Rookie WR Darrius Heyward-Bey makes a leaping catch during his first practice as a professional football player.
The Oakland Raiders opened their three-day mandatory mini-camp with a practice session at their Alameda, Calif., facility Friday morning. The day began with two player signings and a number change or two. The Raiders signed 17-year veteran FB Lorenzo Neal and third-year RB Gary Russell. Both players were on the field for practice. Neal donned his familiar #41 while second-year running back Louis Rankin switched to #40.
Quite a bit of attention was focused on rookie WR Darrius Heyward-Bey, the Raiders first round pick in the 2009 NFL Draft. "It was great. I was out there with the rest of the guys and learned a lot. I made a couple of plays here and there, but it was a good day overall," Heyward-Bey said after his first practice as a professional.
At the opposite end of the rookie spectrum, undrafted rookie free agent LB Frantz Joseph is on the Raiders roster after taking quite a different path to the NFL. “I started at Boston College and had some issues at home. My mother had some health and financial issues so I decided to transfer to [Florida Atlantic] mainly to be closer to home and my family," Joseph explained. "Ever since then it’s been a tough road as far as getting scouts to look at you and making it in the NFL. I got presented with this opportunity and I’m just out here trying to make the most out of it.”
Another undrafted free agent signed to the roster is Southern Utah WR Nick Miller. Although he hails from a small school, he is determined to make the most of his opportunity. "It is a great opportunity. The Raiders saw something in me," Miller said. "They saw my speed and gave me an opportunity and I want to show them that I have the speed, that I’m able to play in this league. I’m an underrated player and I just want to show everybody what I got."
As Heyward-Bey, Joseph, Miller and the rest of the rookies are just beginning their journeys as professional football players, Lorenzo Neal is happy to continue his with the Silver and Black.
"I’m excited. I’ve been very blessed, very fortunate that after 17 years to still be playing and [play] at a high level," Neal said. "I just thank Mr. Davis and the coaching staff for giving me the opportunity to be a Raider. You look at this team and you see so much talent and you are like 'wow.'"
Neal, who has been selected for four Pro Bowls and two first team All-Pro squads, says he thinks the Raiders are poised to make a run. "The Raiders have a lot of tradition," Neal added. "Why not start there? Why not start now? Why not this year? I played in Baltimore last year. Before last year they won five games, next year they were playing in the AFC Championship. It’s football. It’s never what people think."
Joining a backfield that features RBs Darren McFadden, Justin Fargas and Michael Bush, Neal understands his role and how he can help. "It is not just how you play on the field but also what you bring off the field. It is the intangibles. It is showing the guys what I do that allowed me to play for 17 years. Let’s go to meetings, let’s watch extra film, let's lift some weights and do some extra things instead of not coming in on your off day," Neal explained. "You win the game on Sunday during the week in practice and meetings. The game is simple if you know what you are doing. It is about the practice and the attention to detail. It is very imperative that you get leadership and that you lead by example so I’m excited about it."
The Raiders continue their mandatory three-day mini-camp with a practice session this afternoon at the team's Alameda, Calif., facility.
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