Camp Report (814): Temps rise for Raider fans

Aug. 14, 2011GUTIERREZ ARCHIVE
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Paul Gutierrez
CSNCalifornia.comPractice No. 14Summary: Before a large crowd of fans, and during the hottest day of camp thus far, the Raiders worked out in helmets and shorts. Yet it was also one of the more physical, spirited practices of training camp. The Raiders are in search of a new "gunner" on their punt team, what with Hiram Eugene likely lost for the season with his dislocated hip, so receivers Shawn Bayes, Shaun Bodiford and Chad Jackson got lengthy looks. Additional work was put in for the young cornerbacks on interception drills and even rookie Chimdi Chekwa, who had his left shoulder pop out on the first day of padded hitting, is being worked into practice. As is offensive lineman Bruce Campbell, who came to camp with a right knee injury. Speaking of the offensive line, it had several different looks, with left tackle Jared Veldheer and right tackle Khalif Barnes flip-flopping on certain plays. The practice, though, ended with a miscommunication between quarterback Jason Campbell and receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey as Campbell's pass to DHB fell to the end zone grass with the receiver still running a go-route.Injury report: Receiver Chaz Schilens, who sprained a knee in Thursday night's exhibition opener, was nowhere to be seen, nor was safety Hiram Eugene, who underwent surgery on his dislocated left hip. Fourteen players sat out practice with various "nicks," including receivers Jacoby Ford (broken left hand), Louis Murphy and Eddie McGee, fullback James McCluskey, tailbacks Taiwan Jones (hamstring) and Darren McFadden (fractured eye socket), offensive linemen Stephon Heyer (strained right triceps), Lou Eliades and Alan Pelc, linebacker Bruce Davis, defensive backs Mike Mitchell and and defensive lineman Trevor Scott (knee).Offensive play of the day: It was a play straight from the Raiders' 28-13 defeat of the Chargers in San Diego, last Dec. 5. Except this time, Jason Campbell's play-action fake bootleg around the left corner came with the Raiders on their own 1-yard line. Now, Campbell was not going to go 99 yards for a score, but the Oakland defense was fooled out of its cleats, for sure.Defensive play of the day: Denarius Moore shook Jeremy Ware, who fell to the ground, and was open for what seemed an eternity down the right sideline toward the end zone. But as Trent Edwards' pass hung in the air, safety Jerome Boyd raced over from center field. He batted the ball down at the last moment and all Moore could do was smile.Under the radar: Coach Hue Jackson has been somewhat secretive about injuries in his first camp, so was it really a surprise to see backup defensive tackle Desmond Bryant practicing with a cast so huge on his left hand it resembled a club? Also, safety Stevie Brown tweaked his right ankle breaking up a pass to Darrius Heyward-Bey in the end zone. Brown had the ankle heavily taped after practice.Rookie report: Third-round pick DeMarcus Van Dyke took reps at first-team cornerback, alongside Stanford Routt, and second-rounder Stefen Wisniewski, who opened camp as the No. 1 center, was at left guard on the first-team offense, what with Samson Satele at center.Notable: Owner Al Davis has yet to make a public appearance at camp. Yet his son, Mark, is practically an everyday spectator, taking in practice from the sidelines as a more-than-interested observer.Quotable: "It happens, man. That was actually self defense. I didn't start that, if you were watching. But it happens. It's unfortunate. We are teammates and at the end of the day we're still cool. It gets hot. Things happen." - rookie tackle Joe Barksdale, on his brawl with defensive end Tommie Hill.Next practice: Monday, 3:30 p.m.