OAK - Raiders QB Russell Talks Still Stalled

Source: David White, San Francisco Chronicle

Despite the Detroit Lions coming to terms with 2nd overall pick WR Calvin Johnson, the Oakland Raiders are no closer to a deal with their number 1 overall pick, quarterback JaMarcus Russell, then they were before camp started. If one side concedes significant ground this weekend, a deal could be done quickly enough to get Russell in practice as soon as Monday. Raiders HC Lane Kiffin, for one, isn't sure Johnson's deal will have an immediate impact on the Russell talks. "Sometimes it does," Kiffin said after a morning practice Friday. "If he signs for a lot, then it works for one side. If he doesn't, it works for the other side. That does somewhat have to do with it, but it's just another contract being posted."

SF - QB Smith Expects To Run More In 2007

Source: Matthew Barrows, Sacramento Bee

San Francisco 49ers starting QB Alex Smith says he wants to be an even more dangerous rusher in 2007. He ran for only 147 yards last year but put up 631 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns in his final season at Utah. "You look at what Steve Young did when he was here," Smith said. "There were two or three times in a game when he was able to take off and run. Those were big plays."

And although Michael Vick-like numbers are unrealistic in the 49ers' offense, the idea is to keep defenses on their heels by breaking off a long run here and there. "That's what it's all about," new offensive coordinator Jim Hostler said. "Five or six times a game, he's going to have to come alive with his feet. He's going to have to come out of the pocket and make a play running or by finding a receiver downfield after a scramble. And that's five or six (times) guaranteed. "Last year, it was one or two here and there." The question then is: When the pocket is breaking down and Smith buys himself an extra second, does he look for an open receiver like he did against the Rams, or does he take off and run like Young did so well when he was the 49ers' quarterback? Said Hostler with a wide grin on his face: "I don't know. That's why we pay him all that money."