Report: Raiders WR Yamon Figurs will return kicks and punts

You can view other notes from Tafur's Twitter page for more news, but the Figurs headline was the only new thing.

Other things include Michael Bush possibly playing in the opener and Quentin Groves starting at linebacker with Trevor Scott taking Matt Shaughnessy’s defensive end spot, so it’s a couple of things we’ve tossed around here.

"You're all like big, fat failure turtles." - Edge

by Rated-R Superstar on Sep 8, 2010 3:17 PM PDT reply actions

That's all good

But who the hell is going to stop the other team from returning kicks to the house?

by RocklinRaiderfan on Sep 8, 2010 3:40 PM PDT reply actions

That appears to be the biggest issue on special teams.

"You're all like big, fat failure turtles." - Edge

by Rated-R Superstar on Sep 8, 2010 4:19 PM PDT up reply actions

In semi-reated news, here is the Titans injury status

Tony Brown DT Knee Did Not Participate In Practice —
Mike Otto T Knee Did Not Participate In Practice —
Will Witherspoon LB Not Injury Related Did Not Participate In Practice —
Justin Gage WR Hand Full Participation in Practice —
Leroy Harris G Ankle Full Participation in Practice —
Colin Allred LB Ankle Limited Participation in Practice —
Jacob Ford DE Back Limited Participation in Practice —

The game status was not given…yet.

Colin Allred’s ankle is interesting. This is the guy taking McRath’s starting spot. The Raiders need to find a way to exploit him.

If he'd just pay me what he's spending to make me stop robbing him, I'd stop robbing him.

by Rich Langford on Sep 8, 2010 4:23 PM PDT reply actions

Don't like Scott over Shaughnessy

I disagree with Coach Cable that putting Trevor Scott over Matt Shaughnessy at right end in base packages puts the best 11 players on the field in those situations. I can see teams running right at Scott to exploit his size (or more appropriately lack of it). I think the coaching staff will recognize very quickly that Scott is better suited for nickel packages where his speed and pass rushing can be more appropriately utilized.

by LiveAdam on Sep 8, 2010 6:19 PM PDT reply actions

I will reserve judgment on this move

until I see how the rotation goes. Initially I am surprised that Scott got the starting nod as well.

If he'd just pay me what he's spending to make me stop robbing him, I'd stop robbing him.

by Rich Langford on Sep 8, 2010 7:39 PM PDT up reply actions

Might be a game-by-game strategy. Scott does bring more QB pressure but Matt might have the edge against the rush

Looks like they’re angling to take VY out of the game and counting on the LBs to close and tackle CJ.

S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.

by Sons-of-Blanda on Sep 8, 2010 8:15 PM PDT up reply actions

We've seen it too much the past 7 years

Linebackers can’t make plays when being engaged by offensive lineman who’ve broken free from the defensive line and moved to the second level of the defense.

by LiveAdam on Sep 9, 2010 12:04 PM PDT up reply actions

If they break free their RB is behind them. If our DL holds and doesn't get turned the LBs should be closing their gaps

I’m not laying all the blame on the LBs but I believe our DL is playing better than last year – but need to see how things go Sunday.

S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.

by Sons-of-Blanda on Sep 9, 2010 2:56 PM PDT up reply actions

Agree

I just think Scott is going to get run over, which will only make our LBs look bad.

by LiveAdam on Sep 9, 2010 3:25 PM PDT up reply actions

Also, one of the big knock on Groves from the Jags fans was

he can’t shed blockers. Granted this was playing as a D-lineman, but it’ll be something to watch.

The problem is he didn’t really play against starters in the pre-season, but I didn’t notice him getting tied up by blockers often. So, hopefully….

If he'd just pay me what he's spending to make me stop robbing him, I'd stop robbing him.

by Rich Langford on Sep 9, 2010 11:21 PM PDT up reply actions

If Groves is exploited - and from what I've seen, it's likely - we bring back Howard.

S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.

by Sons-of-Blanda on Sep 10, 2010 6:06 AM PDT up reply actions

Or Scott - he lacks coverag but is better against the run than Howard.

Cable Bumaye! Raiders Bumaye!

by SBcitizen on Sep 10, 2010 10:48 AM PDT up reply actions

Or Scott, especially against a rushing team.

S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.

by Sons-of-Blanda on Sep 10, 2010 12:30 PM PDT up reply actions

I am hoping I am right in my thinking.

