<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Kiffin 2: The non-draft version Raiders coach Lane Kiffin also fielded questions about non-draft matters in Thursday's predraft press conference. For all the draft goods, read the previous blog. Injury update: ACL tearers Javon Walker, Jarrod Cooper and Tommy Kelly are recovering as scheduled. Walker is ready for the May minicamp and Cooper is close to 100%. Kelly will be back by training camp, where he will assume the role of three-technique tackle after years of bouncing across the line. JaMarcus Russell: Kiffin praised the second-year quarterback for starting earlier and working longer than just about anyone involved in the team's voluntary workouts. "He's having a phenominal offseason," Kiffin said. "He came back 10, 11 days before we started and ... he hasn't missed a thing since. By far, he's in the best shape since I've seen him, even if you go back to his pro day in college." That meshes with a recent chronicle story debunking the myth Russell was pushing three bills. He spends his day lifting weights, running, attending position meetings and throwing to receivers. For those who clicked on the link, the Raiders didn't land former Jaguars backup Quinn Gray -- or any other free agent to back up Russell. Kiffin said they will continue looking for a backup, whether in the draft or the free-agent market. Defensive tackle Terdell Sands: He was a disappointment last season after landing a lucrative deal to stay in Oakland. If the Raiders don't draft LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey, they need Sands to reappear as a formidable nose tackle. Kiffin said Sands' troubles started when he lost several close family members in the offseason. "That affected him," Kiffin said. "He didn't go through the offseason the way he should have. Instead, he came in to get in shape in training camp and never caught up." Offseason training: Kiffin said "most the players" took part in the past five weeks of voluntary workouts. As always, defensive end Derrick Burgess wasn't among them, not that it's ever matttered. "There are some guys that you feel more comfortable not being here because you know they work, you know what they do. So, if there's anybody you don't worry about being in shape and working out, Derrick's one of them." Running back LaMont Jordan: Sounds like Jordan is the odd-back out with Justin Fargas, Dominic Rhodes and Michael Bush all returning. "I don't know that," Kiffin said about Jordan returning. "LaMont does have a very high contract and a big number coming into this. So we have to look at what happens in the draft, look at what else is going on and make a decision." Translation: Jordan better agree to a paycut for the second straight year or he's going to get cut before training camp.</div>
I bet if they wanted to the Raiders could trade LaMont Jordan and get a 2nd day pick out of him... Would be better than nothing. Javon Walker tore his ACL again? I didn't know that...
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Pack Attack @ Apr 25 2008, 02:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I bet if they wanted to the Raiders could trade LaMont Jordan and get a 2nd day pick out of him... Would be better than nothing. Javon Walker tore his ACL again? I didn't know that...</div> Yeah, whatever he did last season that stung him. Apparently, he is good to go for camp though. Great news for us because we paid a lot for him.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Pack Attack @ Apr 25 2008, 02:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I bet if they wanted to the Raiders could trade LaMont Jordan and get a 2nd day pick out of him... Would be better than nothing. Javon Walker tore his ACL again? I didn't know that...</div> The problem is that everyone knows we're going to cut him eventually. Why trade a draft pick when you can sign him cheaper in FA and not give up anything? At best we'll get a 6th or 7th rounder from some ignorant team who needs a RB badly. I'd look for Fabian Washington or Stanford Routt to be moved for a pick though.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Run BJM @ Apr 25 2008, 07:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Pack Attack @ Apr 25 2008, 02:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I bet if they wanted to the Raiders could trade LaMont Jordan and get a 2nd day pick out of him... Would be better than nothing.</div> The problem is that everyone knows we're going to cut him eventually. Why trade a draft pick when you can sign him cheaper in FA and not give up anything? At best we'll get a 6th or 7th rounder from some ignorant team who needs a RB badly. I'd look for Fabian Washington or Stanford Routt to be moved for a pick though. </div> Remember last season, when halfway through, Kiffin benched Jordan? The reason why they wouldn't just cut and replace him was so that Denver wouldn't snach him off the waiver wire. They would have too, as they needed help at RB right about then. I thought that was a great call by Oakland. Guess who will grab Lamont if we just cut him right now? Yep, Denver. He's a good back when healthy, but he is not healthy all that often anymore. I think the Raiders should try to control the situation as much as they can, and influence his departure to a non division team. Washington is definitely trade bait.
