Assistant/Quality Control). Nate Wainwright (Manager of Football Administration). CHIEFS 69 Allen, Jared DE 57 Baldwin, Johnny LB 35 Barksdale, Rashad CB 99 Bell, Kendrell LB 70 Boone, Alfonso DT 82 Bowe, Dwayne WR 34 Brackenridge, Tyron......CB 2 Colquitt, Dustin P 12 Croyle, Brodie QB 51 Darche, Jean-Philippe.....LS 85 Drummond, Eddie WR 89 Dunn, Jason TE 59 Edwards, Donnie - C......LB 95 Edwards, Ron DT 97 Fox, Keyaron LB 88 Gonzalez, Tony TE 46 Grigsby, Boomer FB 91 Hali, Tamba DE 50 Harris, Napoleon LB 98 Harris, Nate LB 11 Huard, Damon QB 56 Johnson, Derrick LB 27 Johnson, Larry RB 87 Kennison, Eddie WR 24 Law, Ty CB 90 McBride, Turk DE 47 McGraw, Jon - C S 77 McIntosh, Damion T 64 Niswanger, Rudy C 44 Page, Jarrad S 18 Parker, Samie WR 22 Patterson, Dimitri CB 49 Pollard, Bernard S 6 Rayner, Dave K 92 Reed, James DT 20 Sapp, Benny CB 83 Sippio, Bobby WR 21 Smith, Kolby RB 23 Surtain, Patrick CB 71 Svitek, Will T 65 Taylor, Herb G 60 Terry, Chris T 4 Thigpen, Tyler QB 74 Turley, Kyle T 93 Tyler, Tank DT 54 Waters, Brian - C G 80 Webb, Jeff WR 76 Welbourn, John G 25 Wesley, Greg S 62 Wiegmann, Casey C 96 Wilkerson, Jimmy DE 84 Wilson, Kris TE PRONUNCIATION GUIDE Kendrell Bell KEN-DRELL Dwayne Bowe BO Tyron Brackenridge ty-RON Brodie Croyle CROY-ul Jean-Philippe Darche zhon-phil-eep darsh Keyaron Fox Key-AARON Tamba Hali TOM-bah HA-LEE Rudy Niswanger NIZE-wong-er Jarrad Page Jared Patrick Surtain SIR-tan Will Svitek SVEE-tech Casey Wiegmann WIG-man

53 National Football League Game Summary NFL Copyright 2007 by The National Football League. All rights reserved. This summary and play-by-play is for the express purpose of assisting media in their coverage of the game; any other use of this material is prohibited without the written permission of the National Football League. Date: Sunday, 10/21/2007 Kansas City Chiefs At Oakland Raiders at McAfee Coliseum, Oakland Start Time: 1:05 PM PDT Game Weather: Sunny Skies Played Outdoor on Turf: Grass Referee: Leavy, Bill (127) Line Judge: Lewis, Darryll (130) Back Judge: Dornan, Kirk (6) Game Day Weather Temp: 68 F (20.0 C), Humidity: 32%, Wind: WNW 10 mph Officials Umpire: Hall, Richard (49) Head Linesman: Slaughter, Gary (30) Side Judge: Weatherford, Mike (116) Field Judge: Vernatchi, Rob (75) Replay Official: Lapetina, Jim Video Operator: Pearson, Jim Kansas City Chiefs Lineups Oakland Raiders Offense Defense Offense Defense WR 18 S.Parker LE 91 T.Hali WR 15 J.Higgins DE 98 J.Richardson LT 77 D.McIntosh LT 95 R.Edwards LT 65 B.Sims DT 99 W.Sapp LG 54 B.Waters RT 70 A.Boone LG 76 R.Gallery DT 90 T.Sands C 62 C.Wiegmann RE 69 J.Allen C 62 J.Newberry DE 56 D.Burgess RG 76 J.Welbourn LOLB 56 D.Johnson RG 66 C.Carlisle OLB 55 R.Thomas RT 60 C.Terry MLB 50 Na.Harris RT 74 C.Green MLB 52 K.Morrison TE 88 T.Gonzalez ROLB 59 D.Edwards TE 80 Z.Miller OLB 53 T.Howard WR 82 D.Bowe LCB 24 T.Law WR 84 J.Porter CB 21 N.Asomugha QB 11 D.Huard RCB 23 P.Surtain FB 36 J.Griffith CB 26 S.Routt FB 84 K.Wilson SS 49 B.Pollard RB 34 L.Jordan SS 24 M.Huff RB 27 L.Johnson FS 44 J.Page QB 8 D.Culpepper FS 30 S.Schweigert Substitutions P 2 D.Colquitt, K 6 D.Rayner, QB 12 B.Croyle, CB 20 B.Sapp, RB 21 K.Smith, S 25 G.Wesley, RB 31 P.Holmes, CB 34 T.Brackenridge, CB 35 R.Barksdale, FB 46 B.Grigsby, S 47 J.McGraw, LS 51 J.Darche, LB 57 J.Baldwin, C 64 R.Niswanger, T 71 W.Svitek, WR 80 J.Webb, WR 85 E.Drummond, TE 89 J.Dunn, DE 90 T.McBride, DT 93 D.Tyler, DE 96 J.Wilkerson, LB 98 N.Harris, LB 99 K.Bell Did Not Play Not Active QB#3 4 T.Thigpen, CB 22 D.Patterson, G 65 H.Taylor, T 74 K.Turley, WR 83 B.Sippio, WR 87 E.Kennison, DT 92 J.Reed, LB 97 K.Fox Substitutions P 9 S.Lechler, K 11 S.Janikowski, WR 17 M.Williams, CB 23 C.Carr, RB 25 J.Fargas, CB 27 F.Washington, S 31 H.Eugene, RB 33 D.Rhodes, S 40 J.Cooper, RB 46 O.O'Neal, LB 50 I.Ekejiuba, LB 57 R.Brown, LB- DE 58 C.Clemons, LS-LB 59 J.Condo, TE 85 J.Madsen, TE 86 T.Stewart, WR 89 R.Curry, DE 91 T.Brayton, DE-DT 93 T.Kelly, LB 94 J.Alston Did Not Play QB 16 A.Walter, C 64 J.Grove, G 79 P.McQuistan Not Active QB#3 2 J.Russell, QB 12 J.McCown, CB 35 J.Bowie, CB 37 C.Johnson, C 51 C.Morris, LB 54 S.Williams, DT 61 G.Warren, T 75 M.Henderson Field Goals (made ( ) & missed) D.Rayner (41) (31) 30WL S.Janikowski (37) OT Total VISITOR: Kansas City Chiefs HOME: Oakland Raiders Scoring Plays Team Qtr Time Play Description (Extra Point) (Drive Info) Visitor Home Chiefs 1 10:40 D.Rayner 41 yd. Field Goal (10-57, 4:20) 3 0 Chiefs 2 14:01 D.Rayner 31 yd. Field Goal (6-16, 2:13) 6 0 Raiders 3 2:37 R.Curry 21 yd. pass from D.Culpepper (S.Janikowski kick) (2-80, 0:51) 6 7 Chiefs 4 11:30 L.Johnson 1 yd. run (pass failed) (9-74, 3:10) 12 7 Raiders 4 5:49 S.Janikowski 37 yd. Field Goal (10-51, 5:41) Paid Attendance: 62,240 Time: 3:03

54 RUSHING ATT YDS AVG LG TD L.Johnson P.Holmes K.Wilson S.Parker D.Huard Total Kansas City Chiefs Kansas City Chiefs vs Oakland Raiders 10/21/2007 at McAfee Coliseum Final Individual Statistics Oakland Raiders RUSHING ATT YDS AVG LG TD L.Jordan D.Rhodes D.Culpepper J.Fargas Total PASSING ATT CMP YDS SK/YD TD LG IN RT PASSING ATT CMP YDS SK/YD TD LG IN RT D.Huard / D.Culpepper / L.Johnson / Total / Total / PASS RECEIVING NO YDS AVG LG TD L.Johnson T.Gonzalez D.Bowe K.Wilson S.Parker P.Holmes PASS RECEIVING NO YDS AVG LG TD Z.Miller R.Curry L.Jordan J.Fargas J.Porter D.Rhodes J.Griffith Total Total INTERCEPTIONS NO YDS AVG LG TD INTERCEPTIONS NO YDS AVG LG TD J.Page S.Routt Total Total PUNTING NO YDS AVG NET TB IN20 LG PUNTING NO YDS AVG NET TB IN20 LG D.Colquitt S.Lechler Total Total PUNT RETURNS NO YDS AVG FC LG TD E.Drummond [DOWNED] PUNT RETURNS NO YDS AVG FC LG TD C.Carr N.Asomugha [DOWNED] Returns Returns KICKOFF RETURNS NO YDS AVG FC LG TD KICKOFF RETURNS NO YDS AVG FC LG TD [TOUCHBACK] D.Rhodes C.Carr Returns Returns Kansas City Chiefs FUMBLES FUM LOST OWN-REC YDS TD FORCED OPP-REC YDS TD OUT-BDS J.McGraw Total Oakland Raiders FUMBLES FUM LOST OWN-REC YDS TD FORCED OPP-REC YDS TD OUT-BDS J.Newberry N.Asomugha D.Culpepper Total

55 Kansas City Chiefs vs Oakland Raiders 10/21/2007 at McAfee Coliseum Final Team Statistics Visitor Home Chiefs Raiders TOTAL FIRST DOWNS By Rushing 7 2 By Passing 7 8 By Penalty 0 0 THIRD DOWN EFFICIENCY % % FOURTH DOWN EFFICIENCY 0-0-0% 0-1-0% TOTAL NET YARDS Total Offensive Plays (inc. times thrown passing) Average gain per offensive play NET YARDS RUSHING Total Rushing Plays Average gain per rushing play Tackles for a loss-number and yards NET YARDS PASSING Times thrown - yards lost attempting to pass Gross yards passing PASS ATTEMPTS-COMPLETIONS-HAD INTERCEPTED Avg gain per pass play (inc.# thrown passing) KICKOFFS Number-In End Zone-Touchbacks PUNTS Number and Average Had Blocked 0 0 FGs - PATs Had Blocked Net Punting Average TOTAL RETURN YARDAGE (Not Including Kickoffs) No. and Yards Punt Returns No. and Yards Kickoff Returns No. and Yards Interception Returns PENALTIES Number and Yards FUMBLES Number and Lost TOUCHDOWNS 1 1 Rushing 1 0 Passing 0 1 EXTRA POINTS Made-Attempts Kicking Made-Attempts Passing Made-Attempts FIELD GOALS Made-Attempts RED ZONE EFFICIENCY % 0-2-0% GOAL TO GO EFFICIENCY % 0-0-0% SAFETIES 0 0 FINAL SCORE TIME OF POSSESSION 31:51 28:09

56 # Kansas City Chiefs Time Time Recd Lost Time Poss How Ball Obtained Kansas City Chiefs vs Oakland Raiders 10/21/2007 at McAfee Coliseum Ball Possession And Drive Chart Drive Began (455) Average KC 30 # Play Yds Gain Yds Pen Net Yds 1st Down Last Scrm How Given Up 1 15:00 10:40 4:20 Kickoff KC OAK 23 Field Goal 2 7:38 4:49 2:49 Punt KC KC 27 Punt 3 3:22 1:14 2:08 Punt KC KC 24 Punt 4 1:14 14:01 2:13 Muffed Punt OAK * OAK 13 Field Goal 5 11:57 10:43 1:14 Punt KC KC 31 Punt 6 5:55 3:21 2:34 Downs KC KC 32 Punt 7 1:37 0:55 0:42 Punt KC KC 24 Punt 8 0:06 0:00 0:06 Punt KC KC 17 End of Half 9 13:09 11:35 1:34 Punt KC KC 34 Punt 10 9:48 8:36 1:12 Punt KC OAK 48 Interception 11 7:04 3:28 3:36 Punt KC * OAK 12 Missed FG 12 2:37 1:01 1:36 Kickoff KC KC 25 Punt 13 14:40 11:30 3:10 Punt KC * OAK 1 Touchdown 14 5:49 1:46 4:03 Kickoff KC KC 39 Punt 15 0:34 0:00 0:34 Interception OAK * OAK 15 End of Game # Oakland Raiders Time Time Recd Lost * inside opponent's 20 Time How Ball Poss Obtained Drive Began (320) Average OAK 25 # Play Yds Gain Yds Pen Net Yds 1st Down Last Scrm How Given Up 1 10:40 7:38 3:02 Kickoff OAK OAK 46 Punt 2 4:49 3:22 1:27 Punt OAK OAK 20 Punt 3 14:01 11:57 2:04 Kickoff OAK OAK 28 Punt 4 10:43 5:55 4:48 Punt OAK * KC 17 Downs 5 3:21 1:37 1:44 Punt OAK OAK 38 Punt 6 0:55 0:06 0:49 Punt OAK OAK 37 Punt 7 15:00 13:09 1:51 Kickoff OAK OAK 27 Punt 8 11:35 9:48 1:47 Punt OAK OAK 15 Punt 9 8:36 7:04 1:32 Interception OAK OAK 9 Punt 10 3:28 2:37 0:51 Missed FG OAK KC 21 Touchdown 11 1:01 14:40 1:21 Punt OAK OAK 39 Punt 12 11:30 5:49 5:41 Kickoff OAK * KC 19 Field Goal 13 1:46 0:34 1:12 Punt OAK OAK 44 Interception Time of Possession by Quarter Visitor Kansas City Chiefs 1st 2nd 3rd 4th OT Total 10:31 5:35 7:58 7:47 31:51 Home Oakland Raiders 4:29 9:25 7:02 7:13 28:09 Kickoff Drive No.-Start Average Chiefs: 3 - KC 20 Raiders: 4 - OAK 27

57 Kansas City Chiefs vs Oakland Raiders 10/21/2007 at McAfee Coliseum Final Defensive Statistics Kansas City Chiefs Regular Defensive Plays Special Teams Misc TKL AST COMB SACK / YRDS QH IN PD FF FR TKL AST FF FR BL TKL AST FF FR J.Allen D.Johnson D.Edwards Na.Harris J.Page B.Pollard TEAM P.Surtain T.Hali T.Law A.Boone B.Waters G.Wesley R.Edwards T.Brackenridge B.Sapp R.Barksdale J.Wilkerson J.McGraw N.Harris J.Baldwin B.Grigsby D.Bowe Total TKL /TK=Tackle AST /AS=Assist COMB=Combined QH=Quarterback Hit IN=Interception PD=Pass Defense FF =Forced Fumble FR=Fumble Recovery BL=Blocked Oakland Raiders Regular Defensive Plays Special Teams Misc TKL AST COMB SACK / YRDS QH IN PD FF FR TKL AST FF FR BL TKL AST FF FR T.Howard T.Kelly M.Huff K.Morrison D.Burgess W.Sapp R.Thomas TEAM N.Asomugha C.Clemons S.Schweigert S.Routt J.Alston J.Richardson C.Carr T.Sands J.Cooper J.Condo T.Stewart O.O'Neal I.Ekejiuba D.Culpepper J.Newberry Total

58 Chiefs (Visitor) Raiders (Home) PERIOD SCORES 3 3 = = 0 Kansas City Chiefs vs Oakland Raiders 10/21/2007 at McAfee Coliseum First Half Summary TIME OF POSSESSION Chiefs 16:06 Raiders 13:54 Scoring Plays Team Qtr Time Scoring Play Score Visitor Home Chiefs 1 10:40 D.Rayner 41 yd. Field Goal (10-57, 4:20) 3 0 Chiefs 2 14:01 D.Rayner 31 yd. Field Goal (6-16, 2:13) 6 0 Chiefs Raiders TOTAL FIRST DOWNS 6 4 First Downs Rushing-Passing-by Penalty THIRD DOWN EFFICIENCY % % TOTAL NET YARDS Total Offensive Plays NET YARDS RUSHING NET YARDS PASSING Gross Yards Passing Times thrown-yards lost attempting to pass Pass Attempts-Completions-Had Intercepted Punts-Number and Average Penalties-Number and Yards Fumbles-Number and Lost Red Zone Efficiency 0-1-0% 0-1-0% Average Drive Start KC 28 OAK 28 Kansas City Chiefs RUSHING ATT YDS AVG LG TD L.Johnson S.Parker D.Huard Oakland Raiders RUSHING ATT YDS AVG LG TD L.Jordan D.Rhodes D.Culpepper J.Fargas Total Total PASSING ATT CMP YDS SK/YD TD LG IN RT PASSING ATT CMP YDS SK/YD TD LG IN RT D.Huard / D.Culpepper / Total / Total / PASS RECEIVING NO YDS AVG LG TD T.Gonzalez D.Bowe L.Johnson K.Wilson P.Holmes PASS RECEIVING NO YDS AVG LG TD Z.Miller J.Fargas L.Jordan R.Curry Total Kansas City Chiefs Total Regular Defensive Plays Special Teams Misc TKL AST COMB SACK / YRDS QH IN PD FF FR TKL AST FF FR BL TKL AST FF FR J.Allen J.Page D.Edwards D.Johnson Oakland Raiders Regular Defensive Plays Special Teams Misc TKL AST COMB SACK / YRDS QH IN PD FF FR TKL AST FF FR BL TKL AST FF FR M.Huff K.Morrison T.Howard T.Kelly

59 Kansas City Chiefs vs Oakland Raiders at McAfee Coliseum Play By Play 1st Quarter 10/21/2007 Page 1 KC wins toss, elects to Receive, and OAK elects to defend the North goal. Raiders' Captains: #9 S. Lechler, #21 N. Asomugha, #56 D. Burgess, #65 B. Simms, #99 W. Sapp Chiefs' Captains: #47 J. McGaw, #54 B. Waters, #59 D. Edwards, #80 J. Webb, #89 J. Dunn S.Janikowski kicks 75 yards from OAK 30 to KC -5. E.Drummond, Touchback. Kansas City Chiefs at 15: KC 20 (15:00) L.Johnson left end to KC 29 for 9 yards (M.Huff). 2-1-KC 29 (14:34) L.Johnson right tackle to KC 32 for 3 yards (W.Sapp) KC 32 (13:59) L.Johnson right guard to KC 33 for 1 yard (W.Sapp, D.Burgess). 2-9-KC 33 (13:20) D.Huard pass incomplete short right to K.Wilson. 3-9-KC 33 (13:16) (Shotgun) D.Huard pass short middle to D.Bowe to OAK 45 for 22 yards (K.Morrison) OAK 45 (12:44) D.Huard pass deep middle to T.Gonzalez to OAK 25 for 20 yards (M.Huff) OAK 25 (12:03) S.Parker left end to OAK 23 for 2 yards (T.Howard). 2-8-OAK 23 (11:25) D.Huard pass incomplete short left to L.Johnson. 3-8-OAK 23 (11:20) (Shotgun) L.Johnson up the middle to OAK 23 for no gain (T.Kelly). 4-8-OAK 23 (10:44) D.Rayner 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-J.Darche, Holder-D.Colquitt. KC 3 OAK 0, 10 plays, 57 yards, 4:20 drive, 4:20 elapsed D.Rayner kicks 65 yards from KC 30 to OAK 5. D.Rhodes to OAK 27 for 22 yards (N.Harris). Oakland Raiders at 10:40, (1st play from scrimmage 10:34) 1-10-OAK 27 (10:34) L.Jordan right tackle to OAK 32 for 5 yards (R.Edwards; J.Allen). 2-5-OAK 32 (9:57) L.Jordan left tackle to OAK 32 for no gain (J.Allen). 3-5-OAK 32 (9:19) (Shotgun) D.Culpepper pass short right to R.Curry to OAK 45 for 13 yards (J.Page) OAK 45 (8:53) L.Jordan right end to OAK 45 for no gain (D.Johnson) OAK 45 (8:30) L.Jordan left tackle to OAK 46 for 1 yard (J.Allen). 3-9-OAK 46 (7:50) (Shotgun) D.Culpepper pass incomplete short left to Z.Miller. 4-9-OAK 46 (7:44) S.Lechler punts 40 yards to KC 14, Center-J.Condo, fair catch by E.Drummond. Kansas City Chiefs at 7: KC 14 (7:38) L.Johnson right tackle to KC 16 for 2 yards (T.Howard). 2-8-KC 16 (7:02) D.Huard pass short left to K.Wilson to KC 23 for 7 yards (T.Howard). 3-1-KC 23 (6:27) L.Johnson up the middle to KC 25 for 2 yards (K.Morrison) KC 25 (5:48) L.Johnson right guard to KC 27 for 2 yards (D.Burgess). 2-8-KC 27 (5:07) D.Huard pass incomplete short middle to J.Webb. 3-8-KC 27 (5:04) (Shotgun) D.Huard pass incomplete short middle to K.Wilson (M.Huff). 4-8-KC 27 (4:59) D.Colquitt punts 45 yards to OAK 28, Center-J.Darche. C.Carr to OAK 27 for -1 yards (R.Barksdale). Oakland Raiders at 4: OAK 27 (4:49) D.Culpepper sacked at OAK 19 for -8 yards (J.Allen) OAK 19 (4:19) L.Jordan right tackle to OAK 20 for 1 yard (J.Page) OAK 20 (3:41) (Shotgun) D.Culpepper pass incomplete short left to M.Williams OAK 20 (3:35) S.Lechler punts 59 yards to KC 21, Center-J.Condo. E.Drummond to KC 30 for 9 yards (T.Stewart). Kansas City Chiefs at 3: KC 30 (3:22) L.Johnson left end to KC 28 for -2 yards (T.Kelly; T.Howard) KC 28 (2:42) L.Johnson up the middle to KC 30 for 2 yards (R.Thomas) KC 30 (2:03) D.Huard pass short left to P.Holmes to KC 24 for -6 yards (N.Asomugha, C.Clemons) KC 24 (1:25) D.Colquitt punts 47 yards to OAK 29, Center-J.Darche. N.Asomugha MUFFS catch, RECOVERED by KC-J.McGraw at OAK 29. J.McGraw to OAK 29 for no gain (S.Schweigert). Kansas City Chiefs at 1: OAK 29 (1:14) L.Johnson up the middle to OAK 29 for no gain (D.Burgess) OAK 29 (:35) (Shotgun) D.Huard pass short left to L.Johnson to OAK 18 for 11 yards (S.Routt). END OF QUARTER Score Time First Downs Efficiencies ==== Quarter Summary ==== Poss R P X T 3Down 4Down Kansas City Chiefs 3 10: /5 0/0 Oakland Raiders 0 4: /3 0/0 R1 P2 P3 P1 R4 P5

60 Kansas City Chiefs vs Oakland Raiders at McAfee Coliseum Play By Play 2nd Quarter 10/21/2007 Page 1 Kansas City Chiefs continued OAK 18 (15:00) D.Huard pass incomplete deep right to T.Gonzalez (M.Huff) OAK 18 (14:55) L.Johnson up the middle to OAK 13 for 5 yards (T.Kelly). 3-5-OAK 13 (14:10) D.Huard pass incomplete short left to K.Wilson. 4-5-OAK 13 (14:06) D.Rayner 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-J.Darche, Holder-D.Colquitt. KC 6 OAK 0, 6 plays, 16 yards, 2:13 drive, 0:59 elapsed D.Rayner kicks 70 yards from KC 30 to OAK 0. C.Carr to OAK 24 for 24 yards (J.Baldwin). Oakland Raiders at 14:01, (1st play from scrimmage 13:56) 1-10-OAK 24 (13:56) D.Rhodes up the middle to OAK 22 for -2 yards (D.Edwards) OAK 22 (13:24) D.Rhodes right end to OAK 26 for 4 yards (P.Surtain). 3-8-OAK 26 (12:41) (Shotgun) D.Culpepper pass short right to L.Jordan to OAK 28 for 2 yards (J.Allen, Na.Harris). 4-6-OAK 28 (12:06) S.Lechler punts 39 yards to KC 33, Center-J.Condo, downed by OAK-S.Schweigert. Kansas City Chiefs at 11: KC 33 (11:57) D.Huard pass incomplete short left to J.Webb KC 33 (11:50) (Shotgun) L.Johnson up the middle to KC 36 for 3 yards (T.Kelly). 3-7-KC 36 (11:08) (Shotgun) PENALTY on KC-C.Terry, False Start, 5 yards, enforced at KC 36 - No Play KC 31 (11:01) (Shotgun) D.Huard pass incomplete short middle to L.Johnson KC 31 (10:56) D.Colquitt punts 54 yards to OAK 15, Center-J.Darche. C.Carr to OAK 39 for 24 yards (J.Wilkerson). Oakland Raiders at 10: OAK 39 (10:43) L.Jordan left end to OAK 43 for 4 yards (D.Edwards). 2-6-OAK 43 (10:05) D.Culpepper pass incomplete deep right to R.Curry (B.Sapp). 3-6-OAK 43 (9:58) (Shotgun) PENALTY on OAK, Delay of Game, 5 yards, enforced at OAK 43 - No Play OAK 38 (9:57) (Shotgun) D.Culpepper pass deep right to M.Williams to KC 42 for 20 yards. Penalty on OAK-R.Gallery, Offensive Holding, offsetting, enforced at OAK 38 - No Play. Penalty on KC-T.McBride, Defensive Offside, offsetting OAK 38 (9:47) D.Culpepper pass to Z.Miller to KC 47 for 15 yards (D.Edwards) KC 47 (8:30) D.Culpepper pass incomplete short middle to Z.Miller KC 47 (8:15) L.Jordan right guard to KC 44 for 3 yards (A.Boone). 3-7-KC 44 (7:57) D.Culpepper pass deep right to Z.Miller to KC 26 for 18 yards (J.Page, T.Brackenridge) KC 26 (7:42) L.Jordan right tackle to KC 24 for 2 yards (Na.Harris). 2-8-KC 24 (7:35) D.Culpepper pass short right to L.Jordan to KC 18 for 6 yards (J.Allen). 3-2-KC 18 (6:26) J.Fargas up the middle to KC 17 for 1 yard (J.Allen). 4-1-KC 17 (5:58) L.Jordan up the middle to KC 17 for no gain (J.Page). Kansas City Chiefs at 5: KC 17 (5:55) D.Huard pass short left to T.Gonzalez to KC 29 for 12 yards (M.Huff) KC 29 (5:26) L.Johnson left guard to KC 33 for 4 yards (Team). 2-6-KC 33 (4:50) D.Huard pass short right to L.Johnson to KC 28 for -5 yards (K.Morrison) KC 28 (4:05) D.Huard pass short right to D.Bowe to KC 32 for 4 yards (K.Morrison). 4-7-KC 32 (3:28) D.Colquitt punts 49 yards to OAK 19, Center-J.Darche, fair catch by C.Carr. Oakland Raiders at 3: OAK 19 (3:21) D.Rhodes up the middle to OAK 30 for 11 yards (B.Pollard) OAK 30 (2:40) D.Rhodes left tackle to OAK 31 for 1 yard (T.Hali). 2-9-OAK 31 (2:03) D.Culpepper pass incomplete to Z.Miller (D.Edwards). Two-Minute Warning 3-9-OAK 31 (1:59) D.Culpepper pass to J.Fargas to OAK 38 for 7 yards (D.Johnson). Timeout #1 by KC at 01: OAK 38 (1:49) S.Lechler punts 54 yards to KC 8, Center-J.Condo. E.Drummond to KC 19 for 11 yards (J.Cooper). Kansas City Chiefs at 1: KC 19 (1:37) L.Johnson up the middle to KC 21 for 2 yards (Team). 2-8-KC 21 (1:16) D.Huard pass incomplete short middle to L.Johnson (T.Howard). 3-8-KC 21 (1:12) (Shotgun) L.Johnson up the middle to KC 24 for 3 yards (M.Huff). Timeout at 01: KC 24 (1:06) D.Colquitt punts 45 yards to OAK 31, Center-J.Darche, downed by KC-T.Brackenridge. Oakland Raiders at 0: OAK 31 (:55) D.Culpepper pass to J.Fargas to OAK 35 for 4 yards (B.Waters). 2-6-OAK 35 (:31) D.Culpepper scrambles ran ob at OAK 37 for 2 yards. 3-4-OAK 37 (:23) D.Culpepper pass incomplete to R.Curry. 4-4-OAK 37 (:19) S.Lechler punts 52 yards to KC 11, Center-J.Condo. E.Drummond to KC 17 for 6 yards (J.Cooper). Kansas City Chiefs at 0: KC 17 (:06) D.Huard kneels to KC 16 for -1 yards. END OF QUARTER Score Time First Downs Efficiencies ==== Quarter Summary ==== Poss R P X T 3Down 4Down Kansas City Chiefs 6 5: /4 0/0 Oakland Raiders 0 9: /6 0/1 P2 P3 P6 R4

