Darrius Heyward-Bey Absent for Start of Raiders Training Camp

The Raiders opened training camp Wednesday without seventh-overall pick Darrius Heyward-Bey. It's hardly surprising that a team might not have its first-rounder under contract yet (particularly a top-10 selection), but Heyward-Bey is particularly noteworthy. (UPDATE, July 30: Heyward-Bey reached a five-year deal with Oakland and is expected to report to camp.)

If not for Al Davis' fascination with size and speed, Heyward-Bey would have probably lasted at least until the end of Round 1. Instead, the former Maryland Terrapin is considered more raw physical talent than NFL-ready wide receiver. And any camp time he misses translates into that much longer until he sees the field. JaMarcus Russell, who staged a lengthy holdout two years ago, can surely confirm as much.

But unlike Russell, who NFL Network draft guru Mike Mayock was very high on, Heyward-Bey isn't close to contributing. For what it's worth, he appears unconcerned -- at least outwardly: "[The Raiders] chose a guy who fit what they're trying to do, and for me there's no added motivation," Heyward-Bey told Pro Football Weekly. "If I was the first pick in the draft or the last pick in the draft, I was going to come in and do the exact same thing: work hard and just be the best player I can be. I can't worry about what people are saying out there in the media."

He's in the minority, it seems.

"The guy is raw as hell," one director of college scouting said. "He is not a natural catcher. He will body-catch. Sometimes he doesn't come out of his breaks very well. He has some stiffness. Obviously, he runs (fades) and skinny posts well, but he drops balls at times."

Good news: Heyward-Bey has a great work ethic and isn't easily deterred. Ralph Friedgen, his college coach, said "I think he's going to be able to play wide receiver no matter who the quarterback is. He is more into team accomplishments than individual accomplishments, which is what I love about him."

Here's to hoping that's how it works out. We heard similar things about Troy Williamson, the Vikings' No. 7 pick in 2005. After four disappointing season in Minnesota, he was released before signing with the Jaguars (where he logged just five catches for 30 yards in 2008). Upshot: Heyward-Bey's vision is perfect, so there's that.