We all heard that tripe about the best players being on the field but what if he means in the right alignment? Picture Wimbley at ROLB lined up next to McClain with his new buddy #52 Groves alongside him. However instead of Groves being the starting LOLB we have Trevor Scott at starting LOLB with Groves ILB. McClain was having issues in run defense in the preseason because he was not being coached to run a 4-3 as MLB and this would be the easy transition for him to come in and start. Also Houston was moved to DE but he will be the 3T end with Kelly at nose and Richard Seymour finally being used at 3T where he’s at his best. On nickel they can move up Wimbley or Scott and rotate both to keep them fresh. Thomas Howard and Mitchell will come in and play LB in some situations for coverage and for blitzing. This may be wishful thinking but at least all these off-season moves will start making sense.

NA TB MH SR

           KW RM QG
                                                                                   TS
           LH TK RS

I hope this makes sense also to all of you.

Cowards die many times before their deaths
The valiant never taste of death but once.
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE, Julius Caesar

by TAW on Sep 10, 2010 5:34 PM PDT up reply actions

Sorry thats supposed to be the secondary up top.

The second level is the LB core of course and lastly our starting front 3.

Cowards die many times before their deaths
The valiant never taste of death but once.
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE, Julius Caesar

by TAW on Sep 10, 2010 5:36 PM PDT up reply actions

Have you notice most of the big plays have been against the left side of our D?

I’d like to see Goethell at LOLB. I like his intensity and he, Stevie Brown and Nnamdi have an uncanny knack – from what these rookies have shown in preseason – to get to the right place. I want Goethell and Stevie on the field. I’ve seen enough of old guys.

S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.

by Sons-of-Blanda on Sep 10, 2010 7:09 PM PDT up reply actions

+1000 LiveAdam.

This is not a good move at all if this is the case. Scott is best fresh coming in on passing downs, no matter where he’s lined up. Shaunessey is the bigger, stronger player and looks to be the better fit for this bigger, meatier front 7 that they’ve been moving towards this season. Scott is going to get swallowed by the Titans’ tackles on his side on runs which means Johnson will get huge chunks of yards on that side of the field. I really hope this is inaccurate.

Cowards die many times before their deaths
The valiant never taste of death but once.
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE, Julius Caesar

by TAW on Sep 9, 2010 6:41 AM PDT up reply actions

Figurs???

The only guy who fumbled in the pre season was Figurs. I am not sure about this.

by Laoren on Sep 8, 2010 7:09 PM PDT reply actions

His hands scared me, too

I like his speed, but with the crappy return blocking, speed isn’t going to matter much.

If he'd just pay me what he's spending to make me stop robbing him, I'd stop robbing him.

by Rich Langford on Sep 8, 2010 7:36 PM PDT up reply actions

And he was hesitant near congestion - maybe they're giving him a final look before pulling the trigger. We'll need an open

roster spot to bring back Stevie or bring in another FA.

S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.

by Sons-of-Blanda on Sep 8, 2010 8:17 PM PDT up reply actions

I was thinking the same thing SOB.

Figurs fumbled twice this preseason and will be cut within a few weeks if this continues which I hope. I can’t believe he and Hiram both made the team while Stevie Brown is being wasted on the practice squad. Well then again this is Tom Cable and Al Davis so I’m not that surprised.

Cowards die many times before their deaths
The valiant never taste of death but once.
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE, Julius Caesar

by TAW on Sep 9, 2010 6:43 AM PDT up reply actions

Well....

They could use JLH again and watch more fair catches than Gallery has ink….

Civilization ends at the waterline, after that we're all part of the food chain, and not always on top...

by Villapiano41 on Sep 9, 2010 5:30 PM PDT up reply actions

I hav not liked figurs at all. I "figur" he is just fodder to try until we promote tonga or brown.

Cable Bumaye! Raiders Bumaye!

by SBcitizen on Sep 8, 2010 9:52 PM PDT reply actions

09/08/2010 Released T Erik Pears

by PantyRaider on Sep 8, 2010 10:15 PM PDT reply actions

Cutting their losses: Dolphins waive Grove 1 year after signing...Could We Be Interested...

The Miami Dolphins continued their purge of players recently signed to expensive free-agent contracts Thursday, waiving center Jake Grove and re-signing offensive lineman Cory Proctor, the Palm Beach Post reported.

by PantyRaider on Sep 9, 2010 10:17 AM PDT reply actions