The_Philster
08-07-2003, 08:54 PM
NAPA, Calif. -- Observations on the 2003 Oakland Raiders from training camp practices:
1. Jerry Porter has pretty much emerged as the second option in this offense. Jerry Rice is lighter and is the "go-to" receiver. Porter is the big-play guy. Tim Brown has adjusted to a selfless role where he catches shorter passes that may free up Porter. But Porter is a big, explosive big-play threat who is headed toward stardom.
2. The Barret Robbins comeback doesn't look too good. He's trying. He's taking medication and he is practicing. But, over the weekend, Raiders coach Bill Callahan moved tackle-guard Matt Stinchcomb to the first-team center position. Adam Treu is established as the backup and the deep snapper. Where does that leave Robbins, who is trying to win back the confidence of his teammates after bolting on them on the eve of the Super Bowl? Medication for his bipolar disorder bloated his waistline. His weight soared as high as 360 pounds. Robbins trimmed his weight within seven pounds of what the Raiders want him at, but he's struggling because of offseason knee surgery. He has had swelling and his practice time has been limited. "Actually, Barrett looks better than he did a year ago," coach Bill Callahan said. "But he still needs to establish a consistency of practice. He'll go at it in the morning, and the knee will swell up on him. He can't get the rhythm in his practices." Robbins won't play in the Raiders' first exhibition game, and he knows that he needs to play to win back the confidence of his teammates. He's willing, but the body isn't cooperating yet. I don't get any positive vibes about this situation right now....
more (http://espn.go.com/nfl/trainingcamp03/columns/raiders/observations/1591305.html)
1. Jerry Porter has pretty much emerged as the second option in this offense. Jerry Rice is lighter and is the "go-to" receiver. Porter is the big-play guy. Tim Brown has adjusted to a selfless role where he catches shorter passes that may free up Porter. But Porter is a big, explosive big-play threat who is headed toward stardom.
2. The Barret Robbins comeback doesn't look too good. He's trying. He's taking medication and he is practicing. But, over the weekend, Raiders coach Bill Callahan moved tackle-guard Matt Stinchcomb to the first-team center position. Adam Treu is established as the backup and the deep snapper. Where does that leave Robbins, who is trying to win back the confidence of his teammates after bolting on them on the eve of the Super Bowl? Medication for his bipolar disorder bloated his waistline. His weight soared as high as 360 pounds. Robbins trimmed his weight within seven pounds of what the Raiders want him at, but he's struggling because of offseason knee surgery. He has had swelling and his practice time has been limited. "Actually, Barrett looks better than he did a year ago," coach Bill Callahan said. "But he still needs to establish a consistency of practice. He'll go at it in the morning, and the knee will swell up on him. He can't get the rhythm in his practices." Robbins won't play in the Raiders' first exhibition game, and he knows that he needs to play to win back the confidence of his teammates. He's willing, but the body isn't cooperating yet. I don't get any positive vibes about this situation right now....
more (http://espn.go.com/nfl/trainingcamp03/columns/raiders/observations/1591305.html)