Heyward-Bey back in action this week

By Brad Wilbricht  |   Sunday, June 07, 2009  |  Comments( 17 )

Oakland Raiders
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In what Raider fans hope is not a sign of things to come, wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey’s initial time in Oakland has been derailed by a hamstring injury. Heyward-Bey has missed the majority of minicamp and organized team activities thus far, but the Raiders’ newest first-round draft pick is expected to be back in action this week.

While the shock of selecting Heyward-Bey over the likes of Michael Crabtree and Jeremy Maclin has warn off, there is still a great deal of uncertainly surrounding the former Maryland standout. Heyward-Bey struggled at times during his first days at Raiders camp and has since been on the shelf with this hamstring injury.

The Oakland coaching staff is eager to get an expanded look at its newest prized possession. The team is hopeful Heyward-Bey can be a key addition to a potentially explosive offensive attack, but his output has been disappointing up until now. Two issues that have already plagued Heyward-Bey could be a major cause for concern. His hands failed him last month and injury problems have of course already surfaced.

Heyward-Bey dropped several catchable balls during his limited practice time, something that worried NFL teams during the draft process. He features adequate size and world-class speed, but if Heyward-Bey is unable to catch the ball on a consistent basis, those two qualities will be seemingly worthless.

Although Heyward-Bey has been held out of action on the field, he’s been able to focus on other areas. Heyward-Bey has been soaking up the playbook and has been refining his route-running skills while working with the Raiders’ backup quarterbacks. More importantly, Heyward-Bey has been developing a rapport with his new teammates in order to successfully transition to the pro level.

Even though he’s been less than 100 percent, Heyward-Bey has been participating as much as possible. His absence up to this point could be a blessing in disguise because the learning curve for rookies can be steep and frustrating. However, given the expectations as the seventh overall pick, Heyward-Bey will need to prove his worth quickly before the doubters resurface in full force.

If the injury problems and dropped passes continue once Heyward-Bey is back at full strength, it could be time to hit the panic button in Oakland. However, right now the Raiders are occupied with getting Heyward-Bey healthy and acclimated to his new surroundings in the Bay Area.
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About Brad Wilbricht

Brad Wilbricht covers numerous sporting events including the NFL, NFL Draft and college football. His analysis is simulcast through several media outlets across the country. Additionally, Brad is a regular guest on a variety of talk radio shows and can be frequently heard on the airwaves. To ...
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