Raiders notes: Wisniewski's departure not a surprise

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NAPA -- The sudden resignation of assistant offensive line coach Steve Wisniewski, announced on Thursday, was not so sudden after all.The Raiders had said Wisniewski's decision to leave his post was actually made weeks ago and the announcement was put on hold until all of the coaches were in the building. Right tackle Khalif Barnes echoed the time frame."Yeah, I know, he texted me a couple of weeks ago, he texted me and I was surprised to hear it," Barnes said. "He wished me all the best. I wished him all the best. Wiz, I know he was special to me. When he first came in, he gave me some of his 13 years of experience and knowledge, and how it was to be in the trenches, and I dont think anyone did it better than him when he was with the Raiders."Talk to some old defensive players and theyll tell you they didnt like to play against that guy at all. He was rough in there. I wish him all the best and I hope to see him around from time to time."Left tackle Jared Veldheer said Wisniewski, in his lone year as an O-line assistant, was a big help to him."I was able to learn a lot of little technique things and he was able to help me a lot," Veldheer said. "So Id like to maintain that relationship with him because I know hes still in the area. Obviously he helped, and now for whatever reasons had to step away from it. We all wish him the best, and were going to move on with whats to be had now."Which is, being coached by Frank Pollack."Still, with Coach Pollack, being able to work with him in the spring and I'm really excited to continue working with him through the summer here and get ready for the season," Veldheer said. "He's helped us out with a bunch of stuff, and as far as breaking it down in the classroom and on the field, he's been great."Fewer padded practices mean those that do include hitting will have a higher premium."Yeah, and I think that is on us, its not on coach, its up to the players to enforce that amongst ourselves that work is being done and were getting better because now more than ever, a wasted day can hurt you," said defensive end Dave Tollefson. "Youve got to take advantage of every single day you have on the field, whether thats a walk-through or a padded practice. Obviously the walk-throughs become exponentially more important now than ever so youve got to make sure you take advantage of that."The deadline for mandatory reporting is Sunday morning at breakfast.Physicals and meetings will be held Sunday with the first official on-field practice getting underway Monday at 8:50 a.m. The first padded practice with hitting is Wednesday, at 8:50 a.m.According to the Wilmington Herald Times, former Indiana receiver Dre Muhammad will sign a free agent contract with the Raiders on Sunday. The team did not announce any signings but if true, he would be the 88th player on the roster. The Raiders can carry 90 players at the start of training camp.Terrelle Pryor's father passed away this past week so he may be given special permission by the Raiders to report to training camp late, though there was no official word as of Saturday afternoon.

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