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HOT TOPIC
Art Shell isn't the only addition to the coaching staff who is insisting on accountability and reliability.
Special teams coach Ted Daisher, a former assistant to highly-regarded special teams coach John Harbaugh in Philadelphia, has shown little tolerance for those who don't get with the program.
"He's a no-nonsense coach," said safety Jarrod Cooper, a core special teams player. "If you're going to be late for meetings or not know your assignment, you're not going to be on his special teams, period."
Daisher, who has not been made available to the media, would seem to have plenty to work with.
He has two talented kickers in punter Shane Lechler and place kicker Sebastian Janikowski, although the latter is coming off his worst season as a pro.
Cooper and tight end Randal Williams have a reputation for being both studious and explosive on special teams, and the draft class includes Michael Huff and Thomas Howard, both of whom could see at least limited duty with their physical gift if their roles as potential rookie starters doesn't get in the way.
Some players say privately Daisher has already rubbed some players the wrong way. Cooper likes the fact that Daisher is not playing favorites.
"He doesn't care who you are. He doesn't care if you're a Pro Bowl player or the key man," Cooper said. "If you're not going to do your job, you can just get out. I like it. It keeps you attentive."
The Raiders have already been working on Janikowski's mindset. At the Raiders mandatory minicamp, Janikowski found himself kicking for his teammates.
"I told him, `Every kick you miss, the team has to run a lap,'" Shell said. "And I told the team that, so the pressure is on him now. He has to make all the kicks."
PLAYER NOTES
--Backup quarterback Marques Tuiasosopo spent a recent evening at Municipal Park in San Jose, watching the Inland Empire 66ers face the San Jose Giants of the Class A California League.
Inland Empire's third baseman is 20-year-old Matt Tuiasosopo, a third-round draft pick who received a $2.29 million signing bonus from the Seattle Mariners to go pro and bypass a career playing quarterback for the University of Washington.
Marques, who said he watches Matt every chance he gets, said he has marveled how much his brother has improved playing baseball every day.
However, Matt struck out three times in the series opener against San Jose, delighting the local crowd. Matt Tuiasosopo was designated that night as the "Beer Batter," meaning that every time he struck out, beer was sold for half price.
"He gave out a lot of beer," Marques Tuiasosopo said.
--The Raiders played host to a youth football camp co-sponsored with California Youth Charities which played host to more than 250 boys and girls aged 14 and under, representing more than 15 states.
Coach Art Shell gave the opening statement, and then even served as the personal escort off the field to a boy who suffered a bruised shoulder.
--Wide receiver Kevin McMahan was excited to be the center of attention in "Mr. Irrelevant" proceedings in Newport Beach, Calif.
The Raiders even granted McMahan five days off from his work in Alameda for the festivities.
For the record, the Raiders had "Mr. Irrelevant" picks in 2003 and 2004 and neither made the team. Wide receiver Ryan Hoag was released and has spent some camp time with the Minnesota Vikings. Linebacker Andre Sommersell played in the CFL with Edmonton.
--Wide receiver Randy Moss was inducted to the Marshall University Hall of Fame, the school that allowed him to resurrect his career after being dismissed from Florida State for marijuana use.
Moss caught 55 touchdown passes in 28 games for Marshall and was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy.
--A Raiders helmet rushed to Alameda Hospital by a member of the public relations staff helped save the life of a 61-year-old woman.
Hospital medical staff was attempting a procedure in which a football helmet is used as an anchor to control internal bleeding in the esophagus, but the helmet did not fit the woman because of swelling.
Hospital staff had no luck getting a helmet until reaching the Raiders.
Brian Proctor, a new hire in the public relations department, fielded the call, cleared it with his superiors and delivered the helmet.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
FRANCHISE PLAYER: None.
TRANSITION PLAYER: None.
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
--S Calvin Branch (not tendered June 1).
--RB Omar Easy (not tendered June 1).
--TE Zeron Flemister (not tendered June 1).
--LB-DE DeLawrence Grant (not tendered June 1).
--DT Kenny Smith (not tendered June 1).
--S Reggie Tongue (not tendered June 1).
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: None.
EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS
--TE James Adkisson is a converted wide receiver, strictly a project.
--DT Anttaj Hawthorne was elevated from practice squad last season, played sparingly. Has chance to stick.
--DE Tommy Kelly is a starter with great potential, undrafted in 2004, can play base end and tackle.
PLAYERS RE-SIGNED
--S Jarrod Cooper: UFA; 3 yrs, terms unknown.
--FB John Paul Foschi: ERFA; terms unknown.
--S Derrick Gibson: UFA; terms unknown.
--OG Corey Hulsey: UFA; terms unknown.
--DE/LB Grant Irons: RFA; terms unknown (had been tendered at $721,600).
--OT Brad Lekkerkerker: ERFA; terms unknown.
--DT Terdell Sands: RFA; terms unknown, had been tendered at $721,600.
--OT Chad Slaughter: UFA; terms unknown.
--TE Randal Williams: UFA; terms unknown.
PLAYERS ACQUIRED
--QB Aaron Brooks; FA Saints; 2 yrs, terms unknown.
--DE Lance Johnstone: UFA Vikings; 2 yrs, terms unknown.
--CB Tyrone Poole: FA Patriots; 2 yrs, terms unknown.
--TE Marcellus Rivers: UFA Texans; terms unknown.
--TE O.J. Santiago: FA; terms unknown.
--RB Rod Smart: FA Panthers; terms unknown.
--OG Cameron Spikes: FA; terms unknown.
--CB Duane Starks: FA Patriots; terms unknown.
--LB Robert Thomas: FA Packers; terms unknown.
PLAYERS LOST
--QB Kerry Collins (released).
--DB Renaldo Hill: UFA Dolphins; $6M/3 yrs, $2M SB.
--DT Ed Jasper: UFA Eagles; $750,000/1 yr, $40,000 SB.
--LB Tim Johnson: UFA Ravens; 1 yr, terms unknown.
--OG Ron Stone (released).
--CB Denard Walker (released).
--DT Ted Washington (released).
--CB Charles Woodson: UFA Packers; $52M/7 yrs, no SB; $10.5M combined RB/salary 2006.
MEDICAL WATCH: No updates.
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