Raiders: Veteran defensive end Carter to be active against Falcons

ALAMEDA, Calif. -- Oakland Raiders defensive end Andre Carter was always taught to do everything on the field at full speed. Recovering from a torn quadriceps injury required a bit more patience.

Nearly 10 months after being carted off the field in Denver, Carter plans to take the restraints off again in his 2012 regular-season debut. Oakland coach Dennis Allen said Friday that Carter will be active for Oakland's game this week against the undefeated Atlanta Falcons.

Carter was signed on Sept. 26 to help a pass rush that has produced just three sacks in four games. The 33-year-old has 76 career sacks, including 10 last year with New England before he suffered the season-ending leg injury.

Copyright 2012 by STATS LLC and The Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and The Associated Press is strictly prohibited.

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Raiders' Heyward-Bey: No memory of hit, no hard feelings for Steelers' Mundy

ALAMEDA, Calif. -- Oakland Raiders wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey still has no recollection of the devastating hit by Pittsburgh safety Ryan Mundy last week that left him with a concussion and neck strain.

Speaking to reporters for the first time since being carted off the field and hospitalized overnight following the play, Heyward-Bey said he's seen television replays of the hit but otherwise has no memory of it.

"I don't remember any of it," Heyward-Bey said Friday.

Heyward-Bey appeared to be knocked out immediately after getting hit on the chin by the crown of Mundy's helmet early in the fourth quarter of the Raiders' 34-31 win over the Steelers. His limp body crashed to the turf headfirst and his neck twisted awkwardly.

The game was halted for several minutes while Heyward-Bey's motionless body lay in the southern end zone at the Oakland Coliseum as team trainers and medical personnel checked him out. He was eventually strapped to a backboard and taken off the field by cart before being transported to Eden Medical Center for observation.

Since then, Heyward-Bey has been put through a battery of tests required by the NFL for players suffering from concussions.

According to Raiders coach Dennis Allen, Heyward-Bey has not passed all the tests and has yet to be cleared to participate in contact drills. He attended practice Friday as an observer but is doubtful to play in Sunday's game against AFC West rival Denver.

"He's made a lot of progress," Allen said. "Obviously, he's doubtful this week. The biggest determining factor is we want to make sure that he's fully recovered and ready to go before we put him out there on the field. That's really for the doctors to determine when he passes all the NFL protocol for concussions."

The Raiders are already without wide receiver Jacoby Ford, who was placed on injured reserve two weeks ago, and rookie Rod Streater injured his neck in practice Friday.

This is the second straight year in which Heyward-Bey has had to be carted off the field during a game. He suffered a neck injury against Minnesota in 2011 but did not miss a game.

He's not likely to return so quickly this year.

"So far I've been able to walk, talk and eat," Heyward-Bey said. "Right now I'm just trying to go through the process of trying to get everything right. I'm in tune to what's going on. I don't want to say I've been around for everything but I've been in tune with what's going on."

He also said he has no hard feelings toward Mundy. The two men exchanged text messages while Heyward-Bey was in the hospital, with Heyward-Bey telling Mundy the play was simply a part of the game.

"That's just football," Heyward-Bey said. "I signed up to put on pads and go out there. That's what happens out there. People get hit, people get hurt. It happens."

Oakland tight end Brandon Myers, who also suffered a concussion against the Steelers after getting hit by Mundy, has passed the NFL-required tests and has been cleared to play in Denver.

Notes

Allen said the team will wait until Sunday before deciding whether to play newly signed defensive end Andre Carter. Oakland safety Michael Huff will make his second consecutive start at cornerback. Right tackle Khalif Barnes (groin) and cornerback Shawntae Spencer (foot) have been ruled out. Tight end Richard Gordon (hamstring) was a late addition to the Raiders injury report. Copyright 2012 by STATS LLC and The Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and The Associated Press is strictly prohibited.

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Janikowski caps Raiders' comeback over Steelers

CBSSports.com wire reports
Sep. 23, 2012

OAKLAND, Calif. -- With an efficient offense led by Carson Palmer, an opportunistic defense that stepped up in the final minutes and a clutch kick by Sebastian Janikowski, the Oakland Raiders turned a somber mood into a celebratory one.

Janikowski kicked a 43-yard field goal on the last play as the Raiders scored the final 13 points after wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey was knocked out and hospitalized by a scary hit to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 34-31 on Sunday.

