JMO I think Raiders Oline hjas a very good chance to bounce back in 2007 if C Jeremy Newberry and LT B Sims hold up. Raiders' Newberry a big hit By Steve Corkran, MEDIANEWS STAFF Article Last Updated: 08/05/2007 02:52:46 AM PDT NAPA ? Former Pro Bowl center Jeremy Newberry hasn't played in an NFL game since 2005, but those who doubt the new Oakland Raider's ability to rebound from microfracture surgery on both knees were served notice this week. Veteran defensive tackle Warren Sapp knew better than to view Newberry as just another player hoping to break camp with the Raiders, and he got further proof during a recent practice. Sapp engaged left guard Robert Gallery but then incurred the full wrath of Newberry. "He gave me a shot in the ribs, and I was like, 'Whoa, where did that come from?'" 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." There was a time when few matched Newberry's level of play. He started 79 of 80 regular-season games from 1999-2003 and earned Pro Bowl honors in '01 and '02. Then came the knee injuries he has had, seven in all, coupled withfrom Sports 1 Newberry's fierce desire to return sooner than recommended. As a result, he has appeared in only 11 games since his ascension to being one of the game's top centers. Time now is his ally, even though he turned 31 in March and hasn't played in a regular-season game in almost two years. However, the Antioch High graduate said the long break has enabled him to regain his confidence and the strength that makes him such a load. "If I'm healthy and I'm ready to play, I don't think there are too many people in this league that are going to beat me out," Newberry said. "I let that take care of itself, and the coaches will make the decision on their own." That decision won't be as easy one for Raiders coach Lane Kiffin. Newberry is competing against incumbent Jake Grove, a three-year starter. "Jeremy brings you something every day, and it's a special thing that he brings," Kiffin said. "He's a great competitor. As you watch him go through individual drills, he goes through it like he's the youngest guy there, the way that he works and the way that he handles those guys. Coaches can't do everything. You need some players that can take charge sometimes when you're not around. He's that type of guy." Newberry is a standout in one-on-one pass-blocking drills. The way he uses his strength, balance and experience make it difficult for defensive linemen to get past or around him. Newberry worked with Raiders offensive line coach Tom Cable when both were at Cal. Cable calls Newberry's value to his linemates "like gold." Yet, it's the value to the Raiders' overall fortunes that Kiffin is most concerned about. He signed off on the one-year, $1.5 million deal for Newberry in hopes he could make the Raiders better through competition. Sapp said the Raiders got much more. "I don't see why he can't start," Sapp said. "You don't find many players like that who are that strong and that sound techniquewise. We just got to remind him that he ain't in San Francisco anymore so he takes it easy on us in practice."
This guy seems to be impressed with the Raiders D. Updated: August 5, 2007, 1:26 AM ET http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/trainingcamp07/news/story?id=2961657 Fumbling Raiders offense looks familiar in first scrimmage Oakland Raiders: When the Raiders held their first intrasquad scrimmage of training camp, it looked a lot like last season. The defense was well ahead of the offense. There were a pair of turnovers, two sacks, dropped passes, and miscommunication between the receivers and quarterbacks at times during the one-hour scrimmage. An offense that managed only 12 touchdowns last season still has plenty of work to do under new coach Lane Kiffin. "I felt the defense really showed up today," Kiffin said Saturday. "There was a lot of tempo, energy, hitting and flying around. I was very pleased with them." There were nine series in the scrimmage, with quarterbacks Andrew Walter, Josh McCown and Daunte Culpepper each getting three. Walter was the only one not to lead a scoring drive, fumbling a snap from center, throwing an interception to Chris Carr and going three-and-out on the first series. Walter finished 3-for-8 and his most memorable play came when he dropped a snap from center Jeremy Newberry, looked at it for a moment, then kicked the ball before it was recovered by defensive lineman Kevin Huntley. Kiffin scolded Walter as he walked off the field. "Sixty plays, two turnovers. That's two too many obviously," Kiffin said.
High school defenses would look good against the Raiders offense... saying they are ahead of the offense really isn't saying a whole lot. :lol: As for Newberry... I would say he is one knee injury away from permanent vacation.
Just like Chad is one shoulder injury away from handing the reins to Kellen Clemens (yipes). Seriously, Newberry can help but if one man can turn around the team's fortunes, it's the head coach, not the center.
I cannot disagree with any of that. I am sure Newberry will be of help, but it will take more than one man to lift that organization up.
That's why raiders drafted J. russell (6'6" 255) and m. Bush (rookies) to face lift raiders organization.
