August 17th, 2012 
Matt Loede 
Posted in 
Punter Shane Lechler‘s absence from the Raiders’ practice field is because of arthroscopic surgery on his left knee just before training camp started, Jerry McDonald of Bayareanewsgroup.com.
Lechler said Wednesday he was having pain and swelling during workouts before deciding “to have it cleaned out” about 10 days before the team reported to Napa. Being ready for the regular season, Lechler said, is a foregone conclusion. Coach Dennis Allen said he expected Lechler to punt in a game before the preseason ended.
“I don’t have any doubt (about the regular season),” Lechler said. “I’m going to leave it up to them about what they want to do.” In order to reduce the pressure on his left knee, Lechler has come into camp some 20 pounds lighter. “I did a lot more running this year,” Lechler said. “We weighed in last week. It was the lightest I’ve been since I’ve been a Raider. I needed to do that, I think, to make this procedure go a lot faster.”
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As much as I Love Ray Guy and believe he should be in the HOF, Shane is the greatest punter in NFL history. Rarely is punting an artistic event, but Shane is a true weapon.