"You put a lot of hard work, blood sweat and tears into trying to build a championship team, and one of your guys goes down, especially in a situation like that, it's hard to keep your focus," coach Dennis Allen said. "But I thought our guys did an outstanding job in getting their focus back, coming back and executing, and winning a game in the fourth quarter."

There was a pall over the stadium early in the fourth quarter when Heyward-Bey was knocked unconscious by a helmet-to-helmet hit in the end zone by Steelers safety Ryan Mundy that was not called a penalty by the replacement officials. Heyward-Bey was taken to the hospital with a concussion and neck injury. But Allen said he was able to move his extremities, which was a welcome sign for the Raiders (1-2).

The team said he was in stable condition and will stay in the hospital overnight for observation.

Palmer then threw his third touchdown pass and Janikowski kicked two field goals to beat the Steelers (1-2) and get the Raiders on track after two losses to open the season.

"Any time they take one of your brothers out, you have to retaliate and get them back," safety Michael Huff said. "Obviously not in an illegal way or anything like that. We wanted to go out and get the win for him because he couldn't finish it."

The Raiders took over with the game tied at their 25 with 1:42 remaining. Palmer got the drive going with a 24-yard pass to Brandon Myers on third-and-10 and then hit Derek Hagan on a 17-yard pass down to the Pittsburgh 26 with 27 seconds left.

Oakland then ran down the clock to set up Janikowski's winning kick that send the crowd into delirium less than an hour after silence overtook the stadium when Heyward-Bey was injured.

Mundy's helmet hit Heyward-Bey in the facemask on an incomplete pass in the end zone. Heyward-Bey's neck jerked violently and his head also crashed into the ground. Players from both teams kneeled in prayer as Heyward-Bey was attended to for about 10 minutes.

"We don't play like that," Mundy said. "We don't try to injury people or anything like that. We understand this is people's livelihood. We take that serious."

He managed to raise his right hand while being taken off the field on a cart to go to the hospital with a neck injury.

Four plays later, Palmer eluded pressure and found Denarius Moore on a 6-yard touchdown pass that brought Oakland within 31-28 early in the fourth quarter.

"For us seeing him give the thumbs up, knowing he was all right gave us more momentum," Hagan said. "That really uplifted us and we came out on top."

Raiders cornerback Pat Lee then forced a fumble downfield by Pittsburgh receiver Antonio Brown that Philip Wheeler recovered at the Oakland 36. Palmer then drove the Raiders down the field and they tied the game on a 32-yard field goal by Janikowski with 6:30 to play.

With the Steelers missing Pro Bowl defensive stalwarts Troy Polamalu (calf) and James Harrison (knee), the Raiders were able to move the ball effectively most of the game.

Darren McFadden ran for 113 yards, including a 64-yard TD burst in the first quarter that surpassed his rushing total from the first two games of the season combined.

Palmer overcame an interception on the first play of the game to go 24 for 34 for 209 yards and three touchdowns, including a 3-yarder to Heyward-Bey late in the first half.

"They outplayed us defensively," Pittsburgh safety Ryan Clark said. "Their defense made the stops when they needed to, and we didn't. It wasn't from a lack of trying. Maybe it was trying too hard."

Ben Roethlisberger was even better, throwing two TD passes to Heath Miller in the first quarter, as well as third-quarter scores to Mike Wallace and Brown. Roethlisberger finished 36 for 49 for 384 yards as Oakland failed to generate any sustained pass rush.

But he failed to convert a third-and-9 under pressure following the two-minute warning to give Oakland the chance at the winning score.

Each team converted a turnover into a touchdown in the opening half with the Steelers taking a 17-14 lead at the break after Roethlisberger 64 yards in the final 1:54 without a timeout to set up Shaun Suisham's 33-yard field goal on the final play.

The half started well for the Steelers as well when Palmer was intercepted by Ryan Clarkon the first play from scrimmage after Moore slipped on the infield dirt while making his cut.

Roethlisberger converted one fourth down before throwing his first of two 4-yard TD passes to Miller in the opening quarter. In between those scores, McFadden scored on the longest run against the Steelers since 2006.

Oakland tied the game again late in the half after Joselio Hanson recovered a fumble by Jonathan Dwyer at the Pittsburgh 30. The Raiders then drew Ziggy Hood offside with a rapid shift on fourth down and Palmer found Heyward-Bey on the next play.

Notes

Myers left the game with a concussion on the final drive. Hall of Famer Marcus Allen lit the torch honoring late owner Al Davis in a sign that his long-running feud with the organization has ended. Miller has four TD catches in three games.

