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With all due respect to McClain, Houston and our other 1st year players... I am very curious about our two drafted rookie linemen.

I don't know what goes on in the minds of coaches, but with the likes of Sateele and Morris as our centers.... we have a lack of talent. Perhaps coaches Cable, Jackson and Michalczik share that opinion as they have rookie Veldheer quickly coming up to speed at center.

I think most Raider fans agree that center - the important line-calling and play anchoring spot - is a negative right now. Maybe Veldheer isnt the prototype center build (6'8" and 315 pounds of muscle), but if we're in the process of converting him to center, that should indicate that the coaches believe he has more upside than Satele and Morris.

Jared,the Division II All-American has a history of stepping up. From his seven inches of height added during high school, to being overlooked by college recruiters, to being a standout at Hillsdale College to playing in the Division All Star game in 2009 to imprssing all scouts at the NFL combine. It has been a series of challenges overcome.

Perhaps it comes down to the question of whether a 6'8" 315 strong, lean and fast lineman can match up against the shorter 350 pound monsters that attack the gaps. In the modified(Hue Jackson's power blocking added) ZBS it may work. The coaches must realize that as they have Veldheer queued up. Besides, anyone want to assure me that we're good to go with Satele?

On a related note, in regards to the numerous comments that our OLine is weak... I'd like to offer up a qualification to that. Our OLine is not weak on the left side. Thats my opinion anyway. Mario Henderson and Robert Gallery make our left side solid in pass protection and at least adequate in run blocking. But that is only true if Gallery is there. When Gallery went down last year, Henderson seemed to break down frequently. These two make a good left side.

For those who expect perfection from Mario... remember... we haven't had a solid left tackle since Barry Sims. My opinion is that Henderson and the left side will be solid if Gallery stays healthy.

Center, as I mentioned is weak. But the right side was horrid last year. No question Langston Walker is an improvement over Green. And if Cooper Carlisle can rebound from a down year, great.

But please tell me Bruce Campbell will get a chance to step in if Carlisle falters. Bruce is the workout stud who should be able to dominate once he acclimates to the NFL. He'll get some snaps at guard and tackle in camp. Hopefully he has the mojo to push Carlisle and crack the lineup. But is he too lean to play guard? Maybe. But look at Gallery. He's become a fine OG.

With Veldheer and BCampbell we have a pair of tall muscular young studs. It is a departure from the norm for these two guys to be getting time at center and guard... the positions normally suited for road grading 350 pound tubs o' goo. Or maybe I have it wrong. Perhaps they'll both toil as backups at tackle, their college positions? With Barnes and pears it seems that we have our backups at tackle. No matter what, summer camp and the exhibition games will be very interesting this year.


Barry Sims(1998-2008), the Raiders' last solid left tackle.

Originally Posted by Cerberus

The Donks only have a player or two in the HOF, so finding the best Donks of yore is what they have to do to get some into the Hall.

agreed, but Gradishar (much as i hated his arse) deserves it more than Little. Gradishar was a friggin beast, although i question the stats credited to him. tackles weren't an official stat and the donks claim he AVERAGED 204 tackles/year over his 10 year career - hmmmm....

in the prime of Little's career, he had a 4 year run where he averaged 965 yds/ season and 4 yds/carry (GOOD numbers, especially in the AFL) on consistantly TERRIBLE donko teams. but the rest of his career was 5 seasons with around 2500 yards total.

That is also why I will NEVER visit the HOF, because it is a popularity contest more than anything else.

maybe so, but it wasn't always. and besides, that doesn't diminish the fact that a TON of HISTORY, and a TON of RAIDERS are in that place.

i encourage you to change your mind. the HOF IS a human endeavor, and as such is NOT perfect. but don't let the perfect be the enemy of the great.

and the HOF is a great place (IMO).

Once the first word hit the media, the news spread quickly amongst the Raider Nation.

I know fans texted, called, twittered and posted the news that left us all reeling. John David Tatum, known as Jack Tatum , passed away from a heart attack at 61 years of age.

