Raiders clock in for training campIf there is a hidden blessing to having five consecutive seasons of 11 defeats or more — there’s always next season.
The Oakland Raiders have spent much of the last two days arriving at the Marriott Hotel in Napa as the first day of training camp begins today on the grounds of Redwood Middle School.
The Raiders have made their share of changes in the offseason that they hope will reverse what has become a disturbing trend. The list of changes was headlined by releasing quarterback JaMarcus Russell, who was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2007 draft.
Oakland acquired Jason Campbell via trade from the Washington Redskins.
Oakland made other changes, too, such as signing defensive tackle John Henderson to help their run-stopping woes.
Henderson comes to Oakland from the Jacksonville Jaguars and is among many that are eager for a new start.
“I’m ready to get at it,” Henderson said. “The team has a lot of potential.”
Defensive end Richard Seymour is not new to the Raiders but new to spending time in the Napa Valley. Oakland acquired Seymour via trade from New England — whom he helped win three Super Bowl titles — days before the start of the regular season.
“I’m glad to be here in sunny California,” Seymour quipped.
While most NFL teams are training in hot and humid climates, the Raiders have the luxury of training in a venue where such days are limited and a team can enjoy the comforts of a high-quality hotel as opposed to college dorms.
“It got hot in New England as well,” Seymour said. “I’m excited to be here. I’m looking forward to a new opportunity.”
Defensive back Jerome Boyd, who is in his second season from Oregon, spent last year on the practice squad. He also likes the Raiders’ training camp setup.
“It gets hot up here, too, but it is a lot better than other places,” Boyd said.
“It is a plus.”
On the surface training camp might seem insignificant to fans but Seymour felt it was important enough to get his contract situation resolved before training camp. Seymour is entering his 11th NFL season.
“It’s a time of year where you lay the foundation,” Seymour said. “It’s something I have always done. During the season you spend more time game-planning and focusing on your opponent that you really don’t have time to work on individual things. This is a time where I get into what I can do and focus on what I need to do to make the team better.”
Boyd high on Boyett
Boyd had a lot of good things to say out his former Ducks teammate John Boyett, who starred at Napa High and led the Indians to a CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Div. I title in 2007.
Boyett is also the son of former St. Helena High head coach Dan Boyett, who coached the Saints from 1994-1997. The younger Boyett, who plays the safety position, became the first freshman to lead the Ducks in tackles in school history — at least since tackles have become an official statistic.
“He’s pretty good,” Boyd said of Boyett.
“He surprised me a lot this year. The plays are there for him to make if he makes them. If he keeps doing what he is doing, he has a future in this league.”
http://www.sthelenastar.com/articles/2010/07/29/sports/local/doc4c50d3cb8c2b7509113608.txt
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