Bill Williamson: JaMarcus Russell "out of playing shape," Walker "sluggish" [Archive] - The Orange Mane

kmonty

06-03-2008, 07:26 PM

Raiders' camp notes

June 3, 2008 7:47 PM

Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson

Here's a few tidbits from the first day of the Raiders' minicamp:

Rookie tailback Darren McFadden was used in several formations; including receiver. He caught a long pass from quarterback JaMarcus Russell at one point. McFadden looks like the real deal. He is fast and appears to be a playmaker.

Russell looked shaky at times. He had some deflected passes and still looks out of playing shape.

No. 1 receiver Javon Walker continued to look sluggish. He had difficulty getting separation at times. At the previous camp, Raiders coach Lane Kiffin said Walker, who signed a $55 million deal despite having bad knees, still has a long way to go in his conditioning. It still appears that way.

Drew Carter was working as the other starting receiver with Ronald Curry out until training camp with a foot problem. Carter, free agent from Carolina, made a few nice catches during the early session.

Andrew Walter was working as the No. 2 quarterback and Marques Tuiasosopo was getting some reps as the No. 3 quarterback. Tuiasosopo was a long-time Oakland backup who played for the Jets last year. He'll compete with Walter to be Russell's backup.

Coach Lane Kiffin lauded the play of new safety Gibril Wilson after the morning session. Kiffin suggested that Wilson was playing with more vigor Tuesday than the former Giants' safety did in previous camps.

And we leave with the best quote of the day. Oakland defensive end Derrick Burgess was asked about the new haircut of Oakland defensive Rob Ryan who recently shed his wild, long mane for a much shorter 'do for charity.

"He looks like a cockatoo," Burgess deadpanned.

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/hashmarks/0-7-424/Raiders--camp-notes.html

broncofan2438

06-03-2008, 07:46 PM

Good F U Walker, someone is going to blow out your knees.....

Steve Prefontaine

06-03-2008, 07:49 PM

No. 1 receiver Javon Walker continued to look sluggish. He had difficulty getting separation at times. At the previous camp, Raiders coach Lane Kiffin said Walker, who signed a $55 million deal despite having bad knees, still has a long way to go in his conditioning. It still appears that way.

I have a feeling Javon is never going regain his quickness and explosion.

I might be wrong but I think he might be the worst free agent bust this year.

Kaylore

06-03-2008, 07:50 PM

That's pretty funny. A fat guy catching passes from a fatter guy.

kmonty

06-03-2008, 07:51 PM

That's pretty funny. A fat catching passes from a fatter guy.

ROFL! LOL

Punisher

06-03-2008, 07:57 PM

Javon should of took that pay cut with the Broncos, now he can go to hell with all the other Raiders

rovolution

06-03-2008, 07:59 PM

I have a feeling Javon is never going regain his quickness and explosion.

I might be wrong but I think he might be the worst free agent bust this year.

I think their big trade for DeAngelo Fall is going to be an even bigger bust.

DeAngelo is already known for his lack of discipline. Its gonna be pump fakes and double moves for TDs against him all day for teams around the league.

Bronco Jamus

06-03-2008, 08:03 PM

Good F U Walker, someone is going to blow out your knees.....

Classy

cutthemdown

06-03-2008, 08:08 PM

Javon should of took that pay cut with the Broncos, now he can go to hell with all the other Raiders

why? when your washed up take the money and run.......inthis case run slow but run nonetheless.

Los Broncos

06-03-2008, 08:10 PM

I hope Javon doesn't get over on us, thats all I hope for.

cutthemdown

06-03-2008, 08:16 PM

Classy

oh no call the class police because a football fan has wished injury upon a Raider!!!!!!!!!!! Cmon people can't we just embrace football for the sportsmanship and fair play? Whatever!!!!!!!! Here's to Javon Walker being the first player to break both legs at same time, I always said he was a record breaker in the making.

cutthemdown

06-03-2008, 08:19 PM

I hope Javon doesn't get over on us, thats all I hope for.

we all know he is going for 125 yrds and 3 tds.

Los Broncos

06-03-2008, 08:20 PM

we all know he is going for 125 yrds and 3 tds.

Nothing will hurt more.

