Oakland Raiders

Raiders p.m. update

Well, that didn't work out so well.

I tried to focus on the Raiders defense vs. the 49ers offense in the second practice Tuesday in Napa. Only, they spent most the team drills working the other way on the side of the field reporters aren't allowed to roam.

That gave a great view of Terdell Sands' back, but nothing else.

So here's what little I gleaned in a practice that went short of 2 hours ...

** Either Frank Gore is going to have an incredible season for the 49ers, or the Raiders' run defense has a world of work to do.

Gore swept around the right corner, where there wasn't a defender there to seal the edge. Nice gain.

Gore romped up the middle, where the fullback took out Kirk Morrison in one gap and no one filled the gap next door.

Gore cut inside again, causing a Raiders assistant to scream, "Get off the blocks!"

But hey, the pass defense is great. Now if only they can stop the run long enough to force teams to throw into the teeth of the defense.

** In pass-rushing drills, Tommy Kelly went 2-0 vs. Chilo Rachal. He finished with a swim move to ease past Rachal's left side.

Trevor Scott was just as impressive on the edge against left tackle Barry Sims. The former Raider had nothing on the defensive end.

Everyone else either played to a draw or an 0-2 deficit.

** New cornerback Ricky Manning remains lost in man coverage. This time, he got picked-and-rolled on a quick out. John Bowie looks no better. Stanford Routt it is as the nickel back.

** Middle linebacker Kirk Morrison ran with the second team. He hit a blitz unblocked the one team I saw him try.

Rookie Slade Norris is still learning. He tipped the blitz when Alex Smith gave a hard count. Sure enough, when the ball was snapped, that's exactly where Norris rushed, right into a block.

** Rookie defensive end Matt Shaughnessy sat out with an undisclosed injury. Rookie wide receiver Louis Murphy began to run around at practice but still didn't work with the offense for the fifth straight day (hip injury).