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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Thursday, August 20, 2009

NFL: Raiders no match for 49ers


By Steve Corkran
Contra Costa Times

NAPA, Calif. — Raiders coach Tom Cable deemed the end of Wednesday morning’s practice against the 49ers “a little rough.”

Quarterback JaMarcus Russell assured everyone “it’s not the end of the world.”
It seemed as if everyone had a take on the domination by the 49ers’ defense over the Raiders’ offense in a red-zone drill that concluded the first of two practices.
None was as blunt as 49ers cornerback Dre Bly.
“I was talking to Shaun (Hill) and Alex (Smith) and I said, ’You don’t feed us like that in practice,’ “ Bly said of the 49ers ’secondary intercepting four passes in one drill. “They fed us today. That buffet was good.”
Russell and Bruce Gradkowski served up the main fare, with each being intercepted twice.
“I love it when they can’t compete,” 49ers cornerback Nate Clements yelled aloud after interception No. 3. “They can’t compete with us and they know it.”
Later in the afternoon, while the Raiders didn’t exactly turn the tables, the offense was indeed competitive. There were two interceptions, but one came on a Russell deflected pass, and the Raiders moved the ball steadily on the ground.
Russell said it was important for him and his teammates to put behind them the morning practice and use it as a learning experience.
“Those guys made some plays,” Russell said, “and Coach (Tom Cable) emphasized to get up fast and cut it loose and try to give guys a chance to go up and make some catches. It kind of backfired a little bit.”
Cable admitted that he is partly to blame for how things unfolded.
“That’s really on me,” Cable said, “because I’m trying to get the quarterback to cut it loose in the red zone. But four picks, (we) probably pushed it a little too much. But it’s OK for now. We get a chance to teach from that and help them get better.”
Notes: Cable said wide receiver Chaz Schilens had surgery to insert a screw in his left foot and was expected to miss four to six weeks, Cable said “we should get Chaz back week 2 or 3” of the regular season. Schilens sustained a broken bone in his foot Tuesday. ... Receiver Louis Murphy (hip) returned to practice at full strength for the first time since he sustained his injury against Dallas last Thursday. ... Receiver Javon Walker donned a full uniform and pads for an after-practice workout with a team trainer. He remains on target to return to practice Monday. He’s recovering from offseason surgery on his right knee.