61 Kansas City Chiefs vs Oakland Raiders at McAfee Coliseum Play By Play 3rd Quarter 10/21/2007 Page 1 OAK elects to Receive, and KC elects to defend the North goal. D.Rayner kicks 67 yards from KC 30 to OAK 3. D.Rhodes to OAK 26 for 23 yards (J.Wilkerson). Oakland Raiders at 15:00, (1st play from scrimmage 14:53) 1-10-OAK 26 (14:53) D.Culpepper pass short left to J.Griffith to OAK 33 for 7 yards (Na.Harris). 2-3-OAK 33 (14:13) L.Jordan left guard to OAK 34 for 1 yard (Team). 3-2-OAK 34 (13:36) D.Culpepper sacked at OAK 27 for -7 yards (J.Allen). 4-9-OAK 27 (13:23) S.Lechler punts 51 yards to KC 22, Center-J.Condo. E.Drummond to KC 27 for 5 yards (O.O'Neal). Kansas City Chiefs at 13: KC 27 (13:09) D.Huard pass incomplete short middle to T.Gonzalez KC 27 (13:04) D.Huard sacked at KC 18 for -9 yards (W.Sapp) KC 18 (12:23) (Shotgun) D.Huard pass short right to T.Gonzalez to KC 34 for 16 yards (T.Howard). 4-3-KC 34 (11:47) D.Colquitt punts 55 yards to OAK 11, Center-J.Darche. C.Carr to OAK 11 for no gain (R.Barksdale). PENALTY on OAK-M.Huff, Illegal Block Above the Waist, 5 yards, enforced at OAK 11. Oakland Raiders at 11: OAK 6 (11:35) D.Rhodes up the middle to OAK 7 for 1 yard (D.Johnson). 2-9-OAK 7 (10:58) D.Culpepper pass incomplete short middle to Z.Miller (Na.Harris). 3-9-OAK 7 (10:51) (Shotgun) D.Culpepper pass short middle to J.Fargas to OAK 15 for 8 yards (D.Johnson). 4-1-OAK 15 (10:13) S.Lechler punts 47 yards to KC 38, Center-J.Condo, downed by OAK-H.Eugene. Penalty on OAK-H.Eugene, Player Out of Bounds on Punt, offsetting, enforced at OAK 15 - No Play. Penalty on KC-T.McBride, Running Into the Kicker, offsetting. 4-1-OAK 15 (9:59) S.Lechler punts 58 yards to KC 27, Center-J.Condo. E.Drummond to KC 39 for 12 yards (I.Ekejiuba). Kansas City Chiefs at 9: KC 39 (9:48) L.Johnson left tackle to KC 47 for 8 yards (D.Burgess). 2-2-KC 47 (9:13) K.Wilson up the middle to OAK 48 for 5 yards (T.Kelly) OAK 48 (8:45) D.Huard pass deep right intended for D.Bowe INTERCEPTED by S.Routt at OAK 7. S.Routt to OAK 7 for no gain (D.Bowe). Oakland Raiders at 8: OAK 7 (8:36) D.Culpepper pass incomplete deep right to J.Porter OAK 7 (8:30) D.Rhodes right end to OAK 9 for 2 yards (G.Wesley). 3-8-OAK 9 (8:30) PENALTY on KC-D.Tyler, Encroachment, 5 yards, enforced at OAK 9 - No Play. 3-3-OAK 14 (7:22) (Shotgun) D.Culpepper pass incomplete short middle to R.Curry. PENALTY on OAK-R.Curry, Delay of Game, 5 yards, enforced at OAK 14 - No Play. 3-8-OAK 9 (7:17) S.Lechler punts 66 yards to KC 25, Center-J.Condo. E.Drummond to KC 27 for 2 yards (J.Condo). PENALTY on KC-N.Harris, Illegal Block Above the Waist, 10 yards, enforced at KC 27. Kansas City Chiefs at 7: KC 17 (7:04) L.Johnson right end to OAK 29 for 54 yards (T.Kelly) OAK 29 (6:34) D.Huard pass deep left to T.Gonzalez to OAK 11 for 18 yards (M.Huff) OAK 11 (6:15) P.Holmes right end to OAK 11 for no gain (J.Alston) OAK 11 (5:25) PENALTY on KC-C.Terry, False Start, 5 yards, enforced at OAK 11 - No Play OAK 16 (4:55) D.Huard pass short middle to L.Johnson to OAK 13 for 3 yards (J.Richardson, T.Howard) OAK 13 (4:06) D.Huard pass short right to L.Johnson to OAK 12 for 1 yard (C.Carr) OAK 12 (3:31) D.Rayner 30 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Left, Center-J.Darche, Holder-D.Colquitt. Oakland Raiders at 3: OAK 20 (3:28) D.Culpepper pass deep left to J.Porter to KC 21 for 59 yards (B.Pollard) KC 21 (2:43) D.Culpepper pass to R.Curry for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN. S.Janikowski extra point is GOOD, Center-J.Condo, Holder-S.Lechler. KC 6 OAK 7, 2 plays, 80 yards, 0:51 drive, 12:23 elapsed S.Janikowski kicks 75 yards from OAK 30 to KC -5. E.Drummond, Touchback. Kansas City Chiefs at 2: KC 20 (2:37) D.Huard pass incomplete deep right to T.Gonzalez (S.Schweigert) KC 20 (2:30) L.Johnson left end to KC 20 for no gain (R.Thomas) KC 20 (1:46) D.Huard pass short right to S.Parker to KC 25 for 5 yards (K.Morrison). 4-5-KC 25 (1:11) D.Colquitt punts 41 yards to OAK 34, Center-J.Darche. C.Carr to OAK 38 for 4 yards (J.McGraw). Oakland Raiders at 1: OAK 38 (1:01) D.Culpepper pass short right to L.Jordan to OAK 46 for 8 yards (Na.Harris). 2-2-OAK 46 (:19) D.Rhodes left tackle to OAK 45 for -1 yards (Team). END OF QUARTER Score Time First Downs Efficiencies ==== Quarter Summary ==== Poss R P X T 3Down 4Down Kansas City Chiefs 6 7: /3 0/0 Oakland Raiders 7 7: /2 0/0 R7 R8 P9 P5 P6

62 Kansas City Chiefs vs Oakland Raiders at McAfee Coliseum Play By Play 4th Quarter 10/21/2007 Page 1 Oakland Raiders continued. 3-3-OAK 45 (15:00) (Shotgun) D.Culpepper Aborted. J.Newberry FUMBLES at OAK 45, and recovers at OAK 42. J.Newberry to OAK 39 for -3 yards. Lateral to D.Culpepper to OAK 39 for no gain (D.Johnson, T.Hali). 4-9-OAK 39 (14:49) S.Lechler punts 42 yards to KC 19, Center-J.Condo. E.Drummond to KC 26 for 7 yards (J.Condo; S.Schweigert). Kansas City Chiefs at 14: KC 26 (14:40) D.Huard pass incomplete short right to L.Johnson KC 26 (14:34) D.Huard pass incomplete short right to T.Gonzalez (K.Morrison) KC 26 (14:32) D.Huard pass deep left to D.Bowe to OAK 16 for 58 yards (N.Asomugha). Timeout #1 by KC at 13: OAK 16 (13:35) L.Johnson pass incomplete to T.Gonzalez. Huard Lateraled to Johnson 2-10-OAK 16 (13:30) D.Huard pass incomplete to T.Gonzalez. Timeout #2 by KC at 13: OAK 16 (13:24) (Shotgun) D.Huard pass incomplete to T.Gonzalez. PENALTY on OAK-D.Burgess, Defensive Offside, 5 yards, enforced at OAK 16 - No Play. 3-5-OAK 11 (13:21) D.Huard pass short left to L.Johnson to OAK 3 for 8 yards (T.Howard). 1-3-OAK 3 (12:52) L.Johnson left end to OAK 4 for -1 yards (R.Thomas). 2-4-OAK 4 (12:11) L.Johnson up the middle to OAK 1 for 3 yards (K.Morrison). 3-1-OAK 1 (11:39) L.Johnson up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. Play Challenged by OAK and Upheld. (Timeout #1 at 11:30.) TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. D.Huard pass to D.Bowe is incomplete. ATTEMPT FAILS. KC 12 OAK 7, 9 plays, 74 yards, 1 penalty, 3:10 drive, 3:30 elapsed D.Rayner kicks 61 yards from KC 30 to OAK 9. C.Carr to OAK 30 for 21 yards (B.Grigsby). Oakland Raiders at 11:30, (1st play from scrimmage 11:24) 1-10-OAK 30 (11:24) D.Culpepper right end pushed ob at OAK 32 for 2 yards (D.Edwards). 2-8-OAK 32 (10:47) L.Jordan right tackle to OAK 44 for 12 yards (Na.Harris) OAK 44 (10:05) D.Culpepper pass short middle to L.Jordan to KC 32 for 24 yards (J.Allen, P.Surtain) KC 32 (9:15) D.Rhodes up the middle to KC 30 for 2 yards (B.Pollard). 2-8-KC 30 (8:29) D.Rhodes right tackle to KC 27 for 3 yards (Team). 3-5-KC 27 (7:46) (Shotgun) D.Culpepper pass short right to Z.Miller to KC 19 for 8 yards (D.Edwards; T.Law) KC 19 (7:05) L.Jordan left guard to KC 18 for 1 yard (B.Pollard). PENALTY on OAK-J.Griffith, Offensive Holding, 10 yards, enforced at KC 19 - No Play KC 29 (6:32) (Shotgun) D.Culpepper pass incomplete short right to D.Rhodes KC 29 (6:27) D.Culpepper pass short middle to D.Rhodes to KC 19 for 10 yards (D.Johnson). Timeout #3 by KC at 05: KC 19 (5:57) (Shotgun) D.Culpepper pass incomplete short left to Z.Miller (D.Edwards) KC 19 (5:53) S.Janikowski 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-J.Condo, Holder-S.Lechler. KC 12 OAK 10, 10 plays, 51 yards, 5:41 drive, 9:11 elapsed S.Janikowski kicks 76 yards from OAK 30 to KC -6. E.Drummond, Touchback. Kansas City Chiefs at 5: KC 20 (5:49) L.Johnson up the middle to KC 26 for 6 yards (D.Burgess). 2-4-KC 26 (5:10) D.Huard pass short right to L.Johnson to KC 29 for 3 yards (T.Howard). 3-1-KC 29 (4:24) L.Johnson up the middle to KC 31 for 2 yards (T.Sands) KC 31 (3:40) P.Holmes up the middle to KC 34 for 3 yards (Team). 2-7-KC 34 (2:57) P.Holmes left end pushed ob at KC 42 for 8 yards (S.Schweigert) KC 42 (2:49) P.Holmes up the middle to KC 40 for -2 yards (M.Huff) KC 40 (2:08) L.Johnson up the middle to KC 43 for 3 yards (T.Kelly, S.Schweigert). Two-Minute Warning 3-9-KC 43 (2:00) (Shotgun) D.Huard sacked at KC 39 for -4 yards (C.Clemons). Timeout #2 by OAK at 01: KC 39 (1:54) D.Colquitt punts 35 yards to OAK 26, Center-J.Darche, fair catch by C.Carr. Oakland Raiders at 1: OAK 26 (1:46) (Shotgun) D.Culpepper pass short right to Z.Miller pushed ob at OAK 33 for 7 yards (T.Law). 2-3-OAK 33 (1:38) (Shotgun) D.Culpepper pass short right to R.Curry to OAK 41 for 8 yards (D.Edwards) OAK 41 (1:15) (Shotgun) D.Culpepper pass short middle to R.Curry to OAK 44 for 3 yards (D.Johnson). 2-7-OAK 44 (:46) (Shotgun) D.Culpepper pass short right intended for R.Curry INTERCEPTED by J.Page at KC 48. J.Page to OAK 15 for 37 yards (D.Culpepper). Kansas City Chiefs at 0: OAK 15 (:34) D.Huard kneels to OAK 16 for -1 yards. END OF QUARTER Score Time First Downs Efficiencies ==== Quarter Summary ==== Poss R P X T 3Down 4Down Kansas City Chiefs 12 7: /5 0/0 Oakland Raiders 10 7: /3 0/0 P10 P11 R12 R7 P8 P9 R13 R14 P10

63 CLIPS FROM 10/21/07 OAKLAND RAIDERS VS. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS 1

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65 OAKLAND TRIBUNE Another one slips away By Steve Corkran STAFF WRITER, Inside Bay Area Article Last Updated:10/21/ :31:04 PM PDT OAKLAND -- Raiders defensive tackle Warren Sapp burst through the left side of the Kansas City Chiefs offensive line. He left offensive tackle Damion McIntosh in his wake and zeroed in on quarterback Damon Huard. Middle linebacker Kirk Morrison had a sure interception stripped from his hands on the previous play. No big deal. Sapp was about to atone for Morrison's folly, all the dropped passes on offense, the failed fourth-and-one play, the two penalties that negated Raider first downs, and almost three years of futility against AFC West opponents. Sapp got his hands on Huard and was about to bring him down for a sack that would have protected the Raiders' 7-6 lead and possibly propelled them to victory when it dawned on him that he had a dilemma. "I had him by the facemask," Sapp said. "I had to let him go or else I would have gotten a penalty." Given a reprieve, Huard scrambled to his left, spotted rookie wide receiver Dwayne Bowe sprinting past cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, and let fly with a pass that Bowe turned into a 58-yard gain. Six plays later, the Chiefs scored what turned out to be a game-winning touchdown in a game Sunday at McAfee Coliseum. "When he ducked, I hooked his facemask," Sapp said. "It's just one of those things where you're damned if you do, damned if you don't." For the Raiders, it might just be a case of being damned; no matter what they do against a divisional foe, it just isn't enough. Case in point: The Raiders lost to an AFC West team for the 17th straight time Sunday. Seven of those losses came against the Chiefs by a combined 35 points. Only once did the Raiders lose by more than seven. Their last divisional victory came Nov. 28, "You just hope that one of these times it's going to go our way," Raiders free safety Stuart Schweigert said. "It seems like (weird things) happen against Kansas City." The Raiders dropped to 2-4 and remained in last place in the AFC West. Three of their four losses came against divisional foes. As always, there's no shortage of second-guessing that comes with one of said losses. A decision by coach Lane Kiffin to go for a first down on a fourth-and-one play midway through the second quarter and the Chiefs leading 6-0 is sure to garner most of the attention. Kiffin called running back LaMont Jordan's number on a play to the right side of the line. Jordan was stuffed by Chiefs defensive tackle Alfonso Boone for no gain. End of drive. 3

66 "It's one of those things where, if you don't get the first down, you don't get points out of the drive, then 'Kiff' looks like a bad coach," Jordan said. "If you get points, you get the first down and you go and score a touchdown, then it's one of those things where he looks like a hero." Don't blame Kiffin, Jordan said. "He had confidence in us, and we didn't go out there and get it done," Jordan said. "I was always trained (by) my running back coach that you should always get a yard, (even) with no blocking. With my power and my vision, I should always get a yard. So, we went for it, he put the ball in my hands, we didn't get it. It's not his fault. I put that on me." Just the same, Kiffin said, he is confident he made the proper decision. "I would do the same thing again," Kiffin said. "We had been struggling on offense a little bit, had momentum there, felt really good about our short-yardage situation. We've done very well in that situation so far this year, and I'd do the same thing again. I believe in our players and that's a spot there where we felt we could make a yard there on first down, keep the drive going and get a touchdown." None of this would have mattered much had the Raiders capitalized on their final drive. They cut the lead to on a Sebastian Janikowski field goal midway through the fourth quarter and got the ball back at their own 26-yard line with 1 minute, 46 seconds left. Raiders quarterback Daunte Culpepper completed three straight passes and was within 15 yards or so of Janikowski's field goal range. However, his next pass landed in free safety Jarrad Page's hands and sealed the outcome. Page closed on Raiders receiver Mike Williams but switched to Curry once he saw Culpepper unload. "He fell off the inside receiver, and I was trying to stick it in there to the outside slant," Culpepper said. "He fell out and made a play. I wish I could have it back, but I can't, so that's something I've got to learn from." Jordan said the Raiders offense was outplayed for the second straight game, especially in the running game. That, he added, is the main reason the Raiders lost a game in which they led into the fourth quarter. The Raiders led the league in rushing yards per game through four games at an average of They managed only 53 against the San Diego Chargers eight days ago and 55 against the Chiefs. "What we have to do is come out and execute," Jordan said. "That's what it comes down to. We have to execute, plain and simple. Offensively, when we're running the ball and we're executing, we're winning games." Now, the Raiders are running out of time, Jordan said, unless they find a way to put together a complete game. "We're close," Jordan said, "but, heck, we're close to about being out of the playoffs also, if we keep losing." 4

67 SACRAMENTO BEE Oakland defense holds up its end of the deal against Chiefs By Jason Jones and Paul Gutierrez - Bee Staff Writers Published 12:00 am PDT Monday, October 22, 2007 OAKLAND The Raiders' defense might point to Sunday's loss to the Kansas City Chiefs as the game it got its swagger back. It was supposed to be the strength of the Raiders, but through five games, the defense had as many problems as the offense, even though all 11 starters and defensive coordinator Rob Ryan are back from last season. But the Raiders' defense looked a lot like the unit it touted itself to be during the exhibition season. The 12 points are the fewest points the Raiders have allowed since holding Arizona to nine points on Oct. 22, "I felt everyone played really well on defense," coach Lane Kiffin said. "And we played really well on defense for the majority of the game." Chiefs quarterback Damon Huard was harassed nearly every time he tried to pass. The run defense gave up 126 yards but was not gashed regularly. "We're fixing to get it back rolling," linebacker Thomas Howard said. "We're fixing to get back to playing Raider defense. We've got 10 more games, and the offense is going to bring it. We know they are." Stanford Routt made his third interception of the season. Warren Sapp notched his first sack of the season and spent most of the game making life tough on Huard. A key for the Raiders was forgetting bad plays. Larry Johnson's 54-yard run led to zero points. And on the Chiefs' lone touchdown drive in the fourth quarter, Huard narrowly escaped Sapp's grasp to find Dwayne Bowe for 58 yards on a broken play. "I was told by a great man a long time ago, 'There's five plays that decide a game you just don't know which five it's going to be,' " said Sapp, referring to his coach with Tampa Bay, Tony Dungy. "Good, bad, indifferent, you've got to put that play behind you and go on to the next one." Welcome back Priest Holmes acknowledged he had butterflies. The Kansas City running back was playing his first game in nearly two years because of head and neck injuries suffered on a hit by San Diego's Shawne Merriman on Oct. 30, "I was excited to get that first hit out of the way very early," said Holmes, who had four carries for nine yards. "It's very humbling, and it's just a matter of snaps" to get that feel back. Ouch Raiders safety Stuart Schweigert got more than his own team's attention with his bone-jarring hit on Tony Gonzalez when the Chiefs tight end came across the middle late in the third quarter. Gonzalez also took notice. "He better hit me like that," said Gonzalez, who dropped Damon Huard's pass on the play. "I wasn't looking. "But I was back in on the next play." Et cetera Sebastian Janikowski's field goal in the fourth quarter, a 37-yarder, was the 162nd of his career, tying him with Chris Barr for the most in franchise history. The Raiders have 13 offensive touchdowns, surpassing last season's total of 12. 5

68 SACRAMENTO BEE Fourth-down flop haunts Raiders By Jason Jones - Bee Staff Writer Published 12:00 am PDT Monday, October 22, 2007 OAKLAND It's easy to nitpick after a two-point loss. And it starts with first-year coach Lane Kiffin's decision to go for a first down on fourth and one from the Chiefs' 17 instead of attempting a field goal in the second quarter. LaMont Jordan was stopped for no gain with 5:58 left in the half, and the Raiders eventually lost to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday at McAfee Coliseum. It was their second consecutive loss and 17th in a row against an AFC West opponent. It was also the Raiders' ninth consecutive loss to the Chiefs, their longest losing streak against an opponent. Jordan put the scrutinized failed fourth down on himself, not Kiffin. At 5-foot-10 and 230 pounds, Jordan said he should be able to get one yard without any blocking. "It's one of those things where as a player you look back and say to yourself, Wish we would have kicked a field goal," Jordan said while clarifying he wasn't being critical. "... It's one of those things where if you don't get the first down, you don't get points out of the drive, 'Kiff' looks like a bad coach." Kiffin's confidence in an offense that has struggled the last two weeks and a defense that hadn't played up to par this season won over several Raiders. Kiffin doesn't believe in settling for field goals, and his decision proved that. "I don't want to speak for anybody else, but I think the attitude that they've brought here from Day One, we would look at him different if he doesn't go for that," wide receiver Mike Williams said. "... If he doesn't go for it on fourth down, we look at him like he kind of doubts us." Kiffin wanted to spark an offense that has two touchdowns in its last two games. And with the defense playing its best game of the season, Kiffin thought it was worth the risk. "I'd do the same thing again," Kiffin said. "I believe in our players." Kiffin had reason to believe in the defense. After allowing teams to rush for a league-worst 5.6 yards a carry, the Raiders held the Chiefs to 126 yards on 32 carries. That's 3.9 yards a carry. Larry Johnson's career-long run of 54 yards in the third quarter put the Chiefs at Oakland's 29, but the drive ended with a missed field-goal attempt. The Raiders' offense? It didn't score in the first half for the third time in six games. The Raiders ran for 55 yards overall on 24 carries, and their wide receivers dropped passes or couldn't get open when Daunte Culpepper had time to throw. The Raiders (2-4) scored in the third quarter when Culpepper found Ronald Curry open in the end zone from 21 yards out for a 7-6 lead. The Chiefs (4-3) regained the lead, 12-7, on a one-yard run by Johnson with 11:30 to play but failed on a two-point conversion. The Raiders managed a field goal with 5:49 left and got the ball back with 1:46 remaining. But Culpepper's pass intended for Curry was intercepted by Chiefs safety Jarrad Page with 46 seconds left. "We've got to finish," Culpepper said. "You say you want to get going, but once you get going, you've got to finish." The Raiders know Kiffin believes they can. 6

