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Originally Posted by daraidz

what is the deadline for? Can't he re-sign at any time during the season? My guess is that he'll miss a few weeks of training camp as is accepted for many big name, veteran players. IMO, it's better for all involved as he doesn't have to prove anything and it save his aging body from the pounding, plus it gives the opportunity for the other guys to see what they have. He'll be fine in Sept. even missing July. I hope he re-signs for something reasonable for about 2-3 years.

I actualy think he's still smarting from being traded by The Pats where he was woefully underpaid. He came here and now he is getting 13 milion for one year and since this is his last chance to make some big money he will go where ever the money is.

Now the good stuff... Raiders players.

Josh Taves was there. He was with us for a couple of years , a tall lanky walk-on that found his way to the roster. He was part of the team that handed the Dolphins their first play off shut out , and the Raiders first play off shut-out , 27-0, back in 2001. At 6'7", he was almost too tall to play DE, and personally, I think that was his downfall. It was easier for the shorter offensive linemen to get under his pads. I liked him, though. I was sad to see him go. He is currently coaching high school football at Valley Christian High School in Dublin Ca., which also boasts a staff that includes John Parella and Rod Woodson. I also heard that former defensive coordinator Willie Shaw is involved with that team.

Former tight end Jeremy Brigham was also in attendance. He was wearing a shirt from a Boy Scout golf tournament, an event he regularly attends. He has also hosted several golf tournaments of his own, through his Make A Difference Foundation. I neglected to mention to him that I think he could have been a premier tight end in the league if he could have blocked better. (I mentioned that to him once before when he was a player. His response was a less than favorable "Thanks, coach." )

As I mentioned, Ray Chester was there, sitting next to Gary Plummer. I figure he must have drawn the short stick to have to sit there. He was laughing through my exchange with Plummer and thanked me for handling his light weight work.

Next in line was a man known for his speed, Willie Gault. Looks like he could give some of today's players a run for their money, still.

Jeff Barnes was there, too. I think next to football, his favorite subject is food.

Coach Willie Brown was close by. The last few times, okay, almost every time I see Coach Brown, I have my camera in my hands. Today was no exception. In a stern voice he said "No PICTURES!", which caused the volunteers behind him to look a bit concerned. They weren't sure what to do. We then exchanged pleasantries as he introduced me to Charlie Smith and they both posed for a photo.

While Charlie Smith played for us for several years, I remember him best as catching a pass from Daryle Lamonica his rookie season in the now infamous Heidi Game. Being this was a marquee match up, why the network went to the movie Heidi remains a mystery. His reception and run covered 43 yards and gave the Raiders the lead. I mentioned having his "Run to Daylight" photo from that game and how I cried when they changed over to the movie.

Jack Tatum was there, making an appearance. He had to leave for health reasons, so it was good of him to show up.

The one and only Mr. Raider was there, smiling and signing and talking to all the fans . Knowing there was a long line behind me, I didn't want to bother Mr. Otto too much.

Sitting next to Jim Otto was the one and only Rod Martin. With all due respect to Jim Plunkett, I am firmly of the belief that Rod Martin should have been named MVP of SB XV, and told him so. His 3 interceptions was an SB record. Being the gracious man he is, he suggested co-MVPs. And he kissed my hand. I was beaming after that.

On Rod's other side was the one and only Big Ben Davidson. Still tough for me to think this guy didn't play a down of football until his college years. He is handsome as ever, and made an astute observation re: JaMarcus Russell. Based on salaries, in 22 minutes of one game, Russell made as much as Ben in his entire career. I don't think that requires any further comment.

On a personal note, Ben has been married to the same woman for roughly 49 years. One thing he had to today? Call a namesake and wish him Happy Birthday.

Former coach and wide receiver James Lofton was there, and he seemed a little distracted, having many footballs go by in front of him.

Apollo Creed, um, rather Carl Weathers was there too. I told him I enjoyed his movies, but I will remember him for stating that Al Davis changed his life. Carl said emphatically, "He DID!"

At the end of the table was our host, Fred Biletnikoff. Fred actually recognized us and thanked us for showing up and getting the autographs. He said he hoped we were able to pick up some we didn't previously own. I thought that was very sweet him.

Many of the attendees were staying at the same hotel as those of us getting autographs.

One of the players I didn't mention before was Tom Keating.

I wanted to bring him up last, because I told him I did some writing and asked if he wouldn't mind a little interview. He was very generous with his time. He is currently a semi-retired ...

As many of you know, Hall of Fame wide receiver and former receivers coach for the Raiders, Fred Biletnikoff, lost his daughter Tracey in a tragic manner. She was murdered by a man she once dated, a man whose conviction was recently over-turned. I will remain silent on my opinion about that, however this loss prompted Fred and his wife Angela to form the Biletnikoff Foundation.

