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Burgess keeps it quiet
Posted by Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer on September 19th, 2007
News, notes and obsevations from Wedenesday's conference calls and media sessions heading into Sunday's game against the Cleveland Browns:
? Derrick Burgess did not practice with a calf injury, with coach Lane Kiffin offering no details other than he Burgess would be able to play.
Burgess was in the locker room briefly and said it is his policy not to discuss injuries.
For a speed rusher like Burgess, a calf injury, depending on the severity, could mean he sits out a week or two. He simply cannot be reduced in any way in terms of getoff and be effective.
As it is, opponents have been concentrating on Burgess even more than last season. He's been getting a full dose of double-teams and chip blocks.
If Burgess is out, rookie Jay Richardson is the likely starter at left end, with Chris Clemons and perhaps Tyler Brayton figuring in the mix along with Tommy Kelly.
Richardson, who provided the deflection that led to Thomas Howard's 44-yard interception return for a touchdown, was a little intimidated by Burgess initially.
"He was real, real quiet at first," Richardson said. "I was a little nervous around him, like, `This guy never talks.' He always takes time out whenver I make a mistake or when he thinks he can help put a fine coaching point in there to help me out. He doesn't talk too much, but when it does, it's always something meanintful or something helpful."
"I'm just looking to fill in, do what I got to do, do my job and make sure there's no dropoff between me and him," Richardson said. "Hopefully, he gets healthy and gets back in there, and we'll be ready to roll again. ... He's the man. He's a Pro Bowler, you know?"
Richardson, a fifth-round pick out of Ohio State, beat out third-rounder Quentin Moses for a roster spot and played well after Burgess went down in the fourth quarter last week against Denver.
Richardson shines in first two weeks
DEFENSIVE END'S PLAY BACKS TEAM SURPRISE DECISION TO CUT MOSES
By Steve Corkran
MediaNews
Article Launched: 09/22/2007 01:41:39 AM PDT
The Raiders' decision to release defensive end Quentin Moses in the team's final roster cut Sept. 1 came as a surprise, given his status as a third-round draft pick and the high praise heaped upon him by Kiffin and defensive coordinator Rob Ryan throughout training camp.
However, Ryan said, Moses got caught in a bad situation, where the Raiders simply couldn't keep every defensive lineman they wanted.
"We went with the best players that are going to help us win," Ryan said Thursday in his first media interview since Moses' release. "Quentin's going to be a good player, but we've got guys that are outstanding. He just got caught up in the numbers game like some guys do, but we wish him the best. I know we kept the best players."
So far, it's difficult to question the move. Moses signed with the Arizona Cardinals but didn't play in the first two games. Oakland fifth-round selection Jay Richardson, meanwhile, has sparkled at end his first two games.
Against the Denver Broncos, Richardson played a key role in the Raiders recording a sack, and he also tipped a pass that outside linebacker Thomas Howard intercepted and returned for a touchdown.
"That's two great plays for a young guy, and we're excited about it," Ryan said. "He's a real physical guy. He can play run and pass, so we're excited about Jay."
Richardson said he still keeps in contact with Moses.
"I guess that just told me how much they think of me and that they believe in me," Richardson said. "That's always nice. As a rookie, you're always struggling to kind of find where you fit in and, to almost before you prove it to the team, prove it to yourself that you belong. You have to kind of feel out what your strengths are and what they think your strengths are. I guess they appreciate what I do here and I appreciate that."
Rookie Richardson fills void on defensive line
Starting end Tommy Kelly's day is cut short by an injury.
By Jason Jones - [email protected]
Published 12:00 am PDT Monday, October 29, 2007
NASHVILLE, Tenn. ? Tommy Kelly isn't much of a talker, so the crutches and knee brace said it all.
Kelly sat gingerly in a chair, changing into street clothes with a black brace on his right knee following the Raiders' 13-9 loss to the Tennessee Titans at LP Field on Sunday.
Kelly, who starts at defensive end but also can play defensive tackle when needed, left the game in the third quarter with the injury. Rookie Jay Richardson replaced him. Richardson will start for Kelly if he misses any games.
Richardson also filled in when Derrick Burgess missed two games with a calf injury.
"We will go back and look at the film," Raiders coach Lane Kiffin said of Richardson's play. "Seemed like he did all right."
Raiders rookie defensive end moves into starting lineup
Receiver Dwight fields punts, kicks; Bush practices
By Steve Corkran
Bay Area News Group
Article Launched: 11/01/2007 01:44:08 AM PDT
Rookie defensive end Jay Richardson worried about whether he would make the Raiders' 53-man roster out of training camp. His biggest concern now is telling his left from his right.
That's a good thing for Richardson. Focusing on where he is lined up in the Raiders' defense only means that he is versatile, valuable and the most viable option whenever a starting end goes down with an injury.
Richardson filled in for left end Derrick Burgess earlier this season. Now he is being counted on to replace right end Tommy Kelly for the rest of the season.
"I don't get as many pregame jitters now," Richardson said, when asked if he's ready for a heightened role. "It's starting to become second nature, just like it was in college, almost."
Coach Lane Kiffin on Wednesday confirmed that Kelly is out for the season because of a right-knee injury sustained against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.
The Raiders say it will be difficult for Richardson or anyone else to replace Kelly. Richardson received a taste of what to expect when he replaced Kelly on Sunday.
"As soon as Tommy went out, I went in there and the next three plays went right at me," he said. "That's what I'm expecting and that's what I have to be ready for on Sunday" against Houston.
Kiffin said he expects Kelly to be placed on injured-reserve today.
"The last two games, specifically, he had played extremely well and was making some plays," Kiffin said. "It's unfortunate."
Rookie defensive end Jay Richardson recorded his first NFL sack in the third quarter.
Raiders' rookie says veterans complained
Posted by: Michael Ash on July 2, 2007 12:22 AM