Notes on Wednesday night's practice:

– Virtually everyone who missed the morning session returned for the evening, meaning the Raiders should be near full strength to face the 49ers Friday night.

Those who returned after missing the morning session were defensive tackle Tommy Kelly, wide receiver Drew Carter, wide receiver Javon Walker, wide receiver Ronald Curry, guard Cooper Carlisle, center Jake Grove, guard-tackle Fred Wakefield, linebacker Ricky Brown and quarterback Andrew Walter.

Those who did not practice and aren’t likely to face the 49ers are linebacker Grant Irons, safety Greg Wesley and cornerback John Bowie. The Raiders have yet to make a move with the roster spot of lineman Mark Wilson, who suffered a broken leg early in camp.

– During the evening practice, the Raiders put together “service” teams to simulate the offense and defense of the 49ers.

With Raiders reserves running a defenses they were unfamiliar with, the Raiders offensive units had their cleanest passing practice in days.

During one seven-on-seven session, starting quarterback JaMarcus Russell, Walter and Marques Tuiasosopo all went through their six-pass sessions without an incomplete pass.

Walker, who missed the morning session looked crisp during evening drills and caught one slant from Russell during a team session that he ran all the way into the end zone, bluffing a goal-post dunk at the end.

Carter also looked fresh after missing his previous two workouts. Walker and Carter were running with the first team offense, Curry and Johnnie Lee Higgins with the first team defense.

The only drops during the practice were one by Todd Watkins on a deep pass from Russell, and another by Drisan James.

– A special teams session included the terrifying sight of Mario Henderson being asked to fair catch a pooch kickoff at the 30-yard line. Henderson made the catch rather awkardly, even leaving the ground to get the ball.

“Why did you jump in the air?,” screeched defensive end Jay Richardson.

Moments later, Richardson was asked to do the same thing, but forgot to call for the fair catch.

– Look for Johnnie Lee Higgins (punts) and Tyvon Branch (kickoffs) to get a long look as return specialists.

– The 80-man roster limit with no World League exemptions means space is at a premium and carrying more than four quarterbacks is a luxury.

Wide receivers coach James Lofton throws his own passes during drills with the touch and accuracy of a quarterback. Lofton threw fades, comebacks and fly patterns, and at one point completed at a good 15 passes in a row before misfiring _ and that one was to assistant coach John Fassel, who jumped into a drill and couldn’t hang on to a pass.

– Missed a presentation from NFL officials during the afternoon to participate in an on-line chat, but was told the film put together to demonstrate some rules issues had Raiders representation.

An item on taunting included film of Stuart Schweigert standing and glowering over Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez (yes, it actually happened) after a big hit.

When discussing personal conduct, there was the image of Warren Sapp, melting down and getting ejected in Jacksonville.

Jay Richardson was shown giving a throat slash during the portion on “menacing gestures.”

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Hey my Raidermates, I wanted to start a new tradition today.

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Some notes on Wednesday's morning practice: 

– Lots of people out of the padded workout, with a lighter session to follow this evening. Those who didn’t participate included quarterback Andrew Walter, wide receivers Ronald Curry, Javon Walker and Drew Carter, center Jake Grove, guard Cooper Carlisle, tackle Mark Wilson, guard-tackle Fred Wakefield, safety Greg Wesley, linebacker Grant Irons, linebacker Ricky Brown and cornerback John Bowie.

“We’re going to push as many as we can to get out here here tonight,” Kiffin said, noting they would be preparing specifically for Friday night’s game against the 49ers.

– It was the second straight absence for Walter, Walker and Carter _ none of whom have serious injuries but are simply sore.

The Raiders had originally hoped to get Walker back on a two-a-day program starting Monday, but instead, Walker practiced twice Saturday, took Sunday off with the rest of the team, and has made two of four practices since.

“We’re still monitoring,” Kiffin said. “He did the one day of two-a-days and then felt a little sore. He’ll work tonight and I’d really like for after this game to get him to a two-a-day format. I believe he really needs it.”

Said Kiffin of Walter’s second straight absence: “We can’t figure out anything except that he’s tired from too much throwing.”

– Keeping in mind the Raiders were without the three men expected to be their top receivers _ Curry, Walker and Carter _ wideouts found it difficult to find open spaces against the defense, even during seven-on-seven drills.