69 SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE Raiders running out of options David White, Chronicle Staff Writer Monday, October 22, 2007 (10-21) 21:37 PDT Oakland -- The Raiders couldn't pass enough to matter, couldn't run enough when needed, and couldn't win no matter how hard they tried Sunday. So, back in the sinkhole the whole lot goes, losers (again) in the AFC West and losers (once more) to the Kansas City Chiefs, 12-10, before a full Coliseum audience that has had its fill of these sad endings. The defeat was officially clinched on Daunte Culpepper's midfield interception with less than 46 seconds left in the game, cherry-topping a full menu of offensive struggles - with struggles defined as nine punts, a 2.3-yard rushing average and a failed 4th-and-1 run in the red zone. "It's another tough pill to swallow," Raiders running back LaMont Jordan said. "It's just another game that you look at and say, 'Hey, we should have won, we could have won, and we didn't.' It's been that way since I've been a Raider. "It's one of those things that I'm really sick of." Oakland (2-4) has lost 17 straight divisional games, most in league history since the 1970 merger. The Raiders also have lost nine straight games to the Chiefs, the longest active streak in the NFL and most in franchise history. "To me, a loss is a loss," said wide receiver Ronald Curry, who has been around for all the active losing streaks. "You get tired of being close. At the end of the day, it's still a loss." For the second straight week, Oakland could not run against an eight-man front. Unlike the loss at San Diego, the Raiders actually tried to run, and kept on trying in spite of the futility of it all, banging their running backs into the Chiefs' wall 24 times for a season-low 55 yards. Jordan had 11 carries for 29 yards, with one double-digit gain of 12 yards. Dominic Rhodes had nine carries for 21 yards, with one double-digit gain of 11 yards. The Raiders ran the ball on 10 first downs, averaging 2.7 yards per gain. That puts a lot of pressure on a passing game that hasn't been a reliable source of yardage since the season opener. "We have to run the ball," said Raiders head coach Lane Kiffin, who admitted he "abandoned the run" against the Chargers and wasn't going to do it again. "This team's not built to sit back and throw the ball 50 times. That's not who we are personnel-wise." He's right. Culpepper completed 18 of 29 passes for 228 yards, but only two were of consequence - his 59-yard sideline toss to Jerry Porter, and the ensuing 21-yard touchdown pass to Ronald Curry for a 7-6 lead with 2:37 left in the third quarter. Both plays worked because the defense bit on Culpepper's play-action fake and expected the run. With Oakland's running game so stalled, it's a wonder Kansas City ever bit. 7

70 "We just didn't do it on a consistent basis,' said Curry, who had four catches for 45 yards. "Our offense is structured to the play-action pass. When we're winning, that's what we do, so it's no reason to get out of character because things don't go your way on a couple of plays." Things have soured for a couple of games now, which is the short explanation for two straight losses since the bye. The frustration is mounting, enough so that Curry chucked the ball after he dropped a pass over the middle on 3rd-and-3 in the third quarter. No play captured the Raiders' angst quite like a 4th-and-1 run in the second quarter. "With my power and vision, I should always get a yard," Jordan said. Kansas City led 6-0, and the Raiders had the ball at the Chiefs' 17 with 5:58 left in the second quarter. Kiffin could've asked Sebastian Janikowski to kick a 34-yard field goal. Instead, the coach trusted the NFL's third-ranked running game to gain a yard, which isn't a first. Oakland was 6-for-8 on fourth downs for the season. "I never question a call like that," Culpepper said. "I'd go for it, too." Oakland had 17 yards on 11 carries before then, and saw Justin Fargas get stuffed after gaining a yard on 3rd-and-2 the play before. No matter, Kiffin decided. "Felt really good about our short-yardage package" Kiffin said. "We've done very well in that situation so far this year, and I'd do the same thing again." The Chiefs got instant penetration on the right-side run. Jordan was tackled for no gain. The officials didn't even bother with the measuring sticks. The rest of the story became pretty believable after that miss. Not even a stout effort by the Raiders' defense could change their course. "Bottom line is we got beat and, as an offense, we have to produce more," Rhodes said. "When our defense is playing that well, it really sucks that we played that bad. "Coach is trying to build a standard. They say, 'Commitment to Excellence,' but do we have that? We've got to build a standard to be excellent." 8

71 SANTA ROSA PRESS DEMMOCRAT Rhodes gets a taste of playing... and losing Free-agent acquisition says team needs to set standard, create winning ways By Phil Barber THE PRESS DEMOCRAT OAKLAND -- It wasn't exactly an MVP-caliber performance, like the one he turned in against the Bears in Super Bowl XLI. But halfback Dominic Rhodes finally began to pull his weight in the Oakland backfield. He ran nine times for 21 yards, caught a 10-yard pass and returned two kickoffs. "Yeah, we wanted to get Dominic involved today, get him some shots," coach Lane Kiffin said. "We had a couple of spark runs there. We'll go back and look at the film and see how well he ran 'em." Rhodes had barely seen the field at San Diego a week ago, his first game back after a four-game suspension for a drunk-driving offense. "I was glad getting my feet wet a little bit, and definitely get in there and start getting a feel for things," he said. "I was excited about that part, man, but the end fact is, we still lost. I really felt like we had a chance to pull this one out." Rhodes doesn't like to dwell on the past, though it includes a Super Bowl victory and five consecutive winning seasons in Indianapolis. But he clearly believes his new team has a mental block. "We have a chance to be special," he said. "But what we have to do -- and it's been on my mind -- we just need to build a standard here.... You have to put teams away. You have to reach down and make plays." SAVE A NECK, LOSE A SACK If there was one play that really hurt the Raiders' defense Sunday, it was Damon Huard's 58-yard completion to Dwayne Bowe early in the fourth quarter. The Chiefs parlayed that gain into their only touchdown of the day, on Larry Johnson's 1-yard run. Warren Sapp hit Huard on the play, but the quarterback bounced away. By that time, cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha had loosened up his coverage, and Bowe got deep on him. After the game, Sapp explained what went wrong. "I had him right by the face mask," he said. "I could not snatch him. If I'd have snatched him, I might've broke his neck. I can't sleep at night like that. I had to let go. He went to duck, and when I went to go grab him, I hit him. My finger's still numb." DON'T TOUCH IT, HIRAM Another unfortunate play for the Raiders came in the third quarter. The Chiefs ran into punter Shane Lechler after he kicked on fourth-and-1 -- but Oakland didn't get the ball back. Backup safety Hiram Eugene, the first player to touch the ball, was ruled to have run out of bounds before returning to the field. You can't do that. "I wasn't trying to touch it," Eugene said. "I'm running down and the ball takes a bounce, and it barely nicks my hand. What I wasn't clear on was, if they push you out of bounds, can you still not touch the ball? They pushed me out of bounds pretty good.... It killed me." 9

72 COMING IN BUNCHES Three plays after Eugene's penalty, Huard lofted a pass for Bowe along the Raiders' sideline. But cornerback Stanford Routt made a sweet play, holding his inside position against Bowe, batting the ball, then making the catch as the receiver grabbed at his arm. Routt, who had only one interception in his first two seasons, now has three in That pulled him even with linebacker Kirk Morrison, who narrowly missed his fourth pick Sunday. Linebacker Thomas Howard still leads the team with four. EXTRA POINTS The Raiders came out of the game with no major injuries. Asomugha briefly left the game after hurting his left arm, and trainers wrapped Curry's right wrist after he absorbed a wicked hit from Chiefs safety Jarrad Page in the first quarter. Both soon returned to action. Larry Johnson finished with 112 rushing yards on 24 attempts, but 54 yards came on one run. Shane Lechler averaged 51.2 yards on his nine punts, and wound up with a strong net average of Meanwhile, all three of Sebastian Janikowski's kickoffs were downed for touchbacks. Jarrod Cooper saw his first action of 2007 and recorded two special-teams tackles. Cooper was not on a roster as he sat out the first four games with a steroid suspension, and he was inactive at San Diego last week after re-signing with the Raiders. DT Gerard Warren (thigh), LB Sam Williams (shoulder) and QB Josh McCown (foot) all missed the game. 10

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75 SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE Speed is of the essence for defensive tackle Brayton David White Thursday, September 6, 2007 There will come a day when defensive tackle Tyler Brayton doesn't make a 53-man roster. When that happens, at least he'll have a night job to fall back on. Brayton won the Sportsman drag racing title at Infineon Speedway this summer in Sonoma County, racing a 1964 Chevelle to two victories for his first track championship, the track announced Wednesday. "It's fun... I get to go out there and barbecue, have a good time," said Brayton, who started racing in college. "It's kind of like a release outside of football. Whenever they keep score, you want to win." Brayton is eligible for the NHRA Summit Racing Series finals, Oct in Las Vegas. Chances are, he'll be busy. The Raiders play at San Diego that weekend. For awhile there, it looked like he might be free. A first-round draft pick in 2003, Brayton has moved from outside linebacker to defensive end to defensive tackle the past three seasons. A 15-game starter last year, he was considered a bubble player in training camp. The Raiders cut defensive tackle Anttaj Hawthorne instead. "You're job is never safe," Brayton said. No center: There is still no word on who the starting center will be, with coach Lane Kiffin saying he would likely treat this like the quarterback race and wait until game day to make his choice public. Jake Grove is the returning starter, and he started all four exhibition games. Jeremy Newberry is a 10-year Pro Bowl veteran who took fewer snaps to take care of his knees. Ticket update: A team official said tickers are selling "very well" as of Wednesday but couldn't say if Sunday's game is sold out. NFL rules say the game must sell out 72 hours before kickoff or be blacked out on local television. Trash talk: The Raiders' defense practiced recovering fumbles in practice, with one assistant calling it the "Tatum Bell Drill." Bell is the new Lions running back. He fumbled three times in the preseason, and lost five fumbles for the Broncos last year. Briefly: The Raiders practiced with loud music blaring from speakers. Kiffin wanted the defense to get used to playing in noise at home in expectation of the home crowd being loud when the visiting team is on offense.... Backup linebacker Isaiah Ekejiuba hopes to be back in three weeks from a cracked bone in his foot. Kiffin had no other injuries to report. 3

76 SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE Washington thinks it's his turn for big year David White, Chronicle Staff Writer Friday, September 7, 2007 Go ahead, Raiders cornerback Fabian Washington says with his bushy-haired chin jutting out. Give him your best shot. Slant routes, post routes, quick outs, deep routes. If it can be thrown, Washington wants it chucked to his left corner of the football field. "That's what you live for being a corner," Washington said. "I love balls coming at me. You can't get any picks if the ball isn't thrown at you." Expect Washington to get all he wanted, and more, in Sunday's season opener against the visiting Detroit Lions and beyond. You see, there's this certain cornerback named Nnamdi Asomugha patrolling the right side of the green. He had eight interceptions last year and got a last-minute invitation to the Pro Bowl. When quarterbacks see Asomugha playing man coverage at the line of scrimmage, they get this burst of inspiration to throw at Washington instead. Don't worry, Washington said, he doesn't take it personally. "Of course, why wouldn't they?" Washington said. "You've got a guy picking off every pass thrown at him. I would definitely go at the other corner. But that's what I want this year. Then I can get the eight picks." That's how it worked out for Asomugha last year. A first-round draft pick in 2004, he went from no interceptions to eight last season, his third in the league. Teams threw at Asomugha until he convinced them otherwise. Washington, a first-rounder in 2005, is now the one entering Season 3 as a preferred target. Defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, for one, is convinced Washington is "gonna do the same thing this year" that Asomugha did last year. If Washington does, the Raiders have every reason to think they can defend their title as the NFL's No. 1 pass defense. "It's extremely important, because we put a lot on our corners," Raiders coach Lane Kiffin said. "It's going to be no secret teams are going to throw that way. Go back to the St. Louis game and the first play of the game, they went at him." Kiffin was referring to the third exhibition game of the season, when the Rams opened up with a 40-yard pass over Washington. The same theme recurred late last season, when Washington allowed 13 catches in consecutive games to St. Louis and Cincinnati. To be sure, Washington made more plays than he missed last year. He had a career-high four interceptions and 15 passes defended. He played so well, Sports Illustrated ranked him twice in its recent list of the Top 500 players in the NFL (No. 372 and 419), even if it was by accident. "I look at what the other corners in the league are doing," Washington said. "I'm playing at a better level than most of them, so I don't really sweat a couple passes getting caught my way. "I've just got to catch the ball when it comes to me. Last year, if I have seven picks instead of four, maybe you'd be saying I had a breakout year, so just catch the ball." Good attitude, Washington, because here it comes. Detroit ranked seventh in NFL passing last year. Quarterback Jon Kitna threw for a career-best 4,208 yards last year, with franchise records for completions (372) and attempts (596). One wide receiver, Pro Bowl pick Roy Williams, led the NFC with 1,310 yards. Another receiver, Mike Furrey, had an NFC-high 98 receptions. No. 2 overall draft pick Calvin Johnson is thrown in for dynamic measure. Just wait until Dec. 16, when Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts come to town. If Washington has his way, there will be no corner left to pick on. "They're going to have to throw at one of us," Washington said. "We'll see." 4

77 SACRAMENTO BEE Raiders duo are tightknit tight ends John Madsen and Zach Miller learn from each other, benefiting the Raiders. By Jason Jones - Bee Staff Writer Published 12:00 am PDT Tuesday, September 4, 2007 ALAMEDA -- This easily could have been a situation wrought with animosity. John Madsen played wide receiver at Utah and was long shot to make the Raiders' roster last season after being moved to tight end. Madsen made the team, but he knew he'd have a big fight for playing time in That's because the Raiders drafted Zach Miller in the second round out of Arizona State. Miller is expected to start Sunday's season opener against the Detroit Lions. It turns out the feel-good story from last year and a rookie with big expectations work well together. The union has given the Raiders two types of tight ends who learn from each other. "It's always important to have different styles, but you want to keep reaching toward the goal of being a complete tight end," tight ends coach Kelly Skipper said. Madsen's receiver background makes him a good route runner, and he has some of the best hands on the Raiders. Playing around the line of scrimmage is a challenge for Madsen, who only began playing football in Miller is a solid blocker, partly because of his size (6-foot-5 and 255 pounds), and he has always been a tight end. He's also adept at making the tough catch. The speed of the pro game forces Miller to work on his technique. Madsen is still growing into the grunt work of the position: blocking. He carried about 225 pounds on his 6-5 frame last season and bulked up to about 240 pounds this season by lifting weights and eating everything in sight. But he knows why he made the Raiders last year and what will keep him around. "You definitely want to try to make your weaknesses your strengths," Madsen said. "I'm still trying to be a more complete tight end, but at the same time they realize what I do best, which is catch the ball, and I'm straight on that." Madsen has no problem asking Miller or Tony Stewart, the Raiders' third tight end, for help on the finer points of blocking. He credits their input with his development. Miller also queries Madsen on running routes, where a false step can be the difference between a completion and an interception. "When getting open, a lot of time it's how well you run your routes," Miller said. "You can get better leverage to break away from (the defender), and then it's just catching the ball and doing something with it." Raiders coach Lane Kiffin likes having diversity at tight end. Madsen can line up as a receiver, while Miller sometimes lines up at fullback. "I think that all our guys have different traits that they're better at than others," Kiffin said. "I think, especially Zach Miller is a very good blocker.... And the other two have shown good things in our system." Eventually they hope to become complete tight ends. 5

78 SACRAMENTO BEE Count on Higgins to flip if TD return drought ends By Jason Jones - Bee Staff Writer Published 12:00 am PDT Friday, September 7, 2007 Watching Johnnie Lee Higgins celebrate after touchdowns in the exhibition season, one would assume he was a gymnast growing up. Nope. When it comes to the cartwheel and back flip with which Higgins punctuated his two exhibition game punt returns for scores -- though one was nullified by penalty -- it was trial and error. "Me and my friend were practicing, trying to do it in the yard one day, and we got tired of landing on our heads," Higgins said of his attempts as a middle school student. "We just looked at it and said we have to keep jumping harder and get all our momentum going one way." Higgins now looks forward to celebrating a punt return in similar fashion this season, without the headaches. The Raiders haven't returned a punt or kickoff for a score since Dec. 28, So if Higgins is flipping, that drought on punts is over. And until last month, Higgins had not attempted a flip in a game situation, only in scrimmages at UTEP. Higgins said his coach at UTEP, Mike Price, would have gone crazy had he celebrated in that manner in college. But the rookie has found the Raiders trust him to do the right thing on punts and when he reaches the end zone. Special-teams coordinator Brian Schneider encourages Higgins to take calculated chances, as he did in the exhibition finale in Seattle. Higgins fielded a punt at the 10-yard line and returned it 90 yards for a touchdown. For those of you wondering, catching the ball and returning it from your 10 is generally a nono. "The first two games, I fair caught two balls I shouldn't have fair caught," Higgins said. "Before we went out, I said, 'I'm not going to fair catch this. Either I'm going to get knocked out or I'm going to make something happen.' " Higgins' motivation is simple on punts: He runs scared. "I run like someone's really after me," Higgins said. "Like if I get caught, I'm going to be in trouble." If Higgins isn't caught, he'll be celebrating in the way that would have gotten him in trouble in college. And he'll have enough left in his legs not to land on his head. 6

79 SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE Raiders receivers raring to prove doubters wrong David White, Chronicle Staff Writer Sunday, September 9, 2007 Ronald Curry was too injury-prone. Jerry Porter was a locker room cancer. Mike Williams was a firstround bust. Travis Taylor wasn't worth keeping. Oh yeah? Well, they'll see about that. "We might not have the big-market name guys," Williams said. "People are always going to tell you what you can't do, and what you aren't, but I think we are a solid group." With scowling faces and dismissive waves of their hands, these four wide receivers are out to show the NFL and its viewing audience that they are exceedingly better than advertised. Their first chance to revise the book on them starts today when the Raiders open their season against the Lions at a sold-out Coliseum. "People don't expect nothing out of us, man," Porter said. "We can't be bothered with what people outside of this room say about us. We go out there, we do everything we're supposed to do, we don't have to say a word. Porter's right. Conversation time is over. The Raiders had the worst passing offense last year, which is another way of saying they had the worst receiving offense. Raiders coach Lane Kiffin is here to run a West Coast offense with some vertical spices tossed in. The ball is going to hit a receiver's hands in a hurry. It's up to him to do something once he makes a catch. "You look at the receiver group, nobody's really had a 1,000-yard season in this league," Kiffin said. "So, I know there's a lot of motivation in that group." Start with Porter, who is starting at split end today. For six seasons, he played second option to the likes of Jerry Rice, Tim Brown and Randy Moss. Last year, he got into a cursing match with coach Art Shell and was deactivated for nine games, suspended for two, injured for one and sparsely used in the other four. Porter was left with one catch for 19 yards. That's a wonderful per-catch average, but an otherwise waste of a year. "Last year?" Porter said. "People keep using that (phrase). That doesn't even register with me." Curry was out there, just not very often. 7

80 He had season-ending Achilles' heel injuries in 2004 and He showed up to Camp Shell last year saying he was as healthy as could be. A few hours later, Curry was placed on the physically unable to perform list. The Raiders worked him into the offense slowly, citing concerns about his ability to stay healthy. Curry was among the league leaders in 3rd-down receptions before he made the starting lineup with two games left. His 62 catches for 727 yards led the team and set career highs. Only now, in his sixth season, is Curry expected to be an every-game starter at flanker. "Some guys feel disrespected, and the only way to shut mouths is to go out there and perform well," Curry said. "Felt like I should have been playing more a little bit in the past, but now I'm getting my opportunity." So is Williams, who hasn't been all he was expected to be since his final season at USC, as a sophomore, when he had 95 catches for 1,314 yards and 16 touchdowns. In 2005, he was the 10th overall pick of the draft. In two years, Williams said he was called overweight, out of shape and uninspired, by fans and team officials. He played eight games and started two last year, with eight catches for 99 yards. Detroit president Matt Millen had seen enough and shipped him to Oakland in a draft-day trade with quarterback Josh McCown, today's projected starter. In one month of training camp, Williams has become a goal-line presence with great hands who overmatches cornerbacks with the size (6-foot-5, 230 pounds) that got him in trouble in Detroit. "My goal remains the same, which is to prove Matt Millen was correct when he picked me No. 10," Williams said. "You go out, put it on film and you can walk away from the game and say, 'OK.' " Taylor is the closest thing Oakland has to a proven receiver. He has 90 starts in seven seasons with 311 catches for 4,013 yards. Yet here he is, coming into his eighth season, trying to become more than the receiver who replaces Randy Moss. He set Baltimore's record for career receptions in 2004, but they let him go to Minnesota in the offseason, where he replaced an Oakland-bound Moss. Last year, Taylor led the Vikings with 57 catches for 651 yards, but Minnesota declined to renew his contract. He ended up with Oakland as a free agent, less than a month after the Raiders mailed Moss to New England. "Don't give me that responsibility," Taylor said. "It takes a lot to replace that guy." Well, one of these receivers will have to, or owner Al Davis' visions of an attacking offense will remain a dream. "I'm not hoping we're going to be better," Curry said. "I know we're going to be better." 8

81 SACRAMENTO BEE New year, new outlook Veteran Jerry Porter will try to put last season behind him and help re-energize the Raiders' receiving corps. By Jason Jones - Bee Staff Writer Published 12:00 am PDT Sunday, September 9, 2007 OAKLAND -- Jerry Porter was all aboard for Lane Kiffin's "Forget 2006" program. So when Kiffin had his first team meeting, he asked every new Raider to stand up and introduce himself. Guess who jumped up. "Hi, my name is Jerry Porter. I'm a receiver, and I did not play for the Raiders last year." One catch for 19 yards certainly doesn't constitute playing for a team, especially when you led it in receptions a year earlier. After last year's feud with Art Shell limited him to four games in 2006, Porter is happy to be a Raider and playing for Kiffin. "This year I'm like a free agent being brought in or a rookie being brought in," Porter said. "I've got a clean slate." The introduction at the team meeting was typical Porter: funny. "I could understand it because they tried to make him feel like he wasn't a part of the team last year," said Ronald Curry, the only other wide receiver from 2006 still on the team. "But he stuck through it, and I'm glad he's here." So is Porter. He's excited about this year's offense, which is very similar to the scheme run by Jon Gruden when the Raiders were more potent offensively. The Raiders' opponent today, the Detroit Lions, made noise in the offseason with at least two players declaring the team should improve from three wins last year to double-digit victories this season. Porter put up his best statistics in this offense but isn't about to make any predictions. "I'm not going to be Jon Kitna and say we're going to pass for 5,000 yards and win X amount of games," Porter said. "I'm not here to be Miss Cleo and tell you everything that's going to happen." Porter is, however, doing all he can to influence what will happen. He enthusiastically jumped into the offseason program, missing only the last two days to attend to family matters. Kiffin called Porter a "phenomenal" practice player, so much so that he must remove Porter so he doesn't wear himself out. It's something Kiffin said former Raiders and coaches from last year's staff never told him about Porter. "(Kiffin) said he didn't (care) about what happened last year," Porter said. "He asked me if I wanted to stay. I said, 'If you're willing to keep me, I don't have a problem staying here.' " Porter is in the last year of a three-year contract, and Kiffin says big contracts provide big incentive. 9

82 Players with something to prove also have great motivation. Porter jokingly says it will be hard to beat his 19-yard-per-catch average from last year. He's eager to try, however, and on a lot more catches. "I know he's very hungry, he's very motivated, wants to prove some people wrong and have a really good year," Kiffin said. "You look at the receiver group, nobody's really had a thousand-yard season in this league, so I know there's a lot of motivation in that group." Porter has come close (998 yards in 2004 and 942 in '05). In his eighth season, Porter is one of the longesttenured Raiders and a logical first option in the passing game, if Porter cared about such labels. "That No. 1 receiver title, that's strictly newspaper," Porter said. "The '05 season, when I played, was I the No. 1 receiver? No, but I led the team in receptions; Randy (Moss) led the team in yards." But if the Raiders are to succeed, Porter will have a major role. He led the team in yards in 2004, picking up a bigger load after Curry was injured. "I wasn't the No. 1 receiver per se, but things worked out that way," Porter said. "If everyone produces, we don't need a No. 1 because, on every play, there's a different No. 1 option. As long as no one gets the 'me, me, me' syndrome, we'll be fine." 10

83 AP With new coach and plenty of changes, Raiders try to put 2006 behind them By Josh Dubow, AP Sports Writer OAKLAND, Calif. Lane Kiffin proclaimed at the start of offseason workouts that the Oakland Raiders were done talking about the disastrous 2006 season. The players have followed the lead of their new coach, hoping to put the lopsided losses, late-night talk show jokes, and feuds between players and coaches in the past. This is a time for optimism around the NFL, when most players believe their team has a chance to contend and no one has lost a game that counts. That's especially true for the Raiders, who have gone from being one of the league's winningest franchises to the one with the worst record in the NFL over the last four seasons. The man counted on to change their fortunes is the 32- year-old Kiffin, the youngest man to coach an NFL game in more than four decades. "There was nothing fun about what we were doing last year. Nothing," running back LaMont Jordan said. "But Kiffin has definitely put back the fun in Raiders football. And I'm looking forward to see how this thing comes together." Kiffin, the son of longtime NFL assistant Monte Kiffin, has never been a head coach at any level and has only one year of NFL experience. But he has already won over many of the Raiders who grew tired of the losing ways under Art Shell and Norv Turner. Kiffin has been given more freedom than some past Raiders coaches, bringing in 15 new assistants, changing practice schedules and locker room layout. He also proclaimed the days of "scholarship" players - those who kept their jobs by being popular with the front office instead of being productive on the field - are over. Kiffin jettisoned experienced players even before training camp started in a sign the team was being run in a different fashion. "I believe that's paid off for us," he said. "It's paid off in people feeling the pressure of competition, knowing that jobs aren't safe around here. I think that's made us better." The veterans who are still around have bought into Kiffin's plan, including a handful who are older than their head coach. "I like how we work. I like how we come to work. I like how we go out on the field. I like everything about the vibe," said defensive tackle Warren Sapp, 34. "I like that he changed the locker room and it looks different. I like that he walked in the room and said, 'Everybody switch seats.' I like all the stuff he's doing. Does that correlate into a championship season? I don't know." The last coach to have control like this in Oakland was Jon Gruden, another young, energetic offense-minded coach. Gruden helped build the team that won the AFC championship in 2002 and is the only coach to have a winning record with the Raiders since the team returned from Los Angeles in Kiffin has much less experience than Gruden did when he took over the Raiders as a 34-year-old in He has spent only one year as an NFL assistant - as Jacksonville's defensive quality control coach in and spent the past six seasons as an assistant at Southern California. With Pro Bowler Derrick Burgess, shutdown cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, Sapp and the other eight starters returning from a defense that ranked third in the NFL in yards allowed last season, Kiffin knows the biggest key on offense is reducing the 46 turnovers committed in '06. 11

