After minicamp checkup on the Oakland Raiders offense

JaMarcus Russell prepares to fire a pass. Photo by Patterson

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Complete minicamp coverage:

• Defensive check up
• First impression of the rookies
• Minicamp wrap

• Minicamp day 3
  

• Minicamp day 2 practice 2
  

• Tom Cable on day 2
  

• Injury update day 2
  

• Minicamp day 2 practice 1
• Day 1 practice 2
• Day 1 practice 1
• Minicamp offers new beginning
• Parker & James signed
• DHB v Asomugha

Much like the defense, it is hard to get an exact fix on the Oakland Raiders offense after a non-contact drill. The defense can't tackle, and the linemen can't finish their blocks. However, after watching five sessions in three days, certain strengths and weaknesses become evident.

In minicamp, the Raiders unveiled a passing attack featuring deeper routes. Cable told the assembled local media that the Raiders are going to feature much more deep passing in the coming season. However, the passing game still has a way to go. There were problems with center exchanges, quarterback inaccuracy, and wide receiver drops. Not to mention, there were several times the defensive line got the better of the offensive line in passing drills.

On the other side of the coin, the line was good at run blocking, and all of the running backs looked sharp. There was no hints of lingering injuries with Darren McFadden or Justin Fargas. The addition of Lorenzo Neal can only strengthen a rushing attack that appears poised to do some damage.

There is the old adage that the run sets up the pass by pulling the safeties in and slowing down a pass rush. Be that as it may, the passing game has a way to go before it is going to be a real threat.

The good news for the Raiders is that it is only May, so they have time to get the bugs worked out in the passing game. However, from the first impression, if the Raiders decide to start throwing the ball like its 2002 and abandoning their strength at running the ball, it could take a turn towards 2006.

Tom Cable did sound committed to the deep passing game in his comments following the final practice:

I think {A deep passing team} is who we want to be, let’s get it implemented right away, because that’s a new approach obviously. Lets get the mind set developed as quickly as possible, and when we get into OTA we can continue with that as we get into situational play.

Cable, along with passing game coordinator, and quarterbacks coach Paul Hackett have a big job ahead of them to get the team ready for the San Diego Chargers on September 15th.

Here is a look at the various position groups and how they performed during minicamp.

Quarterbacks:

None of the quarterbacks looked particularly impressive. There were numerous botched snap exchanges. Jeff Garcia was accurate in the short and middle range throws, but his deep balls tended to hang. Bruce Gradkowski's deep balls were even worse. JaMarcus Russell was erratic. There were times he short hopped throws on screen or flat routes, and he was inaccurate on the deep throws. The good news for the Raiders is that he had his best practice session on Sunday. His problems seemed to revolve around mechanics, so he is going to have to be doing a lot of work with Hackett.

With the announcement that undrafted free agent Danny Southwick who had zero throws in camp was signed to the team, it is apparent that it is time for the Andrew Walter departure watch to begin. Cable spared no criticism of Walter, which further shows that Walter is all but out the door.

As far as I know. He hasn’t been part of the offseason program, and those other guys have. And that’s why you didn’t see him really get any reps today, cause they’re all prepared and ready to do this. And there’s been some change in what we’re doing offensively and so forth, so he’s got some catching up to do.

Running Backs:

All of the running backs looked good in practice. Darren McFadden showed no lingering effects from his multiple turf toe injuries in 2008. He was frequently getting to the corner in a hurry and making the turn. Justin Fargas was also loking healthy, and he was smooth in his cuts. He was hitting the holes hard, and despite the lack of contact he was running with the abandon that garnered him the name "Crash Test Dummy." Michael Bush looked like he will be bowling over linebackers come the season. Louis Rankin and Gary Russell also were running strong. This is going to be a tough competition come training camp.

At the fullback position, Oren O'Neal spent the camp watching from the sidelines as he was rehabbing his knee. Luke Lawton and the recently signed Lorenzo Neal split time with the first team. Marcel Reece looked strong blocking with the second team.

Receivers:

These guys are not just fast, they are very fast. The two starters at the close of 2008, Johnnie Lee Higgins and Chaz Schilens both had really strong camps. The most talked about receiver, Darrius Heyward-Bey had a strong first day, but started dropping passes on his second day. He then developed soreness and was held out for the last two practices. This will surely raise some durability and conditioning questions about him. Fourth round pick receiver Louis Murphy had a strong start, but succombed to soreness and cramped hamstrings. Todd Watkins who hung around the fringes of the roster in 2008, caught everything thrown in his direction, and had his nose in the middle of special teams drills. Arman Shields and Javon Walker both missed all of camp rehabbing injuries.

Tight end Zach Miller missed camp rehabbing a sports hernia. In his absence, Brandon Myers, Tony Stewart, and undrafted free agent Chris O'Neil worked in the passing drills. None of them will be mistaken for Zach Miller. Good thing for Myers, he is expected to be a blocking tight end, as he had problems with dropping the ball.

Offensive Line:

When it comes to the offensive line, all eyes are on the battle at offensive tackle between Khalif Barnes and incumbent Mario Henderson. There was no clear advantage between either one of them. They both had their strong moments and they both had their mistakes. This unit is the toughest to evaluate in non-contact drills. Successful offensive line play involves full contact. The line was best when it came to run blocking, and had some sour moments against the pass. Their worst play came in passing drills on Sunday.

It will be up to the coaches to get these guys on the same page. Once Samson Satele comes back, and the new pieces have a chance to meld with the old pieces, there is hope.

Photos of the defense at minicamp click here.

Photos of the first day of minicamp click here.