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Report: Raiders sign CB Hanson to one-year contract

CBSSports.com staff and wire reportsSep. 3, 2012 12:20 PM ET

ALAMEDA, Calif. -- The Oakland Raiders completed their offseason overhaul of the cornerback unit Monday by signing recently released Joselio Hanson and cutting 2011 third-round pick DeMarcus Van Dyke.

Hanson had been released last week by Philadelphia after spending six seasons as the Eagles' nickel cornerback, where he excelled playing in the slot.

"He's been a guy that's played a lot of years in the league in the slot and we just felt like it was a good thing to get another veteran guy in there with what really amounts to a young room. And so we thought that was something that helped us and upgraded our team and made us better," coach Dennis Allen said.

The move to get rid of Van Dyke means all six cornerbacks on the Oakland roster are new to the organization. Oakland released starters Stanford Routt and Chris Johnson before the start of free agency, let Lito Sheppard leave as a free agent, and released both cornerbacks taken in the 2011 draft. The team is transitioning from the bump-and-run style preferred by former owner Al Davis to Allen's new defense that will feature more zone coverage.

The Raiders waived fourth-round pick Chimdi Chekwa on Friday before bringing him back to the practice squad, then cut ties with Van Dyke on Monday.

Free-agent acquisitions Ron Bartell and Shawntae Spencer are slated as the starters, with Hanson expecting to get time in nickel packages. Pat Lee, Phillip Adams and Coye Francies round out the cornerback group, with Adams and Francies being added in the past week.

"As things played out throughout OTAs, minicamp and in training camp, we felt like that was a position that we needed to try to upgrade and we felt like with the players that we brought in here that it helps us as a team to be better," Allen said.

Hanson spent one season as an undrafted free agent with San Francisco before joining the Eagles in 2006. He has played 104 games with 19 starts and four interceptions. He played mostly in the slot for the Eagles and allowed 21 catches on 42 attempts for 232 yards and two touchdowns, according to game-tracking numbers compiled by STATS LLC.

Over the last four seasons, Hanson has allowed opponents to complete 54.5 percent of their passes for an average of 5.3 yards per attempt and a 76.5 passer rating against.

"It's mostly his intelligence," Allen said. "He's really smart. He's got good quickness inside and so he matches up with some of the smaller, quicker slot receivers. I just think he just understands route combinations and how things happen inside in the slot, and I think that's the biggest learning adjustment that anybody that goes in and plays the nickel position."

Allen said Hanson seemed to grasp the defense quickly in his meetings with the coaching staff and could be able to contribute in the opener next Monday against San Diego.

"I feel like in the next couple of days I'll get it down," Hanson said. "I went over the whole playbook already, so it's just now about all about studying and reiterating it to myself. It's the same defense, a 4-3 defense, it's just different names, different plays, but once I get that down I'll be ready to go."

Van Dyke was a prototypical Al Davis player, having run the fastest 40-yard dash time at the NFL combine in 2011 at 4.28 seconds. That contributed to the Raiders taking him in the third round despite the fact Van Dyke started just three games his senior season at Miami.

Van Dyke had difficulty in his first preseason and saw limited action as a rookie. He started just four games but showed promise as he allowed opponents to complete only 14 of 32 passes for 167 yards with one touchdown allowed and one interception, according to STATS LLC.

He got off to a fast start in training camp but struggled in exhibition games and was ultimately let go in favor of the more seasoned Hanson.

"Just want to thank Al Davis and the Raiders organization for giving me a opportunity to play in the NFL!" Van Dyke wrote on his Twitter account.

In all, the Raiders have 23 players on their 53-man roster who were not with the organization last season, including the six new cornerbacks, five new offensive linemen and four new linebackers.

Notes

WR Denarius Moore (hamstring) has had two good days running on the side and Allen said he is encouraged by his progress. Jacoby Ford (left foot) is not yet able to run, but Allen remains hopeful both could play in the opener. ... Rookie WR Juron Criner practiced on an injured ankle that should not hinder him for the game. ... C Stefen Wisniewski (calf) was back at practice for the first time since before the preseason opener, but Alex Parsons was working with the first team. Wisniewski could be back with the first team by Thursday. ... Richard Seymour (knees) was also back at practice.

