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Yahoo! Sports is reporting that Kansas City left tackle Branden Albert wants a contract in the range that former Miami left tackle Jake Long recently signed with St. Louis. Long signed with the Rams for $34 million over four years. Yahoo! reports the Dolphins will not continue to pursue a deal unless Albert lowers his demands.

While it could be a holdout, I think the situation is fluid and the demands are just part of the process. I could see Albert lowering his price to get a deal done before or during this week’s draft. A potential trade would very likely involve one of Miami’s two second-round picks, so the deal will be made by Friday night if it happens.

In other AFC West news:

• According to Todd McShay and Mel Kiper , the first round of the draft doesn’t change much for the AFC West because of the Darrelle Revis trade from the Jets to the Buccaneers.
• Washington is visiting with San Diego cornerback Quentin Jammer. The Chargers have mild interest in bringing Jammer back.
• Former Oakland linebacker Rolando McClain was arrested for the third time in the past year and a half in his Alabama hometown. McClain was recently cut by the Raiders and signed by Baltimore. He was the No. 8 overall draft pick in 2010.
• Here is an ESPN video with former Oakland quarterback JaMarcus Russell. He is trying to come back after being cut by the Raiders three years ago.
• It seems Denver pass-rusher Von Miller is looking forward to the Chiefs drafting his former Texas A&M teammate Luke Joeckel.
• Denver safety Rahim Moore seems to have a good handle on things as he prepares bounce back from a colossal playoff gaffe.

NFL Network passed along an interesting nugget saying that the camp of Baltimore quarterback Joe Flacco is aiming for him to be paid more than Peyton Manning.

Why do Flacco’s representatives think he deserves more than the five-year, $90 million deal Manning got from the Denver Broncos last March? Because, according to the report, they think Flacco is playing better than Manning.

I heard from a lot of outraged Broncos fans about that claim. My thoughts?

Well, Flacco is in the Super Bowl and one of the reasons why he is in New Orleans is because he and the Ravens beat Manning and the Broncos in the playoffs. For the moment, Flacco is playing better than Manning because he is still playing and Manning is not. It’s the old-fashioned "scoreboard" reasoning.

Of course, Manning is an MVP favorite and he had a better year than Flacco. If you polled 32 teams, I’d bet the vast majority would rather have Manning, who will be 37 in March, than Flacco in 2013.

But Flacco is 28 and he in his prime. Thus, a Super Bowl quarterback who is a free agent in the prime of his career is definitely going to try to beat the contract of the last huge contract signed by a premier veteran quarterback. It doesn’t mean he is disrespecting Manning. It’s just business.

In other AFC West-related news:

My thoughts on the report that the New York Jets are exploring the idea of signing former Oakland quarterback JaMarcus Russell?

Man, the Jets are a mess. Russell is in the early stages of his comeback. He hasn’t played in four years and he was awful when he played. He has to prove himself to earn his way back into the NFL. I just don’t know why the Jets are having any interest before Russell shows he belongs.

So, JaMarcus Russell says he wants to play in the NFL again. Good for him.

It doesn’t mean he will. Russell has big obstacles in front of him before securing an NFL contract.

Russell, the No. 1 pick of the 2007 draft, and considered one of the biggest all-time NFL draft busts, hasn’t played since Oakland cut him in the spring of 2010. Russell is 27.

He has attempted comebacks in the past. Russell will have a difficult time getting interest from the NFL because he has been out of the league so long, his poor physical condition, and the poor reputation he earned while in the NFL.

NFL teams keep an open mind, but I’m sure no teams are changing their calendars this spring in anticipation of seeing Russell. If he does get in shape, can shake off the rust, and gain the trust teams, there will be interest. But there are no guarantees of any of that happening.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that new Kansas City coach Andy Reid is interviewing former Minnesota head coach Brad Childress for a role on his staff. Childress, currently the Cleveland Browns' offensive coordinator, has been linked to the Chiefs since Reid was hired. He was offensive coordinator under Reid in Philadelphia, so it won’t be a surprise at all if he ends up in Kansas City.

The Kansas City Star has a look at three men in the running to become the Chiefs’ general manager: John Dorsey, Tom Gamble and Tom Heckert. Dorsey is considered a top candidate.

Denver left tackle Ryan Clady (shoulder) and left guard Chris Kuper (shoulder) practiced fully Wednesday and seem ready to play Saturday against the Ravens. Backup cornerback Tracy Porter (concussion) did not practice.

In an Insider piece, Steve Muench looks at the top pass-rushers available in the draft. One of these players could end up being Oakland’s pick at No. 3.

