I thought I was done for today, but Josh McCown and Mike Williams, the Raiders' Detroit imports, were available for comment after the draft.
Both are likely to have an impact before any of the drafted players. And both know the Raiders represent a chance to salvage their careers.
I remember Williams best for the one-handed catch he made in 2003 for USC against Oregon State. He snagged the ball and showed it to the official as he stayed inbounds long enough to establish possession for a touchdown.
Williams hasn't made such plays since the Lions drafted him in the first round in 2005.
His rookie season was about getting back into football mode after sitting out the 2004 season because the NCAA ruled him in eligible following his failed attempt to enter the draft after his sophomore season.
Last season, Williams said he was disenchanted after Steve Mariucci was fired and new offensive coordinator Mike Martz declared Williams wasn't the type of receiver he liked.
"Getting traded was like the best news I've had in - I can't remember," he said. "I mean, I never failed on any level of football. I feel like my first couple of years at Detroit I look at as kind of a failure. I failed at it, for numerous reasons or whatever the reasons were."
McCown was also caught up in the Martz change. He wanted to compete for a starting job, but Jon Kitna was the starter from Day 1.
That's why McCown is happy to be a Raider after passing on joining the team as a free agent last year. He has one year left on his contract and the chance to play is a plus.
"I was just looking for an opportunity to compete and to help the team," he said.
Early impressions of both: Honest and accountable. If things stay that way, it bodes well for the Raiders' locker room.
- Jason Jones
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