Three making the grade in the Bay

By Os Davis  |   Wednesday, August 08, 2007  |  Comments( 30 )

Oakland Raiders
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While the long wait for JaMarcus Russell's John Hancock on an Oakland Raiders contract continues, life in camp goes on. And just as in 31 other locations, a number of newbies and unknowns are fighting to impress their head coach in hopes of playing on the big stage.

A brief look, then, at a trio of Raiders garnering some nice praise from Lane Kiffin as he attempts to solidify his version of the silver and black.

Adimchinobe Echemandu. The Nigerian-born journeyman and former Raider practice squad player has wowed enough for Kiffin to state that he "might be the surprise player of the camp."

Drafted out of the University of California by the Cleveland Browns in 2004, this could finally be the season in which Echemandu gets beyond marginal player status. In 2005, the man often called "Joe" spent most of the year with Minnesota's practice squad, ditto last year with the Raiders' second unit, though he did suit up for four games in the latter half of 2006.

Surely LaMont Jordan and Dominic Rhodes need not fear losing their spots at the top of the depth chart, the seemingly multi-talented Echemandu could well claw his way to No. 3 over Justin Fargas and rookie Michael Bush.

The only reported downside to Echemandu, it seems, is his mental game: "He has a ways to go with some other stuff, [like] picking up the whole playbook [...] but I've been very pleased with his performance," said Kiffin.

Speaking of the running game, fullback Oren O'Neal is turning heads in the Raider Nation, earning the Kiffin compliment of "he has really been a star of the camp and he brings an unbelievable attitude to the game."

O'Neal was drafted in the sixth round by Oakland and, should he stick around, will make a great human-interest story for touchy-feely media outlets: O'Neal was actually granted an extremely rare sixth year of eligibility at Arkansas State after an operation in which part of one lung was removed. Adding this to his achievement as a walk-on to the team in 2001, and you've got a poster boy for Kiffin's tough guy Raiders.

And not only is he tough - Just ask linebacker Isaiah Ekejiuba, who "has probably been on the ground seven times" after contact with O'Neal - the 6-foot, 248-pound, sixth-round draft pick is playing with finesse as well, catching passes on long routes. O'Neal is one to keep an eye on, to be sure.

Zach Miller. Despite the pouty holdout of Russell, Raider fans have to be pleased with their draft class of 2007 and already atop that list is Miller, picked in the second round at No. 38 overall.

Kiffin and local media have been positively giddy about Miller, a "machine." (Hey, the guy may have earned a nickname there...)

The coach has effusively stated that "he is everything we thought as far as a competitor the way he works [...] he comes out here and rarely does he make a mental mistake. You start to feel like he is not a rookie..." and, in terms of blocking, "he is doing real well he is not afraid of anything. We still have to do a little technique work with him, but as far as putting his face on people he is right where we need him to be."

Miller's emergence as the possible second coming of Dave Casper is good news for the depth chart as well, with the Raiders thinner and thinner at the position as camp goes on. Courtney Anderson and Randal Williams were early castoffs, Fred Wakefield sustained a knee injury on Monday, and James Adkisson is not quite back from a hamstring injury suffered in July.

Looking for a sleeper to start at tight end for your Fantasy team? Be sure to check out Miller, a guy who may be getting mentions as an Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate in January if he's half of what he's purported to be thus far.

Sorry, JaMarcus who?

Patiently awaiting the arrival of holdouts all year round at RealFootball365.com
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About Os Davis

Os Davis has taken a twisted route to get to RealFootball365.com in his nearly 17 years in professional writing, working in any number of capacities in the sportswriting, news reporting and film criticism worlds. In print media, Os has served as editor at a few publications, including Albuquerque's...
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CommentsComments: 30  |  Sign Up  View all comments
No.1
Raider Gory		02:06 AM
08/08/2007
JaMarcus Who is right!!! Zach Miller is the type of player we need. I assure you, Miller will turn heads this year!! The man is...
No.2
raidersensation		02:40 AM
08/08/2007
Nice article, Os. I agree with your assessment of O'Neal, the kid plays with a lot of heart. Which is sadly, a rare commodity...
No.3
Scottish Raider		02:45 AM
08/08/2007
The future is all to do with drafting and developing talent like Miller, O'Neal, Higgins and Moses. FA don't pay. Just remember...
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