In another Insider piece, Mel Kiper re-does the 2007 draft . No, JaMarcus Russell didn’t make the cut this time.

Rolando McClain was supposed to be different.

He was supposed to break the chain of poor first-round drafting by the Oakland Raiders. Oakland took McClain with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2010 draft. It was well received because McClain was expected to be a sure thing. He was a star on a defense of stars for Nick Saban’s Alabama Crimson Tide.

Many teams wanted him. McClain earned immediate kudos for asking for his playbook as soon as he was drafted. He was going to be the anti-JaMarcus Russell.

It went downhill from there.

McClain was not a good NFL player and it seems like his time is up in Oakland before his third NFL season is over. ESPN’s John Clayton is reporting McClain will be cut Thursday.

The situation became murky Wednesday when McClain missed practice and the team said it was because of a team-related issue. McClain then took to social media, saying he was no longer a Raider.

McClain never lived up to his billing on the field. He was out of shape, slow and often out of position. He didn’t show the instincts expected from a top-10 pick. He was convicted on a gun charge last year, but it was recently overturned on an appeal, according to his attorney.

The new Oakland regime was charged with salvaging McClain’s time in Oakland. He didn’t make improvements and his playing time dwindled in some games. Now, it is over.

McClain will be the 27th player to leave since new general manager Reggie McKenzie took over. Last week, fellow starting linebacker Aaron Curry was cut.

Changes like this show that the Raiders are rebuilding and patience is needed with the new regime. McKenzie is trying to reconstruct a team with a bad salary cap situation and small draft classes. Getting rid of players who didn’t work out like McClain is also part of the process. Perhaps more cuts are on the way.

McClain may be able to salvage his career elsewhere in the right situation. I’m sure some teams will be interested in him. Oakland will hope he is claimed so the rest of his contract is taken on. But that may not be easy. I could see McClain passing through waivers.

Like every NFL team, I think the three other AFC West teams could look at McClain because he can fit in both 3-4 and 4-3 defenses. But each team will have to decide if trying to salvage McClain is worth its time.

As for Oakland, newly signed veteran Omar Gaither will likely play at middle linebacker for the time being.

Oakland will look for a middle linebacker in the offseason. One target may be Notre Dame’s Manti Te’o if he is available when Oakland picks in the NFL draft. He is expected to be a top-five pick. Oakland is currently on pace to pick fourth. Te’o is considered a can’t miss prospect.

Sound familiar?

The Oakland Raiders continue to go back to their recent -- and unsuccessful -- past to fill out their offensive coaching staff all the while keeping an experienced hand.

NFL.com is reporting that 2011 Oakland offensive coordinator Al Saunders is staying with the team as a senior assistant. The report said Saunders had a year added to his contract that will run through 2013. Saunders won’t be offensive coordinator or quarterbacks coach, two roles he covered last year. His specific role is unknown.

Still, I think it is good that he is being retained in some role. This is a young staff. Saunders is an NFL veteran. His experience will help even if it is not in a major role.

Meanwhile, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports the team has hired John Defilippo as its quarterbacks coach. He was Oakland’s quarterback coach in 2007-08, which were JaMarcus Russell’s first two seasons. Defilippo has been the quarterbacks coach at San Jose State the past two years.

He reunites with offensive coordinator Greg Knapp. He was the offensive coordinator in Oakland in 2007-08. Yes, Oakland’s offense was anemic those years, but the talent was depleted. The two coaches are inheriting much better talent now.

New Oakland coach Dennis Allen (who worked with Knapp in Atlanta) is clearly comfortable with Knapp and Knapp is comfortable with Defilippo.

Meanwhile, the Raiders reportedly hired USC receivers coach Ted Gilmore for the same position. He worked for former Oakland coach Lane Kiffin at USC.

UPDATE: Ole Miss secondary coach Keith Burns has reportedly been added to Oakland’s staff. He has a long history with Allen. His role has been specified, but it could be as an assistant secondary coach. The word is former Kansas City assistant Tim Krumrie is a candidate to be Oakland’s defensive line coach.

UPDATE: The Raiders just formally announced Saunders will be retained as a senior offensive assistant.

Here’s push for Denver coach John Fox to be coach of the year. I can certainly see the reasoning. The Broncos were 4-12 last year and now they are 6-5. Fox has made a huge impact both on the defensive side of the ball and his offensive adjustments to get the best out of quarterback Tim Tebow has been nothing short of amazing.

Thus, Fox is a worthy candidate. However, there’s little chance he will win because of the mind-boggling impact Jim Harbaugh has had in San Francisco. Fox’s impact in Denver has been impressive, but Harbaugh’s impact in San Francisco has been out of this world.

