Oakland Raiders

'Big' John Henderson fills need for Raiders

Vittorio Tafur, Chronicle Staff Writer

Saturday, June 12, 2010
John Henderson was released by the Jacksonville Jaguars i...

(06-11) 21:05 PDT -- Quentin Groves has had a front-row seat for "Big" John Henderson's pregame ritual, and it's even more shocking live than it is on YouTube.

At 6-foot-7, 335 pounds, Henderson had one of the Jacksonville Jaguars' puny little trainers slap him hard across the face before he took the field. Sometimes more than once.

"It's cool," said Groves, Henderson's teammate again Friday after the Raiders agreed to a one-year deal with the free-agent defensive tackle. "It gets him up for the game, and everybody else around too."

Groves, a linebacker whom Oakland acquired from Jacksonville in May, was thrilled about the news and said Henderson was "excited" when the two had lunch Friday. Henderson was unavailable for comment, and the Raiders have not confirmed the move.

"The main things he brings (are) veteran leadership, enthusiasm and a real physical style of play," Groves said. "He loves playing the game of football."

Jacksonville released the eight-year veteran four days after it selected Cal defensive tackle Tyson Alualu in the first round of the NFL draft. Henderson, 31, is a two-time Pro Bowler who was once regarded as one of the premier run-stuffers in the league. The Jaguars, who signed Henderson to a six-year, $34 million extension in 2006, are going young and cutting costs.

Friday's signing also bolsters what was already a great draft for Oakland. A league source said Jacksonville offered Henderson to the Raiders in April for a fourth-round pick, but Oakland was willing to give up only a fifth-rounder. Now the Raiders have him for no draft picks for one season - little risk for the big reward of a player's bounce-back season.

"There's no question he has a lot left in the tank," said Groves, who played with Henderson for two years. "A lot of things are falling the Raiders' way these days."

Henderson started in 120 of 124 appearances with the Jaguars. He registered 329 tackles, 29 sacks and eight forced fumbles and joins a team that has needed a defensive tackle since releasing Gerard Warren in March.

Henderson could play alongside Tommy Kelly in the 4-3 defense, with Richard Seymour, Matt Shaughnessy and Lamarr Houston rotating on the outside.

Henderson joins a team that is clearly excited about its chances of topping last year's five wins. The Raiders have traded for quarterback Jason Campbell, released quarterback JaMarcus Russell, brought in Hue Jackson as offensive coordinator and drafted possible defensive stalwarts in linebacker Rolando McClain and Houston.

At practice Wednesday, players were as giddy and animated as schoolkids playing two-hand touch at recess.

"We've discovered a Fountain of Youth," Groves said. "Everyone's excited, working hard and there's a nice little buzz going right now."