ALAMEDA - Chaz Schilens missed most of the preseason with a knee injury but he expects to take the field Monday night at Denver.
"I plan to play in the game and I hope everything goes good," Schilens said after Wednesday night's practice.
Schilens said he's not worried about being tentative when he gets back on the field, even though he's battled injuries since coming into the league in 2008.
"Actually, probably the opposite," Schilens said. "I try to come back even harder, so maybe that's why I've gotten myself in some of the problems, but nah, I try not to think about it at all really."
*Richard Seymour will throw out the first pitch next Tuesday when the Oakland A's host the Los Angeles Angels.
"I've done first pitch before in Boston," Seymour said. "When the Red Sox opened for their stadium, I threw out the first pitch there. It's not new to me so, hopefully, I come back and do a good job."
Seymour believes the Raiders can be "special" on defense this year based on their talent and the work the unit has put in this offseason.
Seymour said there's also been a change in the mentality of the Raiders since he arrived in 2009.
"It's night and day," Seymour said. "It's night and day. It isn't even close. And that's what you want. But now we've got to get it to translate into wins and losses. Every year I've been here we've won more games. Hopefully we'll get to double digits this year."
*Tonight was the first of three night practices. The Raiders practiced in full pads. Coach Hue Jackson said the team was energetic. Seymour called it a "Friday Night Lights" feel.
"We're getting closer," Jackson said. "I don't want us to shoot our wad too soon. We got a little ways to go but I think our guys are understanding what we're about to embark on."
Jackson said he's already thought about what he'll tell the team before Monday's game, but wouldn't share what that might be.
There are signs in the locker room quoting Jackson reading: "The most violent team wins."
Jackson said the build up to his coaching debut is exciting but he doesn't want to peak too soon.
"I'm sure as it gets closer I'll get even more excited," Jackson said. "I don't want to just blow my whole everything right here tonight, we've got a long way to go before that game, but I'm looking very forward to the game, very forward to our football team because I think our team, it's time. I always say the time's now, and the time is now. It's time for the Raiders to play like Raiders."
*Safety Mike Mitchell, wide receiver Louis Murphy and tight end Kevin Boss were the only players that did not practice tonight.
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