84 Who will be running that offense remains an unknown. With No. 1 overall draft pick JaMarcus Russell unsigned in a contract dispute, the Raiders brought in former Pro Bowl quarterback Daunte Culpepper on July 31 to challenge Josh McCown and Andrew Walter. Kiffin said he has not chosen his starter between Culpepper and McCown and could keep it a secret until right before the season opener against Detroit. Culpepper has shown that his surgically repaired right knee is healthy and threw four touchdown passes with only one interception in the preseason as he tries to put last year's disappointment in Miami behind him. After throwing 39 touchdown passes in 2004 in Minnesota, Culpepper battled injuries the past two years and had just eight TD passes and 18 turnovers. That led to his release by Miami in July and his late signing with the Raiders. "I'm a guy that can adapt to any situation," Culpepper said. "I'm glad to be in a situation like this." The success of the quarterback will depend mostly on the play of the offensive line. The Raiders hope last year's struggles - 72 sacks, 3.9 yards per carry - were more about poor coaching than bad players. The linemen complained last year about being confused. With assistant Tom Cable's cut-blocking scheme in place, the Raiders hope consistency will lead to better results. "There's a ton of talent between all of us," said center Jeremy Newberry, a former Pro Bowler brought in during the offseason. "There's as much talent as I've been around, ever. Some of the ways they did stuff was probably not real efficient. A lot of that's changing now. We'll have a pretty good line this year." But even with the optimism, there is still the reality that Oakland has won only 15 games the past four seasons. That hasn't dampened the enthusiasm of their demanding owner. "I feel that we're an underdog right now," Al Davis said. "Every one of you have got me believing we're an underdog. I did feel and I have always felt this: that we can overcome anything." 12

85 OAKLAND TRIBUNE Raiders counting on big performance from rookie TE Miller By JOSH DUBOW AP Sports Writer, Inside Bay Area Article Last Updated:09/02/ :16:03 PM PDT ALAMEDA, Calif. When the Oakland Raiders open the season next week against Detroit, only one of their first three draft picks will even be in uniform. With top pick JaMarcus Russell still holding out and third-rounder Quentin Moses getting cut, tight end Zach Miller is the only one of the top three on the roster. Miller, a second-round pick, is in line to start the season opener Sunday against Detroit after showing good progress during training camps and the preseason. "I'm definitely a ton more comfortable than when I arrived," he said. "I'm comfortable with the guys on the team, with the offense. I'm not swimming anymore like I was. I'm pretty good on all the plays and the game plans and stuff. As far as information overload, I feel good. When I first arrived, I was struggling to learn the plays. I wasn't sure what I was doing. I'm much better now." The tight ends are expected to play a bigger role in coach Lane Kiffin's offense than they did in the past for the Raiders. Oakland hasn't had a tight end catch more than 50 passes in a season since Ethan Horton had 53 in But with Kiffin emphasizing quicker passes, the tight ends and running backs should be a bigger part of the offense this season. "It's part of the offense that Coach Kiffin likes," Miller said. "I'm glad for that. It gives us some good opportunities to get involved in the passing game. It's good to be used like that on offense. I really like what we're doing on offense so far." Randal Williams' 28 catches last season led the team's tight ends, but he was released over the summer along with the second-leading receiver at the position, Courtney Anderson. The leading returning tight end is second-year player John Madsen, an undrafted free agent who played receiver in college before making the switch in the pros. Madsen had 11 catches as a rookie when he did well in the passing game but struggled as a blocker. Kiffin has been pleased with his progress during training camp and Madsen should get plenty of opportunities during the season especially in obvious passing situations. "I'm way more comfortable this year," he said. "The learning curve was a lot steeper last year having never played the position for a guy like me. It seems to be coming together a lot better for me. I understand the position a lot better. I never played a down at tight end until I got here. Obviously, the route running and stuff has been there for me. I'm just trying to do everything well." The third tight end is Tony Stewart, a seventh-year player who has served as a tutor to the young tight ends and is the best blocker of the three. But Kiffin has been impressed with Miller's allaround play. "I think he is a very good blocker," Kiffin said. "We're excited about what he's done in preseason and what he can do in the regular season for us." Kiffin spoke for the first time since making roster cuts Saturday. The biggest surprise on that lost was Moses, who was the first pick of the third round and impressed the coaches early in training camp. Moses, who was beaten out by fifth-rounder Jay Richardson and veteran Chris Clemmons, was immediately picked up by Arizona. "There were some hard ones where it wasn't that a guy wasn't doing everything that we asked," Kiffin said. "We wish great luck to Quentin and I think he'll be a good player in this league. But at the end of looking at all of it we had other people that could help us more." 13

86 SANTA ROSA PRESS DEMOCRAT Oakland likes what it sees in Ekejiuba Raiders are trying to teach special-teamer how to become an NFL linebacker By Phil Barber, THE PRESS DEMOCRAT ALAMEDA -- Isaiah Ekejiuba is tall, fast and strong. He looks like he has as much body fat as a skinless chicken breast. He's smart, tough and eager to learn. He can shed blocks and tackle. short, Ekejiuba -- affectionately known as Ike to his teammates in Oakland -- has the makings of a perfect linebacker. But as he enters his third NFL season, he's still a fringe player on defense. In fact, if he weren't such a good special-teams player, Ekejiuba would have little chance of making the Raiders' roster. That's what happens when you don't pick up football until your sophomore year of college. Ekejiuba spent his childhood in Africa, China and London, following his mother, who worked for the United Nations. His mom eventually became a professor at Colgate, moving Ike to upstate New York. Ekejiuba played soccer and basketball and ran track in high school, then went to the University of Virginia to study electrical engineering. During his sophomore year at Virginia, he walked on to the football team as a wide receiver. Over the next two seasons, he became one of the best special-teams players on the team. He joined the Raiders' practice squad as a rookie in 2005 and was elevated to the active roster later that season. He knew how to break a wedge, but was utterly lost at linebacker. Most NFL special-teamers (kickers and return men aside) take up the task reluctantly. They were football stars in high school and college, and joined the pro ranks with visions of heroics at running back or tight end. Generally, players don't become known for chasing down kickoffs or blocking punts until they have tried, and failed, to secure starting positions on offense or defense. Ekejiuba is the exception. He has never been anything but a special-teamer. "You talk about a guy starting behind," Raiders defensive coordinator Rob Ryan said. "Never played, really. I mean, college ball he played on special teams late, never played in high school. So he improves every day. And if it came down to taking an SAT or something, he'd blow it away. But football's a little different breed of animal." Because of Ekejiuba's potential, and because he's valuable to have around for special teams, the Raiders are trying hard to make him a linebacker. Position coach Don Martindale has spent hours working with him on the practice field and in the film room, getting him to bend at the knees and helping him diagnose plays. This year, Martindale started with the most basic fundamentals of playing linebacker, giving Ekejiuba the foundation he lacked when he first joined the team in "Oh, man, it was like a different language out here," said Ekejiuba, 25. "The verbiage, everything that's used is so different that if you're not paying attention, like if you miss one of the basic things, you could get lost. So that's sort of how it was for me. If you don't understand the foundation of the defense, then everything else that's put in along the season, it's kind of hard. So that's why this year we started from the building blocks." During this exhibition season, Ekejiuba has normally been part of the Raiders' second trio of linebackers, along with veteran Robert Thomas and young middle linebacker Ricky Brown. Though far from fluid, he is starting to make plays, like the third-down sack he got against Arizona. "It all depends how bad he wants it," Thomas said. " He's starting to study a lot of film, which is encouraging. And the sky's the limit for him. He's tall, lean, strong, fast. He has all the tangibles of being a linebacker." It's the intangibles Ekejiuba lacks -- the ability to read an offensive alignment, to sniff out a play micro-seconds after the snap, and to carry out his assignment swiftly. As long as he continues to excel on the kicking teams, the Raiders will like Ike well enough to keep him around. And their patience may one day be rewarded with a solid NFL linebacker. 14

87 SACRAMENTO BEE RB Bush lying in the weeds By Jason Jones - Bee Staff Writer Published 12:00 am PDT Monday, August 27, 2007 Michael Bush is ready for his nearly yearlong break from football to end. Bush, a fourth-round draft choice who would have gone much higher if not for a broken leg last year at Louisville, remains on the Raiders' physically unable to perform list. Bush is a wild card among the team's running backs. A healthy Bush is talented enough to be a featured back and use his 6-foot-1, 245-pound frame to batter defenders. He might have been a Heisman Trophy candidate had he not broken his leg last September. Before the Raiders can unleash Bush, however, they need to take him off the PUP list. Because PUP players can't practice, he spends practices doing drills apart from the team while awaiting word if he'll be put on the active roster. "They can tell I've been busting my tail and it's just a waiting game, that's all," Bush said. Raiders coach Lane Kiffin said Bush could end up on injured reserve or on the PUP list at the start of the season. "We'll make that final decision next week after this game," Kiffin said. Landing on injured reserve would end Bush's season. If he were on the PUP list, he could continue to work out, but wouldn't be eligible to practice or play until after Week 6. Bush said he had a 9 a.m. workout last week, the latest in tests to monitor his progress. He even caught passes from Daunte Culpepper after practice one afternoon, which proved to be no indication he would be activated. "They said, 'Mike, you loose? We need you to catch some balls,' " Bush said. "That's how it goes. I'm playing it by ear right now." First cuts -- The Raiders released seven players Sunday and need to cut four more by Tuesday to reach 75. Bush (PUP) and first overall draft pick JaMarcus Russell (unsigned) do not count against the 75. Safety Colin Branch, defensive tackle Jared Clauss, receivers Rich Parson and Lauren Williams, cornerback Levonne Rowan, and offensive linemen Albert Toeaina and Torrin Tucker were let go. Kiffin said some players were cut early to prevent an injury happening that would put the Raiders on the hook for paying them. When asked if he will sit young players for Thursday's exhibition finale in Seattle in hopes of cutting them and getting them on the practice squad after Saturday's cutdown to 53 players, Kiffin said he would like to have that problem because "that's when you're really good." "Those are good problems to have," Kiffin said. "I don't think we have very many of those problems, unfortunately." 15

88 OAKLAND TRIBUNE Ward's big whack suits Silver & Black Now migraine free, special-teams force making strong impression By Jerry McDonald, STAFF WRITER, Inside Bay Area Article Last Updated:08/22/ :09:48 AM PDT ALAMEDA It was a little more than a year ago when B.J. Ward got on the bad side of Baltimore Ravens coach Brian Billick. "He kicked me out of practice because I was hitting too many people," Ward said. Billick wasn't the only one with a headache. Ward began to suffer from migraines so severe that he had trouble standing. He was placed on injured reserve, ending his 2006 season before it started. The Ravens eventually waived Ward after the season, with the Raiders signing him March 14. While Ward never patched things up with Billick, he was on good terms with defensive coordinator Rex Ryan, whose twin brother, Rob, holds the same position with the Raiders. The migraines went away as mysteriously as they came. "I guess you could call it divine intervention, moving me to another place," Ward said. "I don't have any problem with them now." In training camp with the Raiders, Ward quickly discovered what was criticized by the head coach in Baltimore was celebrated in Oakland. "I'm starting to see there are a lot of little oddities with the Raiders," Ward said. "Thingsthat don't fly elsewhere are OK here." In the first week of practice, Ward, during a single practice session, knocked rookie Johnnie Lee Higgins out of bounds and into the camera tripod of a team photographer, doing extensive damage to the camera and lens. On the same day, Ward separated wide receiver Ronald Curry from his helmet during a collision. Coach Lane Kiffin's reaction? He thought Ward was more aggressive than reckless. "He gave me a bad time about it all day. Said I broke a $14,000 camera," Ward said. "He said he liked it." After breaking a leg in his senior year at Florida State in 2005 and going undrafted, Ward carries the uncertainty of the profession out on the field every day. Ward's practice blows, Kiffin believes, are evidence of his desire. "There's a guy who's telling me, 'I'm going to do everything to make this team,'" Kiffin said. "I'm not going to go through the motions waiting my turn." In the Raiders' preseason opener against Arizona, Ward unloaded a vicious but clean shot on Arizona tight end Troy Bienneman and later raced downfield to down a Shane Lechler punt at the 3-yard line. He made a special-teams tackle and two defensive stops against San Francisco. Kiffin said Ward's main objective is to avoid making the big play one moment only to be in the wrong place the next. "What we'd like for him to do is be a safety and an outstanding special-teams player," Kiffin said. "He has the ability to do it. Now let's see him put it together on a consistent basis." As a rookie in Baltimore, Ward led the Ravens with 17 special-teams tackles. In his career at Florida State, his seven blocked field-goal attempts are more than the Seminoles had in the entire decade of the 1990s. His skill-set makes Ward the logical candidate to step into the role vacated by Jarrod Cooper, the popular specialteams captain and safety who was waived not long after receiving a four-game suspension for violating the NFL policy on steroids and related substances. Like Cooper, Ward is an enthusiastic hitter in the secondary who relishes his special-teams role. Unlike Cooper, a heavily tattooed court jester in the locker room who put on a contest last year for fans to send in photos of their best Raiders tattoos, Ward mixes more quietly among his teammates. "Coop, those are big shoes to fill. I got to know him during OTAs, and I'm not going to be the team clown and all," Ward said. "If I don't have tattoos now, I'm never going to get them." When the Raiders reconvened in Alameda, Ward discovered something he did have in common with Cooper. "They gave me his locker," Ward said. "I guess they really want me to be like him. I guess I've got an alter ego." 16

89 SACRAMENTO BEE Two Raiders have a lot to cover Cornerbacks Fabian Washington and Nnamdi Asomugha like challenge of man-to-man scheme By Jason Jones - Bee Staff Writer Published 12:00 am PDT Wednesday, August 22, 2007 Athletes are fascinated by diamonds. From necklaces and pendants to diamond-encrusted timepieces, it seems you can't enter a professional locker room without being blinded by someone's bling. Raiders cornerbacks Fabian Washington and Nnamdi Asomugha like diamonds, too. Washington just doesn't plan on the duo buying them. "Anybody that knows anything about a little science knows pressure busts pipes, but it also makes diamonds," Washington said. "I think me and 'Nnam' are going to make some diamonds because we've got the pressure on our backs." The burden Washington and Asomugha carry is that of cornerbacks who spend most of their time in man-to-man coverage. Safety help would be nice, and they get it occasionally. But that's not what the Raiders' scheme requires. Asomugha hardly needed it last season, when he played at a Pro Bowl level. The Raiders believe he and Washington form one of the best cornerback tandems in the NFL. Denver has Champ Bailey and offseason acquisition Dre' Bly, whom most consider the gold standard. There's also former Raider Charles Woodson and Al Harris in Green Bay, probably the cream of the crop in the NFC, and Baltimore has Chris McAlister and Samari Rolle, savvy veterans with Pro Bowl credentials. Asomugha isn't a numbers guy. "I know 'Fabe' likes to get into all that," Asomugha said. "Fabe will say we're the best just because of how tough the defense is and all the positions we're put in. It's not a zone concept." That leaves Washington's take. "Champ and Dre', that's a great tandem," Washington said. "Charles and Al, that speaks for itself. Me and Nnam, we're the young guys of the group, and at the end of the day we want our names to be big." Should that happen, they will have earned it. The Raiders ask their cornerbacks to play man coverage almost exclusively. Their pass defense relies on the ability of Asomugha and Washington to play their opponents without help. "They're not scared of anybody, and you have to play the game that way when you're out there on an island," defensive coordinator Rob Ryan said. "And nobody puts them on an island more than we do." Asomugha had eight interceptions in 2006, emerging as one of the league's premier cover men in his fourth NFL season. Ryan said the staff knew Asomugha was in store for a breakout campaign and expects the same this year from Washington, who had four interceptions in '06. "I think they've learned how to play with confidence out there on the island," defensive backs coach and Hall of Fame cornerback Willie Brown said. "It's a tough position to play." New coach Lane Kiffin, who is astute at finding areas for players to improve, is thinking of ways to make it tougher. He has challenged Asomugha and Washington to become students of the game. "They (have to) go to a level where they've already studied opponents they're going to play as opposed to playing just off ability (and use) their minds more," Kiffin said. "You see improvement that way with them." That process began this offseason with Asomugha and Washington scouting the Raiders' offense. It made life difficult in training camp for quarterbacks, to the point Josh McCown called Asomugha "one of the best corners I've ever played against, if not the best cornerback. He's outstanding." Still, reaching the level of acclaim the Raiders' corners want is about consistency. And Asomugha and Washington know there still are skeptics. The Raiders had the NFL's top-ranked pass defense last year. But when your offense can barely score 10 points a game, why would a team pass when it has a seven-point lead? "We pride ourselves on getting respect," Asomugha said. "Now we've got to push ourselves even harder with the expectations. And there are a lot of people that aren't expecting a lot from us as a whole." If that pressure makes diamonds of Asomugha and Washington, that's fine with them. 17

90 SACRAMENTO BEE Morrison is man in middle of it all The Raiders linebacker spurs defense By Jason Jones - Bee Staff Writer Published 12:00 am PDT Monday, August 20, 2007 For all the talk of players changing positions last season, there was one move that went right. So right, it's not talked about much. The Raiders moved Kirk Morrison from outside linebacker to middle linebacker last year, the position he'd played his entire football life. He responded with a team-leading 127 tackles, two interceptions and a sack. Now the Raiders are upping the stakes, banking on Morrison becoming one of the NFL's more dominant middle linebackers. Raiders defensive coordinator Rob Ryan laid out exactly what he expects from Morrison this season. "Third year in the league, second year at middle linebacker, I think he'll be a Pro Bowl player," Ryan said. That suits Morrison just fine. The kid who used to somehow find his way into Raiders games growing up in West Oakland wants an invitation to Hawaii for the Pro Bowl. If he gets one, not only would Morrison have succeeded at establishing himself as a dominant defender, it also would mean the Raiders' defense would have proved last year's No. 3 ranking at season's end was no fluke. Ryan is putting a lot of responsibility on Morrison to be a reason the defense is good again. "I think he's going to be the leader of our defense right there in the middle," Ryan said. "He's smart and tough, he's durable and he's got all those great plusses that he does." For his part, Morrison shares Ryan's desire. When reminded the Raiders' last Pro Bowl linebacker was Matt Millen in 1988, Morrison acknowledges that's something he has thought about entering this season. "I look at that stuff because it's something to shoot for," Morrison said. "But I'll take a team goal over anything. Individual accolades are going to come, but we've got to get this team turned around first." When Morrison says that, he isn't spouting team-first rhetoric. He really wants to win. Morrison's last winning season was in 1999, as a senior at Oakland's Bishop O'Dowd High School. He never had a winning season at San Diego State, and the Raiders have won six games in his first two seasons. But unlike most of the current Raiders, Morrison was around the last time the Raiders were contenders, albeit as a spectator. "I was here in the late '90s and the early 2000s, and it was great," Morrison said. "It was nuts because everybody came out for the Raiders, and I did anytime I was in town. I was at the games. I was part of it." Morrison is doing what he can to be a part of it again, but as a player. Teammates and coaches alike have noticed that Morrison is taking on more responsibility, and he caught the attention of new coach Lane Kiffin. "He's really trying to establish himself as a leader by the way he works and the way that he brings it every day," Kiffin said. "He's a guy that you'd not only like to build your defense around, but your team around." Morrison began showing the instincts it takes to be a dominant defender last season. One of his signature plays came in the Raiders' win over Pittsburgh. He started to blitz Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger when he saw blockers cut off his path. He decided to back off on his own and intercepted a pass that helped preserve the victory. Morrison said he wants to be able to call a game on his own, and plays like that are reasons Ryan continues to entrust the defense to Morrison. "He made a lot of calls last year," linebacker Thomas Howard said. "A call would come in, then he'd make a call and it would be a big play for us. That's what he does." If he keeps doing what he is doing, Morrison just might make Ryan look like a prophet. Morrison would have no problem with that. 18

91 CONTRA COSTA TIMES Low-key Asomugha worth shouting about By Cam Inman, STAFF WRITER,,, Inside Bay Area Article Last Updated:08/18/ :35:16 AM PDT ARGUABLY the NFL's best cornerback will be on display tonight when the 49ers host the Raiders. I'm not writing about Nate Clements, an elite cornerback in his own right and the NFL's highest paid thanks to the 49ers' acquisition of him in March. The object of my affection is the Raiders' Nnamdi Asomugha. Just the fact you could argue that Asomugha is the best isn't meant as a knock on Clements, Denver's Champ Bailey, Jacksonville's Rashean Mathis or New England's Asante Samuel. I just anticipate Asomugha, a 2003 first-round draft pick out of Cal, is going to get better and better. And "anticipate" is the key word. It's a talent Asomugha has developed over the years, something all sports legends seem to have in terms of their knack for predicting how plays will unfold. "In order to be great, you must have it," Raiders legend and Hall of Fame cornerback Willie Brown said of anticipation. Asomugha sure showed that knack last year, racking up eight interceptions, tied for third most in the league. He reminded me of that skill Thursday with what looked like a piece-of-cake interception at training camp. "His ability to anticipate is the best thing he's got going," Brown said. "He's very smart. He spends a lot of time studying opponents." Asomugha smiled when he heard about Brown's insights on his anticipation skills. "Yeah, that's grown. I know for a fact I didn't have that when I got here," said Asomugha, who had no interceptions his first three seasons as he bounced from safety to nickel back to cornerback. "I had instincts as a safety, but (the anticipation aspect) didn't come until I was thrust into the fire my third year. "I've got a ways to go in anticipation for me." He is not a flamboyant player, not the type to draw attention to himself with loudmouth antics or over-the-top behavior. People will talk about him, he figures, as long as he silences opposing receivers on game days. "I love the game," Asomugha said. "I'm not going to go into other areas just to get noticed." Problem is, he didn't get noticed enough for last year's breakthrough season and got snubbed out of a deserving Pro Bowl trip. He did, at least, make The Associated Press' second-team All-Pro. "I'm a good ways away," Asomugha said when asked if he's the league's top corner. "When Deion (Sanders) was in his fifth year, he was clearly one of the top cornerbacks. "Really, in only my second or third year did I grasp what a cornerback could do," added Asomugha, who had no interceptions his first three years. "My first year or two, I didn't want to be a cornerback. I thought of myself as a safety." Let's rewind back to the 49ers' Clements, for a second. Surely you've heard how he signed an eight-year, $80 million contract in the offseason. 19

92 Asomugha heard. And if that's the going rate for elite corners, Asomugha could be hearing dollar signs, too. He can void his contract after this season and head for a richer deal, though the Raiders wisely would at least put the "franchise tag" on him and retain him with a one-year contract. Asomugha didn't want to get into his financial forecast, politely saying he doesn't think about it. I don't blame him for keeping it low-key. He doesn't want to cause a distraction for one of the league's most improving defenses, and, plus, the Raiders already are coping with a contract crisis regarding still-unsigned rookie quarterback JaMarcus Russell. But as far as Clements' deal goes, Asomugha liked it not just because of the fat figures, but also because of what it represents. "With so many teams switching to cover two and zone (schemes), and with only us and Green Bay playing primarily man-to-man, you wonder, 'Do people still need cornerbacks?'" Asomugha said. "Him getting that recognition shows people do need cornerbacks. It's nice to see that." Brown sees Asomugha and Clements as top-notch cornerbacks, but notes that they're different in terms of size (Asomugha, at 6-foot-3, is two inches taller than Clements) and style (Asomugha is fast becoming an expert at manto-man coverage). When it comes to goals, Asomugha should cash in the way Clements did with the 49ers. But Asomugha's ambition is much more than that: "It's always been a goal of mine to be on the top defense, in the top secondary and be the top at my position." He's well on his way, even if he humbly thinks he's a ways away. Next stop, Monster Park. 20

