Oakland
Raiders

Raiders Team Report

Updated: May 25, 2012 04:25 EST

His immediate future unclear following a conviction on four misdemeanors and a sentence of 180 days in jail by a municipal court judge, Raiders middle linebacker Rolando McClain worked with the first team during the club's organized team activity as he awaits appeal.

McClain was found guilty by a municipal court judge of illegal discharge of a firearm, menacing, assault and reckless endangerment stemming from a Nov. 30 incident in Decatur, Ala., when he was accused of firing a gun near the ear of the victim.

The third-year linebacker from Alabama emerged from the locker room following practice and gave a short statement to the assembled media and did not take questions.

"I'm aware of the bad publicity that I've given the Raiders," McClain said. "I talked with coach (Dennis) Allen. I have the support of the Raiders, my teammates as well as the coaching staff. I apologize for the bad publicity that's been put out there.

"I really can't talk much about it, but it will be resolved in the near future."

The appeal of the case to a circuit court and a jury trial could take place six to nine months following McClain's arraignment, which has yet to take place. His starting date of June 1 to begin serving jail time will be delayed pending the appeal.

Meanwhile, NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the NFL will let the legal case run its course before determining if McClain has run afoul of the league's personal conduct policy.

With the possibility of jail time and/or an NFL suspension looming, the Raiders for the moment will sit back and watch, letting McClain learn the club's new defensive scheme.

"Rolando's part of our family, he's part of our team," Allen said. "We're going to let the whole process play out before we do anything, and once the legal proceedings are finished, we'll determine what if any action we need to take."

Allen indicated that since McClain's involvement in the incident -- which took place while he was away from the team to attend the funeral of his grandfather -- happened in the previous regime, the club may not impose its own discipline.

"I think the thing we've got to understand is we're starting anew," Allen said. "We're not going to take into account past sins necessarily for everybody's actions."

During McClain's absence during the previous OTA while he was preparing for his trial, Travis Goethel worked at the starting middle linebacker.

"He's going through a bad situation," Goethel said. "Hopefully that all resolves itself. But he's the same person."

--How do the Raiders like the NFL's mandate that players will be required to wear knee pads and thigh pads in 2013?

Not much.

"Personally, I won't be wearing them," cornerback Ron Bartell said. "So I'd better put some fine money away."

Middle linebacker Travis Goethel said, "I hate that, I don't want that at all. I don't like having anything restricting my movement in my legs. If you get hit in the thigh it really doesn't do much to help you out."

Free safety Matt Giordano offered tepid approval.

"If that's the rule, we're going to abide by it and wear them and probably wake up a little less sore Monday morning," Giordano said.

--Tight end David Ausberry, a seventh-round pick out of USC in 2011, spent most of last season making the transition from wideout to tight end.

He had an excellent OTA session Tuesday (May 22) in the lone practice open to the media, catching several passes including one medium-deep route over Rolando McClain.

He appears to have lost none of his skills as a wide receiver despite getting his weight up to 265 pounds.

"I was doing a lot of the same things last year, but now I'm pretty much playing with my hand in the dirt," Ausberry said. "There were a lot of formations where I was split out wide and now it's more about being a tight end. It feels pretty good."

--Exclusive-rights free agent Marcel Reece has still not signed his tender as he seeks a better deal despite having no leverage.

In the meantime, the Raiders signed former Philadelphia fullback Owen Schmitt. He is more of a standard block-and-catch fullback as opposed to Reece, who has the skill set of a wide receiver and can create mismatches.

The Raiders have changed their offensive system, however, and Allen warns that Reece is falling behind.

"He needs to get in here pretty soon," Allen said. "He needs to get caught up to what we're doing."

--Linebacker Miles Burris, a fourth-round draft pick from San Diego State, worked with the first-team offense with Aaron Curry sidelined with an undisclosed injury. Although there is uncertainty with McClain, there are no plans at present to move Burris inside.

"Right now, with the learning curve, we're going to keep him at outside linebacker and let him get his feet wet, and then we'll figure out where he's at as we get closer to training camp and the beginning of the season," Allen said.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "I've talked to him a lot, with all this going on, trying to make sure his head is straight. The main thing is to let everything play itself out. We have no control over it, so all we can do is be be there for him," -- Free safety Michael Huff on the legal status of middle linebacker Rolando McClain.

With defensive tackle Tommy Kelly tending to a personal matter and defensive tackle Richard Seymour not in attendance at the voluntary OTA, the Raiders utilized Desmond Bryant and Travis Ivey as their starting defensive tackles.

Bryant, a restricted free agent, is unsigned but signed a waiver to participate in the camp.