Punisher

06-03-2008, 08:20 PM

oh no call the class police because a football fan has wished injury upon a Raider!!!!!!!!!!! Cmon people can't we just embrace football for the sportsmanship and fair play? Whatever!!!!!!!! Here's to Javon Walker being the first player to break both legs at same time, I always said he was a record breaker in the making.

Javon going to the Raiders is like a spit in the face I hope McCree knocks that Black and Sliver off his jersey.

BlaK-Argentina

06-03-2008, 08:26 PM

we all know he is going for 125 yrds and 3 tds.

No way Walker does that on Champ. That's just BS.
I doubt he can do it on Bly even. Two years ago?... Maybe.
Walker will never be the same IMO.

no-pseudo-fan

06-03-2008, 08:35 PM

I think that the Raiders are in for a big fall, and I couldn't be happier

Kaylore

06-03-2008, 08:39 PM

we all know he is going for 125 yrds and 3 tds.

For the year.

snowtrx

06-03-2008, 08:41 PM

A big fall from 4-5 wins every year? Or maybe a big fall from having a top 7 pick every year? Those poor fans, I hope they are preppared for their team to finally fall from grace. ;)

Los Broncos

06-03-2008, 08:43 PM

A big fall from 4-5 wins every year? Or maybe a big fall from having a top 7 pick every year? Those poor fans, I hope they are preppared for their team to finally fall from grace. ;)

Ironically, I'm moving in with my buddy who is a Oakland fan.

Thinks they are going to the playoffs.

Raider Bill

06-03-2008, 08:52 PM

Shrugs.. he looks in shape to me.

I've seen Bob's picture, and red isn't slimming.

http://www.blackreign.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=247&d=1211497393

Merlin

06-03-2008, 09:18 PM

we all know he is going for 125 yrds and 3 tds.
He won't get a third of that in both games together.

worm

06-03-2008, 11:24 PM

Per NFL Radio last weekend, Russell was raving about Walker and how he looked.

Guess it is all who you ask...

DenverBrit

06-03-2008, 11:39 PM

Per NFL Radio last weekend, Russell was raving about Walker and how he looked.

Guess it is all who you ask...

Walker is probably running slowly enough for Russell to hit. Ha!

BMarsh615

06-04-2008, 12:34 AM

The Raiders gave Walker the title of SECOND HIGHEST paid WR in the league. Gave D. Hall ludicrous money, along with Russell and the rest of the FA's........And guess who is holding out of camp quietly? Nmadi Asmoghua (sp?) They forgot about there best player......

cutthemdown

06-04-2008, 01:10 AM

Javon going to the Raiders is like a spit in the face I hope McCree knocks that Black and Sliver off his jersey.

Nice. I'd like that, I'd like that a lot.

cutthemdown

06-04-2008, 01:13 AM

No way Walker does that on Champ. That's just BS.
I doubt he can do it on Bly even. Two years ago?... Maybe.
Walker will never be the same IMO.

easy people I was being sarcastic pointing to the fact former Broncos seem to do well against us but go ahead and get all riled up. I love it Bronco fans have been to docile for too long. Time for the team to get back to breaking peoples legs. Also maybe we should be a little meaner to other teams fans so they wont want to come to the stadium like Steeler fans did.

FireFly

06-04-2008, 02:49 AM

why? when your washed up take the money and run.......inthis case run slow but run nonetheless.

Hilarious!

ANyhow, after the way he acted in Green Bay and then in Denver, I don't have a nice thing to say about him.

Javon Walker = 2nd most hated player in AFC west (Phillip Rivers = No.1)

rbackfactory80

06-04-2008, 08:00 AM

I will take Bill at his word. Sluggish is a term he is very familiar with.

Kaylore

06-04-2008, 08:17 AM

I will take Bill at his word. Sluggish is a term he is very familiar with.

Yes, Bill was many things here, but a liar was not one of them. He was a master of the obvious and noticing the variance in Walker's ability from last year to this one is something I trust he's really seeing.

Broncos4Life

06-04-2008, 08:30 AM

Hilarious!

ANyhow, after the way he acted in Green Bay and then in Denver, I don't have a nice thing to say about him.

Javon Walker = 2nd most hated player in AFC west (Phillip Rivers = No.1)

I hope that ****er gets destroyed by our defense and never plays again.
No really.

NaptownChief

06-04-2008, 08:38 AM

I'm heavily favoring a bust from Russell. He put up good, but not great numbers at LSU despite having the most talented WR's around him in Bowe, Davis and Doucett.....not to mention a good running game threat.