93 NAPA VALLEY REGISTER Raiders' Echemandu Trying To Make Name For Himself By MARTY JAMES Executive Sports Editor Wednesday, August 15, 2007 Adimchinobe Echemandu lights up with a smile when he talks about Oakland Raiders running backs coach Tom Rathman. Echemandu, a fourth-year player out of UC Berkeley, said Rathman is old school on the practice field. He also has all the respect in the world for Rathman, who helped the San Francisco 49ers capture two world championships (Super Bowl XXIII and XXIV) and seven NFC West titles. He s a tough guy, Echemandu said after a morning practice Tuesday at the team s Napa Valley training camp. He challenges you to be tough. He ll get up there and talk about how they did it back in the day and how he played the game. He played the game with violence. I don t know if you hear too many backs talking about violence today. That s his way that s how he played the game. Echemandu is learning about the running back position from Rathman, who has his pupils engaged in a zone running scheme as part of a West Coast system that Lane Kiffin is putting in as the new head coach. Rathman who in 1989 led all NFL running backs in receiving with 73 receptions for 616 yards is emphasizing a lot of footwork drills. I like his approach, said LaMont Jordan. He beats us up in individual drills. All of coach Rathman s drills are something that will definitely get you better. I think the things that we re doing are definitely things that are going to help us in the long run. In Saturday s preseason opener, Echemandu led the Raiders in rushing, carrying the ball 17 times for 75 yards with a long run of 12 yards as Oakland defeated Arizona, 27-23, at McAfee Coliseum. It was a very good start for Echemandu, who is listed No. 2 on the depth chart with Justin Fargas. They are playing behind LaMont Jordan and Dominic Rhodes. He really played hard throughout that game because he did have quite a few carries, said Greg Knapp, the Raiders offensive coordinator. I was very impressed. And then in the fourth quarter when we were trying to control the clock he was the guy to get the ball in his hands and really ran hard. I liked the move he made where he spun out and stiff armed a guy on the sideline. He had a good game. Echemandu, who was born in Nigeria, was signed to the Raiders active roster on Oct. 21, He was previously on the practice squad last year. He saw action at running back in games against San Diego (Nov. 26) and Houston (Dec. 3). He also had one special teams tackle in games against Kansas City (Dec. 23) and the New York Jets (Dec. 31). I can t just look at the performance on Saturday and say, Oh yeah, I m doing a good job. I ve got to strive to get better and better, Echemandu said. It felt good to be out there and being able to get reps and get an opportunity to display some of my talent. That was a good feeling for me. I expect to know what I m doing and know the plays and to run hard. All you can do is, hopefully when the opportunity comes, make the plays that you re required to make. I think there were some runs there that I could have done better on. I haven t arrived yet. You re not in Canton yet, you re still trying to make a name for yourself. All you can do is just play hard and prepare yourself for whatever happens. I m happy with the opportunity I ve been given. I feel like I ve been making good use of my opportunities. I m trying to progress and be better every day. 21

94 Echemandu and Raiders cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha are first cousins and have known each other since elementary school days. They were teammates at Cal together. I m just happy about the opportunity to actually be on the team with him again, Echemandu said. It s a good thing, a blessing. Echemandu got a good report from Rathman on last week s game, but he knows there is a lot of work ahead. He wants us all to be at a certain level. In his eyes, we all haven t got there yet, but we re getting better and progressing day by day. The Raiders are looking to upgrade a running game that was 29th in rushing last year with 1,519 yards. Echemandu said keys are being prepared, playing hard and trying to capitalize on opportunities when he gets to carry the ball. I feel like I m a good player. I feel like I can play on any team. If it doesn t work out here, I feel that I have the talent to play anywhere in the NFL. You ve just got to keep working hard. The people who work hard and are mentally tough survive in this game. Echemandu enjoyed his best season in college as a senior in 2003 at Cal, when he averaged 134 yards rushing during a four-game stretch and was second in the Pac-10 at one time with 97.9 yards per game. In a game against Arizona he ran for 201 yards with three touchdowns. He had 1,434 career rushing yards with 16 TDs during his collegiate career. Echemandu, who moved to California as a child, starred at Hawthorne High, rushing for over 1,500 yards and scoring 27 TDs as a senior. He ranked as the 10th best RB prospect in the West by SuperPrep. He also excelled in track and field as a sprinter. 22

95 USA TODAY New Raider Culpepper looks to mend career By Jarrett Bell, USA TODAY NAPA, Calif. Daunte Culpepper is in rehab now, but as the 30-year-old quarterback breezes past the outdoor weight room at the Oakland Raiders' training camp, this is not so much about his surgically repaired left knee. The knee appears fine. Culpepper, moving well enough, does not even wear a brace. Now his mission is to rehabilitate his career. In Culpepper's last full season, 2004, he passed for an NFL-high 4,717 yards and franchise-record 39 touchdowns for the Minnesota Vikings. If not for Peyton Manning's record-breaking 49 TDs, Culpepper likely would have been the league's MVP that year. Since then, an avalanche of disaster, turmoil and heartache has smothered Culpepper. The swoon started with three torn knee ligaments in 2005, wiping out Culpepper's final nine games. Traded to the Miami Dolphins in 2006, he was sacked 21 times in the first four games then missed the final 12 contests due to shoulder and knee injuries. The Dolphins cut him in June. He is trying to regroup with a team that has had a revolving door at quarterback in recent years, has a new coach in Lane Kiffin installing a new system, and has yet to sign JaMarcus Russell, the passer drafted No. 1 overall in April. "All I want is an opportunity," says Culpepper, signed a week into camp as talks between the Raiders and Russell stalled. "Then the rest is on me. I feel like I'm still a starter in this league. When that happens, who knows? But I know I have a lot to contribute." Culpepper, with three Pro Bowls on his resume, would not be offended if you called him a visiting quarterback. His arrangement is like a short-term lease, with Russell pegged as the Raiders' future quarterback. After collecting $8 million from the Dolphins during his 16-month tour, Culpepper signed a one-year contract with the Raiders that, according to The Oakland Tribune, could be worth $3.2 million, with $750,000 guaranteed. He's gambling on himself to command another big payday down the road. "I wanted to be able to show myself for one year," said Culpepper, who drew interest from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Jacksonville Jaguars teams that had already committed to starters for this season. "I'm just glad I was able to come to an agreement with the Raiders for what I was looking for. "This situation was good because No. 1, I can help the team now. It's also good because they drafted their quarterback of the future and I think I have a lot to offer any quarterback coming into the league, some type of tutelage. Maybe I can help him. And if given the opportunity to play, I can help myself and at the end of the year, whatever happens, happens." Culpepper is battling Josh McCown and Andrew Walter for the starting job. Although Culpepper, a ninth-year pro, has a distinct edge in experience with 84 career starts, he is in a catch-up mode. "It reminds me of the offense I had in college," said Culpepper, who set an NCAA single-season completion percentage record (73.6%) at Central Florida. "Get the ball out fast. Quick reads. I'm versatile. I can adjust to whatever situation or offense I'm in." Culpepper had an inauspicious start in Saturday night's preseason opener against the Arizona Cardinals. Coming off the bench in the third quarter, he fumbled the exchange on his first snap. On the next series, he fumbled while getting sacked. 23

96 Offensive coordinator Greg Knapp acknowledges that rust was a factor. "That's a fair assessment," Knapp said. "Not to mention that he's probably on information overload right now. You come into camp a week late. Usually I'm lucky enough to have a quarterback since March like with Andrew, to teach the basics, the formations and the motions. So it's a big learning curve for a guy coming in this late." Culpepper shook off his early mishaps Saturday to direct two fourth-quarter field goal drives. Said Knapp, "He overcame some adversity." Knapp expects the three quarterbacks will share time evenly again in Saturday's exhibition against the San Francisco 49ers. "I'll work to be the starter," Culpepper says. "But there is no timeline on my expectations. I've got to learn this offense. Every day, I feel like I'm getting better." The knee that was such a concern last summer isn't an issue. He says the ligaments are stable and insists he didn't try to rush back too soon last season. He underwent arthroscopic surgery on the same knee last year, but maintains that the procedure was to shave cartilage and was unrelated to the previous injury. "It was a totally different injury," he says. "A lot of people don't understand that. It feels a lot better now." So does his psyche. Culpepper's final weeks with the Dolphins were emotionally draining. New Dolphins coach Cam Cameron opted for Trent Green as his quarterback, and when Culpepper refused to restructure his contract to help facilitate a trade, hardball tactics ensued. The team escorted him off the field in a June minicamp. "In an ideal situation, it would have been better for me to get released earlier," he said. "But the way it happened, it happened. It was frustrating, but I know how this business is sometimes. All I'm doing now is looking forward. I'm in a better situation now." 24

97 SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS Ryan's hope: someday coaching NFL team HE HAS RESHAPED RAIDERS DEFENSE By Steve Corkran, MediaNews, San Jose Mercury News Article Launched:08/15/ :44:56 AM PDT NAPA - Raiders Coach Lane Kiffin remained hospitalized because of a viral infection Tuesday, leaving offensive coordinator Greg Knapp and defensive coordinator Rob Ryan to run the show. Kiffin is expected back as soon as today, pending the results of tests conducted Monday and Tuesday. He was admitted to Queen of the Valley Hospital on Monday. Kiffin's absence provided a glimpse into how things might look with a Ryan-coached team, something fans probably will see before long if Ryan's career path continues on its ascent. "Well, the word is already out pretty much on Rob," cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha said. "We just hope that he stays as long as we're here." Ryan is in his fourth year with the team. His first two seasons were marked by a failed use of the 3-4 scheme as his base alignment, as well as inconsistent play. Last year, everything clicked for the defense: Oakland finished third in the NFL in team defense in terms of average yards allowed and first in average yards allowed passing. Suddenly, Ryan became a hot commodity. Ryan attempted to cash in on his success by interviewing for the Raiders coaching vacancy after owner Al Davis fired Art Shell. However, Davis wanted an offensive-minded coach and hired Kiffin. Kiffin took immediate steps to salve any wounds and placate those players who lobbied on Ryan's behalf. "We're very fortunate to keep Rob Ryan here," Kiffin said at his introductory news conference Jan. 23. "After watching some film late last night, going over it with Al, we're extremely excited about the direction of the defense, how hard they played and the improvement that they made from two years ago." Davis praised Ryan that day. He also said he didn't see the need to compensate Ryan by making him an assistant head coach. "No, I'm not worried about losing him because I stuck with him when he knows that I don't know how many people would have stuck with him, and (because of) how much influence I've had on him," Davis said. Ryan is the prototypical players' coach. He acts like his players, talks like them and institutes things such as a home run derby during training camp as a means of keeping things light. Safety B.J. Ward played for Rob's twin brother, Rex, when he was with the Baltimore Ravens. There's only one difference between the two, Ward said. "Just longer hair, man," Ward said about Rob Ryan. "They're pretty much the same. They're both player friendly. They will listen, and that's good. There aren't too many defensive coordinators, I'm sure, that will do that." Ryan's father, Buddy, was the architect of the famed Chicago Bears defense of the mid-1980s, as well as the great Philadelphia Eagles defenses that featured end Reggie White. Buddy Ryan has spent the past several days watching Rob coach from the sideline. He said he likes what he sees. "He's got to coach to his personality," the elder Ryan said. "The players apparently react to it because they're giving him a big effort. That's the name of coaching, to get the best out of your people, whatever you got to do." Soon, that figures to translate into bigger and better things for Rob Ryan, his father said. "He's been ready for quite a while, Rex and him both," Buddy Ryan said. "They'll probably get it this coming year, maybe." 25

98 SACRAMENTO BEE Raiders' Jordan aims to join AFC West elite Raiders: Jordan banking on weight loss in offense By Jason Jones - Bee Staff Writer Published 12:00 am PDT Wednesday, August 15, 2007 The Raiders did all they could in the offseason to let LaMont Jordan know he was expendable. They might have cut the running back if he hadn't agreed to a reduction in his bonus money. The Raiders also signed running back Dominic Rhodes in the offseason. Jordan said he believes he is the starting tailback but knows it's not the consensus opinion. "There's a lot of people questioning whether I'm the guy for the job," Jordan said Tuesday. "And, of course, at some point, pride is going to get in the way and, at some point, you're going to want to make a statement. But it's not something I talk about." Jordan returned to practice Monday after being out with lingering back and hamstring issues since Aug. 3. Now he would like to make a statement on the field and enter the conversation about the elite backs in his division. It's something in which he finds humor. Last year, Jordan joked about hearing praise for a running back nicknamed "LJ" in the AFC West and assumed it referred to him before realizing Kansas City Chiefs star Larry Johnson was the LJ of note. Jordan realizes that hasn't changed. "Right now in the AFC West, I'm clearly the back that's not even in this hemisphere," Jordan said. "When you look at Travis Henry (of the Denver Broncos), Larry Johnson and LaDainian (Tomlinson of the San Diego Chargers), I'm not even mentioned on the same page as those guys. That's something that I would like to change." Jordan was signed as a free agent before the 2005 season to be the Raiders' primary back. Jordan had career bests of 1,025 rushing yards, 70 catches and 11 total touchdowns in 14 games in But a knee injury limited his '06 season to nine games. He finished with 434 yards and 10 receptions. Jordan also said he didn't like former coach Norv Turner's running game, which featured a lot of "sideways running." He said new coach Lane Kiffin's offense is similar but that he is gaining a better understanding of the zone-blocking scheme. Jordan also looks forward to catching passes instead of taking on blockers this season. The only highlight that seems to get replayed involving Jordan and the passing game is him being trampled trying to block San Diego linebacker Shawne Merriman in last season's opener. "Last year, we never emphasized getting the backs the ball," Jordan said. "We spent so much time standing and helping out the linemen with the seven-step drops we were doing. This offense is pretty much check your man, chip on the way out and get out." Jordan said he has lost weight, although he won't divulge specifics, to become a better fit in the offense. He said his weight when he was hurt last year -- he wouldn't say what his weight was last season, either -- is the ideal size. "If I can get back to that weight, especially with this new offense, I'll have a lot more bigger runs, a lot more explosive plays," said Jordan, who's listed at 230 pounds. "And it's just trying to do what I can to help the team." Maybe then Jordan can join the other AFC West backs in their hemisphere. 26

99 NAPA VALLEY REGISTER Brown shows no fear By MARTY JAMES, Executive Sports Editor Tuesday, August 14, 2007 Ricky Brown s second year in the National Football League started off in glowing fashion Saturday night. The middle linebacker, listed second on Oakland s depth chart, had a team-high seven tackles and almost intercepted a pass in a preseason win over the Arizona Cardinals. I was fortunate because it was the first preseason game and a lot of the starters weren t playing too much, Brown said. I kind of had my chance out there to go and show what I could do. Brown, who is from Boston College, got to play almost three full quarters, ensuring that Raiders coaches will see a lot of him on film when they go about breaking down the tape. I was good to get out there and run around with the defense, Brown said after Monday s practice at the Raiders training camp facility in Napa. It was the first preseason game and you have to continue to get a lot better. There were still a few mistakes that I saw out of myself. I ve been really working hard with my linebacker coach, Don Martindale, the whole offseason. I ve just been excited for camp to start and get out there and play with the other guys on the defense, because it s an excellent defense. Brown was an undrafted rookie free agent who was signed by the Raiders in the offseason, and then signed to the practice squad after training camp. He was added to the active roster on Oct. 7, He has played in 13 league games, seeing the majority of that time on special teams. Brown is part of a very strong Raiders defense that finished third in the league last year. He plays behind Kirk Morrison. It s an honor to play behind these guys and watch these guys play and just try to learn from the way that they play and the way that they carry themselves. Last year he played in 13 games and made seven tackles. In a game on Nov. 19 at Kansas City, he recorded three special teams tackles. I m just trying to be the best linebacker that I can be, said Brown. And with the coaching that I ve gotten from Don Martindale and Rob Ryan, I feel like I m getting better every day. Brown carries the experience and confidence over from 2006 into this year s season. He said he now knows what to the expect at this level of football, and it s just a matter of going out and making plays something that he did a lot of at Boston College. He wants to be a leader on special teams and support the linebacking corps as best he can. I just want to be there when called upon, said Brown, adding that the offseason was very positive and productive when it came to getting his work done and attending meetings with staff. He likes the team s training camp set up and the Northern California climate, which has been on the unusually cooler side this summer. This is a beautiful part of the country. But it s going to be a tough go where ever you re at for training camp. Training camp is just about routine and coming together as a team. What I look forward to in training camp is the team camaraderie and that it s a team atmosphere that is built upon. As a senior at Boston College, Brown registered 69 solo tackles and 42 assists. He led the team with 81 tackles in 2004, with four tackles for losses of seven yards. He also registered two quarterback hurries, forced two fumbles, recorded three fumble recoveries and broke up a pass. He transitioned from outside to middle linebacker in the spring of Brown was a two-time All-City and All-Greater Catholic League First-Team selection at Elder High School in his hometown of Cincinnati. 27

100 SACRAMENTO BEE McCown appreciates his opportunity After a rough start in the NFL, the quarterback begins anew in Oakland. By Jason Jones - Bee Staff Writer Published 12:00 am PDT Saturday, August 11, 2007 Josh McCown already has thanked the Raiders' coaching staff, even though he hasn't been named the starting regularseason quarterback. He's grateful for a chance to start tonight's exhibition opener against the Arizona Cardinals at McAfee Coliseum. He spent four seasons with the Cardinals before sitting on Detroit's bench last season. McCown came to Oakland in a draft-day trade with no guarantees. With first overall pick JaMarcus Russell still unsigned, McCown must fend off Andrew Walter and Daunte Culpepper in the Raiders' camp. Much to his delight, first-year coach Lane Kiffin has given all three equal snaps with the first, second and third teams as Culpepper has familiarized himself with the playbook. "I was telling (John DeFilippo) the quarterbacks coach the other day, 'I really appreciate the fact that y'all have been so detailed with how we split things up,' " McCown said. "Obviously, 'Pep' came into it a little late, but especially with Andrew and myself throughout the spring, they've really done an outstanding job of making it fair." McCown, 28, is starting tonight for a few reasons, but mainly because he has been the most consistent in training camp. Teammates have responded to him well, and he has shown leadership qualities the Raiders have lacked on offense since the days of Rich Gannon. When the Raiders signed Culpepper on July 31, McCown remained the same unflappable personality. Kiffin wanted to see how his quarterbacks reacted to the "adversity" of having a three-time Pro Bowl pick such as Culpepper thrown into the competition. Walter responded with his worst practice of training camp. McCown, perhaps mentally fortified by last season and his time with the wayward Cardinals, just kept playing. "I really didn't put a whole lot of credence into it," McCown said of Culpepper's signing. "I just said I'm going to compete and take care of what I need to take care of. They can bring in who they want to bring in, but my goal for this team is to bring consistency to the quarterback position." Doing that tonight means not turning the ball over and making the right decisions. Because of the focus on giving each quarterback a fair chance to start, McCown says he knows he might not have the opportunity to work with the first-team offense in the next exhibition game. Also, going against a first-team defense is probably the most accurate gauge of McCown's grasp of the offense. Regardless of the quarterback, Kiffin is looking for the same thing from each. "However that score comes out, it'll come out," Kiffin said. "But we need to execute really well and do our fundamentals really well and not turn the ball over, and we need to get it back on defense." McCown understands that. He also says he knows his play tonight won't win or cost him the starting job. As long as there is no favoritism in the competition, he will be fine, even if he doesn't start in Week 1. "I'm going to work as hard as I can," McCown said, "and if I feel like I'm playing at a high level, then whoever beats me out must really be playing at a high level, which ultimately gets my goal done of bringing consistency to the position." 28

101 SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE It's all in the family for new long snapper Anna Liu, Chronicle Staff Writer Friday, August 10, 2007 Up until now, most members of Raider Nation probably hadn't heard the name Jon Condo. And the job of long snapping probably has not been a hot topic of conversation in the Black Hole. That could change. Condo, 25, replaces popular Adam Treu, the long snapper the last 10 years. True, who helped the Raiders to three straight AFC West Division titles and started at center in Super Bowl XXXVII after the 2002 season, was limited last year with a quadriceps injury. He was released just before training camp began in July, opening up the job of snapping on punts and place kicks. "There's not that much pressure because it's my specialty," Condo said. "Just like a quarterback throwing the ball or a kicker kicking the ball." The long-snapper talent seems to run in the family. Condo's two older brothers, Kurt, 31, and Bill, 27, both snapped in high school, and Kurt continued snapping in college for two seasons at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Kurt said snapping came naturally to him and he was able to pass knowledge on to his younger brother. "Jon just came home one summer and said they were looking for a long snapper and he asked me to teach him," Kurt said. "I coached him up in our backyard and he went back and got the job." Kurt, who is now a high school guidance counselor and coaches high school football in Pennsylvania, said he is very proud of his younger brother. "Jon says this is the most comfortable he's been on any of the teams," Kurt said. "He's excited about it. He wants to help the Raiders." At 6-foot-3 and 250 pounds, Condo is listed as a linebacker, the position he played in high school. He earned a scholarship to play at Maryland. After red shirting his first year, he took over the job of long snapper and did it through his senior year. "I never long-snapped in my life until I got to college," Condo said. "It's just one of those things where our team all of a sudden didn't have a snapper, and as a young freshman I wanted to do whatever I could to get on the field. Naturally I just picked it up and I've been doing it ever since." The Raiders' exhibition opener against Arizona on Saturday will be the first test for Condo, who hasn't snapped in a regular-season game since he played with Dallas for three games in Condo joined the Raiders in 2006 but did not make an appearance during the season. Condo said it's all about confidence when it comes time to make the snap. "Right now, my confidence is pretty high," Condo said. "It's just getting reps every day, getting out there snapping and making sure your mechanics are right and you're fundamentally sound." Two-time Pro Bowl punter Shane Lechler, who holds the NFL record for career punt average at 46.1 yards, said Condo has been solid and consistent during practice. Raiders head coach Lane Kiffin said Condo brings an extra talent, the ability to get down field on punts. "We're excited about Condo's coverage ability and what he brings us that way, as opposed to having a lineman for instance," Kiffin said. "We're going to give him a shot to take this thing and run with it and see how far he can go." Condo's one-step-at-a-time mentality has been working for him so far. "Games are won and lost on blocked punts, kicks and blocked field goals," Condo said. "It's important to have 100 percent execution on every play of the game and every snap is important." 29

102 CONTRA COSTA TIMES Raiders' Sands is immovable object That's why Oakland made signing the defensive tackle to an extension a priority By Steve Corkran CONTRA COSTA TIMES Article Launched:08/09/ :59:45 AM PDT NAPA -- Terdell Sands has started one game since entering the NFL in He was a seventh-round selection in the NFL draft that year. The Kansas City Chiefs and Green Bay Packers both gave up on him after one season. Sands, 27, languished on the sideline under three coaches with the Raiders the past four seasons. Someone always played just well enough to keep Sands in the shadows. Even so, finding defensive tackles who stand 6-foot-7, weigh 335 pounds and are strong enough to move offensive linemen at will is not an easy task. Hence, the Raiders made signing Sands to a contract extension their top priority in free agency this offseason. "This guy's a freak of nature," Raiders defensive line coach Keith Millard said of Sands on Tuesday. "I've never seen a guy his size move the way he can and do some of the things he can do." Such as stop the run and collapse the pocket. In other words, think veteran defensive tackle Ted Washington. Coincidentally, it's Washington who contributed to the stunting of Sands' development into an every-down player. Washington occupied the middle of Oakland's line in 2004 and 2005, and he passed on the spot to promising thirdyear player Tommy Kelly last season. Kelly had his shot and didn't pan out as well as expected. That made Sands all the more attractive once his contract expired after last season. So it was that the Raiders lavished upon Sands a four-year, $17 million contract that included a $4 million signing bonus. Put another way, he got paid like a starter. Now the Raiders expect him to play like a starter. Sands is splitting reps with Kelly during training camp, though Sands appears to have the edge on lining up next to Warren Sapp when the Raiders play the Detroit Lions in their regular-season opener Sept. 9. Millard doesn't mince words when asked about Sands. The gigantic player from small-time Tennessee-Chattanooga no longer is an intriguing prospect. His time is now. "He's huge and he's as quick as 290-pounders," Millard said. "He just dominates the middle, and that's what we're counting on him to do, dominate the middle of our defense. Everything starts with him. He knows he's got a lot of pressure on him and he's been working his tail off... trying to get better." Sapp calls Sands "unblockable," among other things. "When you got a big dude in the middle like that, it makes life easier for everyone else on the defense," Sapp said. "He's a monster. I feel sorry for the guards and centers that get in his way. The whole world is about to find out what this guy's about. He's for real." Sands is just as shy off the field as he is imposing in his three-point stance. Then again, he has learned not to take anything for granted. "I always come in competing for anything I get anyway because I came through the back door getting into the NFL," Sands said. Now that he has his foot in the door, he intends to knock it down and show the Raiders that they made a wise investment. "That made me feel good, made me feel I have a home," Sands said of the Raiders' re-signing him. "Everyone wants a home. They made me feel like they couldn't let me go test the market, that Oakland was my home. I appreciate that and want to show much love with my play this year." 30

103 NAPA VALLEY REGISTER Curry: Quite a catch By MARTY JAMES, Executive Sports Editor Monday, August 06, 2007 Rookie coach Lane Kiffin is challenging Ronald Curry to take his game to another level of consistency. The Oakland Raiders flanker is taking the boss request to heart. I think he s a great coach. He doesn t take slouching from anybody, said Curry. He holds everybody accountable the same way, regardless of who you are. I think he brings what we ve been needing here for the last four years. Curry comes off a 62-catch season, his biggest year in the NFL. The 2006 season for Curry wasn t just highlighted by impressive statistics (727 receiving yards, 11.7 yards per catch, one touchdown), but also by being honored with the Raiders Ed Block Courage Award. Curry earned the award which is named in honor of Ed Block, the longtime head athletic trainer of the Baltimore Colts who was a pioneer in his profession and a respected humanitarian by overcoming a season-ending torn Achilles tendon injury in 2005 and returning to the playing field. Each March in Baltimore, the Ed Block Courage Award Foundation honors those recipients from every team in the NFL who have been chosen for this distinguished honor. Courage Award recipients embody everything that is positive about professional athletes as they serve as inspirations in their locker rooms as well as constructive role models in their communities. They are often players who have overcome devastating injuries or tragedies in their personal lives to return to the NFL. The accolade has become one of the most important honors presented to a player in the NFL each year. Curry received the award along with the other recipients at the 29th annual Ed Block Courage Awards Dinner. The Foundation serves to also raise awareness of abused children. The recipients were selected by their teammates for displaying a commitment to the principles of courage and sportsmanship. I take pride in everything I do, Curry said after a practice last week at the Raiders Napa Valley training camp complex at Redwood Middle School. It s how people look at you. If I go out there and work hard, my productivity is going to speak for itself. I m out there to make plays and I take pride in doing that. Curry, a seventh-round pick who is in his sixth year, has been sharp and productive in camp for the Raiders, who are putting in a new offense under Kiffin. In Sunday s mid-afternoon practice, Curry made a very nice catch for a touchdown in the back of the end zone from Josh McCown. He also caught a short TD pass from Daunte Culpepper. He s done a lot of really good things, said Kiffin. He really catches the ball extremely well, a very consistent catcher. The quarterbacks should be able to put a blindfold on him and throw to him. That s how consistent he needs to be to be a great player for us. Curry, who has played in 46 league games, is working each day in camp to become familiar and to also develop a trust with the team s three quarterbacks Culpepper, McCown and Andrew Walter. If and when JaMarcus Russell, the team s No. 1 overall selection in the draft, comes to terms and agrees on a contract, Curry and the rest of the receivers will need to get on the same page as the rookie quarterback. He s responded extremely well, Kiffin said of Curry, from Hampton, Va. I can t say enough good things about him. 31