They wanted to ensure Tracey's spirit and dreams did not fall by the way side, forgotten by all.

The general purpose of the Biletnikoff Foundation is to help young women recovering from substance abuse and to help educate them regarding the prevention of domestic violence.

I wish something like this existed 25 plus years ago.

As a victim of domestic violence I know what it is like to live in fear. I know what it is like to wonder what will happen next. I know what it is like to feel unworthy of being treated better. No, my family didn't know. I was too ashamed to tell them. He was careful to do things that did not leave too many visible marks. I understand the purpose of the organization. I am more than happy to support it in whatever way I could.

Today, it was purchasing a commemorative football and getting the autographs of various sports figures at the Grid Iron Greats Autograph Show. ( This is a precursor to the golf tournament to be held tomorrow. It is one of only 2 annual fund raisers the Foundation has to raise funds for the cause.)

The balls were available at both the local Raider Image (in Roseville) and at the autograph signing held at Ruth's Chris Steak House, also in Roseville. The cost? A mere $75.00.

The men? An amazing array.

There were boxers starting off the line. I am not much of a boxing fan, but I even heard of Tony "The Tiger" Lopez. He was there.

So was The World's Most Dangerous Man, UFC Champion Ken Shamrock.
He started as an "ultimate fighter" after being invited to Japan for a real fight by promoters that had seen him training in Florida. He never looked back after winning that event.

At 46 years old, he still appears to be in good enough shape to take to any ring he chooses to step into. A father of 7, with 4 grandchildren , traveling seems to be his business now. In the last 9 days, he has gone from Reno to Las Vegas to I think it was Seattle, Washington, down to San Diego and now up in Roseville for Fred's tournament.

I can forgive that he's a Pittsburgh Steelers fan considering he is supportive of this event.

He actually became close with the Biletnikoff family after training Fred and Angela's son, and later helping Tracey after her battle with substance abuse. He never turned his back on the family and remained close to them.

While I had the boxers stick more to the brown area of the football, I told Mr. Shamrock he could sign it anywhere.

Football players (non-Raiders) included former place kicker for the Rams and Niners, Bruce Gossett, former 49er defensive back, Eric Wright, former Charger/49er linebacker Gary Plummer (more on him in a bit) and former Packer MacArther Lane, (more on him later, too).

Gary Plummer was sitting between the momentarily absent Eric Wright and Ray Chester of Raiders fame. I reminded BlitzDude that he wasn't a Raider, and what teams he did play for.

He chose that time to start showing off his championship ring from the '9ers.

What I remember about Plummer? Him being shown after a play throwing a kidney punch. I asked him about that. He denied ever throwing it, saying he had to sweet and innocent of a face. I figured he was trying to remember WHICH kidney punch I may have been talking about. That's when he started in about the Raiders and championships. I said at least we were there in 2002. The '9ers hadn't sniffed an SB in a much longer time, and there were guys on the Raiders that had THREE of those rings. He said he only needed one. I reminded him he got it courtesy of the '9ers. If he had stayed a Charger he wouldn't have anything to be flashing. It was fun ribbing him. He was overall a good natured guy. I still wouldn't trust him in a game of flag football.

MacArther Lane I have seen I don't know how many times at the Oakland Coliseum. He was always polite and smiling and helpful to everyone. But just to let you know, this guy is dangerous. It wasn't long ago he would get together with friends and throw tomahawks at wood blocks in a friend's back yard in the Oakland area. From what I was told, he was VERY accurate. It was nice to officially meet him. He told me to be sure to talk to him next time I saw him at a game.

(see part 2)

Longtime Raider observer Ron Macom files the following observation:

From JollyRoger:
By the time DHB was picked, the Raiders already pretty much knew what they had on their hands with JRuss. I'm sure they had gotten pretty tired of his attitude. I'm also sure they were looking at the distinct possibility/reality of his eventual release.

WR was a big need in the 2009 draft. The guy most of us thought the Raiders should have drafted was Michael Crabtree. When we took DHB, most everybody figured it was because DHB was blazing fast, and Crabs was thought to be not so fast.

Well... I say, not so fast... When the teams started bringing players in for visits prior to that draft, reports began coming out that Crabtree was a primadonna who traveling to these teams with a huge entourage. In fact, I read one report that stated the Raiders had been turned off because of this. That he was a very odd duck. And lo and behold... Crabtree had a long holdout... even threatened the Niners with sitting out the entire 2009 season

You know Al was watching...

Regardless of your feelings on whether DHB and the other 2009 Raiders draftees were worthy, they all did possess one thing... strong character traits. Fast forward to this draft... and the high character trend continues.

When your talking about the massive financial investment involved, the debacle that Russell was, may have a had a huge effect on how Al views his draft choices.

From that perspective, there may be something golden taken from the horrible choice of JaMarcus Russell afterall.

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