On two passes Russell made throws a good 50 yards downfield. The first, a perfect rainbow, was dropped by Jonathan Holland with Stanford Routt trailing in coverage. The second was an underthrown wobbler toward Drisan James which was batted down by Hiram Eugene.

Russell continued his practice of checking down, flooding the field with short passes to running backs and tight ends when his outside reads were closed off by defenders.

“Chaz, you’re open _ break on the ball,” Kiffin yelled at one point on a play in which Russell instead threw short to tight end Zach Miller.

During one seven-on-seven sequence, Russell and Tuiasosopo combined to throw eight passes before one was caught by a wide receiver, with the others going to running backs and tight ends or falling incomplete.

Kiffin said he was pleased with the competition at wide receiver and thought the reduced workload heading into the 49ers game would be beneficial.

“I’ll be interested to see them get their legs back for this game,”’ Kiffin said. “Going light tonight and obviously tomorrow being light. They’re so worn down now and it’ll be good to see them get their juice back.”

– Cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha and safety Jarrod Cooper were back after being ill. Asomugha, who needed IVs and missed two days of practice, said he was still subsisting on bananas and yogurt. His work was limited.

“I wanted to go out and get a couple of plays in,” Asomugha said.

– Defensive end Greg Spires showed some spring at age 34 when he made a tackle from behind against Darren McFadden as the rookie was picking his way through the first line of defense.

– Kiffin continues to talk up running back Michael Bush, who flattened a blitzing Gibril Wilson and also stood up Spires. Included in the assessment was a message _ bring it to practice every day.

“Boy, if he could practice like that every day, we’d really have something,” Kiffin said. “Gibril Wilson came on a blitz . . .he picked him up as good as you pick a guy up, put him to the ground. A couple of physical runs. If we can get him to continue to grow and continue to be that guy, we’ll have a pretty special backfield.”

– An example of what the Raiders may face if defenses close down on their check down routes and they can’t get receivers downfield: McFadden circled out of the backfield to his right, Russell threw it his way, and the rookie was met with a perfectly timed hit by linebacker Thomas Howard.

McFadden went sprawling, and the only reason it wasn’t a knockout hit was that Howard didn’t accelerate into the tackle, keeping with training camp protocol.

“You’d best stop running that (bleep), man,” Howard said.

Howard later had a nasty lick on running back Louis Rankin.

– Defensive tackle William Joseph stuffed Justin Griffith in the backfield on a running play.

– Included Wednesday was a drill as close to a legitimate tackling drill as you’ll see in an NFL practice. Runners attempted to get past defenders through a lane marked by cones about five yards wide.

Defenders attempted to square up and strike runners before disengaging.

Cornerback Michael Waddell whiffed on a spin move by wide receiver Arman Shields, while Malik Jackson was critiqued for not coming hard enough on Schilens.

“Run your feet and then explode,” linebackers coach Don Martindale said.

Jackson was much more sudden in a subsequent hit on tight end Chris Wagner.

“Much better,” Martindale said.

– Tight end Tony Stewart, not exactly an elusive target, managed to get by Derrick Burgess with very little contact.

– Lap runners for pre-snap violations included Burgess, Gerard Warren and Robert Gallery.

– With Grove and Carlisle sitting it out, John Wade worked with the first team at center and Chris Morris at right guard.

Notes from yesterdays practice: Nothing real big to note but Hall getting beat again on a pass.

– Whatever is ailing Nnamdi Asomugha is also ailing Jarrod Cooper, as both missed practice. Asomugha, according to Lane Kiffin, has been treated with IVs and is expected back Wednesday morning.

– JaMarcus Russell continued to spend much of his time in seven-on-sevens and team sessions playing it safe, throwing to backs swinging out of the backfield or over the middle.

He may be making Rich Gannon seem like a mad bomber, but it is what Kiffin and the offensive staff want as part of Russell’s development. Still, it is at least a little disturbing that few wide receivers seem to be breaking into the clear.

There doesn’t appear to be a clear No. 1 receiver on the roster after 13 days of camp, meaning the Raiders _ and big-bucks free agent signee Javon Walker in particular _ have time to get better with the first preseason game coming up Friday night against San Francisco.

When asked about the dearth of open receivers, Kiffin noted that the Raiders have a good coverage secondary as well as Walker’s one-practice-a-day schedule. It didn’t help that Drew Carter, who looked terrific in early practices but seems to have slowed lately, was given practice off to get his legs back under him.

