However, his wrist may be a problem.

Raiders' head coach, Tom Cable, reported that Jason Campbell's neck injury was thankfully not as serious as some feared. After some test results following last Sunday's game against the 49ers, it was shown that Campbell's neck injury was just a mild stinger, and will most likely be fully healed within a matter of days.

"Right now, I guess it's the wrist," Cable said, when asked if the neck or wrist is the more pressing issue.

It's understandable why Cable is so concerned about Campbell's wrist. Backup quarterback Charlie Frye underwent season-ending surgery less than two weeks ago to repair the damage he suffered in his right (throwing) wrist when he braced himself as he hit the ground in practice.

Campbell claims to be a fast healer and says he is not prone to missing much practice or many games.

(Source)

Despite having a strong performance throught training cap, McFadden will have to sit out the Raiders' preseason opener at Dallas on Thursday. This past Saturday, McFadden injured his left hamstring while trying to accelerate on a run.

As hard as it is for the third year running back to miss the first preseason game, McFadden wants to err on the side of caution. After being plagued by toe, shoulder and knee injuries throughout his first two seasons in the NFL, McFadden is looking to begin a healthy campaign in 2010. Rather than risk aggravating the injury, McFadden is going to take it easy until he fully recovers.

"It's one of those things, you don't want to be out there on it, make it any worse than what it is," he said. "You want to make sure it's all the way healthy before you do because it's a hamstring, something that can nag you for a whole year."

He's not about to risk sabotaging his 2010 season, especially since he's expected to emerge this year and become the star caliber back that he was back in Arkansas. Coach Tom Cable is looking for either McFadden or Bush to step and be the go-to every down back that the Raiders need.

Since being selected fourth overall in the 2008 NFL Draft, McFadden has not lived up to expectations, much of this due to injuries sustained during his first two years. He's managed only 856 yards, with a mediocre 3.9 yards-per-carry average.

Tthe Raiders are looking forward to see what sort of production they can get out of the former college star, under the direction of new offensive coordinator Hue Jackson. McFadden sounds optimistic about the new system that Jackson has implemented...

"He put a lot of different things in, a lot of different runs," McFadden said. "The last couple years we mostly ran outside zone, inside zone. He's added a lot of downhill runs and things for us. It's something that we're looking forward to."

The Raiders former first round draft pick is working hard to turn around a disappointing rookie season, in which he posted only 9 receptions in 11 games, with only one touchdown. He missed the last five games of the season due to a foot injury. Darrius Heyward-Bey has been giving it his all this training camp and has shown a lot of maturity and a desire to improve.

Heyward-Bey has been putting in long hours most days, staying late after practice to work one-on-one with two-time Pro Bowler Nnamdi Asomugha, learning to disguise his pass routes and read defenders. Part of his offseason effort has been to develop more size and strength. Heyward-Bey has bulked up to 215 lbs. this offseason, 10 pounds more than his rookie year.

Coach Tom Cable has noticed a significant elevation in his play. He's no longer dropping passes regularly throughout practice and he's playing with a competitive edge that he hadn't shown last year.

With Heyward-Bey's speed and improved skill set, the Raiders hope to utilize him to stretch the field in 2010. With the addition of Hue Jackson and new starting quarterback Jason Campbell, things can only get better for Darrius Heyward-Bey and the Raiders.

Jack Tatum, who was once one of the most feared tacklers in the NFL, died Tuesday morning of a heart attack. His death was confirmed by longtime friend and ex Ohio State teammate, John Hicks. Tatum was 61 years old.

The man known as "The Assassin" was selected in the first round of the 1971 draft by the Oakland Raiders. Tatum served the Raiders for 9 out of his 10 NFL seasons, was a part of the 1976 Super Bowl Championship team and also earned 3 nods to the Pro Bowl.

Jack Tatum was a two-time All-American at Ohio State, where he began his college career as a running back, then was later moved to safety.

"We have lost one of our greatest Buckeyes. When you think of Ohio State defense, the first name that comes to mind is Jack Tatum. His loss touches every era of Ohio State players and fans."

Jim Tressel, Head Coach - Ohio State

Source: NFL.com

Tatum, who was regarded as one of the most feared defensive players in the history of the NFL, was perhaps best known for the hit in which he paralyzed former New England Patriots wide receiver Darryl Stingley. The hit occurred during a 1978 pre-season game in which the Patriots wide out ran head on into Tatum on a crossing pattern. Stingley's 4th and 5th vertebrae were severed as a result of the devastating blow, leaving him paralyzed for the rest of his life. Stingley passed away in 2007.

Tatum alleges that he tried to visit Stingley in the hospital after the accident, but was immediately turned away by family members.

After nine seasons with the Oakland Raiders, Tatum finished out his career by playing one season with the Houston Oilers.

Later on in his life, Tatum had his own struggles. Due to complications caused by his Diabetes, Tatum ended up having all five the toes from his left foot amputated as a result of a staph infection. Later he also had much of his right leg removed due to an arterial blockage. Tatum devoted much of his life to increasing awareness of Diabetes.

Tatum created the Ohio-based Jack Tatum Fund for Youthful Diabetes, which finances diabetes research. He also served as co-chair of an annual fundraiser for the Central Ohio Diabetes Association, Celebrities for Diabetes, which is held during the week of The Ohio State-Michigan game in Columbus, Ohio.

