Porter is at it again | From http://www.sportingnews.com

By Steve Corkran

PERSONNEL ANALYSIS: Defensive coordinator Rob Ryan still favors a base defensive alignment that features three linemen and four linebackers, even though he didn't have much success with the formation his first two seasons. However, he now has enough solid linebackers to where it makes sense to lean upon a 3-4 alignment, whereas last season early in the first game he scrapped his plan of using converted defensive linemen Grant Irons and Tyler Brayton as outside linebackers and fell back on a scheme that relied heavily upon two linebackers and an extra defensive back. The return of OLB Sam Williams from a knee injury and the addition of LBs Darnell Bing and Thomas Howard makes it possible for Ryan to use the 3-4 more often than he did last season. Even so, the departure of massive DT Ted Washington means the Raiders can't rely upon the 3-4 a majority of the time. Therefore, look for Ryan to bounce in and out of the 3-4, 4-3 and the alignment that features two linebackers and five defensive backs as a way of confusing opposing offenses. . . .

Rookie SS Michael Huff has been everything the Raiders hoped for so far. He has a strong on-field presence, isn't afraid to stick his nose in a pile and shows the capability of being a strong leader. They haven't had that kind of feeling about a rookie defensive back since Charles Woodson arrived in 1998. At this rate, Huff is destined to be an immediate starter and key figure on Oakland's defense for years to come.

SCOUTING REPORT: Many regard the Raiders as having among the best receiving corps in the league, with Randy Moss, Jerry Porter and Doug Gabriel all dynamic players. However, some forget that Ronald Curry was the team's top receiver before he sustained the first of his two ruptured Achilles' tendons in 2004. He missed almost all of last season but is expected back at full strength this season. His above-average speed, sure hands and ability to get open on crucial downs makes him a player the Raiders will lean upon more and more as he works his way back into football shape. He is someone who can take off pressure from Moss and Porter and be a go-to guy on third-down plays, as he was before his injuries.

REHAB UPDATE: OLB Sam Williams' recovery from a torn knee ligament is just about complete, and he is expected at full strength by the time the Raiders start training camp a month or so from now. He missed all of last season after sustaining the injury in a training camp drill last year. A subsequent surgery remedied the problem, though Williams has endured a lengthy rehab process. He said he feels fine and ready to go.

INSIDE DISH: Moss and Porter skipped the team's third and final minicamp in early June. The three-day camp was a voluntary one, but coach Art Shell would've liked to have all his players attend, especially key players such as Moss and Porter. This doesn't bode well for team chemistry and Shell's command over the team in the long run.

OFFENSIVE TACKLES ANALYSIS: C-plus. Robert Gallery is switching to the left side for first time in his NFL career. Langston Walker is moving from left guard back to his natural right tackle spot. Barry Sims and Chad Slaughter provide adequate depth.

both moss and porter didnt go. it waS voluntary so it doesnt matter.

I knew that this would be the popular line of thought. Moss is a professional and has proven his worth over the years. Porter has done the exact opposite. He's been in the league for 6 years and hasn't done squat! He's gotten into a confrontation with Shell and publically stated that he doesn't like discipline. This primadonna should be involved in every practice that is available.

Jerry Porter = James Jett!

I totally agree,first of all how good are we going to be this year,the bet is sub par 8-8 ,9-7,and if things break our way a hopeful 11-5,but Porter is part of the f'king problem and we have too many receivers who want to play for us to allow his a** to bitch and moan about absolutly...Nothing!

One of our problems is some a** wipe from ESPISSN told this guy he was great,and instead of letting him go to Donko land last year Al Paid him a bucket of money,and now he thinks he is some kinda Moss or Owens,I would laugh but this kinda sh't is happening to much to our team.

And last,an open post directly to Porter,and if you cant read Porter pay somebody to read this to you....You are a marginal m'fing player,and you only fit into one style of offense the West Coast offense,you were over paid last year so we could stop the Donkos from getting you,you played last year like a sissy in high heels you had some good catches,but not enough to fit into Chris Bermuda's half time highlights,you're not an All Pro,and you will never be in the Hall Of Fame,you cant stretch the field,and you drop so many balls one has to wonder who holds your balls when you go to the bathroom,and finally we have players who want to play for us and keep it on the field,and those are the players I like to watch play.

Dead Morbid Man

Excellent Post! FCK Jerry Porter! How many years does it take for a player to reach his potential? You're absolutely correct... Someone from espin inflated his head. You hear announcers like diedorf drooling about his potential and physical prowess... fCK all of that! Potential means you haven't done yet!

Max, you have a great point. People seem to forget or just don't know that because practices are labeled "voluntary", some players think that they are above it when in reality the NFL only allows for a certain amount of practices so the teams schedule some "voluntary" ones to get in as many as they think they need. Now with a new HC and pretty much new staff and of course a new QB, it would behoove rookies and vets alike to show up to these to get a feel for the new calls, reads and personnel. It's too bad about Porter, he was viewed as an up and coming great WR, a shame that players like this think they are beyond reproach and the league unfortunately are getting littered with these type of players.

Exactly! The team needs as much on field time as possible. The whole mentality pisses me off. The fans pay the salaries to and have the right to expect players to report to work. If you or I had voluntary responsibilities at work and we never show up to participate... it would hinder our careers. We would be overlooked for promotions and raises. These primadonnas skip out on the practices and still get paid millions.

I know this... Art Shell benched Hostetler, Fernandez and a few others for not complying with his wishes. Porter is in for a rude awakening if he continues on this path. I'm going on the record right now... Art Shell will bench his ass in favor of Doug Gabriel at some point during this season and porter will probably never get the starting spot back!

Seven Fugging Years People!!! :blockhead: