Oakland Raiders head coach Bill Callahan had a bit of Jon Gruden in him
for the team’s first day of training camp in Napa, CA, Friday.
Gruden, who preceded Callahan, was noted for his intense demeanor while
Callahan is noted for being more sedate. Callahan, however, had a hoarse voice
by the end of the morning practice.
“I’m not hoarse, I just lost my voice somewhere I guess,” Callahan said.
Speaking of Gruden, whose Buccaneers defeated the Raiders 48-21 in the
Super Bowl; he has the attention of a few people about his most recent comments.
Gruden said he would dance down the highway wearing only a jock strap if the
Bucs repeated as champs.
“I wouldn’t put anything past Gruden so but hopefully we’ll have
something to say about that,” Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown said. “It would be
great to get back there and see those guys again.”
Added offensive tackle Lincoln Kennedy: “Interesting. Actually, I don’t
want to visualize that. That’s all I have to say.”
New jersey for Brown
Tim Brown’s jersey was remarkably less faded for Friday’s training camp
opener. In past training camps, Brown had worn the same jersey since his rookie
season. Brown was sporting a new No. 81 jersey Friday.
Smith, Robbins closer
Center Barret Robbins and linebacker Travian Smith are getting closer to
returning to action. Robbins was placed on the physically unable to perform
(PUP) list because he is still recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery. Smith
is on the nonfootball injury (NFI) list after sustaining a sprained ankle last
month.
There’s no definitive time for their return but Callahan expects that
time to be soon.
Plays of the Day
Rich Gannon and Jerry Porter had the highlight film play of the day.
Gannon lofted a jumpball to Porter, who was tightly covered by Charles Woodson.
Porter caught the ball before Woodson wrestled him to the ground. … Defensive
tackle Junior Ioane intercepted a Rich Gannon pass. … Backup quarterback Marques
Tuiasosopo connected with rookie wide receiver Doug Gabriel on a long touchdown
passes in a 7-on-7 drill.
Vince
D’Adamo can be reached via e-mail at vdad7@yahoo.com