Raiders safety Michael Mitchell, who was drafted with the 47th overall pick in last weekend's NFL Draft, is looking to prove his critics wrong. The stance seems to be a growing theme for Oakland's draftees, as wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey is looking to accomplish the same. "I definitely have a lot of motivation," Mitchell said. "Some people basically said I wasn't a good football player from the minute I got drafted." Mitchell, an alum of Ohio University, went from being a potential late-round pick to a second-round selection.

Raiders wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey isn't worried about the critics that lambasted Oakland for taking him with the seventh overall pick. "I just think Al Davis and the rest of the staff wanted me," Heyward-Bey said in an appearance on CSNBA's 'Chronicle Live' Tuesday. "They didn't care about if it was the seventh pick or the 15th pick. I think they just wanted me to be their guy, and I'm happy that they chose me. I really can't worry about what everybody else is saying. "All I can do is worry about me and the efforts I put in to be the best player I can be." Heyward-Bey will wear No. 12 for the Raiders in his rookie season.

The Raiders are looking to sign an undrafted free agent at fullback to provide depth behind Oren O'Neal and Luke Lawton. Oakland is rumored to have signed Kansas linebacker Joe Mortensen, who worked out as a fullback on his Pro Day. However, the Raiders are one of just a few teams that don't announce the undrafted free agents they've signed immediately.

The Raiders were widely panned when they selected Ohio safety Michael Mitchell in the second round with the 47th overall pick, but the Bears reportedly were going to select him with the 49th pick. ?I was thinking about going to Chicago, because they told me to stay close to my phone," said Mitchell. "Oakland was able to get to 47 and thought there was still a chance there. It?s just so amazing how this happened and worked out, I?m just pumped.? Mitchell was the highest drafted player not invited to the combine during this decade, according to SI's Peter King.

The Raiders are shopping Derrick Burgess and the Eagles and Patriots could be interested, according to a report from ESPN's Chris Mortensen.

John Madden, who has been linked to a possible position in the Raiders' front office, has already ruled himself out of such a role. "No," Madden said Friday. "I have too much respect for the game and for Al to think that I can do anything. The way the game is today, that's a 20-hour a day job. You can't go in part-time or just stick your toe in the water to be a part of a pro football team. You either do it or you don't."

John Madden, who retired from broadcasting after thirty years in the booth, could be an interesting candidate to join Oakland's front office. Madden coached the Raiders from 1969-78, going 112-39-7, including a 9-7 playoff record, with one Super Bowl victory and no losing seasons. He remains close to owner Al Davis, and resides in the Bay Area. "John Madden would have to be considered," Mark Davis, son of Al, said back in 2007 when talking about bringing someone in to help turn the franchise around.

Jeff Garcia is excited to serve as a mentor to JaMarcus Russell. "I'm up here in Oakland right now taking part in the quarterback school with Jamarcus and Bruce Gradkowski and we're working on just the fundamentals of playing the position, the leadership qualities that you have to have, the work ethic, getting in the weight room," said Garcia during a teleconference. "I think JaMarcus, being able to see how myself and how Bruce work as far as what we do in the classroom, what we do in the weight room and what we do on the field, it's something positive for him to see. I don't think he's had those types of guys around him to help him push him or help him understand what it takes to be a true professional at this level. The guy is tremendously skilled, he's huge and we just want to get him into a position where he can be better on the field if he is physically better and mentally sharper. I think those are things he's starting to see right now with me being involved this week and hopefully it's just something where the relationship continues to build. And we're going to help him as much as possible by pushing him in a positive way. At the same time I'm going to do everything I can do to make sure that I'm prepared in case I do get that opportunity or in case something were to happen that I take advantage of that opportunity and make the most in trying to help this team win football games."

The Oakland Raiders have signed QB Jeff Garcia, reports NFL.com?s Steve Wyche. Garcia, a 10-year NFL veteran and four-time Pro Bowl player, spent the 2008 season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He started 11 games and saw action in 12, with 2,712 passing yards, 12 touchdowns and six interceptions.

Reports indicate that Jeff Garcia could become a member of the Raiders as soon as Monday afternoon. Several outlets have reported that Garcia has been discussing a contract with the Raiders, where he would backup starter JaMarcus Russell. "They've got their quarterback (in Russell), but he'll bring something to that team in terms of attitude, working, being on top of things," a source said.