Video of Rolando McClain Incident Surfaces

May 17th, 2012 Matt Loede Posted in News, Police Blotter

A video that claims to show an alleged incident involving Raiders linebacker Rolando McClain earlier this year has emerged according to WAAYTV in Decatur Alabama.

Police claim that McClain threatened another man with a gun during an argument on November 30th. Court records show the victim claims McClain fired a shot next to his ear during the altercation. McClain is facing charges of third-degree assault, menacing, reckless endangerment and discharging a firearm in the city limits. He’s expected in court on Thursday.

Earlier this week, the video above was anonymously submitted to the Decatur Daily. It appears to be a composite of several cell phone videos of the incident in question. Some segments have audio, others do not. It’s unclear if the video is in sequential order

The video does not show Rolando McClain striking the victim, brandishing a firearm, firing it near his ear or threatening to kill him, though those allegations are among complaints filed by the victim in court. McClain’s friend, Jadoriaus Willingham is also seen in the video. He was also arrested and charged in connection with the incident.

However, attorneys representing the victim say they’ve seen similar video and that it backs up what he told police.

“It’s obvious that McClain has been edited out of parts of it, but it matches up perfectly with (the victim)’s statements of it,” attorney Carl Cole said. “I think this shows that there may be cracks in Willingham and McClain’s circle of friends. They may not all be willing to hide what happened that night.”

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Could Terrell Owens be a Fit with the 2012 Raiders?

May 16th, 2012 Matt Loede Posted in News, Opinions

Could Terrell Owens be a fit for the Raiders?

They are known as the team that likes to take former troublemakers aboard, and after playing with the Bengals two years ago, a former QB now with Oakland gave him somewhat of an endorsement.

Carson Palmer invited Owens along for a workout this past offseason along with Raiders wide outs Darrius Heyward-Bey and Eddie McGee and tight end David Ausberry.

Palmer didn’t come right out and say he wanted Owens, but at the same time seemed to be more positive than negative about Owens.

“I love the guys we have,” Palmer said. “I don’t know where the spots are to be had. You can only carry so many receivers. . . . Training camp, at that position, is going to be really interesting because there’s a lot of guys. There’s too many guys.”

The QB did say that he did like having Owens at the workout.

“It was great for them,” Palmer said. “It’s good to be around that. I think it was good for them to see that’s what it takes if you want to play for a long time and you want to be successful and have yards and catches and touchdowns and all that and that’s what it takes to work.”

Owens has been playing in the Arena League, but still has quite the resume for a team looking with a NFL career  1,078 receptions, 15,934 receiving yards and 153 receiving TDs.

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Heyward-Bey Says He “Kind Of” Regrets the Attention His Arrest Brought the Raiders

May 16th, 2012 Matt Loede Posted in News, Police Blotter

WR Darrius Heyward-Bey finally appeared to living up to the billing in 2011, but then had a stupid DUI arrest just the other day that is going to cloud his offseason.

Heyward-Bey cleared the air on Tuesday, sending out a message to the Raiders and their fans at Raiders OTAs.

“I just kind of regret bringing bad attention to the team, for the most part,” Heyward-Bey said via the Contra Costa Times. “Want to let the fans know that I’m here, working hard, trying to get on the same page with Carson and looking forward to the season.”

Hmm…”kind of”? Little advice to Darrius – bite the bullet and be a man, and say that your sorry for the negative vibes you brought to the team.

Heyward-Bey will plead not guilty once he appears in court, but that’s no excuse for saying he “kind of” regrets the attention the arrest brought to him and the Raiders.

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McFadden Taking Part Fully in Raiders OTA’s

May 15th, 2012 Matt Loede Posted in Injuries, News

Good news for Raiders workhorse running back Darren McFadden, as reports say he’s a full go for the teams OTA’s, which opened today. Steve Corkran of Bayareanewsgroup.com says he’s running, catching, cutting, and doing every drill.

McFadden missed a lot of 2011 after he suffered a season ending Lisfranc injury in Week 7.