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Raiders linebacker Rolando McClain receives 180 days in jail, appeals

Posted: 04:15 PM ET May 17, 2012

By Will Brinson | Senior NFL Blogger

A judge in Decatur, Ala., found Rolando McClain guilty on three different charges Thursday and sentenced the Oakland linebacker to 180 days in jail.

McClain was also ordered to pay a $500 fine for each of the four charges -- Reckless Endangerment, Third-Degree Assault, Menacing and Discharging a Firearm -- totaling $2,000 in fines.

According to WAAYTV.COM, McClain has been freed on bail and can begin serving his prison sentence on June 1.

The alleged victim, Rishard Tapscott, claims that he was beaten by McClain and friend Jarodiaus Willingham.

"[McClain] just kept repeating he'd kill me, he'd blow my [bleep]ing head off," Tapscott testified according to WAAYTV.com.

According to Jerry McDonald of the Oakland Tribune, McClain's lawyer, Harvey Steinberg, called the verdict from the Alabama judge "meaningless" and said that McClain will appeal. Steinberg also said that "the process starts all over again" now.

Here's the thing though: the NFL won't think that the verdict is meaningless, and they certainly won't think that testimony and video that emerged from McClain's trial are meaningless. And if McClain's "process" starts all over, it's possible that this will hang over his head for much of the summer, depending on how quickly the judge can hear his appeal.

Regardless of the outcome of his appeal, McClain already looks like a prime candidate for some sort of suspension from Roger Goodell, and McClain would miss part of the 2012 NFL season even if he began serving his jail time today.

Tags: Rolando McClain, Oakland Raiders, NFL

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Raiders beat Chiefs, tie for AFC West lead

CBSSports.com wire reports
Dec. 24, 2011

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Carson Palmer knew that Darrius Heyward-Bey, perhaps the Oakland Raiders' fastest wide receiver, could beat the Kansas City Chiefs defense if he went deep down the field.

The Raiders just had to wait for the right moment.

It came on the first play of overtime.

Heyward-Bey beat safety Kendrick Lewis down the left side and Palmer hit him for a 53-yard gain, setting up Sebastian Janikowski's 36-yard field goal 2:13 into overtime Saturday for a 16-13 win that kept the Raiders' playoff hopes alive and eliminated Kansas City from contention.

"It was the right time to call it," Palmer said. "I wanted it earlier, but we saved it for the right time. The protection was flawless and the route was great."

It was just about the only thing that was flawless.

The Raiders committed 15 penalties for 92 yards, one of them -- a delay of game -- wiping out an audacious fake field goal that would have gone for a 36-yard touchdown pass. Palmer also threw a pair of interceptions and the Raiders converted only 3 of 11 third-down opportunities.

"An ugly win is better than a pretty loss," Palmer said.

Especially given the stakes.

Oakland (8-7) can win the AFC West by beating San Diego next week and getting some help from -- of all teams -- the Chiefs, who travel to Denver for a game that's become meaningless to them.

"The man told me, `Hue, we'll win it in the end.' I believe that," said Raiders coach Hue Jackson, reflecting on a conversation he had with Al Davis before the Raiders owner died in October. "I don't know how it's going to happen. I don't care how it's going to happen."

Oakland led 13-6 late in the fourth quarter when Kyle Orton connected with Dexter McCluster for a 49-yard gain, setting up a short TD toss to Dwayne Bowe with 1:02 remaining in regulation.

The Raiders went three-and-out in short order, giving Kansas City the ball back with only enough time to get into field-goal range. Orton hit Bowe for 25 yards and Terrance Copper for 11 more to set up Ryan Succop, whose 49-yard try was blocked by Trevor Scott as time ran out.

It was the second field goal that Succop had blocked.

"We had an opportunity to win the game. Those guys came up big," Chiefs linebacker Tamba Hali said. "I mean, blocking two field goals -- what's the odds of blocking two field goals in a big game like this? More credit to those guys. We're happy for those guys. Well, I'm not."

The Raiders, who blew a 13-point lead in the final five minutes to Detroit last week, have won five straight games at Kansas City. Perhaps none was important as this one, with all four teams in the division beginning the day with a chance of squeaking into the playoffs.

The Chiefs (6-9) struggled to take advantage of drives one week after piling up a season-best 438 yards of offense in a 19-14 victory over previously unbeaten Green Bay. That was their first game with Orton under center and interim coach Romeo Crennel calling the shots from the sideline.

Orton threw a pair of interceptions against Oakland, one of them in the end zone in the second quarter and the other as the Chiefs were driving in the fourth quarter.