Last year, the NFL Network ranked Jack Tatum at no. 6 in their list of Top Ten Most Feared Tacklers in NFL History.

Jack Tatum wrote three best-selling books, including: They Call Me Assassin in 1980, They Still Call Me Assassin in 1989, and Final Confessions of NFL Assassin Jack Tatum in 1996.

Tatum is survived by his widow, Denise, and their three children.

One of the many areas in need of an emerging go-to presence is the return game. Last year, the Oakland Raiders had eleven different players return either punts or kicks.

While once a threat on return duties, Johnnie Lee Higgins was reduced to just handling punts in 2009. Coming off of a 2008 season which saw him return 36 kicks for 842 yards, Higgins was hampered by injuries for the better part of 2009. Higgins was pulled off of kick return duties altogether and ended up sharing punt returns with both Javon Walker and Sam Williams. It's uncertain as to whether or not Higgins will re-emerge and prove that his speed and quickness are still there, or if another player will step up and completely remove him of his duties.

The kick return situation is far less settled, as there were eight players last year handling that duty. In 2009, Johnathan Holland, Gary Russell, Justin Miller, Louis Rankin, Marcel Reece, Sam Williams, Tony Stewart and Luke Lawton were all called upon at one time or another to return kickoffs.

It's safe to say that the Raiders are in dire need of at least two individuals to step and emerge as special teams threats come this training camp.

This past Wednesday the Oakland Raiders signed 7th round pick Jeremy Ware to a 4 year deal totaling 1.85 million, including a $62,450 signing bonus. Ware wasn't expected to be a sure-fire selection in this year's draft, and was the only player chosen from MSU.

Ware, who wasn't even invited to the NFL scouting combine, really caused scouts to take notice of him at MSU's Pro Day last March when he ran a 4.37 second 40 and posted a 37.5 inch vertical leap. Al Davis has always been one to take a chance on speedy gifted athletes - Ware being no exception.

See this article over at the StateNews for a transcript from an interview with Ware and his thoughts on his emerging pro football career with the Oakland Raiders.

The Raiders have signed 7th round pick Stevie Brown to a 4 year deal worth 1.82 million, according to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post.

Brown's deal consists of the standard base salaries of $320,000, $405,000, $490,000 and $575,000, plus a signing bonus of nearly $38,000 and a fourth-year escalator clause that can boost the maximum value of the deal to $2.56 million.

Brown registered 215 career tackles, four interceptions and two sacks at the University of Michigan.

Brown played outside linebacker in college, but is now moving to the safety position for the start of his NFL career.

The 5-foot-11, 212-pounder has good strength and speed, posting a 4.5 in the 40-yard dash, along with a 34 1/2 inch vertical leap.

It's widely believed that Stevie Brown was a little undervalued in this year's draft and may emerge as one of the top steals for the Raiders in 2010.

The Raiders began wrapping up the first of their draft picks by signing offensive linemen Jared Veldheer and Bruce Campbell on Friday. The Veldheer and Campbell contracts mark just the first two completed out of the nine players the Raiders selected in the 2010 NFL Draft.

Veldheer was a 3rd round pick for the Raiders, with Campbell being chosen first out of their two 4th round selections. Veldeer hails from Hillsdale College in Michigan, and Campbell comes to the Raiders out of Maryland.

Both players are expected to join the Raiders as backups for the 2010 season, but the team expects both of them to become starters eventually. Both players started at offensive tackle for their respective teams, but the Raiders have plans to move Campbell to the guard position.

The Raiders have until July 28th to sign the 7 remaining draftees to contracts in order to get them in for the first practice of training camp.

Source: MercuryNews.com

Heading into the 2010 season, Tom Cable is through with the committee running back scheme - he wants a starter. Cable is looking for a back who can carry the ball on every down.

Here's what he had to say at the NFL owners meeting this past week.

"We'll move forward with those two guys," Cable said. "I think it will help both of them that they will get more work. The question with (Darren) is, now that he's healthy, can he be an everydown back? And I think he can be."

- Raiders Head Coach Tom Cable

Source: SFGate

With the Raiders' release of Justin Fargas, expect competition for the starting job at the running back position to be pretty stiff this off-season.

Regardless of who emerges as the No. 1, the RB position looks to be in good shape this year, especially if Oakland addresses their needs on the O-Line.

Beginning with Monday's home opener vs San Diego, the Oakland Raiders will be hosting a new pre-game entertainment event for the Raider Nation. Raiderville will be located on the South side of the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Parking Lot G.

Monday's event will be hosted from 2:00pm - 6:30pm

Highlights of Raiderville will include:

• Half Pipe snow mountain sponsored by Coors Light, complete with a snowboard stunt demonstration.
• Raider Legends and Raiderettes will be on hand to sign autographs for fans.
• Football's Fabulous Females will be performing live, as will the new Raiders drum line.
• A 9 foot LED television screen will be available so fans can catch other NFL action.
• Food and beverages will be available for purchase.

This Monday's schedule:

• The Coors Light snowboard half pipe show will happen at 2:00pm and again at 4:30pm.
• Raider Legends Jim Otto and Daryle Lamonica will be on hand to sign autographs from 4:00pm to 5:00pm.
• The Raiders new drumline will perform at 5:15pm.
• The Raiderettes will be available for autographs at 5:15pm and will close out the event with their performance at 6:00pm.

Source: Raiders.com