104 Curry played in 12 league games with three starts before suffering a season-ending Achilles tendon injury against Kansas City on Dec. 5, He saw action in the first two games of the season before tearing his Achilles tendon and prematurely ending his season in But Curry came back last year in a big way. His season featured: Catching 11 passes for 106 yards Dec. 23 against Kansas City. Catching nine passes for 87 yards Dec. 17 against St. Louis. Catching eight passes for 99 yards and a touchdown vs. Cincinnati Dec. 10. Catching five passes for 47 yards Dec. 31 against the New York Jets. Catching five passes for 85 yards in a game Nov. 6 against Kansas City. I think it was just the opportunity of playing, said Curry. I think you hit different levels in your career the first for me was just making the team and then playing and now starting. I just can t wait to hear my name called over the loudspeaker as a starter for the Oakland Raiders Ronald Curry. He has 119 career receptions for 1,449 yards and seven TDs. Just to be playing the game of football and being a starter, that s what you play the game for. Coming out here and not being a starter or being a third receiver, not playing as much as I could... once I was on the field I took advantage of that, he said. All of my hard work is finally paying off. Growing up, Curry said he learned at a very young age that if you want something bad enough, you ve got to go out there and take it, you ve got to work hard for it. And once you get it, try your best not to give it up. That s just the way I was raised. He said that s how he lives his life. He was a two-sport athlete (football-basketball) at North Carolina. In football, he holds school career records with 4,987 yards passing and 6,236 yards in total offense. In basketball, he was the starting point guard on Carolina s ACC regular season championship team in Curry led Hampton High School to three consecutive football state championships. Hampton was 13-0 his last year and posted a state record 40 consecutive wins. He s already projecting an improved look for the Raiders. We re just trying to build something within. I know we re going to be better than last year. You ve got to go out there and make plays that s what we re here for. I think as long as we don t turn the ball over and we execute on offense, I think the sky s the limit for us. 32

105 OAKLAND TRIBUNE Raiders think ex-usc star Williams may be worth the wait By Steve Corkran, MEDIANEWS STAFF, Inside Bay Area Article Last Updated:08/07/ :33:01 AM PDT NAPA For Mike Williams, it always seems to be about weight. He had the weight of sitting out of football for 19 months after a failed attempt to enter the NFL after his sophomore season at USC. He entered the NFL in 2005 with the weight of being the 10th player selected in the NFL draft by the Detroit Lions. From there, his weight became the hot-button issue. Now, he only has the weight of trying to recapture the magic that made him such a hot commodity coming out of Southern California and trying to make the Raiders' 53-man, opening-day roster at wide receiver. Sure, his weight has been an issue with the Raiders, Williams said, but not as much as it was during a tumultuous two-year stint with the Lions, where things soured so badly that he landed behind quarterback Josh McCown on the depth chart. At wide receiver, that is. "When I (check) in, it's just about football," Williams said. "I don't have to worry about the coaches being on me about this, or the organization on me about that. It's a relief. That's the last thing I'm worried about now. It's a long road ahead of me." Williams' road to where he standstoday was filled with legal potholes, organizational obstacles and continuous tests of his resolve. Suffice to say, few envisioned such a bumpy ride for a player who totaled 176 receptions for 2,569 yards and 30 touchdowns in his two seasons at USC. His troubles began when he hired an agent and declared himself eligible for the 2004 draft. A court ruling blocked Williams from entering the NFL before his junior season, and the NCAA compounded matters by refusing to reinstate his eligibility. All seemed right again when the Lions selected Williams No. 10 overall. He caught 29 passes for 350 yards and one touchdown during his rookie season, under coach Steve Mariucci, but he all but disappeared last season under new coach Rod Marinelli and offensive coordinator Mike Martz. Williams sparred with coaches, showed up late to meetings and missed prescribed weigh-in targets in a season in which he caught only eight passes for 99 yards and one touchdown. The Lions traded him and McCown to the Raiders for a fourth-round draft pick in April. Williams said he wondered, "What's next?" when the Lions fired Mariucci after the 2005 season. Martz tipped him off by informing Williams that he "wasn't his kind of guy" coming out of college. Raiders coach Lane Kiffin was at USC when Williams, 6-foot-5 and 230 pounds, ran roughshod over defensive backs. He intends to capitalize on Williams' size and not let it be a distraction. "That is a value, obviously," Kiffin said, "his size and being able to keep people away from him. That goes back to when he's right, he's a dangerous red-zone player.... There are good ways to use him down there. But he's got to get better." Signs of Williams' progress showed during a recent practice when he beat standout cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha on two plays that he turned into touchdowns. He has made a habit of catching everything thrown his way. That's the player McCown remembers seeing last season, when both were relegated to long stints on the sideline. "Mike can be a really good receiver in this league," McCown said. "He's got unbelievable talent. It's just him getting in a comfort level to make the most of his talents. Consistency is the thing for Mike. Some guys, I've seen it a lot through the course of my career, when a guy doesn't really feel comfortable or doesn't want to be somewhere, people don't work very hard." Williams' wait for NFL stardom soon might end one way or another. 33

106 OAKLAND TRIBUNE Lelie's win has Raiders at a loss Article Last Updated:08/04/ :31:05 AM PDT SOME YOU WIN. Some you lose. Sometimes you just go into the Pioneers Hall of Fame, whether you want to go there or not. Just ask Ashley Lelie. The 49ers' new free agent wide receiver led the NFL in yards per reception (20.1) in 2004 and is a former Denver first-round draft pick, the first University of Hawaii player taken in Round 1. Right now, he's fighting for a starting job but that's all grist for the training camp mill. But he's already made his mark in the NFL within the last year, just not the way he wanted it. Lelie is, in a rather indirect fashion, responsible for the absence of JaMarcus Russell up in Napa. The Raiders' top pick remains unsigned because his agent, Eric Metz, wants his bonus money paid in the form of an option bonus. Option bonus, signing bonus, roster bonus, reporting bonus it's all an assortment of contractual gibberish which Lelie says is "stuff fans don't care about." He's wrong. They care in Oakland. Lelie and the Broncos went through an ugly arbitration battle over his 2006 holdout. Both sides can speak volumes on the issue. Yell and scream volumes, actually. Without getting too arcane, what it boils down to is that signing bonus money can be recouped by teams if the player defaults on his contract say, by holding out, not reporting or getting tossed in jail. Conversely, option bonus money cannot be repossessed barring specified language to the contrary. When the dust cleared on the Lelie arbitration hearings, Lelie got his option bonus money ($220,000) back and didn't have to pay $300,000 in fines for not reporting, but had to pay the Broncos $600,000 in regular bonus money. Win. Lose. Overall, more was lost than won. But Lelie said he was determined to win "a battle to the death." "Why it had never come up before, I have no idea," Lelie's agent Peter Schaffer said. "Prior to Ashley, all teams thought the option bonus had forfeiture provisions, which would allow teams to recapture (money) if there was a failure or refusal to report. It was definitely a victory for Ashley Lelie." Moreover, a precedent-setter. Metz and other agents were scribbling notes in the aftermath. While some agents have asked for a large portion of bonus money to be classified as option bonuses, Metz wants 100 percent of it done that way. "And I won't do that," Raiders owner Al Davis said, citing the need for the club to be protected. "They have to be made accountable. (It is) the first first choice they've ever had. They've got to come through with a decent deal, otherwise they are done in the market." So there you have it a 49er, who also happens to be a former Bronco, is costing Oakland its long-range franchise quarterback, at least for now. "I can see why there is a holdup," Lelie said, sitting in his locker stall Friday. "The team wouldn't have a safety net in case he turns out to be having cat fights or something." Funny guy. A year ago Lelie was catching passes from Michael "Woof" Vick. Lelie concedes he may have won his part of the arbitration because the Broncos acted in what he calls a "shady" manner by forcing him to sign an agreement and write a $220,000 check while he was taking a physical in Atlanta, where he had been traded. "It was like if I didn't sign it, coach (Mike) Shanahan wasn't going to sign off on the trade," Lelie said. "I was stuck in a Catch-22. Do I go back home and continue holding out or do I get my career going again, go to Atlanta and get all this stuff behind me?" Lelie would as soon not become famous in the way Curt Flood did in baseball. "They're always joking about it, calling it the Ashley Lelie Rule," he said with a faint smile. "That's actually kind of funny, but it's cool. I just don't want to be known for something that's bad for teams." The Hall of Fame he wants into has nothing to do with lawyers. "If I ever get that chance, I don't want to be known as 'that guy,'" he said. 34

107 SANTA ROSA PRESS DEMOCRAT Sapp never seems to change While his fun-loving attitude is the same, his weight's dropped to 282 By Phil Barber, THE PRESS DEMOCRAT NAPA -- Warren Sapp never has a bad day on the practice field. But Thursday was a virtuoso performance. Every time the background noise subsided a few decibels, there was Sapp's booming voice to fill the air. The 13-year veteran had words for rookie wide receiver Chris McFoy during a special-teams drill: "Hey. Hey, 14. You get a job, then you can hold him like that." He had a lesson for tight end Tony Stewart: "I don't need to introduce myself to any offensive player. 'T-Stew?' What's that? His mama name him T-Stew?" He had a question for the visiting NFL officials who offended him with an offside call: "Are you guys moonlighting? Call your office, they wondering what you were doing Thursday." He had some teasing for chunky receiver Mike Williams: "You can write (247 pounds), but that don't make it true. I know. I used to write (330) when it was (337). I know all the tricks. You grab onto the wall and hold yourself up." And he had bad news for defensive end Dave Tollefson, who strained his back in a blocking drill: "You gotta have $10 million to have tendonitis. Arthritis, tendonitis -- any of those '-itis.' That's a rich man's disease." It wasn't even an aberration. Sapp might as well be permanently "miked up." When he isn't lining up on the outside shoulder of a guard, he's constantly roaming the field, chattering, hollering, laughing, scowling, and always, always advising. For many, training camp is a necessary evil. For Warren Sapp, it's summer fun. "This is my sanctuary," he said. "I come here to work, cuss, do whatever I want to do. This ain't work. Who else comes to work and do what I do? I get to drop every F-bomb in the world. You just let it fly, have a good time, yell and scream, run around." Sapp, 34, is a welcome presence to 32-year-old coach Lane Kiffin, who needs some charismatic veteran leadership on the field as he attempts to put his stamp on the team. "I extremely welcome the energy as long as the energy matches the play, and he's been doing that so far out here," Kiffin said. "What we don't want out here is wasted energy, and all of a sudden the guy's not playing on the field. But Warren's been great." Sapp's offseason weight loss -- about 50 pounds -- made the national news at the Raiders' mandatory mini-camp in May. He looked equally lean when he showed up in Napa, but he had a couple questions to answer. Such as how he did it: "The sun, a 9- and 7-year-old," Sapp explained. "The Florida sun and a whole bunch of water. It's hot." And of course why he took such a drastic step, considering he finished second in the NFL among defensive tackles with 10 sacks a year ago: "I was pissed. I put up 10 sacks and the three dudes they sent to the Pro Bowl had nine I think combined.... I felt a little disrespected that I put in this game that many years and I put up that kind of year and it was just overlooked. A 34-year-old have 10 more sacks in him next year? Let's see." Some wonder whether Sapp can stand up to the pounding of interior line play at his current weight of 282 pounds. He figures he'll gain 10 to 15 pounds by the early part of the season, and below 300 he'll have better stamina and more quickness. "I know I can't go 70 plays anymore," he said. "I'm not a fool. But I can go 45, and those 45 are going to be deadly." Judging by the last two seasons and his recommitment to conditioning, there's no reason to think Sapp can't play several more years. But he doesn't care to discuss it. The world's most entertaining football player doesn't seem like the type to hang around vying for a roster spot after his skills have eroded. "How much more can I go after 13?" he asked. "I'm waiting on that direct call when coach says, 'Hey, son you're not good anymore.' I'll say, 'Thanks, I'll go home now.' I think I'm still pretty good. Until someone tells me otherwise, I'll be here." 35

108 AP Raiders taking cautious approach with former Pro Bowl center The Associated Press Article Last Updated:08/02/ :13:55 PM PDT NAPA, Calif. After seven knee surgeries in nine years, Jeremy Newberry knows eventually his knees will begin to ache as he grinds through the rigors of training camp. Oakland Raiders coach Lane Kiffin understands it, too, which is why he's being selective with how much work the veteran center is getting in practice. Newberry was given the day off Thursday, the first time since camp began that he sat out consecutive practices. When he has been on the field, however, he's shown flashes of the form that made him a Pro Bowl pick in 2000 and Provided his knees can hold up underneath him, the 31-year-old Newberry is also putting himself in position to supplant Jake Grove as the Raiders' starting center. The two shared reps during the first week of training camp as Oakland tries to strengthen a struggling offensive line that allowed a league-worst 72 sacks last season. "I feel so good right now," Newberry said. "The physical part's not that bad. I've dealt with pain and a lot of different things before. I'm just excited to be out here feeling healthy. I haven't been able to do that in a long time." Warren Sapp found that out early in camp. The seven-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle went head-up against Newberry during a team scrimmage and took a shot to the ribs that left him shaking his head. "I had to remind him that we're teammates now," Sapp said. "I told him, 'This ain't the 49ers and the Raiders anymore, big boy.' He's a beast. He lets you know that he's been around for a while. I told him, 'I'm going to know where you are from now on.' That boy can play, that's for sure." Few people thought Newberry would be back in the NFL, let alone getting a chance to start again. A second-round pick by San Francisco in 1998, Newberry has been plagued by back and knee injuries the last three seasons. He underwent microfracture surgery on his right knee in 2005, then had the same procedure on his left knee last season after injuring it in training camp with the 49ers. Newberry missed 37 of San Francisco's 48 games since 2003 and many including the 49ers felt his injuries would lead him to retire. Instead, they were the motivation he needed to get back on the field. "I had the desire to do it still," said Newberry, who signed with Oakland on March 6 after being told by San Francisco he wouldn't be offered a contract. "(The knees) don't bother me one bit and I don't think about them. That's been a blessing. They were always hurting, constantly bugging me. Now I'm finally playing and I'm not thinking about my legs hurting because they're not hurting. "I know I can push hard enough to make my legs hurt and I know that will come some time during the season where I'll have some soreness and pain in my legs. Right now I'm just trying to stay healthy and keep from overworking my legs." Newberry signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Raiders, who are coming off a 2-14 season. Oakland made other moves to overhaul its offensive line, adding free agent guard Cooper Carlisle and tackle Cornell Green while hiring line coach Tom Cable away from Atlanta. Grove, a second-round pick of Oakland's in 2004, was the only Raiders offensive lineman to start all 16 games last season. But being part of the league's worst offensive line meant that no job was secure, a point Kiffin made clear when he was hired to take over for Art Shell in the offseason. Kiffin continues to press the competition issue in training camp, but acknowledges the experience and talent Newberry possesses is a valuable asset for Oakland's offensive line. "He's really strong, (has) really strong hands, a really strong upper body and can deal with the matchups that would give Jake some issues at times," Kiffin said. "His health has been great so far all through the offseason. He's at 322 pounds which is actually a little heavy for him and he's carrying that which is a good thing to see him be able to carry that because we'll get it down and it'll be even easier for him." Newberry won't be comfortable until he's in the starting lineup when the Raiders open the regular season against Detroit on Sept. 9. Any work he gets with Oakland's starters before then, he says, is meaningless. "I don't read into that too much," Newberry said. "I'm a confident, confident player. If I'm healthy and I'm ready to play, I don't think there are too many people in this league that's going to beat me out. I let that take care of itself and the coaches will make the decision on their own." 36

109 SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE Davis sees some Plunkett in Culpepper David White, Chronicle Staff Writer Thursday, August 2, 2007 Raiders owner Al Davis took one look at Daunte Culpepper, and into the time machine he flew, all the way to 1980 when he said the Raiders were picked to finish last and Jim Plunkett was in dire need of reclamation. "The only thing I can say about Culpepper right now is he takes me back several years," Davis said at a news conference Wednesday at the Napa Valley Marriott, the training camp home of the Raiders. "He had great years, just never had a chance. Jim Plunkett never had a chance where he was. That was unfair." Plunkett came off the bench and led the Raiders to a Super Bowl victory that year and won the game's MVP award. What Davis would give for Culpepper to capture a sliver of that comeback success this season, especially in the shadow of the worst four-year stretch in franchise history. Granted, the Raiders are more than one player away from turning around their program. By signing Culpepper to a one-year contract worth $3.2 million, they showed they are willing to try anything at this point - even if it means bringing in a quarterback who's had two major knee surgeries in less than two years. "Any time you're a great competitor and people doubt you, it's absolute fuel to overcome whatever they're saying or shut them up in a sense," Culpepper said. Well, here's his chance and if it works, Davis looks like a genius circa 1980 again. To think, none of this likely would have happened if No. 1 overall draft pick JaMarcus Russell - often described as a young Culpepper - was signed and in camp by now. The LSU quarterback is still sitting out, Davis said, because his agents wants all the guaranteed money (up to $30 million) to be an option bonus. The Raiders want nothing to do with that after a recent grievance ruling deemed option bonuses to be nonrefundable in many cases. "I will not do that," Davis said. He will, however, give a oneyear deal to a veteran quarterback whose last healthy season was in 2004, when Culpepper threw for 4,717 yards and 39 touchdowns with Randy Moss and the Minnesota Vikings. The Raiders haven't had those sorts of quarterback numbers since Rich Gannon was the league MVP in 2002, and yes, Culpepper also reminds Davis of Gannon. "We've always had a lot of quarterbacks around," Davis said. "In recent years, we stopped that. And then, the minute somebody gets hurt, we've found ourselves in trouble. Daunte was a great talent. Whether he can get it back or not, it's worth the chance." That was the case in 2003 and '04, when Gannon was lost for each season with injuries. Same thing last year, when Aaron Brooks was hurt in the second game and the Raider' offense never got going. Culpepper said all is well with his knee, and that he has no intention to sit behind Russell, Josh McCown or Andrew Walter on the depth chart. He took about five snaps in 11-on-11 drills Wednesday morning, throwing two passes and fumbling a snap exchange. Coach Lane Kiffin said Culpepper will be worked in slowly while he learns the new playbook, and that he eventually will get equal snaps with Walter and McCown. That's called getting a chance, something the Dolphins weren't willing to offer after Culpepper passed a physical in the offseason. They traded for former Chiefs quarterback Trent Green and released Culpepper two weeks ago. That's another Davis reminder of Plunkett, who was discarded by the 49ers before he joined the Raiders. "It's very refreshing to know that I got a chance to come in and play and contribute to a great team," Culpepper said. "Coach Kiffin and his staff are very, very keen on being successful and they let me know that off the top." All this has Davis smiling, ready to relive the past all over again. "Lane made the final decision," Davis said, "but I wanted it to happen. I like to take chances like that." 37

110 SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE Davis: high praise for Walsh David White Thursday, August 2, 2007 Al Davis gave an hour-long State of the Nation address Wednesday to talk about his longtime friend Bill Walsh and an array of other topics such as the Randy Moss trade, Gene Upshaw's treatment of retired players and Jim Otto's health. Davis visited Walsh with John Madden on Saturday, two days before Walsh died of leukemia-related complications. Walsh's first professional coaching job was with the Raiders in 1966 when Davis hired him to be his offensive backs coach. "Bill Walsh was a fierce competitor of mine, a close friend," Davis said in a banquet room inside the Napa Valley Marriott, where the Raiders are holding training camp. "What he represented to professional football, and what stands out there today, is just unparalleled, whether it be George Halas or Paul Brown." When Walsh was coaching the 49ers, Davis said they had trade talks, and hinted quarterbacks Joe Montana and Steve Young came up in discussions. Davis said he never tried to hire Walsh as a head coach, but would have liked for him to be an adviser. Davis also felt Walsh retired too soon, and said he tried to talk him out of it at the time. "He made a mistake," said Davis, who wants to start a college quarterback award named in Walsh's honor. "Oh, he knew he did. I bawled him out.... I said, 'What the... did you do that for?' He didn't need to retire. He still would have left a tremendous mark." Highlights from the rest of the interview: -- Davis defended NFLPA director Upshaw, a former Raider who has been criticized by some retired players for not doing enough to help them. "I'm a great believer in the retired players, and I believe that Gene Upshaw believes in the retired players," Davis said. "He's done a great job, it's not easy." Davis would like to see Pro Football Hall of Fame satellite sites opened in Orlando, Fla., and Anaheim, with the proceedings going to retired players. -- Davis said Raiders Hall of Fame center Otto had his right leg amputated two weeks ago in Salt Lake City, but did not give further details. -- Davis expressed disappointment in Moss' production the past two seasons and couldn't find a solution other than to trade him. "If Lane (Kiffin) felt that was best for our team right now, I was going to do it, and we did it," Davis said. "We didn't get near what we should have. Randy Moss, if he's well, can still play, in my opinion. Our coaches didn't think so." Roster moves: The Raiders released quarterback Cody Pickett and defensive end Bill Swancutt, two late additions to the camp roster last week. They signed center Jesse Boone, a second-year player who played in NFL Europe. Briefly: Cornerback Stanford Routt had an MRI to determine the extent of his knee injury. Kiffin thinks he could be out for several weeks.... Running backs LaMont Jordan (back) and Dominic Rhodes (foot) returned to practice, while defensive tackle Josh Shaw left practice with a knee injury. 38

111 SACRAMENTO BEE His heart's never too far from home Alabama son JaMarcus Russell will work in Oakland By Jason Jones - Bee Staff Writer Published 12:00 am PDT Sunday, July 29, 2007 MOBILE, Ala. -- Some of the streets of JaMarcus Russell's hometown look a lot like Oakland. At an intersection, you're bound to see a scraper -- a brightly painted sedan with oversize rims and window-rattling, bass-heavy music booming from within. And if Russell is in town, the sounds of a booming system just might be him on his way to Marine Drive. That's where you'll find youngsters sitting on the curb on a hot day in late June. The houses are simple on the outside, and Russell, 21, pulls up to one and parks in the back. The music reverberates inside the house. That sound cuts out. The back door to Bernice Russell's home opens, and the future of the Raiders' franchise enters. All 6-foot-6, 255 pounds of JaMarcus Russell, decked out in a white T-shirt, jeans and sneakers, is back home. A wall is filled with no fewer than 30 photos, newspaper clippings and mementos of his football career. Bernice Russell is JaMarcus' grandmother. She's the woman who carried him in a baby seat to Williamson High School, where the baby born weighing four pounds and a month premature would become the state's all-time leading passer. It's in this home where Bernice eased the cries of an infant JaMarcus in her wicker rocking chair. She reared eight children here after her husband died in an accident in Grandchildren followed and were reared with the same stern guidance. Although the home is filled with family photos, it's JaMarcus' image that dominates. And if you're in Mobile looking for JaMarcus Russell, Bernice's home always is a good place to start. Even if he stops by for only a few minutes to sign autographs for friends, say hi to his younger sister, Jalesia, or chat with his uncle Marcus, for whom he was named, JaMarcus always makes it to grandma's house. That's because to know JaMarcus Russell is to know he loves and cares deeply for his family. He knows the traits that made him a college star and the top choice in this spring's NFL draft were honed in this Gulf Coast city of slightly more than 190,000 people.locals will tell you their Mardi Gras celebration tops that of the one in New Orleans. The humidity can knock out a visitor, and air conditioning just might be the one thing more popular than high school football. * * * The Russell family is an inviting group. Within a minute of a visitor's arrival, one is guaranteed to be offered something to eat or drink. Conversation in Bernice's home ranges from the news of the day to the video of the day on BET. When the subject of JaMarcus is broached, Bernice speaks with pride and sincere joy. She admits not believing her grandson would be drafted first overall, or that the little kid who loved for her to videotape him would grow into the football player he is. "We didn't really know what he had," Bernice said. "We knew that he was a good football player, and we knew he'd go to a good college with his grades and his mannerisms. But we had no idea it would be anything like this." Neither did Zina Russell-Anderson, who gave birth to JaMarcus as a 21-year-old single mother. JaMarcus clashed with her when he was a high school senior when she didn't allow him to play basketball, fearful he would get hurt and lose his football scholarship offers. Though JaMarcus still wonders if he could have played in the NBA, he isn't complaining about his lot in life. His mother's decision to keep him out of basketball is now a playful jab. But in talking to Zina, it's easy to understand why she didn't want anything to jeopardize her son's future. Mobile is just like any other town in that there is plenty of trouble to get into for a teenager looking for it. Keeping JaMarcus away from the pull of the streets was important to Zina, who was determined to show a woman could raise a boy into a strong man. "My mom, she always took up the slack," JaMarcus said. "She's a great person. She's my best friend. I can tell her anything, and I don't have to worry about it going no further than her." 39

