On to Training Camp
June 25, 2004
The Oakland Raiders finished up their June mini-camp with a final practice session at the team's Alameda, Calif., facility yesterday. The team will now break and reconvene in late July for Training Camp 2004 at their Napa Valley training complex. Throughout the three-day mini-camp, Raiders Head Coach Norv Turner indicated that he is pleased with the team's off-season program.
Raiders Head Coach Norv Turner takes it all in during a recent mini-camp practice at the team's Alameda facility.
Lisa Coelho
Q: What is your impression of the younger guys on the team?
Raiders Head Coach Norv Turner: I think we are an extremely talented football team in terms of our many young players. We have had a great look at our young guys during this offseason and have seen them improve. Doug Gabriel improved dramatically over the last eight weeks and I think he is going to play at a high level for us. Tyler Brayton has had a great camp and he is going to have a real impact on this football team. I can tell you the guy who has improved dramatically is Phillip Buchanon. I think he is a lot more disciplined; he is using his eyes and hands. This team will improve the most with the development of the young players, second and third year players, who had a little taste of it are having good offseasons. Napoleon Harris is another one. He has had a great offseason and has taken to what we are doing defensively. He is going to have an impact on our football team.
Q: Do you feel these mini-camps are beneficial?
Raiders Head Coach Norv Turner: This is a great time of year because we are not concerned with playing a game and everybody is getting ready to go to camp. I told everyone this morning, camp comes and everything changes. The sense of urgency goes up dramatically and you have 15 days before your first preseason game and you don't a lot of do-overs. Here we have had time with the young guys to do it right, stop it and watch it, run it again or whatever it is. Guys fall by the wayside in camp if they don't pay attention or learn the specifics of their position. By doing this you give someone else a great chance to make the football team.
Q: How actively do you evaluate talent for position spots at a camp like this?
Raiders Head Coach Norv Turner: It's the hardest thing about these camps. You want to evaluate players and you want to have an opinion on their athletic ability. We are getting the players ready to compete for a job when they go to camp and I think we have done that. I think the guys know what to do when we put the pads on.
Q: How have the 2004 draftees been faring?
Raiders Head Coach Norv Turner: We have worked these guys pretty good over the past two or three months since the draft. Robert Gallery, Jake Grove, Courtney Anderson are have had fewer mental errors than many of the veterans because they have come in here with a sense of urgency. They have handled it extremely well. Stuart Schweigert has shown very good coverage ability. He has played safety all his life, so he is very experienced.
http://raiders.com/newsroom/newsroom...l.jsp?id=12930
On the Rise: Tyler Brayton
June 16, 2004
By Kevin Kimball
Household names? Not yet. The Oakland Raiders have infused the roster with a bevy of talented young players who are taking advantage of the team's heralded veteran leadership and are starting to or are preparing to make names for themselves. Log on each week as we take a look at these players, where they came from, how they got here and where they're going. These are the players to watch and get to know because they are definitely On the Rise. We continue the series with a look at DE Tyler Brayton.
The Raiders drafted DE Tyler Brayton in the 1st round of the 2003 NFL Draft.
Lisa Coelho
In the game of football many attributes can be measured empirically - speed, strength, stamina, and intelligence. Tyler Brayton is one of the few that have all of these characteristics, plus one that could not be measured on draft day: heart.
Drafted in the first round of the 2003 NFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders, Brayton is already stepping up to the Raider tradition of playing with heart. In 2003 as a rookie he played in all 16 games with a total of 61 tackles, 2.5 sacks and one fumble recovery, but said he expects to improve on those numbers in his sophomore season. "I want to get to the passer more often, wreak havoc, collapse the pocket and just try to be disruptive in the passing game," Brayton said. His sophomore campaign will include playing with some seasoned veterans. Along with John Parrella, newcomers Warren Sapp and Ted Washington join the mix in the trenches.
Brayton said he could learn something from his teammates. "Hopefully I can learn a lot. Hopefully we can work together," he said. "They can show me some things, like what it's going to take to get to the passer. They know every little detail. They know how to get to the quarterback. They know how to play every blocking scheme, and they have done it a hundred times before. They have pretty much mastered the game, and I'm trying to master one thing at time."
"I want to get to
the passer more
often, wreak havoc,
collapse the pocket
and be disruptive."
- DE Tyler Brayton
Tyler Brayton has already mastered at least one thing - leaving everything on the field. The 6'6", 280-pound defensive lineman played in 47 games at the University of Colorado, recording 152 tackles (99 solos) with 12.5 sacks for minus-94 yards, 25 stops for losses of 119 yards, 34 quarterback pressures, 17 third-down hits, three fumble recoveries, three forced fumbles and six pass deflections. His play earned him the Buffalo Heart Award, which exemplifies team spirit, and the Dave Jones Award, which is given to the team's most outstanding defensive player. During his stay, one of Brayton's greatest strengths was his leadership ability. As a junior, he asserted himself as the heart and soul of Colorado's team with a dramatic pre-game speech that turned Colorado's season around and spurred the Buffaloes on a run to the Big XII Championship Game.