I'm not going to completely close the book on a guy before he even starts his first season as the QB but I would be willing to bet the odds of bust are about 70%. Because he certainly isn't going to have the benefit of having the best WR corp with the Raiders.

400HZ

06-04-2008, 08:50 AM

Remember when we used to have to worry about Oakland and the moves they were making?

Northman

06-04-2008, 08:56 AM

For the year.

ROFL! ROFL! :notworthy

Dr. Broncenstein

06-04-2008, 09:11 AM

Q&d

TheReverend

06-04-2008, 09:12 AM

NaptownChief

06-04-2008, 09:14 AM

Or pocket time
Or a patient owner
Or a consistent scheme
Or a consitent franchise

...but he'll always have Big Macs.

or consistent head coach

but he probably will have consistent losing he can count on. ;D

broncofan7

06-04-2008, 09:21 AM

bfoflcommish

06-04-2008, 09:27 AM

Shrugs.. he looks in shape to me.

I've seen Bob's picture, and red isn't slimming.

http://www.blackreign.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=247&d=1211497393

looking in shape and being in shape are 2 totally different things!

I'm a fatty and can still out last others in running and playing ball and what not.

cmhargrove

06-04-2008, 09:31 AM

From the picture posted I do not thnk that Jamarcus looks out of shape--and in all honesty--I believe that QAKland --I mean OAKland, will be improved defensively from last year with as Williamson noted, Gibril Wilson in the 2ndary not to mention the inconsistent but talented Deangelo Hall. If that runnning game improves even slightly and with a better defense they may win 7-8 games. But I can tell you that I have a very good feeling about Denver this year--but I will reserve my prognostications until after having viewed our defense in person in Houston and then on TV against DAL. Last year, after watching the niner game on TV and then the DAL game in person I could tell we were in for long year--hopefully the opposite will ring true this season

Great post.

I agree completely. Russell is not a "traditional QB." When he played at LSU, he looked big in the middle and still managed to run like a truck and throw the ball pretty hard. I don't trust anyone's analysis on how Russell "looks," unless he is seen panting in the huddle after a play.

I honestly feel for Javon. I don't think this guy has ever recovered from the night with Darrent. He seems to have lost his motivation and will. In some ways, he is reaping the rewards of self-centered actions, but I still feel for him. His future isn't looking very good.

I share the same optimism for the Broncos, but will wait guardedly until the preseason. I think just switching back to our "old system," will pay dividends by at least making our run defense "average" instead of near the bottom of the league. If that is offset by better offensive scoring, we should be in really good shape this year.

TheReverend

06-04-2008, 09:42 AM

or consistent head coach

but he probably will have consistent losing he can count on. ;D

I felt HC fell under the blanket of scheme since Kiffin is an offense guy, and you could probably relate the Big Macs to the losing directly. He'll eat because he loses, and lose because he eats.

bronco militia

06-04-2008, 09:47 AM

I really could care less if Akili Russel is fat or not....it's just one more thing to bring up to piss off raider fans.

Bronco Jamus

06-04-2008, 10:50 AM

Orange_Beard

06-04-2008, 11:02 AM

Good F U Walker, someone is going to blow out your knees.....

Should be Knee. He only has one. One is already blown out.

Eldorado

06-04-2008, 11:06 AM

For the year.

3 tds seems a little high.

kmonty

06-04-2008, 12:06 PM

http://assets.espn.go.com/media/apphoto/527de286-723f-49a0-8b5a-8cfc9f7d1dbd.jpg

Taken yesterday

BroncoDoug

06-04-2008, 12:10 PM

he is just a big guy to begin with.... we'll see when training camp comes along as to whether he is in any kind of shape...

Merlin

06-04-2008, 12:36 PM

http://assets.espn.go.com/media/apphoto/527de286-723f-49a0-8b5a-8cfc9f7d1dbd.jpg

Taken yesterday
There is definitely some roundness in the middle. Russel has a lot of factors combining to create the perfect storm against him.

As to their defence. By far their greatest weakness was D against the run...what was the area they basically ignored in the off-season ??? It seems that in the past few yrs this team has been built around the philosophy of "oh, wouldn't that be a nice player to have", as opposed to "what are our weaknesses and how do we address them". How much have they spent on RBs in the past couple of yrs? Whatever sense Al had about running a team he has long lost to Alzheimer's and now he is just bewitch by the siren song of speed regardless of need and quality.