112 Zina's siblings and -- of course -- Bernice were influential in keeping JaMarcus on the straight and narrow. Stories of Bernice's discipline are legendary. JaMarcus said he hears stories from his mother's peers of how Bernice would straighten her children -- or anyone else's -- who fell out of line. Bernice noticed a change in the children in the early 1990s. The days of the neighborhood raising everyone's kids were fading. JaMarcus already was showing promise as a young athlete and would sneak to the park before facing his grandmother's ire. As she saw how children were changing, Bernice didn't allow JaMarcus to follow the crowd. "If he snuck off to the streets, I'd go get him," Bernice said. "Him being the only grandson in the house at the time, we had a lot of time to take care of him." Between Bernice, Zina and other relatives, JaMarcus stayed out of trouble. He might not have lived in the roughest part of Mobile, but JaMarcus saw enough to know which way to go. "In every neighborhood in the world, you're going to have your dos and don'ts," JaMarcus said. "You've got your guys who sell drugs, use drugs and this and that. But I was very fortunate to go the right way and the right path in life because of the way my family taught me. I knew right from wrong." Zina, however, understands JaMarcus knowing the right thing to do was no guarantee he would do it. So when the draft came around, his mother was emotional. Not because JaMarcus was the family's first celebrity -- his uncle Ray Russell beat him to that. Nor was it about the millions of dollars her son was guaranteed to come into. It had everything to do with where JaMarcus wasn't. "You think about, We could be going to the graveyard," Zina said. "We could be going to the prison. We could have been a lot of places, but the Lord spared him, and there we were in New York, sitting in the green room waiting for them to call out his name. That was the most overwhelming thing for me." * * * Williamson High is visible in the background when driving past Ladd-Peebles Stadium, and you can see the campus from the press box. Ladd-Peebles is where Russell, playing for Williamson, showed his first signs of football greatness. The stadium, which also hosts the Senior Bowl and the GMAC Bowl, is the site of some of JaMarcus' offseason workouts when he's in town. Russell is beloved here. Mobile is filled with New Orleans Saints fans, but you'll find Russell's No. 2 Raiders jersey prominently displayed with those of Drew Brees and Reggie Bush nowadays. So when Russell is in town, he'll call his high school coach, Bobby Parrish, or offensive coordinator, Rayford Parker, and have them send over some receivers. Russell's throws don't split open the hands of receivers in these workouts, leaving them in need of stitches, the way they did in high school. Parrish said he keeps these workouts quiet because if word got out Russell was at Ladd- Peebles, he would be besieged. And he isn't one to turn away well-wishers. After working out, Russell sometimes would drop by the office of Paul Christopher, the stadium's general manager. It was not unusual for Russell to seek refuge in the air-conditioned offices of Ladd-Peebles, grab a cold beverage, sit in Christopher's office and chat. More than watching the kid who was a "skinny little beanpole" as a freshman become a big-time quarterback, Christopher remains just as impressed with the person Russell is. When Christopher's daughter, an elementary school teacher, brought students to the stadium for a field trip during Russell's junior year, Christopher invited Williamson's football team over. He said you never would have known Russell was one of the nation's elite high school prospects by his interaction with the kindergartners. He looked just as comfortable with them as he did throwing touchdown passes. And when Russell was at Ladd-Peebles following the 2005 season for a youth football game, he didn't shy away from well-wishers in spite of an injured shoulder. Christopher said that attitude can be traced to his upbringing. 40

113 "If you could have seen that, you would have thought, Lord have mercy," Christopher said in recalling Russell's demeanor -- even with his arm in a sling. "There's so many kids that you see off, yet when they're all grown and have some measure of success, they'll get this arrogance and cockiness.... They fail to realize everybody looks silly sitting in the bathtub. He's just not that type of person. He's never too busy to do and say the right thing." Dan Brennan, a television color analyst for local high school football for 12 years, began calling Williamson games when Russell was a junior. Brennan said the only quarterback he had seen at Ladd-Peebles that compared to Russell was Ben Roethlisberger -- when Roethlisberger played in the GMAC Bowl before becoming a first-round choice of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Brennan has become an adopted member of the Russell family despite being Ray's main competition for morningradio supremacy before Ray left radio earlier this year. "He's built for the long haul," Brennan said of JaMarcus. "He's built to succeed because, emotionally, he doesn't have hang-ups. He doesn't want to punch anyone in the parking lot. "I'm not a psychologist, but if you take somebody and you give him talent and you put him in an arena where they're going to be criticized, and that doesn't bother him, that's got to be a great plus for him." Parrish and Parker had plenty of stories to share about the skinny kid over breakfast at a Waffle House, not too far from the local mall. Parrish laughed when discussing the questionnaire he filled out about Russell before the draft that asked if Russell ever was arrested in high school. Arrested? He never missed a practice in four years. "He'd be out there sick with the flu with a hood over his head," Parrish said. "We'd try to send him home, and he wouldn't go home. He didn't practice, but he wanted to be around. That's the type of kid he is; that's the type of kid he was." As a freshman, Russell would study film at home before film session at Williamson. He sometimes dozed off, but he still chimed in on cue with the right play when Parker interrupted his nap. Russell was a star around Mobile by his sophomore year. He led Williamson to the state final as a freshman, losing to a team with a car in its backfield -- Carnell "Cadillac" Williams, currently Tampa Bay's starting tailback. Around this time, Russell began hearing pleas from adults to play the role of prima donna. Before one game, someone yelled for him to "(forget) Parker" and call his own plays. "So we get back to practice, and I'm thinking, Maybe he is thinking that way," Parker said. "So I eased up to him and said, 'JaMarcus, you want to call your own plays?' And he said, 'No, coach, that's your job.' That's what kind of kid he is." * * * If JaMarcus is well-versed in celebrity, it's because of Ray. Ray was the top morning-radio host in Mobile for more than a decade. He also is a successful comedian, with appearances on "Def Comedy Jam" and BET's "Comic View." "Growing up, Uncle Ray was the man around town," JaMarcus said. "At school, guys, girls, teachers, whoever it was would say, 'I heard you was Ray Ray's nephew.' "Now it's the other way around." Ray took JaMarcus with him to media events, schooling him on how to behave in public. Shake hands. Look a person in the eye. Give them your full name when introducing yourself. "He saw the brightness of the spotlight early, so it's not new to him," Ray said. "Now I look back at him at speaking engagements, and I saw some of me coming out in him. You lead by example, and you hope they take your lead." 41

114 On some car rides, Ray even conducted mock interviews with JaMarcus to prepare him for the NFL. Not necessarily as the first overall pick, but definitely the NFL. Ray, who has heart inflammation and needs a transplant, initially kept his health from JaMarcus when he found out in the spring of JaMarcus had an inkling he would be the starter at LSU, and Ray didn't want to distract him when he saw the gleam in his nephew's eye when he came home, with his playbook under his arm, feeling in control of the offense. It was the same look he remembered seeing from JaMarcus in high school. The two don't discuss the situation, but JaMarcus, like most of his family, does wear a green "donate life" wristband. And mention Ray, and JaMarcus smiles at the thought of the man who became his surrogate father. "We've had a lot of fun over the course of the years," JaMarcus said. "And a lot of the things that are happening now are the things we were talking about when I was in high school." * * * Time always is short in Mobile for JaMarcus Russell. When he stopped by Bernice's home during a visit last month, he already was behind schedule. He was supposed to be in Baton Rouge, La., for a football camp with former college teammate Marcus Spears of the Dallas Cowboys, but got caught up visiting elementary schools. He sits in the recliner usually occupied by Bernice to sign some autographs before grabbing some clothes for the drive to Baton Rouge. If there's anything he wants to improve at, it's having more time at home. "Sometimes I don't get much done as far as my family, my younger sister or whoever it might be," he said. "I've just got to get better at that -- go home and stay put -- instead of being a busybody. I'm all over the place. I'm trying to get in, get out and see everybody, get a haircut or go to the mall with my younger sister or by myself with my friends. However it might go, that time I spend in the mall, I could be with my mom, my sister." Which is why a question from Raiders offensive coordinator Greg Knapp seems almost silly: Who was Russell bringing with him to Oakland? "That's the first thing Knapp wanted to know," Ray said of the coach whose last job was in Atlanta with quarterback Michael Vick, who was indicted last week on federal dogfighting charges. " 'Look, man, who all's coming out here?'... Nowadays teams are worried when they draft a guy -- 'Who did we draft with him? Did we draft his friends? Did we draft his neighborhood?' " Ray will be around for a bit before JaMarcus comes to town. Another close friend will be in California, too. But don't worry about the crazy posse following JaMarcus from Mobile. All he wants is his family. 42

115 SANTA ROSA PRESS DEMOCRAT Knapp time for Oakland's offense Veteran coordinator is sounding board for rookie head coach Kiffin By Phil Barber, THE PRESS DEMOCRAT NAPA -- During his 12 seasons as an NFL coach, Greg Knapp went to the playoffs seven times, and to the NFC Championship Game twice. His offenses have led the league in rushing, and finished in the top five in scoring and total offense. His quarterbacks went to the Pro Bowl seven times. So why did he want to get involved in this mess? The Raiders, as everyone knows, are coming off a season of nearly unparalleled offensive ineptitude. They averaged 8.3 points a game (subtracting defensive touchdowns), gained 18.4 yards per game fewer than the next-worst team (Cleveland) and surrendered an NFL-high 72 sacks, among other atrocities. None of it could scare away Knapp, known to Bay Area fans for his nine seasons with the 49ers. "As I told these guys, in my experiences I've been in a startup mode twice -- once with coach (Steve) Mariucci back in San Francisco, once with coach (Jim) Mora in Atlanta," Knapp said. "And both years, our first year, it can turn around pretty fast in this league. And fortunately for me, we went to the NFC championship both times our first year out. Not saying that can happen here, but it does happen sometimes faster than the numbers say." The 2001 Niners and the 2004 Falcons didn't do it solely because of Knapp, but he was unquestionably a big part of their success. As an offensive coordinator for three years under Mariucci and three more under Mora, he became known as one of the game's top teachers of the West Coast offense. When Lane Kiffin became Raiders coach on Jan. 22, Knapp was the first person he targeted to help him coach the offense. Knapp knew Kiffin's father, Monte, a long-time professional adversary as defensive coordinator of the Buccaneers, and liked what he heard from Lane. A Seal Beach native who played and coached at Sacramento State before joining the 49ers, Knapp also liked the idea of returning to the Bay Area. When he joined the Raiders, it created an interesting dynamic. Knapp, 44, now answers to a coach much younger and far less experienced than he, the 32-year-old Kiffin. So far, it seems to be a good match. "I've never been around an individual at any time that's more organized than he is," Kiffin said of Knapp. "He's extremely important to me and that was part of the hire... So if some things pop up, some questions I might have, he has the answers."knapp called the plays in his previous stints as offensive coordinator. He is installing the offense here at training camp, but Kiffin made it clear when he was hired that play-calling would be the head coach's responsibility in Oakland. Knapp still doesn't know whether he will be on the field or up in the box during games in 2007, saying the team will experiment during exhibition games. Knapp did note that his version of the West Coast jibes with Kiffin's, making the transition easier for both. If Knapp is known for anything, it is his work with quarterbacks. He inherited Steve Young, already a superstar when Knapp became 49ers quarterbacks coach in But he helped Jeff Garcia rise from an unknown free agent to a Pro Bowler and made strides with Michael Vick in Atlanta before Vick's play (and off-field life) began to deteriorate last year. The Raiders hope Knapp can make an impact on a young passer like Andrew Walter, who was battered and abused in his second season. "He and I, when we first sat down in February, we said, 'All right, let's talk,'" Knapp recalled. "And really we had a little common thread. I just came from an experience where it wasn't great for me. He just came out of an experience that wasn't great for him. Let's both treat each other with that we're starting with a clean slate.... "From Day One, he's really said, 'All right, I'm yours.' " The Raiders have a quarterbacks coach, John DeFilippo, but his expertise is the quarterback's techniques in the running game. Knapp handles most of the passing mechanics and game management. The opportunity isn't lost on Walter, who is eager to jump start his NFL career. "He's probably one of the best coaches I've ever heard of," he said of Knapp. 43

116 OAKLAND TRIBUNE O-Line hopes to be in zone with new zone Cable replaces power and counter with new blocking scheme By Bill Soliday, STAFF WRITER, Inside Bay Area Article Last Updated:07/29/ :35:00 AM PDT NAPA Under new line coach Tom Cable, the Oakland Raiders are well on the way to playing a game Denver Bronco fans have enjoyed for years. Instead of power and counter heavy blocking, as it was under Art Shell and Jackie Slater, the Raiders are starting over. They're zone blockers now. Its design is to perk up a stagnant running game. "It is a totally different style than before," Cable said. "Different how" is a reasonable question but probably not as significant as the focus of the intent. Fundamentally it involves the notion of linemen moving out in tandem to stretch the defense and make it respond on the move. Defensive linemen hate it because when blockers are on the move and working together rather than independently as in a power game, their vision is disrupted and there is always the threat of a blind hit or a cut block. Defensive tackle Warren Sapp, who has had to deal with such tactics, says it's all about the notion of stretching the defense, widening the players' area of responsibility. "The thing is to have the appearance you are going outside," he said. "But teams that stretch the ball don't want to go outside. They want to cut it back spread your holes and (put) you on an island with a great athlete, and then he can put a move on you." Significantly, Cable points out that for 13 straight years, the top running team in the NFL was a zone blocking team. "Zone is more angles that create (defensive) distortion both horizontally and vertically," guard Kevin Boothe said. "Power schemes can be tough to get that distortion if you don't get that initial jolt." Jolts were few and far between a year ago. In the aftermath, it has been debated whether the Raiders had the personnel to make it work. But there were other issues, according to Sapp. He said offensive linemen grew frustrated and confused by too many cooks in the kitchen. "Who do I listen to?" he said, recounting what he was told went on between the head coach and his offensive line coaches. "Art (Shell) is telling me. Jackie (Slater) is telling me. Irv (Eatman) is telling me. Which (instruction) do I hone in on. "Two of them are Hall of Fame (offensive linemen), and one was a pretty damned good player himself. You have three people saying 'I think it should be done this way,' meanwhile you're over here under a table." The frustration grew, Sapp said, "then all of a sudden, Art says, 'You two get out of my way. I've got it. I'll do it. I'll coach 'em.'" Under Cable there is one voice, and that voice dictates the zone scheme. By adding right guard Cooper Carlisle, who cut his teeth in the Alex Gibbs style of zone blocking in Denver from , the Raiders have a veteran who has done it. "It helps a bit to give a little perspective," Carlisle said. "My whole pro career I ran this scheme. It's working different angles. It's not a scheme built around bulky guys so much. You have to be able to move, and I think everybody here fits this scheme." 44

117 ESPN.COM Friday, May 4, 2007 Kiffin brings a new energy to Oakland By John Clayton, ESPN.com ALAMEDA, Calif. -- A year ago, Jerry Porter was buried so deep in coach Art Shell's doghouse he gave up on the chance of getting a few bones. Shell, trying to re-establish old-style Raider attitude, kicked him out of his office early in the offseason when Porter talked about getting more catches and training in Florida instead of Oakland. As bad as that was, things only went downhill from there for Porter. Shell kept Porter either inactive or suspended. Meanwhile, the Raiders kept losing in an offense that produced only 12 touchdown drives. Al Davis wanted a change, a complete change. He fired Shell after one season. He replaced old school with high school. Going against the odds, Davs hired 31-year-old Lane Kiffin, who last year spent his weekdays recruiting high school athletes and his Saturdays calling plays for Pete Carroll's USC offense. The most noticeable difference as Kiffin held his first post-draft practice is the noise and energy on the field. Shell tried to bring back Raider professionalism and accountability. Kiffin wants tempo. Offensive line coach Tom Cable kept the offensive linemen moving and blocking constantly during drill work Friday. Players moved seamlessly from drill to drill. During seven-on-seven and team drills, waves of receiver assistants chased receivers down the field, critiquing their blocking or route running. No one had time to rest on his laurels. When you go 2-14, there are no laurels to rest on. "Anything different from what we had last year is a welcome change," Porter said. "It's a breath of fresh air." For Porter, it was great just to break a sweat. He described Kiffin's practices as "fast, fast, fast, fast and fast. Just when you think you think you are slowing down, you go faster." Porter has to go back to the Jon Gruden days in 2001 to recall this type of tempo in practice. For Porter and the Raiders, 2006 was a nightmare. It was so bad, the veteran receiver tried to erase the entire season from his mind. "I don't remember last year," Porter said. "You keep saying the words [last year], and it doesn't even register to me." Porter went for the total makeover. He changed his number to 81, Tim Brown's old jersey number. Instead of being an inactive afterthought, he has moved into being the No. 1 receiver in Kiffin's new offense now that Randy Moss has been traded to the Patriots. Shell tried to bring back the vertical-stretch offense to Oakland, but it didn't pan out. Poor blocking didn't give Aaron Brooks or Andrew Walter enough time to set up and throw passes. Porter was constantly being disciplined. Moss was unmotivated. He became so down on the game of football he was willing to take a $7 million pay cut to leave Oakland and join the Patriots. But there is a different feel to this team. Kiffin has brought in a fresh approach. Who knows whether it will work, but change was needed. Even defensive players such as Warren Sapp have picked up on the energy. Sapp likes what he sees so far. More than anything, he likes not seeing the bad images of the 2006 season. "Well, I'm sure we don't have Randy Moss around not playing," Sapp said. "We don't have someone walking around in street clothes... like Porter. We're in a much better situation. We have a team. We can go play. At least, we can take that out of the mix. I waited 13 years to get the No. 1 pick in the draft and have a No. 1 receiver [Moss] walking around all day not playing and the second best receiver [Porter] on the team not playing. "Trust me, I went through enough last year with that. Give me somebody who's going to play and let's play." 45

118 Sapp didn't change his No. 99, but he did change his body. He looks thinner, though he wouldn't specify how much weight he's lost. During Friday's practice, the 34-year-old defensive tackle was moving around like he was 20- something. Aside from Kiffin's youthful approach to the practices, all eyes were on first-round choice JaMarcus Russell. The 6- foot-5 LSU quarterback has a rifle for an arm. Though many of his passes may not have gone to the right spot, Russell wowed teammates and observers with tight spirals that looked as though they were fired out of a bazooka. Russell was running third team behind Walter and Josh McCown, but it's pretty clear the Raiders don't regret selecting him. Russell has good command in the huddle even though he rushed some of his early calls. After all, it was only his first day as a pro. Porter didn't get a chance to catch any passes from Russell, but at least he was on the field. Kiffin told the team that all starting jobs are open. As the highest-paid and most talented receiver on the team, Porter felt revived. It is a new season with a new coach and a new quarterback in development. The Raiders felt as though they needed a fresh start, and life around the team is different with a 31-year-old head coach. The reviews are positive and now there is hope for a change. John Clayton is a senior writer for ESPN.com. 46

119 RAIDERS IN THE COMMUNITY 1

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121 Raiders Visit Lancers September 19, 2007 Rookie WRs Johnnie Lee Higgins. and Jonathan Holland. recently traveled to Hayward to speak to a group of kids who are a part of the Hayward Lancers Football League. The Hayward Lancers is a youth football league offered to kids ages 8 to 14, not only teaching the game of football but also providing kids a safe environment to develop from children to young adults. Coach Al Chatman is one of the founding members of the Hayward Lancers. Seven years ago, Chatman and a few of his friends began to put in the labor of developing a football program to harness the skills and drive of young athletes. It was great to have Johnnie and Jonathan come out to speak to the kids today. I believe it gives the kids motivation and support for what they do. It also makes the players real, and not just someone on TV, Chatman said. Rookie WRs Johnnie Lee Higgins (left) and Jonathan Holland recently traveled to Hayward to speak to a group of kids who are a part of the Hayward Lancers Football League. Raiders.com Coach Al, who has been coaching for 17 years, has worked hard to develop the program to offer different lessons of life such as self-discipline, hard work, and even disappointment at times, but ultimately foster a family atmosphere to provide support. It felt great to see and meet a Raiders football player, said 12-year-old RB Isaiah whose goal is to play in the NFL for The Oakland Raiders. His favorite players are LaMont Jordan., Ronald Curry., Derrick Burgess., Nnamdi Asomugha., Chris Carr., and Johnnie Lee Higgins.. It was great that the Raiders took time out of their day to speak to us, said 13-year-old LB Adam. His goal is also to play in the NFL. Adam also expressed his high expectations for newly signed QB JaMarcus Russell.. Both Johnnie Lee and Jonathan reminisced back to when they were in the shoes of young aspiring football players, looking up to NFL stars. They related to the kids in having experienced what they were going through, Holland remembered walking home carrying his pads in hand, and Higgins was able to laugh in agreement. [It] made my heart flutter, I love kids, when I m done with the NFL, I want to work with troubled, abandoned, and less fortunate kids, Higgins said as he was leaving the event. Holland stated, It was fun to look in the eyes of the young kids and see the excitement that they had for myself and Johnnie Lee. To end the day, Higgins and Holland played a little catch with a few of the Hayward Lancer football players. Getting back to the basics of football, Holland stated, Today they play the sport they enjoy, tomorrow they play the sport they love. Higgins and Holland were able to reflect and not only see how far they had come but to bestow the motivation on the Hayward Lancers Football League, that they too can reach the NFL level with the motivation and love for the sport. 3

122 this story friendly font size Raiders Make Wish Come True September 19, 2007 Printer Decrease The Oakland Raiders recently made a youngster s dream come true. The youngster, 17-year-old Jacob Swartout of Silverton, Oregon, had the opportunity to attend a practice at The Oakland Raiders facility along with his family, as was able to attend the Raiders 2007 Regular Season opener against Detroit. Jacob, who is battling a terminal illness, got the chance to meet the Raiders players and coaching staff, including Head Coach Lane Kiffin. He also got the chance to meet his favorite Raiders, DT Warren Sapp. and Huff., RB LaMont Jordan. took Jacob on a tour of the facility including the locker room, training room and meeting rooms. Jacob and his family were picked up by a limousine and traveled to McAfee Coliseum for the Raiders 2007 regular season opener versus the Lions. Jacob Swartout (right) chats with Raiders TE Tony Stewart before the 2007 home opener against the Lions at McAfee Coliseum. Tony Gonzales 4

123 Asomugha Sponsors College Tour May 24, 2007 Compiled by Ravi Savitala Thanks to Raiders Pro Bowl CB Nnamdi Asomugha, five students from the East Oakland Youth Development Center (EOYDC) ventured out of state for the first time on their own, on a private Historically Black College/University tour. Under the watchful eye of Executive Director Regina Jackson and Asomugha, the students took in the rich history of Atlanta's signature historically black colleges. Traveling from May 17-20, three high school juniors and two sophomores toured the campuses of Spelman College, Morehouse College, and Clark-Atlanta University. In addition, they visited the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site, home of Ebenezer Baptist Church, Dr. King s birth home and grave site, and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change, Inc. They also had opportunity to experience the atmosphere and enjoy Atlanta s many restaurants, churches, and community treasures. Raiders CB Nnamdi Asomugha (right) and EOYDC Executive Director Regina Jackson (front row, left) pose for a photo with EOYDC students at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site in Atlanta. Courtesy of Nnamdi Asomugha The goal of the trip was to encourage each student to continue their education at the university or college level. Asomugha plans to keep track of each student s progress as they get closer to graduation. We gave them the college tour to get them ready for life after high school. We want to keep their minds focused on education. I m just happy to bring it to them, it was very fulfilling, Asomugha expressed. Nnamdi's friendship with the center began in 2004 when he was asked to speak to a group of 250 students during the spring cultural enrichment program. He has returned every year since, often joined by Raiders teammates. Each player has emphasized the importance of education and a hard work ethic on and off the field. They have underscored the value of a positive attitude and a healthy diet full of nutritious foods. In 2006, Asomugha took a group of five EOYDC boys fly fishing, his first fishing experience. These young men continue to reflect on their trip with Nnamdi as the singular, most important experience of their lives. During the 2006 holidays, Nnamdi hosted eight high school students at the Raiders facility, rewarding their good grades or tremendous academic improvement with top-brand sponsored athletic shoes and running suits. Nnamdi Asomugha is a rare individual. He is a living legacy of what it is to be an excellent role model. Like it or not, our participants are inspired by athletes and fortunately Nnamdi is one who is serious about building his reputation with character, excellence, and passion. We are lucky to have him as our friend," stated EOYDC Director, Regina Jackson. 5

124 Raiders Donate Computer Equipment May, By Brian Proctor The Oakland Raiders have donated computer equipment to the Computers for Classrooms (CFC) program, an all-volunteer committee associated with the Chico Unified School District. Throughout the years, the Raiders have contributed to many youth programs both in the Bay Area and beyond. Our schools and kids thank the Raiders, said Pat Furr, President of Computers for Classrooms. The Raiders chose to support CFC because its mission is to improve the education of California children by placing computers in their classrooms. CFC is a non-profit organization that obtains surplus computers and electronics, then upgrades them for the use of private and public schools. The Oakland Raiders have a strong tradition of assisting youth programs and it is our pleasure to assist Computers in the Classroom with its important work, said Raiders Chief Executive Amy Trask. We plan to continue our contribution of computer equipment to youth programs Beach Play Day July 29, 2007 Previous Articles On July 25th 2007, The Oakland Raiders were proud to participate in the 2007 Beach Play Day. This is a collaborative event between the California State Parks and the California Police Activities League, which broadens young people s awareness of opportunities that exist outside their immediate neighborhoods while spending time with positive adult role models. Raiders systems administrator Benny Hong helps load donated computer equipment onto a truck bound for Computers for Classrooms. Elena Valenzuela Beach Play Day focuses on promoting exposure to healthy living options including recreation as a form of exercise. Beach Play Day provides young people with fun, challenging activities that build confidence, self esteem, awareness for the environment and healthy lifestyles. This year, the kids were joined by Raider Legend Greg Townsend who participated as a guest speaker. Townsend spoke about the importance of setting goals, determination, making good decisions, and the value of education among other topics. Raider Legend Greg Townsend addresses young people at the 2007 Beach Play Day at Huntington State Beach. Courtesy of CA State Parks The event was attended by over 600 youngsters between the ages of 8-17 and was held at Huntington State Beach. Some of the events included in the 2007 Beach Play Day were a Surf Rescue Demo by California State Lifeguards/OCFA and a movie on the beach with campfires. The 2007 Beach Play Day was a huge success in the California sun. 6

