ALAMEDA - One thing I've learned to enjoy about practice at minicamp is listening to defensive coordinator Rob Ryan's banter with the players - especially on offense.
If anyone has really bought into Lane Kiffin's call to compete everyday, it's Ryan who enjoys playing the role of heckler.
How could you not like someone who once declared last month it was "make the offense cry day."
Ryan followed that up by playing the role of official in a scrimmage, declaring everything was a two or three-yard loss for the offense.
Today, Ryan congratulated linebacker Kirk Morrison for his ability to "(mess)" with quarterback JaMarcus Russell when he showed a blitz and forced the young quarterback to think quickly.
It's easy to see why defenders love playing for Ryan, who went old school Al Davis with an all-white sweat suit with a touch of black on the side at today's practice.
As long as Ryan's yelling, it's always "make the reporter laugh" day.
Other minicamp observations:
• The players are really having fun. By the end of last season, it was obvious many of them were frustrated, for a variety of reasons.
It's only June, but the high attendance at voluntary minicamp indicates players are happy to be around the facility.
• With LaMont Jordan on the East Coast and ReShard Lee recovering from knee surgery, Dominic Rhodes is getting a lot of looks at tailback with Adimchinobe Echemandu and Justin Fargas.
• Receiver Jerry Porter had family issues to take care of and wasn't at practice. It was just the second workout he has missed this offseason. Offensive lineman Jeremy Newberry also was off dealing with personal matters.
- Jason Jones
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