Raiders Blog and Q&A

ALAMEDA - Stanford Routt isn't a nickelback.

He's just a backup.

Routt said he'd been demoted for not giving effort on special teams. He said after being shown the film, he didn't disagree and he simply needed to "man up" and accept responsibility.

He said he didn't give his best on that play.

Routt said he considered the move a "bump in the road."

So maybe this explains how Chris Johnson became the team's second-best cornerback.

Interim head coach Tom Cable did allude to other changes in the secondary on Wednesday after DeAngelo Hall was waived.

If Routt isn't an option, that leaves Michael Huff, who is already fighting Hiram Eugene and Rashad Baker for time at safety in nickel packages.

Or the team could plug in recently re-signed Michael Waddell, but Huff and Routt would appear to be the likely options.

Cable said Eugene and Baker would be given a chance to play in situations where extra defensive backs are needed. Eugene had been coming out of games for Huff in those situations.

*After saying it wasn't possible for Mario Henderson to start at left tackle, Cable said he'd rotate Henderson with starter Kwame Harris this Sunday against Carolina.

"The more I can create competition all over the team - specifically at that spot, which really in the last couple of weeks hasn't been very good," said interim head coach Tom Cable. "So you have to let the cream rise to the top here. Mario's ready to go."

Either way, both figure to have a tough time dealing with the Panthers' Julius Peppers.

Though he's struggled at times, too, Cable is pleased with right tackle Cornell Green.

"He has had some hand issues, ribs issues and all those things, but he really just had the one bad game at Baltimore," Cable said. "Otherwise, he has been all right."

*Cable expects William Joseph to help at defensive tackle on Sunday after being re-signed yesterday.

"What's nice is he's in tremendous shape," Cable said. "A lot more than you would think for a guy who's been out. He's been going all over, trying out, this and that, but that gives us another 320-pound guy inside. We need another body in there that can make a play, and hold down the point. Those other three guys are really doing a nice job, but they're also getting worn out a little bit. So it's a big plus for us to have that body."

*The other player brought back, Waddell is expected to help on special teams possibly as a gunner and as the backup kick and punt returner.

And in the ever-changing positions of Michael Bush, he could also be a kickoff returner.

*DeAngelo Hall had a lot to say to NFL.com about his release from Oakland.

He contradicts the Raiders, who said the release was about his performance.

"(Owner) Al Davis assured me that it had nothing to do with me, the person," Hall said. "It was a financial thing."

The team saved $16 million by waiving Hall. Hall cleared waivers and is now a free agent.

*Javon Walker wasn't too happy when he was in the locker room today. He wanted to know which local writer published a short story suggesting he'd be waived because of how much money he makes.

No writer spoke up.

In the famous words of Eddie Murphy during his stand up routine in "Raw" ... It wasn't me.

*Practices have been moved back a couple of hours to emphasize more teaching during the day.

The later end time has players remembering some of the long days under Art Shell in 2006.

One of the changes players applauded Lane Kiffin for was shortening the work day.

*Here's the injury rundown from Cable:

QB JaMarcus Russell (right knee tendonitis) did not finish practice. Cable said Russell sat out the last eight plays and the injury is nothing to worry about. Tight end Tony Stewart didn't finish practice for the same reason.

RB Darren McFadden (toe) was limited. Cable said he'd need to see improvement from McFadden on Friday before deciding if he'd play on Sunday.

LB Jon Alston's foot is fine. He missed practice with a stomach illness.

DE Derrick Burgess (triceps), LB Ricky Brown (groin) and Huff (hip) did not practice.

Cable mentioned DT Gerard Warren practiced, but it's not known what injury he'd been dealing with.

Backup QB Andrew Walter (calf) was limited.

Safety Gibril Wilson (groin) returned to practice without limitations.

--Jason Jones