The Raiders signed their second-round draft pick, Florida State wide receiver Fred Biletnikoff and his college teammate, free agent linebacker Dick Hermann.
They also announced they had signed rookie Nebraska halfback Kent McCloughan. McCloughan had been picked in the 11th round of the draft by the Oilers, but Houston traded his signing rights to the Raiders in exchange for the signing rights to Oakland's 17th-round pick, University of Tulsa defensive end Garry Porterfield and their eighth-round pick in the redshirt draft, Baylor halfback Henry Pickett.
The University of Nebraska's athletic director, Tippy Dye, said halfback Kent McCloughan had not signed with the Raiders, contradicting reports of a few days ago and was still eligible to compete on the Cornhuskers' track-and-field team that spring. The Raiders clarified that McCloughan had agreed to terms with them, but had not actually signed a contract.
The Raiders confirmed, once and for all, that they had signed rookie Nebraska halfback Kent McCloughan, ending his college track-and-field eligibility and all the noise about whether he had signed or had simply “agreed to terms” verbally.
Clem Daniels and Art Powell were among 21 Black players who left New Orleans, the site of the AFL All-Star Game, this morning in protest of the racist treatment they received there from cab drivers and business owners. By evening, AFL commissioner Joe Foss announced the site of the game had been moved to Houston. Upon the change, Daniels and Powell joined other Black players in agreeing to play at the new location.
After several days of negotiations a deal involving the Raiders receiver Bo Roberson and the Patriots fell through. The Pats were hoping to acquire Roberson, but Boston coach Mike Holovak rejected Oakland's request to get linebacker Tom Addison in return. Holovak said he would give up a draft pick, but no players, citing lack of depth on his squad.
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The team signed a pair of free agent defensive tackles: Harry Rakowski out of The Citadel and Hofstra's Tom Finneran.
The Raiders signed their 17th-round draft pick, Holy Cross defensive end John Dugan, and also added free agent defensive tackle Pat Russ. Russ had been drafted by both the Raiders and the Vikings out of Purdue in 1961, but chose to sign with Minnesota where he played for two seasons.
Injury Updates
Rookie defensive back Loren Hawley injured his knee in a rugby game and underwent surgery to repair a torn ligament. His availability for training camp was in doubt.
The Raiders agreed to a new five-year deal with general manager/head coach Al Davis. The contract included a raise in pay, but the amount was not revealed.
Defensive lineman Dan Birdwell underwent surgery in his hometown of Houston to remove a bone chip in his right elbow. He had first noticed pain in the elbow during the 1964 training camp, but it wasn't properly diagnosed until this off-season. He was expected to be ready to go when the 1965 season camp was to open in July.
The AFL released the 1965 regular season schedule with the Raiders opening at home against Kansas City on September 12. Oakland was scheduled to close the season in San Diego on December 19.
Defensive back Warren Powers underwent surgery to remove calcium deposits in his left gluteus medius sometime in the past few days. The deposits had been causing pain in his left leg that bothered him during the 1964 season. He hoped to be ready to go when training camp started in July.
The Raiders announced their preseason schedule, which would open on August 7 against the Chargers in San Diego. The other dates on the schedule were: August 14 vs Denver in Salt Lake City, August 22 vs the Chiefs at Frank Youell Field, August 28 vs the Chargers in Portland, and September 4 vs the Broncos in Sacramento.
The Raiders signed a pair of free agent defensive linemen: Gorden Kelly, formerly with the Redskins and 49ers, and Southern University rookie Richard Jackson.
Raiders co-owner Wayne Valley underwent a six-hour surgical procedure to fix what was termed a “circulatory disorder”. His early prognosis for recovery was good.
The Raiders announced the signing of seven free agents: ex-Broncos defensive end Ike Lassiter, Oregon State halfback Leroy Whittle, University of Houston defensive end Randall Dorsett, Minnesota-Duluth halfback Roger Halverson, College of San Mateo defensive back Art Haskins, San Jose State halfback Cass Jackson, and USC linebacker Ernie Jones. Dorsett had previously been with the team in 1962, but was cut shortly after the start of training camp.
Raiders training camp opened with the reporting of rookies and less-experience veterans in Santa Rosa. Quarterbacks Tom Flores, Cotton Davidson, and Lee Grosscup were also on hand.
Wide receiver Fred Biletnikoff, defensive back Larry Todd, and guard Harry Schuh left camp for Chicago to get ready to play in the College All-Star Game against the NFL-champion Browns.
Billy Cannon got his first work in at his new position, wide receiver, after having spent his first five AFL seasons at fullback.
Injury Updates
Rookie tackle Mickey Cox injured his knee in practice. He had recently undergone surgery on the joint and it was feared he could be out for the season.
Rookie defensive end John Dugan pulled a thigh muscle and was expected to miss a few days of practice.
All but three remaining veterans reported to training camp.
Tackle Ken Rice was attending to a personal matter, guard Bob Mischak was still rehabbing a knee injury at Tulane University, and fullback Alan Miller was putting the finishing touches on his law degree. All three players' absences were excused by Raiders management.
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Defensive end Randall Dorsett voluntarily left training camp.
The Raiders signed guard Marv Marinovich sometime on or around this date. Marinovich had been by selected by Oakland in a redshirt draft in 1962 but bounced around with the Rams and Vikings before joining the AFL.
Injury Updates
Rookie linebacker Bill Minor was back at work after missing a couple of days with an ankle injury.