When I read it, I didn't want to believe it. I searched the internet to locate something, anything, that would lead me to draw a Samuel Clemensesque finding that the rumors of his death were an exaggeration.

This is not the turn of the century. No reporter was sent miles to investigate. This is the information age where the news takes minutes, rather than weeks to determine. No amount of denial , no amount of hope for misinformation could hide the truth.

The NFL's one and only "Assassin" is no longer with us. That trying to pin point the origin of the nickname is an impossibility means nothing to us that watched him play.

Where does one start eulogizing a childhood hero that one has met, spoken to, but could not call friend?

Details of his life are everywhere.

He was born November 18, 1948 and died July 27, 2010.

Though he was born in Cherryville, North Carolina, he grew up in Passaic, New Jersey. Though some players had a deep love for the game from a young age, Jack didn't start playing football until his sophomore year at Passaic High School. Like most high school athletes, he played multiple positions: running back, fullback and defensive back.

As far as college goes, Ohio State wanted him as a running back. If one wondered about his speed, yes, he was fast. At 5' 11", 205 lbs (though one web site has him at 5'10" and 200 lbs.), and in full pads, he could cover the 100 yards of a football field in roughly 10 seconds.

At the urging of Lou Holtz , Buckeyes HC Woody Hayes turned the very promising running back into a defensive back that covered the best wide receivers, and saw time at linebacker. His hits leveled the biggest fullbacks and tight ends college ball had to offer. He earned All -Big Ten honors '68 -'70. He was named All American in '69 and '70, unanimously. His name was mentioned in the same breath as the words "Heisman Trophy". The Buckeyes' record with Jack as a defensive starter was 27-2. Tack on a National Championship victory, too.

As recognition for what Jack accomplished as a player, he was inducted into the Ohio State Varsity O Hall of Fame in '81 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 2005.

Ever hear of the "Jack Tatum Hit of the Week Award?" That was introduced to the Ohio State football program back in 2001 by coach Jim Tressell. Obviously it was awarded to the player with the best defensive hit of a game. Not defensive play. Defensive HIT.

He did more than hit his opponents. He drove through them. They were like those water filled plastic cans one sees as a barrier on highways. A car plows through them, they explode. Jack hit his opposition, they fell, flipped, tumbled and sometimes somersaulted. Hard. Because that's what every collision was like with Jack Tatum. Hard.

On the field, he never half-assed a play. He never went through the motions. Every game counted. Every play counted. He gave everything he had every play. And to the best of his ability. While Jack himself said "I like to believe that my best hits border on felonious assault", his most well known hits were clean and within the rules. During his tenure as a Raider, Oiler and even his post NFL career, he was often vilified for his ability.


He started his NFL career after being drafted number number 19 overall in the 1st round of the 1971 draft by the Raiders. He started in 106 games and played in 120 games as a Raider, and played in another 16 games in his final season as a Houston Oiler. He finished is career with 37 interceptions, for 736 yards with a long of 66 yards. His 104 yard fumble return for a touchdown remains an NFL record, though Aeneas Williams tied it not long ago.

These numbers earned him Pro Bowl honors 3 consecutive years, '73-'75. In '73 he was named Defensive Back of the Year by Football Digest. From '73-'77 he was an ALL-AFC selection. He was second team All Pro in'74 and '77.

He earned everyone of those honors.

Yet some of those in the media used their position to try to re-write history and lies about Jack. Especially when it comes to the hit on New England Patriot Darryl Stingley, may he rest in peace. In what has been one of the most talked about hits in professional sports, anyone that has watched tape of the hit knows it was clean.

One of the biggest problems those involved in the media had with Jack regarding this ...

Originally Posted by daraidz

what is the deadline for? Can't he re-sign at any time during the season? My guess is that he'll miss a few weeks of training camp as is accepted for many big name, veteran players. IMO, it's better for all involved as he doesn't have to prove anything and it save his aging body from the pounding, plus it gives the opportunity for the other guys to see what they have. He'll be fine in Sept. even missing July. I hope he re-signs for something reasonable for about 2-3 years.