“I think the quarterback is doing exactly what we want and we’d like to get open more often for him,” Kiffin said.

The Raiders secondary was without Asomugha, Cooper and starting strong safety Gibril Wilson, who is resting a sore knee which Kiffin said is not serious. Wilson probably won’t see much time against San Francisco, Kiffin said.

– When Russell plays, Kiffin said he would be careful to make sure he has the best possible supporting cast in terms of pass protection. The best pass blockers are likely to play as long as Russell does.

– Wide receivers coach James Lofton continued to school his young receivers, hoping to get more consistency. A drop by Drisan James, who turned late and let a Marques Tuiasosopo pass glance off his hands, caused Lofton to bellow, “Make the play, make the play, make the play!”

When cornerback Darrick Brown made a more aggressive play on a corner route than wide receiver Chaz Schilens, with Brown knocking it away, Lofton yelled, “Be aggressive! You have to go up and get it. You wait for it, you get nothing.”

Arman Shields was lectured for catching a pass and leaving the ball where it could be knocked loose by a defender.

“You’ve got no chance with that ball in the inside arm. No chance,” Lofton said.

Shields also dropped one of Russell’s few deep throws after getting behind Stanford Routt.

– Defensive end Greg Spires has come on of late and made a nice play when he blew up a pitch to Louis Rankin the backfield.

– Some of the day’s best intermediate throws were not made by Russell, but by Tuiasosopo, particularly a sharp, perfectly-timed 20-yard out to Todd Watkins in front of DeAngelo Hall.

– Watkins later dropped a pass _ on a Tuiasosopo throw which as slightly behind him. It was one of his few drops since camp opened.

– Quarterback Andrew Walter rested a sore arm again but Kiffin said he expected him to play against San Francisco.

– Kiffin said running back Darren McFadden will get enough preseason time to determine how well he takes a hit and to prove his ball-security issues while at Arkansas are behind him. He will not return kickoffs against the 49ers.

– The mission for Michael Bush Friday night couldn’t be more clear. Kiffin wants a hammer.

“Run physical, run hard,” Kiffin said. “He’s 246 pounds _ don’t run like a 200-pounder . . . he’s the one big guy we have, and if he can what we hope he can do I think we’re in a real good position there.”

– Robert Thomas has been running with the first team at strong side linebacker for three days, but apparently that has more to do with a previously undisclosed injury to Ricky Brown than it does with Brown moving on to the first team.

“Ricky being banged up and not out there is a big reason for that,” Kiffin said. “Robert is playing `Mike’ and `Sam’ for us. Robert’s got to play special teams and I’ve talked to him about that, and he’s going to have to do it all to make the team.”

Kiffin said of the linebacker position: “There are only two guys that I know are going to make this team and the rest of the guys had better play special teams and contribute.”

Brown, Kiffin said, has knee and back issues but should play against the 49ers.

– NFL officials are on hand at practice and will go over rules changes with players, coaches and the media. It was amusing to watch an official throw a flag on Hall for pass interference against Arman Shields, only to get an earful from Hall of Fame corner and secondary coach Willie Brown.

“He doesn’t have the right of way. Don’t let him tell you that `right of way’ stuff,” Brown said to Sheilds before a brief debate with the official about what constitutes legal and illegal contact.

– Jack Tatum attended his first practice of the season and was signing autographs for fans who were invited guests, as the Raiders hosted radio advertisers. Tatum said he hadn’t yet seen Wilson play at safety with the Giants but was encouraged to hear about his hitting and tackling with the Giants.

“Good, that’s what we need,” Tatum said.

– All eyes were in the south end zone when Russell was stretched out on the ground, with trainer Rod Martin working on his knee. No worries. Russell got back up and rejoined drills.

  This is a quick look at the depth chart so far for the Raiders. Remember this is still preseason so this might change but not much.