Part of me wishes they would get better...

Nah, ****ehm

easyed87

06-04-2008, 12:43 PM

Tooooo much KFC :wiggle:

MileHighMagic

06-04-2008, 12:55 PM

Tooooo much KFC :wiggle:

Easy there, buddy.

Inkana7

06-04-2008, 01:28 PM

I wish Raider Bill and Ugly Duck would post that picture of Russell on the forum more. Really, I don't think any thread is complete without it posted 4 or 5 times.

Atlas

06-04-2008, 02:59 PM

I hope Javon doesn't get over on us, thats all I hope for.

Not a Chance....Walker VS Champ......

Think there might be some trash talking?

kmonty

06-04-2008, 03:15 PM

Didn't I read that Champ covered #1 WR's less than any other #1 CB in the league last year? If that stays the same, and Champ isn't always on Walker, I'm that much more concerned.

Beantown Bronco

06-04-2008, 03:17 PM

Didn't I read that Champ covered #1 WR's less than any other #1 CB in the league last year? If that stays the same, and Champ isn't always on Walker, I'm that much more concerned.

In Denver, Walker pretty much always (if not always) lined up on the offense's left side. If he does the same in Oakland, then he'll be lined up opposite Dre Bly. Champ won't be facing him.

kmonty

06-04-2008, 03:23 PM

In Denver, Walker pretty much always (if not always) lined up on the offense's left side. If he does the same in Oakland, then he'll be lined up opposite Dre Bly. Champ won't be facing him.

That's what I thought.

If it's like last year, he'll be against Paymah in nickel situations.

Can't wait for the season to start. Week 1 has this emotional investment that just makes it all the more intense.

kmonty

06-04-2008, 05:50 PM

Bill is backtracking already...

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/hashmarks/0-7-433/Russell-working-his-way-into-shape.html

telluride

06-04-2008, 06:33 PM

Bill is backtracking already...

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/hashmarks/0-7-433/Russell-working-his-way-into-shape.html

But Kiffin isn't (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/sfgate/detail?blogid=11&entry_id=27024):

7. Speaking of being in shape, Kiffin mentioned for the second time -- unprompted -- that wide receiver Javon Walker is not exactly tip-top.

"Javon's a little heavy right now, so we're going to continue to get him down during training camp and the regular season, the final thing that counts."

Los Broncos

06-04-2008, 06:43 PM

Not a Chance....Walker VS Champ......

Think there might be some trash talking?

So Walker is their best WR?

I would think we would put Bly on Walker from the start.

Merlin

06-04-2008, 07:55 PM

Didn't I read that Champ covered #1 WR's less than any other #1 CB in the league last year?
Yes, further proof that Bates was too arrogant to use his players to the best of Denver's benefit, and instead just wanted to implement his system without the necessary players. Common sense be damn, and who cares if the best defensive player in the NFL is being misused.

PS He was not the only talent totally misplayed in defence last yr, just one of the most grating.

broncs2bowl

06-04-2008, 08:31 PM

J-Russ gonna bust

~Crash~

06-04-2008, 08:50 PM

http://assets.espn.go.com/media/apphoto/527de286-723f-49a0-8b5a-8cfc9f7d1dbd.jpg

Taken yesterday

he looks like he has been hitting plent of chicken buckets:thumbs:

broncofan2438

06-04-2008, 08:52 PM

Well people, looks like we will just have to wait until the first week. Its gonna be good

mhgaffney

06-04-2008, 09:29 PM

Walker signed a $55 million deal with Oakland?

With his bum kneees?

Holy Sh-t!

400HZ

06-04-2008, 10:58 PM

Yes, further proof that Bates was too arrogant to use his players to the best of Denver's benefit, and instead just wanted to implement his system without the necessary players. Common sense be damn, and who cares if the best defensive player in the NFL is being misused.

PS He was not the only talent totally misplayed in defence last yr, just one of the most grating.

Most NFL schemes have a defense where one CB lines up on the left everytime and one lines up on the right. If you don't do that these days, the offense can motion and manipulate the D too much. Having three really good corners is essential for an elite defense. Drayton Florence proved this to me last season.