ALAMEDA, Calif. -- Derrick Burgess and LaMont Jordan have both been absent for the voluntary workouts for the Oakland Raiders this offseason.
Both players showed up for the start of the mandatory minicamp Tuesday, but only Burgess was allowed to work out. Jordan was told to stay away from the practice field by coach Lane Kiffin as the team tries to trade him or decides to cut him loose.
"We're exploring a couple of different options," Kiffin said. "We're in communication with him. He was here this morning. We're just keeping him off the field. ... The last thing we want to do for him or ourselves is for LaMont to come out here and get hurt today."
Jordan rushed for 1,025 yards, caught 70 passes and scored 11 touchdowns his first season in Oakland in 2005, but has had much less impact since with only 983 yards rushing the last two seasons. He fell behind Justin Fargas on the depth chart in 2007 and is not in the team's future plans following the addition of first-round draft pick Darren McFadden.
Trading Jordan could be difficult because he is scheduled to make $4.7 million this year and $5 million next season and most interested teams will probably wait until he is released. Jordan was unavailable for comment.
Burgess looked like his usual self as he showed up at practice for the first time this season. He had been back in Mississippi spending time with family and keeping in his usual tip-top shape by working out at Ole Miss instead of with his teammates in California at optional practices and other workouts.
Burgess didn't take long to show his impact. He burst around the end on one play and was poised to deliver a big hit on quarterback JaMarcus Russell if this had been a game rather than a minicamp practice.
"Once again he looks the same as far as running around and movement," Kiffin said. "He looked great on a couple of nakeds that were coming out to his side. He's one of those few guys that you never have to worry about not being in shape or ready to play."
Burgess said it was good to be back competing with his teammates after being gone the past five months. He has already noticed one big change now that defensive tackle Warren Sapp has retired, saying it's much quieter on the field.
Making up for Sapp's play on the field will be the real challenge. Burgess said he thought Tommy Kelly would be even better playing at Sapp's tackle position instead of shifting back and forth from end to tackle and other players like second-year end Jay Richardson had to step up their games.
"We need everybody out there," Burgess said. "Everybody on this d-line has to be held accountable. A lot of these guys have got to make up for some of the plays Sapp won't make, or was going to make. But we just got to be one good unit."
Cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha also was not on hand because he has not signed his franchise-tag tender. The Raiders placed the exclusive franchise tag on Asomugha in February, guaranteeing him at least $9.465 million for this season but not allowing him to negotiate with any other teams.
Kiffin said Asomugha could show up one of the next two days but won't be allowed to practice until he signs his tender offer.
Kelly (knee), receiver Ronald Curry (foot), safety Jarrod Cooper (knee) and center Jake Grove (knee) were on hand but did not practice because of injuries.
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press