OFFENSE

WR–Javon Walker, Johnnie Lee Higgins, Chaz Schilens
LT–Kwame Harris, Mario Henderson
LG–Robert Gallery, Paul McQuistan, Brandon Rodd
C–Jake Grove/John Wade, Chris Morris
RG–Cooper Carlisle, Fred Wakefield, Jesse Boone
RT–Cornell Green, Seth Wand
TE–Zach Miller, John Madsen, Tony Stewart
WR–Drew Carter/Ronald Curry, Todd Watkins, Arman Sheilds
QB–JaMarcus Russell, Andrew Walter, Marques Tuiasosopo
FB–Justin Griffith, Oren O’Neal, Marcel Reece
RB–Justin Fargas, Darren McFadden, Michael Bush

DEFENSE

DE–Derrick Burgess, Greg Spires, Trevor Scott
DT–Tommy Kelly, Josh Shaw, Derrick Gray
DT–Gerard Warren, Terdell Sands, William Joseph
DE–Jay Richardson, Kalimba Edwards, Greyson Gunheim
OLB–Ricky Brown, Robert Thomas, Sam Williams
MLB–Kirk Morrison, Edgerton Hartwell
OLB–Thomas Howard, Jon Alston, Isaiah Ekejiuba
CB–DeAngelo Hall, Stanford Routt, John Bowie
CB–Nnamdi Asomugha, Chris Johnson, Michael Waddell
FS–Michael Huff, Hiram Eugene, Rashad Baker
SS–Gibril Wilson, Jarrod Cooper, Tyvon Branch

SPECIALISTS

P–Shane Lechler
K–Sebastian Janikowski
H–Shane Lechler
LS–Jon Condo, Jake Grove
KR–Tyvon Branch, Johnnie Lee Higgins
PR–Johnnie Lee Higgins

Among those not listed–S Greg Wesley, QB Jeff Otis, WR Jonathan Holland, WR Drisan James, WR Chris McFoy, RB Adimchinobe Echemandu, CB Darrick Brown, RB Louis Rankin, TE Chris Wagner, LB Grant Irons, LB Malik Jackson, T Mark Wilson, DT Mauricio Lopez, TE Darrell Strong.

  So it is really becoming a battle for that OLB spot with Ricky Brown taking the starting nod. Looks like Sands and Warren are battling for the other DT spot. I think whoever stays healthier of the 2 will win that spot.

Well the 49ers-Raiders practice is over and I can't wait for Friday to roll around. So, how will this game go?

49ers run offense vs. Raiders run defense: The Raiders were alert against the run in the joint-practice. If they were aloud to tackle more, they could have played very well. However, Gore's limited action doesn't really give you a good feel. If Scott plays like he did in the joint-practice, he'll continue to get in the backfield and close off running lanes. The linebackers were the heart and soul of Monday's performance. Look for them to make some plays. Raiders 1; 49ers 0

49ers pass offense vs. Raider pass defense: You have to remember that Asomugha didn't practice and burgess was out in the evening. But there was no excuse for Hall's demise yesterday. He was beat for two touchdowns. Hall needs to step up some. Thomas showed that the linebackers will play the pass as well as they did the run. If there's going to be any picks, they'll belong to the linebackers. Burgess is expected to play (he came down with the same symptoms as Asomugha) so forcing pressure shouldn't be too hard. It's hard to judge our pass rush from yesterday's news, as quarterbacks were not to be tackled/sacked. If Scott, Burgess, and Spires do as well as yesterday, we'll get plenty of pressure. This will be the most interesting matchup. Raiders 1.5; 49ers .5

Raiders run offense vs. 49ers run defense: McFadden, Fargas, and Bush all ran very well with a lot of help from the O-Line. We all know that pathetic backs could perform well with this line, but add great backs with different run styles, and you have a dominating unit. McFadden matched up well against pro bowl linebacker Pat Willis. I think everyone needs to watch our run game. Take careful looks at Bush and McFadden. Raiders 2.5; 49ers .5

Raiders pass offense vs. 49ers pass defense: Our O-line has frequent troubles pass blocking. They were dazed and confused trying to figure out who was blitzing and who wasn't. I think that now that we have some knowledge of San Francisco's scheme, we won't have as many problems, but expect frequent pressure. Miller was regarded as "uncoverable" as long as he wasn't pass blocking. The RB need to register the blitz better and the line has to keep with their man. Raiders 2.5; 49ers 1.5

So by my count we should win this game. It's pretty meaningless seeing as how it's an exhibition game, but there's some important things to watch for.

What to Watch for:

McFadden:  Keep a close eye on McFadden in this game. He played well in the joint-practice, but we'll see how he does in real action. Also, pay attention to his receiving skills. He's had difficulty in this area and we'll have to see how he does in a game environment.

Kwame Harris in the passing game: You may be wondering why I put pass game specifically. We all know he plays the run nicely, but pass blocking is his main concern. He's been getting better with each practice, this will show how much better he's gotten. Our success this year relies on his ability.