DE Tyler Brayton had an impressive rookie season for the Silver and Black in 2003.
Lisa Coelho
With his team sitting at 1-2 and coming off an embarrassing loss to Southern Cal, Brayton laid it on the line - literally. As the team was preparing to take the field to play UCLA, Brayton laid a strip of tape across the door to the locker room and challenged his teammates to only cross the threshold if they were willing to put forth maximum effort or they would have to answer to him. Brayton has a history of performing in a manner that earns him the respect and admiration of his teammates, and coaches. Before joining the Buffaloes, Brayton grew up in Pasco, Wash., where he received his team's Most Inspirational Award as a team captain at Pasco High School as well as earning first-team All-Area honors at defensive end and first-team All-State mention at tight end.
With a new staff and a new defensive system there is a sense of renewed optimism in Oakland, and for good reason. The defense has talent busting at the seams and is ready to take on any challenge thrown at them. Brayton plays a big role in helping the Raiders get to where they want to be in the upcoming season. "What makes me excited about it more than anything is the attitude of the whole defense and the attitude of the whole team," Brayton said. "I think everyone is a lot hungrier than they were last year. I think we are just antsy to get started, and it shows in the way we practice."
As the 2004 season approaches we know that when Tyler Brayton is on the field he is going to give nothing less than 100 percent of his athleticism, his intelligence, and most of all, his heart to the Commitment to Excellence that is The Oakland Raiders.
On the Rise: Justin Fargas
June 8, 2004
By Pam Javandel
Household names? Not yet. The Oakland Raiders have infused the roster with a bevy of talented young players who are taking advantage of the team's heralded veteran leadership and are starting to or are preparing to make names for themselves. Log on each week as we take a look at these players, where they came from, how they got here and where they're going. These are the players to watch and get to know because they are definitely On the Rise.
The Raiders drafted RB Justin Fargas in the third round of the 2003 NFL Draft.
Lisa Coelho
After an unfortunate season-ending injury during the Raiders' game versus the Minnesota Vikings last November, Justin Fargas is healthy and ready for a bigger role in the offense during the 2004 season. There is tight competition between the running backs on the roster. Fargas, Tyrone Wheatley and J.R. Redmond return from last year's team, in addition to recently signed free agent running backs Amos Zereoue and Troy Hambrick.
The second-year player injured his medial collateral ligament during a home game on November 16, 2003 - a Raiders 28-18 victory over the Vikings. The injury was sustained early in the second quarter at the end of a kickoff return. Fargas did not return to the game and was placed on injured reserve three days later.
Before the injury, Fargas' season looked promising. In his first professional game, against St. Louis in the preseason, he had 17 carries for 72 yards. In game two against San Francisco, he had 126 yards on 18 carries while playing the entire second half. After the first two games, Fargas led the NFL in preseason rushing yards with 198.
During the regular season, Fargas played in all 10 games before he was injured. His best game during the regular season came in Week 2 against Cincinnati, when he carried twice for 56 yards, for an average of 28 yards per carry. He also excelled in the game against the Browns, where he had 33 yards on six carries and Week 10 against Minnesota, before he was injured, when he had 24 yards on only three carries.
Fargas was considered one of the nation's top running backs out of high school. He started his football career at Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, Calif., where he ran for 6,357 total yards and had 82 touchdowns on 668 carries, all of which were school records. During his senior year, he was named Parade All-American, USA Today All-USA first team, All-California Interscholastic Federation Southern Section first team, All-CIF Division III Offensive MVP, Los Angeles Times All-Valley MVP, Los Angeles Daily News All-Valley MVP and All-Mission League MVP.
Fargas led the NFL in preseason rushing yards in 2003.
Lisa Coelho
As a freshman at the University of Michigan, Fargas ran for 277 yards with 1 TD on 77 carries. He also led the team in kickoff returns with 16 for 311 yards. During the 10th game of the season, he suffered a season-ending injury and had to sit out in 1999 to rehabilitate his leg. After the season, Sports Illustrated named Fargas as one of the Top 10 Freshmen in the country.
Fargas' sophomore season came in 2000, when he was switched from the backup running back position to safety. He made 10 tackles and forced a fumble as a safety and also returned seven kickoffs for 124 yards, averaging 17.7 yards per return.
In 2001, Fargas transferred to USC, but had to sit out for the season because of NCAA transfer rules. In 2002, during his final collegiate season as a Trojan, he ran for 715 yards on 161 carries with seven TDs and caught eight passes for 101 yards. He also returned seven kickoffs for 132 yards and was named to the 2002 All-Pac 10 second team.
Fargas' two season-ending injuries (one in college and one during his rookie season with the Raiders) have both come as a result of an injury during the 10th game of the season. This year he looks forward to playing in all 16 games after an off-season of training and building up the strength in his knee.