I actualy think he's still smarting from being traded by The Pats where he was woefully underpaid. He came here and now he is getting 13 milion for one year and since this is his last chance to make some big money he will go where ever the money is.

Now the good stuff... Raiders players.

Josh Taves was there. He was with us for a couple of years , a tall lanky walk-on that found his way to the roster. He was part of the team that handed the Dolphins their first play off shut out , and the Raiders first play off shut-out , 27-0, back in 2001. At 6'7", he was almost too tall to play DE, and personally, I think that was his downfall. It was easier for the shorter offensive linemen to get under his pads. I liked him, though. I was sad to see him go. He is currently coaching high school football at Valley Christian High School in Dublin Ca., which also boasts a staff that includes John Parella and Rod Woodson. I also heard that former defensive coordinator Willie Shaw is involved with that team.

Former tight end Jeremy Brigham was also in attendance. He was wearing a shirt from a Boy Scout golf tournament, an event he regularly attends. He has also hosted several golf tournaments of his own, through his Make A Difference Foundation. I neglected to mention to him that I think he could have been a premier tight end in the league if he could have blocked better. (I mentioned that to him once before when he was a player. His response was a less than favorable "Thanks, coach." )

As I mentioned, Ray Chester was there, sitting next to Gary Plummer. I figure he must have drawn the short stick to have to sit there. He was laughing through my exchange with Plummer and thanked me for handling his light weight work.

Next in line was a man known for his speed, Willie Gault. Looks like he could give some of today's players a run for their money, still.

Jeff Barnes was there, too. I think next to football, his favorite subject is food.

Coach Willie Brown was close by. The last few times, okay, almost every time I see Coach Brown, I have my camera in my hands. Today was no exception. In a stern voice he said "No PICTURES!", which caused the volunteers behind him to look a bit concerned. They weren't sure what to do. We then exchanged pleasantries as he introduced me to Charlie Smith and they both posed for a photo.

While Charlie Smith played for us for several years, I remember him best as catching a pass from Daryle Lamonica his rookie season in the now infamous Heidi Game. Being this was a marquee match up, why the network went to the movie Heidi remains a mystery. His reception and run covered 43 yards and gave the Raiders the lead. I mentioned having his "Run to Daylight" photo from that game and how I cried when they changed over to the movie.

Jack Tatum was there, making an appearance. He had to leave for health reasons, so it was good of him to show up.

The one and only Mr. Raider was there, smiling and signing and talking to all the fans . Knowing there was a long line behind me, I didn't want to bother Mr. Otto too much.

Sitting next to Jim Otto was the one and only Rod Martin. With all due respect to Jim Plunkett, I am firmly of the belief that Rod Martin should have been named MVP of SB XV, and told him so. His 3 interceptions was an SB record. Being the gracious man he is, he suggested co-MVPs. And he kissed my hand. I was beaming after that.

On Rod's other side was the one and only Big Ben Davidson. Still tough for me to think this guy didn't play a down of football until his college years. He is handsome as ever, and made an astute observation re: JaMarcus Russell. Based on salaries, in 22 minutes of one game, Russell made as much as Ben in his entire career. I don't think that requires any further comment.

On a personal note, Ben has been married to the same woman for roughly 49 years. One thing he had to today? Call a namesake and wish him Happy Birthday.

Former coach and wide receiver James Lofton was there, and he seemed a little distracted, having many footballs go by in front of him.

Apollo Creed, um, rather Carl Weathers was there too. I told him I enjoyed his movies, but I will remember him for stating that Al Davis changed his life. Carl said emphatically, "He DID!"

At the end of the table was our host, Fred Biletnikoff. Fred actually recognized us and thanked us for showing up and getting the autographs. He said he hoped we were able to pick up some we didn't previously own. I thought that was very sweet him.

Many of the attendees were staying at the same hotel as those of us getting autographs.

One of the players I didn't mention before was Tom Keating.

I wanted to bring him up last, because I told him I did some writing and asked if he wouldn't mind a little interview. He was very generous with his time. He is currently a semi-retired ...