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Read All About Ball Park Great Moments in Guy Time

May 15th, 2012 Matt Loede Posted in Contests

Hey guys – won’t it be great to tell your lady that you could have a chance to win a year’s supply of groceries? Our friends at Ball Park are running a Facebook contest, asking fans to share a photo or video showcasing a funny/crazy example of “something only a guy would do” to win BIG.

To enter, follow this link: http://on.fb.me/GreatMomentsInGuyTime

So if you have a photo/video of a great tailgating moment, showing your team pride at the stadium, or just celebrating great times with your buddies, enter now for a chance to win a year’s supply of groceries. Nine others will win Ball Park grilling packages, complete with a grill and plenty of Ball Park products to keep your summer sizzling.

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Matt Leinart Says Coming to Oakland Makes Sense

May 15th, 2012 Matt Loede Posted in News

Matt Leinart is back out west, and says that it made sense for him to put on the Silver and Black.

“It made perfect sense for me to come here because this is a brand new offense for almost everyone on the offensive side of the ball except for myself and (guard) Mike Brisiel, who is from Houston, as well,” Leinart said during a conference call Monday.

Leniart has a face he knows very well with him in Oakland, as former Houston quarterbacks coach Greg Knapp is now the Raiders offensive coordinator.

Leinart has been with the Cardinals and Texans, and could be a solid fit for the Raiders as the backup to Carson Palmer.

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Heyward-Bay charged with DUI

May 11th, 2012 Michael Loede Posted in Fantasy Football, Fantasy News, Features, Main, News, Police Blotter, Silver and Black Bits

Oakland Raiders wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey has been charged with misdemeanor drunken driving after his arrest last month after a traffic stop on the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge.  California Highway Patrol Officer Tony Tam says Heyward-Bey was driving his 2012 Range Rover on the lower deck of the bridge on April 7 when he was pulled over by a CHP officer who saw him speeding and weaving.  Tam says the 25-year-old Heyward-Bey was arrested after failing a field sobriety test. Authorities have not said what his blood-alcohol level was at the time of the incident.

Heyward-Bey is due in court on May 31.

”We will be pleading not guilty on May 31 and we will further investigate and contest these charges as the case moves forward,” said attorney Ivan Golde, who represents Heyward-Bey.  Golde called it ”a very low blood-alcohol level case,” but declined to get into specifics since the authorities haven’t released the number. He also said Thursday it should be noted Heyward-Bey ”has been a model NFL player.”

Heyward-Bey was the Raiders’ first-round draft pick in 2009. He had a breakout season in 2011 with 975 yards receiving and four touchdowns after struggling in his first two years.

The Raiders said in a statement, “The team is well aware of the situation, and takes matters such as this very seriously. The organization will continue to gather specifics, and continue to cooperate with all parties involved.”

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Raiders Make Moves in Personnel Department

May 8th, 2012 Matt Loede Posted in News

The Raiders announced that four members of their personnel department — George Karras, Bruce Kebric, Jon Kingdon and Kent McCloughan — will not return in 2012.

“This was a very difficult decision because these individuals have been part of this organization for all or parts of four decades, ” General Manager Reggie McKenzie said. “We’re grateful for their dedicated service to the Raiders.”

Kebric and Kingdon were relieved of their duties while Karris and McCloughan are retiring. McCloughan has been with the Raiders since joining the organization as a player in the mid-1960s.

“I had talked to Al Davis when I turned 65 and he said, ‘Listen, young man: You’re not quitting before I do.’ I owe him a lot,” McCloughan said. “He was so nice to my family and me. We had some great years, including when Ron Wolf was with us. We won a lot of games. I had the opportunity to work 47 years with one team. I enjoyed it so much. I thought Al Davis was an outstanding person and boss. I enjoyed the scouting department, the coaches and players I had the opportunity to work with, and I’ll always be a Raider.

“I’m going out about as good as a person can go out. You couldn’t have written a better story for me. I have the NFL Sunday Ticket, and I’ll still be watching all the games. I might even come out to training camp. I wish Reggie and the entire organization the best.”

McCloughan’s son David is also a current member of the Raiders’ scouting department. Another son, Scot, currently works in the Seattle Seahawks’ personnel department after serving as the General Manager of the 49ers.

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