Hoping for a win,

KA1Z3R

A buddy sent me a link to a site where you can put a Raider eye patch on a photo.  I think they are even doing a contest to put on a billboard in the east bay.  I think you can even upload the photo and put it on mugs, shirts and other stuff.

Something fun to do before camp kicks off. 

Check it out:   www.raidercreator.com

My friend did one with a picture of his dog that was hysterical!

GO RAIDERS!!

Here are some quick notes on the second practice with the Niners:

– Cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha missed the second practice and coach Lane Kiffin said the cornerback was getting IVs and having trouble keeping down food. His status for Tuesday’s single session at 3 p.m. is uncertain.

– Stayed with the defense for most of the evening session, with the general consensus being they didn’t do quite as well under the lights as they did in the morning.

One player who did have a coming out party of sorts was defensive end Trevor Scott, the sixth-round draft pick out of Buffalo. While it’s sometimes difficult to tell because linemen must pull up before they get to a quarterback, Scott tortured 49ers reserve left tackle Joe Toledo.

With a quick first step, Scott twice got past Toledo while barely being touched for what could have been sacks of quarterbacks J.T. O’Sullivan and Alex Smith and also had a pressure which resulted in an incomplete pass.

Scott earned himself a hug from line coach Keith Millard and a pat on the back of the helmet.

Together with outside linebacker Jon Alston, Scott later forced Toledo into false start with a line stunt.

– Linebacker Robert Thomas, getting his turn for the third straight day as the first-team strong side linebacker, intercepted an O’Sullivan pass intended for Dominique Zeigler.

– Cornerback DeAngelo Hall was scorched for a pair of touchdown passes by Smith to Jason Hill, one on a corner route to the left and another on a fade pattern to the right. Later, wide receiver Robert Ortiz got open over the middle against Hall but Smith’s pass sailed high.

– Safety Tyvon Branch delivered what may have been the hit of the day, laying out De La Salle High School product Cameron Colvin at the goal line _ probably a bigger hit than coaches for both teams had in mind but one that gave a hint of the hitting ability Branch was reputed to have at UConn.

Branch also broke up a pass.

– Defensive tackle Gerard Warren came up with a juggling interception after Thomas Howard deflected a Smith pass over the middle by Smith intended for Josh Morgan. Howard also pounced on a poor throw from a pressured O’Sullivan for what was close to being a lateral.

– Wide receiver Javon Walker did not practice in the second session. Kiffin said the Raiders changed their original plan to have him practice twice Monday since he had practiced twice on Saturday. Also sitting it out were Derrick Burgess, who is having stomach issues. Others who didn’t participate were Terdell Sands, who was scheduled to be off, quarterback Andrew Walter (tired arm), cornerback John Bowie (knee), safety Greg Wesley (back) and defensive tackle Tommy Kelly (scheduled day off).

– Forty-Niners tight end Vernon Davis and Raiders defensive end Kalimba Edwards got into a brief scuffle that was broken quickly broken up.

– Strong side linebacker Sam Williams collapsed his side of the 49ers line in making a stop on an attempted sweep by 49ers running back Thomas Clayton. The 49ers rested Frank Gore, their feature back, during team sessions.

Williams was running with the second team along with Edgerton Hartwell in the middle and Alston on the weak side, with Ricky Brown, who was getting first-team reps last week, running No. 3.

– Cornerback Michael Huff, who has been making more plays as a free safety than he did as as strong safety, seemed to be arriving a step late on most plays against the 49ers offense.

– Left tackle Kwame Harris pancaked former teammate Ray McDonald during team drills, while Robert Gallery was worked over on his turn by Justin Smith.

– Running back Darren McFadden broke free and pulled away from 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis on his most impressive run.

– What some sideline observers say has been a relatively calm camp for caustic offensive coordinator Mike Martz changed Tuesday night, with Martz railing at receivers who were incorrect on their reads while running their routes.

“It’s a corner (bleeping) blitz, what do you do,” Martz shrieked at Morgan.

– Wide receiver Arman Shields, who had a rough early session, caught a deep play-action pass from JaMarcus Russell over cornerback Tarrell Brown.

– Gallery, who has been virtually penalty free through training camp, was whistled for a false start. With the 49ers in town, the Raiders temporarily suspended their policy of having players run for penalties.

There is a question I keep hearing about the Raiders. Did we do enough?

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