By all indications, Fargas will be an immediate threat for the Raiders running game during the 2004 season. He has the speed, versatility, and talent to make big plays and will have an impact on the Raiders offense. When talking about overcoming his injuries and playing for the Raiders, Fargas said, "The Raiders represent toughness. I've exemplified that I'm a tough person. I just want to continue to do that."
Fargas should have plenty of opportunities to showcase his talent and help get the Raiders back on top in 2004.
http://raiders.com/newsroom/newsroom...l.jsp?id=12423
On the Rise: Doug Gabriel
June 25, 2004
By Collette Fowler
Household names? Not yet. The Oakland Raiders have infused the roster with a bevy of talented young players who are taking advantage of the team's heralded veteran leadership and are starting to or are preparing to make names for themselves. Log on each week as we take a look at these players, where they came from, how they got here and where they're going. These are the players to watch and get to know because they are definitely On the Rise.. We continue the series with a look at WR Doug Gabriel.
Raiders WR Doug Gabriel fit the mold of the mighty Silver and Black when he joined the 2003 rookie class last year.
Lisa Coelho
Working hard to achieve success is nothing new to the Oakland Raiders' young wide receiver Doug Gabriel. Coming to the Raiders organization as the 167th overall draft pick in 2003, Gabriel knew he was becoming apart of an elite powerhouse. In his first year, he earned himself the position as primary kick return specialist and is competing for an offensive position beside future Hall of Famers Jerry Rice and Tim Brown. Gabriel hopes to join these Silver and Black legends, as his carrier is on the rise.
Rice and Brown have kept Gabriel alert and on top of his game on the field. Gabriel said, "I am coming in every day and trying to perfect what I was going to do. If they (Rice and Brown) say I do well one day, I try and come back to do it better than what I did before." With Gabriel's constant desire for personal improvement, he is quickly earning more playing time on the offense. This work ethic has allowed him to get to this point after dominating in high school and later in the collegiate game.
Coming from Dr. Phillips High School in Orlando, Gabriel was one of the most highly sought after recruits in the state of Florida. His high school career was enough to turn heads at the University of Miami, one of the national college powerhouses. He had the speed and athleticism that was needed to dominate at this cutthroat college level. Gabriel signed a letter of intent with Miami, and later decided to attend Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College to develop his game at the JC level. At this time, Gabriel became known nationally as one of the most exceptional players in the country.
As a sophomore, he reset the school's long standing records for touchdowns (17) and points scored (104) in 2000. Gabriel also managed to account for 1,206 all-purpose yards during the season. This earned him a slew of awards including All-Region team, South Division Offensive MVP, and JC Gridwire's All-American second team. In addition he garnered the Offensive MVP award in the Mississippi JC All-Star game. He received so much national attention that Division I colleges were again beating down his door and the University of Central Florida swiped him before he could change his mind.
Gabriel made his decision on Central Florida due to the opportunity to further his offensive career, after turning down an opportunity to be on Florida State's defense. He made this decision to go to UCF with his career in mind. "I felt like my opportunity was more on offense than defense at the time", Gabriel said. "I took more time as a receiver going to camps and doing all the study session for the position." In two seasons as a Golden Knight, Gabriel emerged as UCF's primary offensive threat.
Once again, Gabriel reset the record books at UCF, breaking single-season marks for receiving yards (1,237) and all purpose yards (1,921) in 2002. His 19.3 average yards per catch blew him into the record books at second place for UCF. This was enough to earn him first team All-Conference and third team All-American honors. With his senior year ending, NFL scouts were hot on his trail.
Gabriel's work ethic has allowed him to get to this point after dominating as a rookie last season.
Lisa Coelho
Nationally ranked as one of the top receivers, Gabriel was expected to go high in the 2003 Draft. Unfortunately the expected changed to the unexpected when he discovered that he would have to wait until day two. Gabriel fell from the second round to the third round, falling as far as the fifth round. Finally selected by the Oakland Raiders he fit the mold of the mighty Silver and Black, joining the 2003 rookie class.
In his rookie year as a Raider, Gabriel played in 12 games as a wide receiver and on special teams. He caught one pass for 17 yards at wide receiver and made four tackles on special teams. Against Kansas City in week 11, he returned four kickoffs for 88 yards, earning him the job as the primary kick return specialist for the remainder of the season.
Gabriel excelled in the role, returning 29 kicks for an average of 23 yards per return. He finished the season on a roll, totaling over 100 return yards in each of the teams' last four games. In the final game of the regular season against San Diego, he returned four kickoffs for 131 yards, highlighted by an 85-yard touchdown in the second quarter for the team's only score.
With a successful season behind him and a new opportunity on the horizon, Gabriel is ready for his chance to shine in the 2004 season. There is little doubt that his desire to achieve success as a football player through his "Commitment to Excellence" will make him a favorite of Raider fans now and in the future.
http://raiders.com/newsroom/newsroom...l.jsp?id=12940