Defensive end Ben Davidson stepped in a hole on the practice field, injuring his ankle. Raiders head trainer George Anderson said he expected Davidson to miss no more than a few days of practice.
Quarterback Cotton Davidson injured his right arm during a passing drill. The extent of his injury was yet to be determined, as was the length of his absence from the practice field.
Raiders head coach Al Davis said quarterback Cotton Davidson would miss the exhibition opener against San Diego on the 7th because of a sore throwing arm.
Running back Clem Daniels was doubtful for the same contest because of a bruised heel.
Guard Bob Mischak finally reported to camp after spending the past few weeks in New Orleans, with team permission, rehabbing a knee injury. The team said he still wasn't ready to practice or play yet.
Three Raiders suffered injuries in the game: tackle Rex Mirich (muscle pull), defensive back Claude Gibson (pulled thigh muscle), and defensive end Dalva Allen (bruised knee).
Tackle Harry Schuh, halfback Larry Todd, and wide receiver Fred Biletnikoff joined the team after playing in the College All-Star Game against the Browns on the 6th.
The team offered a camp invitation to East Texas State defensive end Fred Polser, who had recently washed out of 49ers training camp but, according to at least one reporter, he left immediately, without ever taking the field, after getting a look at the size of some of the players in the locker room. Polser was a Raiders redshirt pick in 1963.
The training staff announced that quarterback Cotton Davidson (arm) would probably be ready to make his first appearance of the preseason on the 22nd in Oakland against the Chiefs. Tackle Frank Youso (foot) was still likely to be out, though.
The coaching staff made some lineup maneuvers to cover gaps caused by injuries. Dick Hermann was installed at left linebacker to cover for the injured JR Williamson. Dan Conners was switched from the middle to the left side to back up Hermann. Arch Matsos was back in the middle after recovering from his shoulder injury, and Warren Powers would take over the right safety spot from Joe Krakoski.
The coaching staff moved Billy Cannon from wide receiver to tight end, where he would back up Ken Herock.
Injury Updates
Tackle Frank Youso was back on the practice field nearly a month after undergoing foot surgery. The team's medical staff said he wasn't ready to play against the Chiefs on the 22nd.
Guard Ken Rice finally joined the team after missing the first five weeks of training camp attending to personal matters. He did so without permission of the team and faced a fine of an undisclosed amount.
Defensive tackle Dave Costa sat out practice with a stomach bug.
The team expected tackle Frank Youso (foot) and defensive end Dalva Allen (knee) to play against the Chargers on the 28th. Linebacker JR Williamson (knee) was ruled out for the game.
The coaches moved guard Marv Marinovich to center to give him some experience at the position should the team need a backup at the position behind Jim Otto.
Defensive back Howie Williams and wide receiver Art Powell sat out practice with minor hurts, but weren't expected to miss the Chargers game in Portland on the 28th.
Tackle Bob Svihus and defensive end Dalva Allen were mostly recovered from the stomach virus they had been fighting and were expected to be available tomorrow night against the Chargers.
Transaction
Tackle Dick Klein announced his retirement from pro football.
The Chargers beat the Raiders, 46-17, in a preseason contest at Multnomah Stadium in Portland, Oregon.
The coaches tried defensive back Larry Todd out at halfback during the game.
Injury Updates
Linebackers Arch Matsos and Bill Budness each sustained a possible concussion and defensive back Dave Grayson sprained his ankle. None of the players were expected to miss the preseason closer against the Broncos in Sacramento on September 4.
The Raiders placed quarterback Cotton Davidson (arm) on the injured deferred list, but expected to be able to re-activate him for the regular season opener against the Chiefs on the 12th.
JR Williamson was back at practice after recovering from his knee injury suffered in the Broncos game a couple of weeks ago. The coaches moved him to the right side from his old left linebacker spot where he would back up Gus Otto.
The Raiders closed out the preseason with a 30-20 win over the Broncos at Hughes Stadium in Sacramento.
Injury Updates
Middle linebacker Arch Matsos left the game in the second quarter with a concussion and possible skull fracture. He was taken to the hospital for treatment and observation.
Middle linebacker Arch Matsos was still in the hospital with a concussion and fractured cheekbone suffered in the Broncos game on the 4th, but the Raiders continued to harbor hopes he would be ready for the regular season opener against the Chiefs on the 12th.
The coaches moved linebacker JR Williamson back to the left side after a brief, experimental visit behind Gus Otto on the right. Dan Conners was moved from left linebacker to middle linebacker behind Bill Budness, who himself was spelling the injured Arch Matsos. Matsos had been discharged from the hospital following treatment for concussion and a fractured cheekbone and was back on the practice field, but did not participate in drills.
Today marked with the end of training camp. The team would move their practices to a high school field in Heyward for the season.
Transactions
Middle linebacker Arch Matsos, with head injuries, was placed on the injured deferred list and Dick Hermann was recalled from waivers to take his spot on the active roster.
The Raiders opened the 1965 regular season with a 37-10 win over the Chiefs at Frank Youell Field.
Injury Updates
Quarterback Tom Flores took a blow to the head on the third play of the game that knocked him woozy. He stayed in for two more series before giving way to Dick Wood. Safety Joe Krakoski also suffered a minor foot injury, but did not have to leave the game.
The Chargers defeated the Raiders, 17-6, at Frank Youell Field. Tom Flores started the game at quarterback and played the first half. Head coach Al Davis pulled him at halftime in favor of Dick Wood, who went the rest of the way.