NAPA, CA - Even after it was reported the New York Giants were willing to outspend the Oakland Raiders for the services of tight end Kevin Boss, the fifth-year player came back to Napa and signed a reported four-year $16M contract to wear the silver and black in 2011.
Boss, who stands at 6-6 and is listed at 253 pounds, will be the odds on favorite to replace Zach Miller in the starting lineup when the season begins. For now, he'll be worked into the lineup as a competitor for the position.
For a guy out of tiny Western Oregon University, Boss handles the big stage quite well. He's already played for the New York Giants and won a Super Bowl with them, so he'll have no trouble with the scrutiny that comes with being a Raider. He got a little bit of that prior to his first practice as a Raider.
Boss spoke with reporters from the podium just an hour before getting ont he field for the first time in Napa as a member of the team. The veteran appeared comfortable wearing his Raiders gear, and it helps that the Raiders have done a good job of making him feel at home.
After coming to Napa to meet Raiders officials, Boss admitted that he had narrowed his teams to just two teams -- Oakland and the Giants. "When I talked to Coach Henry and I made my visit, the whole organization just welcomed me in and opened their arms to me," said Boss at his introductory press conference.
"I had a great visit and I was excited to get back here," continued Boss. "Now I’m here and ready to get to work."
The tight end did exactly that Saturday, making several catches and looking every bit as good as expected. After practice, Boss admitted that he was nowhere ready to perform the way he's accustomed to. "Kind of learn under fire," said Boss of his first practice.
Boss went on to say, "It’s maybe the best way, actually, just kind of throw you in there. You hear it called in the huddle and try to process it as quick as you can. It’s coming along, and tomorrow will be great to spend some time in the play book and really get ahead of this thing."
Sunday, the Raiders take the day off from practicing, but without the comfort level of being in this offensive system, Boss will no doubt be at work. While it's not the same offense as he has played in the last few years, Boss already feels a familiarity with what he'll be doing as a Raider.
"It’s a different system, but a lot of the routes are the same," said Boss. "I feel I knew New York’s offense inside and out. It was fairly complex, so I feel like I can pick this up pretty quickly."
His head coach is already pleased with what he saw on Saturday. "I thought he was awesome," said Jackson after practice -- avoiding his usual, "Wow," description.
"I mean him to just step in, step right in and we do a lot of things on offense and he picked it up," began Jackson. "I think as he goes every day, I think we’re a couple days away from seeing Kevin at his best because once he learns the terminology and learn his teammates and Jason gets a feel for him and our other quarterbacks get a feel for him, that guy is a big target."
Oddly, it was defensive line coach Mike Wauffle that began recruiting Boss to the Raiders. Wauffle, who was the defensive line coach of the Giants during their Super Bowl run, already had a relationship with the tight end. "I was in New York with Coach Wauffle and had a great relationship with him," said Boss.
"I was excited to come and see [Coach Wauffle] again and just be a part of this great organization."
While Wauffle may have begun the ball rolling, Boss is excited to play under Jackson.
"The moment I met Coach Jackson, I could just feel his energy and it was just exciting for me," said Boss of his first meeting with Hue Jackson. "Within moments of meeting him I felt on board with his ideas and, like he was saying, his passion for the game, just his energy, is just exciting to be around and just thrilled to be a part of it now."
The Miller defection surprised even Boss. Even though the new Raiders tight end could understand why things worked out the way they did, the opening was an intriguing option for the former Giant.
"When this door opened up, being a West Coast guy, I was excited about the opportunity," said Boss. "And when they brought me and had the chance and talk with Coach Jackson and Coach Henry and have dinner with them, I felt like it was a no-brainer, and I was really excited."
In New York, Boss wore the jersey number 89. With Oakland, it's another Miller who owns that number -- Nick Miller. Fans are already hoping that if Miller changes numbers, it will be to the number 80, Zach Miller's old number, saving them the hassle of buying a new 'Miller' jersey.
Told of this, Miller laughed. "I saw that too," he said still chuckling. "I saw that Tweet. Everyone's like, 'Oh man, I don't want to throw away my Miller jersey.' But I don't want to walk in anyone's shoes. I feel like I want to start my own Miller name and number. But that would be pretty funny."
Apparently, a deal may be in the works. Asked if he would be wearing his old number, Boss replied, "Not yet. Eighty-seven for now."
Asked if he'd been approached by Boss about his jersey number, Miller answered, "A little bit, they've been talking about it. I'm not sure, I don't know what he wants to do about it but he's said a little something about it but it really hasn't been talked about seriously yet."
This prompted a reporter to ask if he was holding out for an expensive 'gift'. "Hey, man, if it ever comes to it, I got to get the family a bunch of jerseys," Miller said with a laugh. "They're the reasons. I don't really care but the family would be a little upset. They all got the 89 already. They'd be the ones mad."
So now it comes down to how big Miller's family is. With an average salary of $4M a year for the next four years, it's a good bet that Boss will be able to 'buy' his number back by the start of the season.
Whatever number Boss wears, the Raiders are both happy and lucky to have found (and signed) a player that can truly step into the shoes of Zach Miller prevent a drop off at the position.
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