"I commend everybody for fighting hard and giving us a chance at the end," Orton said.

The first half amounted to a cacophony of errors that ended in a 3-3 tie.

The Raiders, the most penalized team in the NFL and on pace to set a single-season record, were flagged 10 times for 57 yards, while the Chiefs were flagged eight times for 53 yards.

It wasn't just the quantity of penalties, either. It was the quality.

Javier Arenas had an interception of Palmer wiped out by defensive holding in the first quarter, a turnover that would have given Kansas City prime field position.

The Raiders returned the favor on their next possession. Facing fourth-and-2 at the Chiefs 36, they pulled off fake field goal in which punter Shane Lechler, the holder on the play, threw a shovel pass to tight end Brandon Myers, and he ran untouched around end for the touchdown.

It was called back by a delay of game penalty, and Janikowski's 58-yard try hit the crossbar.

Bowe dropped an easy touchdown catch on the Chiefs' ensuing possession, and Orton was picked off by Matt Giordano in the end zone. Palmer gave it right back when Arenas intercepted him.

The Chiefs promptly wasted another scoring opportunity with a staggering string of penalties: intentional grounding, a delay of game and a false start, all in succession. Succop ultimately had his long field attempt blocked by Richard Seymour, his first miss since Sept. 25 at Buffalo.

It wound up being all the more important by the end of regulation.

"Our guys fought and they hung in there, went into overtime, and it took some guts to do that," Crennel said. "We had a couple of field goals blocked, we got a couple balls thrown over our head, we turned the ball over a couple times. In the NFL, it's hard to win when you do those kinds of things."

Notes

The Raiders have been penalized 155 times for 1,293 yards this season. Kansas City has the NFL record with 158 for 1,304, set in 1998. Oakland played without RB Darren McFadden (mid-foot sprain) for the eighth straight game. Michael Bush ran 23 times for 70 yards in his place. Chiefs S Jon McGraw (ankle) did not play. Kansas City C Casey Wiegmann started his 174th consecutive game despite a minor calf injury.

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CB Johnson leaves Raiders after sister is killed, mother shot in dispute

Johnson, who had been out since Week 3, returned to the field last week against the Dolphins. (US Presswire)

Raiders cornerback Chris Johnson left for Ft. Worth, Texas, after learning his sister had been murdered and his mother shot in a domestic dispute.

Police arrested Eugene Esters, 46, who was booked into jail on suspicion of murder and attempted murder in the death of Jennifer Johnson, 33, and the shooting of Della Johnson, 53, according to the Ft. Worth Star-Telegram.

Esters and Jennifer Johnson had a 2 1/2 year-old daughter who was not harmed, and another child who was not at home at the time of the shooting.

"It's really tough. He's handled it like any man, or any brother or son would, and he's doing a good job, and he'll get himself back here and ready to play," Raiders coach Hue Jackson said.

Johnson, who had been out since Week 3 with an infection stemming from sports hernia surgery late in training camp, played extensively against Miami last week and was hoping to reclaim his starting position against Green Bay.

Jackson said he expected Johnson to return and play against Green Bay.

Copyright (C) 2011 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.

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NFL Oakland Raiders 3 Greatest Games: Super Bowl Victories

For the first time, the original network broadcasts of three Oakland Raiders games are available to own in this thrilling three DVD set. Relive the excitement of these unforgettable moments in Raiders history: Super Bowl XI Raiders vs. Vikings Super Bowl XV Raiders vs. Eagles Super Bowl XVIII Raiders vs. Redskins These broadcasts are essential pieces of Raiders history.

Price: $26.98

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NFL Oakland Raiders Best Games of 2010 Season

On three consecutive Sundays in the autumn of 2010, the Oakland Raiders displayed all the characteristics that made them the greatest franchise in professional sports – power and speed, dominance and relentlessness, pride and poise. It was a three-week run as grand as any in the history of the Oakland Raiders – and now the original network broadcasts are yours to own on DVD. Watch the utter demolition of the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks and relive the back-and-forth battle with the Kansas City Chiefs – a game that harkened back to the epic rivalry of the glory years of the AFL. The games themselves represent the first stanzas in the next great chapter of Raiders history. This three-disc set is a must for any fan of the Silver and Black. GAMES INCLUDED: Raiders @ Broncos 59-14 Seahawks @ Raiders 33-3 Chiefs @ Raiders 23-20 (OT)

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