INSTANT RAIDERS

Phil Barber covers the Raiders for The Press Democrat, uncovering news and features despite the team's best efforts to keep everything a secret. He'll keep our online audience up-to-date and informed with his blog "Instant Raiders."

Recent Posts

Darren McFadden, in the flesh

A little more than four hours after talking to Bay Area reporters by conference call Saturday, Darren McFadden hopped on a plane and flew west. He landed in California at about 12:30 a.m., slept in a little and popped up at Raiders headquarters around noon Sunday. By 2:00 p.m., he was engaging the media for a second time - this time face to faces.

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Raiders draft a center fielder

When you get to round 7 of the NFL draft, it's time to stop weaving and jabbing and throw a haymaker. You've got nothing to lose. Under that criterion, the Raiders made a great pick with No. 226 overall, plucking San Diego State wide receiver Chaz Schilens.

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And another wide receiver

The Raiders have completed their 2008 draft (barring any last-minute trades) by selecting San Diego State wide receiver Chaz Schilens. He's a big target -- 6-3, 213 -- who has also played baseball. I'll get back soon with more information.

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Trevor Scott coughs up a nickel

Here's the most important information available on Trevor Scott, the Raiders' sixth-round draft choice: His most embarrassing moment was when he got a nickel caught in his throat when he was 8 years old, and the three people he'd most like to have dinner with are The Rock, Mike Alstott and George W. Bush.

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Talking to Tyvon

We got Tyvon Branch on the line about an hour ago. He was calling from Storrs, Conn. He toed the "just happy to be drafted" line, and said he hadn't much at all from the Raiders before they called with the good news. Here are a few excerpts.

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Raiders land defensive end

The Raiders got their pass rusher. It wasn't Glenn Dorsey or Vernon Gholston, but maybe they found a late-round steal in Trevor Scott. A converted tight end who had 10 sacks for Buffalo (that's the college, not the Bills), Scott became the newest Raider when the team selected him with its sixth-round draft choice, No. 169 overall.

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