Ivey, Oakland's largest defensive tackle in the 350-pound range, is the only player on the roster with the true size to be a nose tackle when the team goes to a 3-4 defense, which coach Dennis Allen says will be part of the club's package this season.

Kelly, who has been an end and a three-technique tackle, will also play on the nose, according to Allen.

MEDICAL WATCH

--DE Matt Shaughnessy is still in the process of rehabbing a surgically injured shoulder and likely won't participate in OTAs or the mandatory minicamp. He is expected to be ready for training camp.

--S Mike Mitchell is rehabbing a knee injury is not expected to participate in the next OTA beginning June 5.

--RB Darren McFadden (mid-foot sprain) continues to play at full strength with no restrictions.

--CB Ron Bartell, who missed most of last season with a broken bone in his neck, has full clearance and is practicing without restrictions.

--FB Manase Tonga is not practicing after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery but is expected back soon.

FRANCHISE PLAYER: FS Tyvon Branch (tendered at $6.212 million; signed May 7).

TRANSITION PLAYER: None.

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS

--LB Darryl Blackstock was a backup middle linebacker brought aboard because of his familiarity with defensive coordinator Chuck Bresnahan, who is no longer on staff.

--QB Kyle Boller flamed out in his only start before Carson Palmer was acquired and is not a fit for offensive coordinator Greg Knapp's offense.

--OT Stephon Heyer was a reserve at tackle and guard at a high salary, would have to take less and fit in to a zone blocking scheme.

--WR T.J. Housmandzadeh was brought aboard by Hue Jackson, looked a step slow and likely isn't in the plans of the new regime.

--DE Jarvis Moss was injury prone last season and was a favorite of the late owner Al Davis, meaning he is looking for work.

--CB Lito Sheppard was signed early in the season and immediately moved ahead of rookies Chimdi Chekwa and DeMarcus Van Dyke, but struggled at the end of the season.

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS (not tendered offers)

--SS Jerome Boyd (not tendered as ERFA) is a special teams performer who struggles in coverage and has been working out at the team facility, hoping to be part of the new regime.

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS

--DT Desmond Bryant (tendered at $1.927M with second-round pick as compensation) is a promising, versatile lineman who can play inside, outside and might be the strongest on the team at the point of attack.

EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS

--FB Marcel Reece is one of the most versatile players at his position in the NFL and is unlikely to get a chance to play anywhere else.

PLAYERS RE-SIGNED

--OT Khalif Barnes: UFA; $2M/1 yr.

--S Tyvon Branch: Franchise FA; $6.212M/ 1 yr.

--OG Cooper Carlisle: FA; (had been released by Raiders); 1 yr, terms unknown).

--S Matt Giordano: UFA; terms unknown.

--CB Bryan McCann: ERFA; terms unknown.

PLAYERS ACQUIRED

--CB Ron Bartell: FA Rams; $3M/1 yr.

--QB Rhett Bomar: FA; terms unknown; subsequently released.

--OG Mike Brisiel: UFA Texans; $20M/5 yrs.

--RB Mike Goodson (trade Panthers).

--CB Pat Lee: UFA Packers; 1 yr, terms unknown.

--QB Matt Leinart: FA Texans; terms unknown.

--FB Owen Schmitt: UFA Eagles; terms unknown.

--CB Shawntae Spencer: FA 49ers; 1 yr, terms unknown.

--DE Dave Tollefson: UFA Giants; $2.4M/2 yrs, $1.25M guaranteed.

--CB Brandon Underwood: FA; terms unknown.

--OT Ed Wang: FA; terms unknown.

--LB Philip Wheeler: UFA Colts; 1 yr, terms unknown.

PLAYERS LOST

--TE Kevin Boss (released/post-June 1 designation).

--RB Michael Bush: UFA Bears; $14M/4 yrs, $7M guaranteed.

--G/T Bruce Campbell (traded Raiders).

--QB Jason Campbell: UFA Bears; $3.5M/1 yr, $2M SB.

--RB Rock Cartwright: UFA 49ers; 1 yr, terms unknown.

--S Hiram Eugene (released (failed physical).

--LB Quentin Groves: UFA Cardinals; terms unknown.

--DT John Henderson (released/failed physical).

--CB Chris Johnson (released).

--RB James McCluskey (released).

--CB Stanford Routt (released)

--C Samson Satele: UFA Colts; $10.8/3 yrs, $5M guaranteed.

--WR Chaz Schilens: UFA Jets; $765,000/1 yr, $500,000 guaranteed.

--DL Trevor Scott: UFA Patriots; $1.150M/1 yr, $250,000 SB.

--LB Kamerion Wimbley (released).