125 Friends of Faith April 15, 2007 The Oakland Raiders recently visited the Friends of Faith offices in Oakland and made an additional contribution to its efforts. Friends of Faith was founded in 1997 by Faith Fancher after the popular KTVU FOX 2 personality was diagnosed with breast cancer. She lost her battle when she passed away in As part of her legacy and inspiration, an emergency fund was created through the Women s Cancer Resource Center. The program offers financial assistance to low-income women who are living with breast cancer and reside in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. Left to right: Jerry Knaak, Morris Bradshaw, Mike Taylor, Renel, Darlene Ayers-Johnson, Amy Trask and Mark Shearer. Tony Gonzales For several years, The Oakland Raiders have produced and sold pink hats bearing the Raider logo and 100 percent of the profits from the sales of such hats is provided to the fight against breast cancer. According to the executive director of the Friends of Faith organization, Darlene Ayers-Johnson, the Raiders pink hat campaign has been very successful and continues to support the emergency fund. The hats are absolutely beautiful. I think people are really wanting to help with the awareness, coupled with the fact that Faith Fancher was well loved, Ayers-Johnson said. Before Faith passed away, she started an emergency fund. We give dollars to women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, underprivileged and underserved, who need dollars to pay the rent, transportation, babysitting, food. The Friends of Faith organization also supports other local organizations in the fight against breast cancer. Renowned Bay Area radio and television personality and proud member of the Raider Nation, Renel Brooks-Moon, serves as Co- Vice Chair for Friends of Faith. According to Raider Renel, there is tremendous synergy between the two organizations and the local community. She was a good friend and mentor to me, she put everybody and everything first. It was all about her making a contribution to the community. Then she took it to the next level when she was diagnosed with breast cancer and she used her story to make a difference, Renel said. It s been unbelievable, it s been such a great partnership with the Raiders. The Raiders have helped us get more exposure for the organization which is crucial. It speaks volumes about the Raiders commitment to the community. We are honored to continue to support Friends of Faith and honor Left to right: Perry Johnson, Darlene Ayers-Johnson and Renel. Tony Gonzales the memory of Faith Fancher, Raiders Chief Executive Amy Trask said. We are proud to join Renel Brooks-Moon and Darlene Ayers-Johnson and support their efforts in this important matter. Fans who would like to help can purchase a Raiders Pink Ribbon Cap from The Raider Image. Or, you may donate online at 7

126 Tickets for Soldiers March 13, 2007 The Raiders Tickets for Soldiers Program allows a company or individual to make a difference in the lives of American soldiers and their families. The Raiders have teamed up with local U.S. military bases to help our soldiers and their families attend a Raiders game live. By participating in our Tickets for Soldiers Program, you'll not only support our military, you'll exemplify the true heart and spirit of the Raider Nation Tickets for Soldiers Sponsors MVP Level Equinix, Inc. Honorable Mention Level Air Systems, Inc. Cupertino Electric Inc. It's easy to help - the Raiders offer you and/or your company a range of sponsorship packages that include tickets to future games, autographed memorabilia, on-field access for the Raiders Tickets for Soldiers Presentation, website, game-day program and stadium Matrix board recognition. If you'd like to show your support call RAIDERS today. Tickets for Kids March 13, 2007 The Raiders Tickets for Kids Program allows a company or individual to be a hero to children who really need one. The Raiders have teamed up with local area non-profit organizations to enable disadvantaged and at-risk youth to attend a Raiders game live. By participating in our Tickets for Kids Program, you'll not only help fulfill children's dreams, you'll exemplify the true heart and spirit of the Raider Nation. It's easy to help - the Raiders offer you and/or your company a range of sponsorship packages that include tickets to future games, autographed memorabilia, on-field access for the Raiders Tickets for Kids Presentation, website, game-day program and stadium Matrix board recognition. If you'd like to show your generosity call RAIDERS today Tickets for Kids Sponsors All-Star Level Rainbow Italian Ice Honorable Mention Telemundo Crockett Foundation.org - Zack Crockett One on One Against Hunger - Willie Brown Langston Walker Tony Jackson Ace Parking Management, Inc. East Bay Floor Covering, Inc. Landmark Event Staffing Services 8

127 Oh, the Places Stu Goes March 7, 2007 Ever since he was drafted in 2004, FS Stuart Schweigert. has been one of the most active players on the Raiders roster when it comes to community involvement. Throughout the busy football season, Schweigert always seems to find time to pop up in one place or another, contributing to a variety of worthy causes in the Bay Area. Recently, FS Stuart Schweigert. spent time with elementary school children, who were huddled on the floor in their pajamas and resting on a pile of pillows. He visited Dublin Elementary School, joining the students in celebrating the birthday of legendary children s author Dr. Seuss. On this day, the kids were allowed to come to school in their PJs and spend the day listening to stories read aloud by special guests. This exciting event also coincided with the school s two-week Read-a-Thon, which encourages the children to read for as long as possible while keeping track of their minutes in order to raise funds for the school. Raiders FS Stuart Schweigert shares his love for reading with Dublin Elementary School students. Tony Gonzales What was Schweigert s role in all of this? Stu not only wanted to show his support for a vital school fundraiser, but he felt he should be there to serve as a real life example of the importance of reading. Schoolwork always comes first, the Purdue graduate explained, If you don t have the grades, you won t be able to play sports at the next level. And even if you don t, the worst that could happen is you get an education, and that s definitely a positive thing. The students in all three classrooms that Schweigert visited listened intently to his every word. As soon as the reading session was over and all the kids questions had been answered, there was a whirlwind of activity in the classroom as the children lined up for autographs. He seems really nice, gushed one fifth-grader, we really haven t had many celebrities come to our school, so it was awesome that we got to see him. I m going to save my autograph forever. It wasn t just the students who were grateful for the guest appearance, teachers, like Ron Hubbard, were also appreciative of Schweigert s efforts. It means a lot for Stu to take time out of his schedule to do this. He talked about getting his degree from Purdue, and I think that role modeling is one of the best ways to teach kids. It s definitely been the highlight of our read-in day. Through their love for reading, Stuart Schweigert. and the Dublin students were able to show that though Dr. Seuss may be gone, his spirit continues to live on through the passion of others. 9

128 Raiders Host Business Event June 24, 2007 Executives from over 225 of the top businesses in Northern California huddled up with The Oakland Raiders on Thursday night for an exclusive evening of networking, food and football. The corporate executives mixed and mingled with Raider coaches and current players, Raider Legends and other decision makers in a festive setting at the popular Tres Agave Restaurant in San Francisco. The event was a tremendous success in every regard, said Raiders Chief Executive Amy Trask. The event provided us with an opportunity to meet with approximately 225 businesses located in Northern California and it provided those guests with an opportunity to enjoy Raider Hospitality and learn new ways in which they will enjoy working with the Raiders. Trask added that guests came from the entire Northern California region the Central Valley, the East Bay, the Silicon Valley, the North Bay and San Francisco. The event attendees got the chance to hear about the team s recent draft picks and upcoming season. Raiders Head Coach Lane Kiffin, along with Director of Football Operations Mark Jackson, offensive coordinator Greg Knapp and defensive coordinator Rob Ryan were in attendance to share leadership strategies with the business leaders. Kiffin shared with the audience his job interview with Raiders Owner Al Davis. That interview process was unbelievable because you got an interview with a guy who s in the Hall of Fame, a guy who has been a coach, a guy who has obviously been an owner and gets football and understands it, said Kiffin. Among the players who traded in their helmets and shoulder pads for dress shirts and blazers for this event were Kevin Boothe., Michael Bush., John Bowie., Cooper Carlisle., Eric Frampton., Jonathan Holland., Chris Morris., Kirk Morrison., Oren O Neal, Barry Sims., Tony Stewart., Adam Treu. and Sam Williams.. Raider Legends in attendance were George Atkinson, Morris Bradshaw, Cliff Branch, Jim Plunkett and Steve Wisniewski. Kiffin shared strategies that would compare favorably with experience many executives and managers in the audience encounter. As of today we have 42 new players from the day we got hired and that was very important, said Kiffin. Why is that important? We had to create competition. We had a number of great players on this roster but you can t let players get comfortable. Just like Guests stroll the "Black Carpet" to the entrance at the Raiders' business event at Tres Agaves in San Francisco. Tony Gonzales Guests were afforded the opportunity to pose for photos with the Raiders' three Vince Lombardi Super Bowl trophies. Tony Gonzales you can t allow in your business, comfortable is not good. So we had to bring in competition, we had to bring great players in to work every day. In our team meeting we talk all the time about a team philosophy and building a locker room that is about the team philosophy, it s not about the individual. Trask said that it is customary for the Raiders to host similar events throughout the year, although each event has a different flavor and is a different experience. She added that the Raiders are pleased that businesses with whom the team has previously worked are back and that the team looks forward to establishing new alliances. Businesses with whom we have done business in the past (including last season) are eagerly returning to do business with us again and new businesses are joining us for the 2007 season, said Trask. We have already reached agreement with multiple new businesses but, of course, are welcoming back those businesses with whom we've worked for years. 10

129 2007 Raiders Golf Classic June 15, 2007 By Kevin Hale The Oakland Raiders teamed up with the Special Olympics of Northern California (SONC), for the 2007 Oakland Raiders Golf Classic at the Castlewood Country Club in Pleasanton, Calif. More than 300 golfers played in this year s Golf Classic and after check-in at 9:00 a.m., they waited patiently for the arrival of Raider players, coaches and Legends. Once acquainted with their partners, the golfers got their clubs ready and loaded their carts for the shotgun start at 11:00 a.m. By 11:15 a.m., both courses at Castlewood Country Club were in full swing as the golfers teed off at each hole. The purpose of the Golf Classic is to help raise money for the SONC Summer Games, where nearly 1,000 athletes from all over Northern California participated this year, competing in five different sports. The Summer Games were held June 8-10 at the University of California at Berkeley, located here in the Bay Area. The Raiders and the SONC partnered up last year for the inaugural Golf Classic, and according to Jill Osur, the Senior VP of Marketing and Development for SONC, the event is expected to grow even more. The Special Olympics is a non-profit organization that has been helping children and adults with developmental disabilities to succeed in becoming athletes and Olympians in all types of sporting events. Our program is 100 percent free, so it is only through events like this that we can help support our existing athletes and then go out in the community and reach more Special Olympics athletes that currently aren t benefiting from Special Olympics, Osur said. According to golfer Steve Ottaviano, who had the honor of playing with Raiders Head Coach Lane Kiffin and who has played in the Raiders Golf Classic before, SONC is a good charity and the Raiders teaming up with SONC is fabulous. Ottaviano looked forward to meeting Coach Kiffin and to having a great day of golf while chatting with the Raiders new Head Coach about his USC days and the future of the Silver and Black. Once on the course, golfers were given the chance to participate in contests such as longest drive, hole in one, accuracy drive, and longest putt. While making their way through the 18- hole course, golfers enjoyed food and beverages, received Raiders signed memorabilia, and were encouraged by Football s Fabulous Females- the Raiderettes. Raiders long snapper Jon Condo. was at the Raiders Golf Classic for his first time and said that it was a great opportunity to come out and meet everyone. Condo feels that it is a good image for the Raiders to portray to people. I know they re [Special Olympics athletes] out there and it doesn t matter if they win or lose, they re having a good time, said Condo. When I watch that [the Special Olympics], it brings a smile to my face. Raiders LS Jon Condo watches his drive during the 2007 Golf Classic. Tony Gonzales Condo s teammate WR Carlos Francis. was also grateful for the opportunity to be at this year s Golf Classic and to help out with SONC. They are athletes. [Watching them] sets a new precedent of will and determination with any human being, Francis said of the Special Rookie QB JaMarcus Russell poses for a photo with SONC Senior VP of Marketing and Development Jill Osur. Tony Gonzales 11

130 Olympics athletes. After the golfers finished their 18 holes, they enjoyed a cocktail reception and an awards dinner, followed by a raffle which included items like a trip to Honduras, a JaMarcus Russell. autographed jersey, and 70 other prizes. They could also participate in a live auction, where they could bid on items that ranged from a Raiders training camp visit, to a trip to the Pro Bowl, to being a Raiderette judge for the 2008 Raiderette auditions. When the day was all over, the golfers made their way home and were left with the memories that would last a lifetime. The chance to play golf with Raider Legends as well as Raider players and coaches, all to raise money for such a good cause was something they can feel proud of. Sometimes this organization gets a hard rap for being tough guys and mean guys, which is great on the field, but what [people] don t realize is off the field the entire organization, from the legends to the players, that they truly care about giving back, Osur said. And they give back to the Special Olympics year-round, not just this event. According to Raiders rookie QB JaMarcus Russell., giving back is what he loves to do and even though he is not a golfer, he was committed to joining his teammates to help out the Special Olympics. Anything I can do to come out and give back to the community, I m willing to do, said Russell. The Oakland Raiders are a giving organization and enjoy helping out the community. They are proud to be a part of the Special Olympics and look forward to growing the relationship for years to come. Log on to Special Olympics Northern California's web site to find out how you can get involved. 12

131 Raiders Support Troops June 13, 2007 Support of the United States military is a longstanding tradition with The Oakland Raiders, with players and Raiderettes making visits to military bases both in the U.S. and abroad in an effort to boost morale and thank the troops and their families for their heroic efforts. The Raiders recently provided some morale boosters to members of the Raider Nation who are stationed at military bases by sending care packages to service members in Germany. This was just the latest effort by the Silver and Black to thank and encourage our troops and their families, both at home and abroad. It is our honor and privilege to support and thank our service men and women for their service to our Country and for the sacrifices that they and their families make for all of us, said Raiders Chief Executive Amy Trask. LB Kirk Morrison poses for a photo with a U.S. Army soldier during a recent visit to the Raiders Alameda, Calif., facility. Tony Gonzales The Raiders have made it possible for local companies as well as individuals to support our troops and their families by making it possible for service men and women and their families to attend the team s home games in what promises up to be an exciting, challenging 2007 NFL season. The Raiders have instituted a Tickets for Troops program that allows companies or individuals to make a difference in the lives of American troops and their families. The Raiders have teamed up with local United States military bases to help our troops and their families attend a Raiders game live. Those who participate in the "Tickets for Troops" program not only support our military, but also exemplify the true heart and spirit of the Raider Nation. A range of sponsorship packages are offered that includes tickets to future games, autographed memorabilia, onfield access for the Raiders "Tickets for Troops" Presentation as well as Raider website, Raider game-day program and McAfee Coliseum matrix board recognition. Just last month, the Raiders greeted service members, some of whom were about to be deployed to Iraq and others who had just returned from service in the Middle East. On a recent morning, 13 service members (11 Army National Guard, one Marine Reservist, and one Air National Guard airman) drove from Reno to Alameda for a guided tour and a meet-and-greet with players and staff. There was a broad military occupational range represented: transportation, engineering, signal corps, and military police. All have combat experience from previous tours in Desert Storm, Desert Shield, or the current conflicts in the Middle East. 13

132 They were presented with a collection of Raiders items and received a tour of the facility. Raider Legend and Pro Football Hall of Fame center Jim Otto greeted the group as well as a number of players and team executives. During his playing career, Otto visited troops in Vietnam and knows the support service men and women receive from home goes a long to way to boosting morale. For what you guys do, there is no measure of what I do at all, Otto told the service members. Thank you guys. We appreciate it here. Amy Trask also met with the troops and offered her thanks for their loyal and courageous efforts. The Oakland Raiders thank you for your service to our Country, said Trask. We appreciate the sacrifices made by our service men and women and their families and it is our honor and privilege to welcome you today. Director of Broadcasting Chris Gargano poses for a photo with two U.S. Army soldiers on the Silver and Black Productions set during a recent visit to the Raiders Alameda, Calif., facility. Tony Gonzales The service members were truly thankful for the chance to share a moment with the Silver and Black. This is like watching a kid in a candy store, said Staff Sgt. Eric Ritter. We are in heaven. For some of these guys to meet a Hall of Famer, this is very incredible. For these guys to go out of their way to shake hands with us, almost stopping practice just to come over and shake our hands, really means a lot to us and we hope we can show them thanks any way possible. Earlier this year, Raider Legends Greg Bierkert and Steve Wisniewski along with four member of the team s cheerleading squad the Raiderettes spent a week supporting U.S. service men and women in Afghanistan and Iraq. The event marked the third year in a row the Raiderettes have participated in an overseas appearance having gone to Bosnia, Kosovo and Macedonia two years ago, Japan and Korea last year, and now the Middle East. "We met lot of interesting troops, female and male, said Cheri, who joined Raiderette Lori in visiting troops in Afghanistan. Everyone was so nice and happy to see us; we made a lot of friends." One soldier who collected autographs and took pictures with the Raider contingent expressed his appreciation stated, "I'm thankful for everything you all do to entertain us from where we are. It makes it easier for the troops over here to still be close to home and have a good time just by watching football." 14

133 Raiders at Experiencia Deportiva June 18, 2007 By Elena Valenzuela Thousands of sports fans participated in the Second Annual Telemundo KVEA-TV 52 Experiencia Deportiva event that recently took place at Huntington Park, Calif. All major sports leagues were represented at the event and once again the only NFL team to embrace the thousands of professional football fans on hand was The Oakland Raiders. Fans of the Silver and Black waited in long lines under the sun to have some fun Raiders style. To the fans' delight, they had the chance to answer trivia questions and win Raider merchandise. The multitude of fans who played the trivia game proved their Raider knowledge was up-to-date and were happy to earn cool prizes like game day flags, pennants and more. Raider Legend Ben Davidson signs an autograph for fan during the 2007 Experiencia Deportiva event. Elena Valenzuela The Raiders area was not only about games but also a center of information for Raiders season tickets. The fans were eager to learn more about how to become season ticket holders to guarantee the opportunity to see the Raiders in action this season. One of the main attractions of the Raiders interactive area was the appearance of Raiders legend Ben Davidson, who shared some laughs and signed autographs. He shook hands, posed for pictures and spent quality time with many fans. During the day, Huntington Park was inundated by sports fans who were excited to attend such an entertaining event free of charge. The soccer, baseball, basketball, wrestling, motocross and auto racing areas offered all types of activities but the Raiders area quickly became the most popular. The Oakland Raiders worked with Telemundo KVEA-TV 52 and the other major sports leagues to make Experiencia Deportiva a successful event. At the end of the day, every sports fan beamed with excitement and gratitude since the event was one of a kind. Older and younger generations had a blast because all sports have the amazing ability to encourage a healthy lifestyle while supporting favorite teams. There was no doubt The Oakland Raiders were a favorite among thousands. 15

134 Third Annual Biletnikoff Golf Classic June 8, 2007 The Third Annual Fred Biletnikoff Hall of Fame Golf Classic was held on Monday, June 4 at the Catta Verdera Country Club in Lincoln, California. The event benefits the Biletnikoff Foundation, which supports Tracey s Place of Hope in the San Francisco Bay Area. The Hall of Fame Golf Classic kicked off with a morning breakfast, which was sponsored by a local restaurant. After breakfast, celebrity guests teamed with tournament participants for a great afternoon of golf. Many professional athletes and Raider Legends, including Tim Brown, Willie Gault, Gerald Irons, Greg Biekert, and Otis Sistrunk, as well as NFL Hall of Famers Fred Biletnikoff, Ted Hendricks, and Willie Brown, were in attendance. The event concluded with a live auction which included Raiders memorabilia and other great packages. We have a great group of guys out here, said the Biletnikoff Foundation s Chief Executive Fred Biletnikoff. It s really good to see everyone out here. It s worked out really well. Former Raiders LB Greg Biekert (left) poses for a photo with Raider Legend and Hall of Fame WR Fred Biletnikoff. Tony Gonzales The Biletnikoff Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting youth, primarily from low to moderate income neighborhoods or backgrounds, who are at risk, particularly to the realities of drug and alcohol addiction as well as domestic and gender violence. The mission of the Foundation is to commemorate Tracey Biletnikoff, who was brutally murdered in 1999 at a very young age. Tracey, after recovering from drug and alcohol abuse through programs like those supported by the Biletnikoff Foundation, dedicated her life to helping at risk youth avoid or recover from similar experiences. 16

135 Tour of the Middle East February 14, 2007 By Dana Forbes It wasn't your average Super Bowl party for four Raiderettes who spent a week supporting U.S. servicemen and women in Afghanistan and Iraq with the Pro Sports MVP Super Bowl Sunday Tour. Candy and Serrita were chosen to represent the Raiderettes in Iraq and were joined by former Raiders LB Greg Biekert as well as former NFL players Kevin Greene and Lamar Lathon. Raiderettes Lori and Cheri teamed up with former Raiders offensive guard Steve Wisniewski and former NFL player Marques Douglas in Afghanistan. This event marks the third year in a row the Raiderettes have participated in an overseas appearance having gone to Bosnia, Kosovo and Macedonia two years ago, Japan and Korea last year, and now the Middle East. "One of the biggest ways we like to give back in the community is through the support of the men and women in uniform. It is our privilege and pleasure to give back, even in the smallest way, for their services." Raiderette Director Karen Kovac said. The purpose of the Super Bowl Tour is to boost the moral of the troops by bringing them a little piece of home during the Super Bowl. Kovac felt confident in participating with PRO Sports MVP this year because they have hosted 17 successful tours since The Raiderettes stayed in touch with home via and expressed great enthusiasm about the opportunity and honor it is to meet all the soldiers and make a difference in their lives. "This is the best thing the [Raiderettes] do off the field and it is coveted by every [Raiderette] because they love the opportunity to spend time with the soldiers," Kovac added. Lori and Cheri were awarded plaques by the troops in Qatar before flying out to Afghanistan to thank them for their support. "We met lot of interesting soldiers, female and male. Everyone was so nice and happy to see us; we made a lot of friends," Cherie said. Once in Kandahar, Afghanistan, the girls met with the Canadian troops. The group had an impromptu meeting with the Governor of Kandahar and Nangarhar on a flightline. "Every day is a new experience. The whole trip has just been overwhelming," Lori said. Raiderettes Cherie (left) and Lori pose for a photo with a soldier stationed in the Middle East. Pro Sports MVP Candy and Serrita headed to Iraq where they anticipated sleeping in tents. In Iraq, they were able to meet with troops for autographs and pictures. One soldier wrote, "I'm thankful for everything you all do to entertain us from where we are. It makes it easier for the soldiers over here to still be close to home and have a good time just by watching football." Raiderettes Serrita and Candy (right) pose for a photo with soldiers stationed in the Middle East. Pro Sports MVP The Raiderettes and former players have concluded their tour, and by all accounts, everyone enjoyed their visit. 17

136 Curry Attends Awards Dinner March 26, 2007 By Travis Burns Last week, WR Ronald Curry. was honored with his peers for earning the 2006 Oakland Raiders Ed Block Courage Award. Curry received the award along with the other 31 NFL team recipients at the 29th Annual Ed Block Courage Award Dinner in Baltimore, Maryland. Curry earned The Ed Block Courage Award by overcoming a season-ending torn Achilles tendon injury in 2005 and returning to the playing field. He set career highs and led the Silver and Black in catches (62) and receiving yards (727) in It s a real honor, Curry said. To receive an award like this amongst your peers and your teammates and to represent the Raiders is great. WR Ronald Curry recently attended the 29th Annual Ed Block Courage Awards dinner in Baltimore. Tony Gonzales For more than 28 years, the Ed Block Courage Award Foundation has celebrated the courageous efforts of players in the NFL while raising the nation s awareness of the plight of abused children in NFL communities. Through the Foundation s Courage House National Support Network for Kids, the organization has helped Courage Houses improve the lives of abused children across America. The dinner was great, Curry said. I didn t realize it was that big of an event. It was fun hanging out with some guys but also it was all about honoring the children. The recipients were selected by their teammates for displaying a commitment to the principles of courage and sportsmanship, while serving as inspirations in their locker rooms. Curry said that being voted the recipient by his teammates adds to the honor. It definitely means more, he said. My teammates have seen what I ve had to go through. They ve seen the time and effort I ve put in to get healthy and contribute on the field. It means a lot. The Ed Block Courage Award is named in honor of Ed Block, the longtime head athletic trainer of the Baltimore Colts who was a pioneer in his profession and a respected humanitarian. The accolade has become one of the most esteemed honors bestowed upon a player in the NFL. Recipients are often players who have overcome devastating injuries or tragedies in their personal lives and returned to the top level of competition that is the NFL. While it s an honor, it s not something Curry wants to make a habit. It s not an award you want to build your career on, he said. It s good to receive an award for [overcoming] injuries because some guys come back and others don t. But it s not something you want to continue to win. You d prefer to rather perform at a high level. After having a career year, Curry wants to put the injuries behind him and move on. I realized how much I missed playing football and staying healthy, he said. I m enjoying being able to play, walk, and run again. You don t want to become injury prone and I just want to move on. I don t even think about the injuries anymore. It s a closed book. Curry s next chapter is to help the Raiders return to amongst the elite in the NFL. I just want to help return the Raiders to prominence, he said. My numbers on the field are not my concern. My main goal is to get this team to win more games, reach the playoffs, and play for the ultimate prize. 18