Stanford head coach Jim Harbaugh stopped by with some of his coaching staff to observe Raiders training camp practice on Friday. Members of his staff accompanying him included legendary Raider left guard Steve Wisniewski and for Raider assistant and current Stanford offensive coordinator, David Shaw.
They joined a large group of VIP guests who were getting to attend Raider practice as a perk of being suite holders at Oakland Alameda Coliseum. Most notable among the fans in attendance was a young boy who was wearing a JaMarcus Russell jersey. I am not sure if that is bad parenting or just terrible judgment. I don’t think anyone would have been shocked if a member of the staff had asked he and his dad to leave. Either that or have the team take turns spanking his ass…right in front of his son. But, no such luck. Anyway, back to those guests with some common sense.
Harbaugh has been a strong candidate for the Raider head coaching positon for quite a few seasons. And that candidacy got even stronger when he led a resurgent Stanford team to a winning record and a bowl game invitation last season. With surprise Heisman candidate Toby Gerhart heading to the NFL and quarterback Andrew Luck looking to lead the team next season, he is proving to be a valuable commodity as head coach in college or the pros.
Harbaugh has surrounded himself with former Raider players and coaches including Steve Wisniewski who is an assistant offensvie line and strength and conditioning coach for the Cardinal. Offensive coordinator David Shaw who was a Raider assistant with the team from 1998 to 2001. The 2001 Super Bowl season, he was the Raiders quarterbacks coach. Former Raider defensive tackle Chester McGlockton is also a new member of Harbaugh’s coaching staff.
All these former Raiders coaching under Harbaugh would mean that should Harbaugh ever decide he wanted to coach the Raiders and should the Raiders decide to move on from Cable, there sure would be plenty of guys familiar with how things work in Raider land. Let’s not jump to any conclusions here though. I am by no means saying that the Raiders or Cable will be parting ways any time soon. Nor should they. But, you know, I’m just sayin’.
It’s all about Zach…again
Ok, I know this would be the third day in a row that a talk about Zach Miller. Two days ago he had probably his only bad practice ever. Yesterday he was unstoppable in the redzone. And today he was the grease that made the gears turn in the 2 minute drill.
The latter part of practice it was all about the2 minute drill and it became the Zach show. Three drives in a row were successful and all went through him. The first one started when Jason Campbell executed a masterful play fake and his Zach in the middle of the field for twenty yards. Then to finish it off, Zach ran a fade route in the corner of the end zone and had a nice over the shoulder grab from Campbell. The second drill he had two catches that put the Raider offense on the 5 yard line and set up a swing pass to Michael Bush for a touchdown. The final drill he had another catch to put the ball on the 5 yard line and set up a pitch play to Darren McFadden for a touchdown.
It wasn’t all great news though. Zach hurt himself during the drills and after having his left hip checked out, he left practice with it in a wrap and he was walking gingerly. The other bad news may be that the Raider defense needs a lot of work in the 2 minute drill.
Leftover tidbits
Charlie Frye was not practicing after hurting his wrist yesterday in practice. It is nothing serious but former camp invitee and Raider intern QB Danny Southwick was throwing in his place to the runningbacks in drills.
Richard Seymour was not practicing again. He has only taken the field for one practice in the last four. It was resting before, this time he had lower back spasms.
Marcel Reece was back practicing at fullback. Although DE Alex Daniels is still practicing at fullback with the injuries to Luke Lawton and Manase Tonga.
Erik Pears and Desmond Bryant got in a quick little scuffle at one point which was quickly difused.
Chaz Schilens went down hard after going up high in tight coverage with Chris Johnson to pull down a long pass. The trainers checked him out immediately after. More on that later.
Jonnie Lee Higgins didn’t finish practice with tightness in his hamstring
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