In other AFC West nuggets Friday:

• The alleged victim in the Rolando McClain arrest said he was ambushed in the alleged assault Wednesday night in Alabama. Meanwhile, McClain’s attorney is proclaiming his client’s innocence.
• ESPN’s Adam Schefter looks at the history Tebow is making.
• Rumor Central’s Chris Sprow discusses Tebow’s trade value. Again, any trade talk will be moot if Tebow proves to the Denver brass he is the man for him down the road.
• ESPN The Magazine’s Howard Bryant chimes in with his take on the power of Tebow.
• ESPN’s Trent Dilfer thinks the Broncos are going down the wrong road with Tebow.
• Is JaMarcus Russell on the comeback trail?
• The Raiders’ vaunted run game will be challenged Sunday in Miami.

Former Oakland quarterback JaMarcus Russell has given an interview to Sports Illustrated (via the Oakland Tribune). Russell has given a few interviews since being cut by Oakland in May, 2010, but not many. Russell seems defiant and he is far from taking all the blame for the Raiders’ struggles while he was there. He saved his harshest words for former Oakland coach Tom Cable.

What does it all mean? Not much. Russell just doesn't matter much anymore in the NFL scope.

Russell -- who disclosed he has a sleeping disorder -- is a former Raider and I expect he’ll remain a former NFL player. No team has been interested in even working out Russell in nearly a year. The NFL has moved on from perhaps the biggest draft bust of all time. The Raiders used the No. 1 overall pick on Russell in 2007.

In other AFC West news Tuesday:

The Oakland Tribune reports the Raiders cut kicker Dave Rayner. He was signed to kick against Kansas City. That means the Raiders are expecting Sebastian Janikowski to be able to kick Nov. 6 when Oakland hosts Denver. He has a hamstring injury. If Janikowski doesn’t improve, the Raiders could also re-sign Rayner before the game.

At the end of a chippy week between the two teams, former Chargers cornerback Antonio Cromartie got the last word, saying the Chargers can’t finish. That certainly was the case Sunday when Cromartie’s Jets’ outscored the Chargers 17-0 in the second half to win, 27-21.

Another look at the Broncos’ comeback in Miami. Meanwhile, members of the Dolphins’ defense admitted theu were in the wrong scheme when Denver quarterback Tim Tebow tied the game in the final seconds of regulation on a two-point conversion with a run.

Denver defensive end Elvis Dumervil is dealing with an ankle injury and is uncertain to play Sunday against Detroit. Dumervil has been hampered by injuries since the summer of 2010.

An ESPN Insider playoff predictor doesn’t expect much from the AFC West the rest of the season. For the record, I think this prediction is off the mark. I think the division winner will have a winning record for certain.

The Raiders have added to an impressive collection in the past nine days.

What do linebacker Aaron Curry and quarterback Carson Palmer have in common, other than being recent trade acquisitions by Oakland? They were both top-10 draft picks.

The Raiders now have eight players on their 53-man roster who were top-10 picks. According to Elias Sports Bureau, it is the second most in the league. The 49ers have nine. Kansas City is tied for the fourth most with four.

Palmer was the No. 1 overall pick by Cincinnati in 2003. Curry was the No. 4 pick by Seattle in 2009.

They join linebacker Rolando McClain (No. 9, 2010), receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey (No. 7, 20009), running back Darren McFadden (No. 4, 2008), safety Michael Huff (No. 7, 2006), defensive tackle John Henderson (No. 9, 2002 by Jacksonville) and Richard Seymour (No. 6, 2001 by New England).

Oakland saw quarterback JaMarcus Russell (No. 1, 2007) and guard Robert Gallery (No. 2, 2004) leave the team in the past year.

It is clear, though; the Raiders are turning their fortunes around with a roster built on top collegiate talent.

OAKLAND -- On a day of immense emotion, the Oakland Raiders suffered a crushing blow that will force them to make a huge decision in the post-Al Davis era.

Raiders quarterback Jason Campbell is expected to miss the rest of the season with a broken collarbone. Campbell was injured in the second quarter of the Raiders’ 24-17 win over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. A source close to the situation said it is unlikely Campbell will return this year. Raiders coach Hue Jackson did not give a timetable for Campbell’s injury, but he sounded like a man who knows he needs to make other quarterback plans.

The injury put a damper on what is developing into a very strong season for the Raiders, as well as on a poignant day when the Raiders paid tribute to Davis. Oakland’s owner died Oct. 8 at the age of 82. It was the Raiders' first home game since Davis’ death.

Campbell was one of the Davis’ favorite players, and his acquisition in 2010 helped the Raiders begin a revival as they moved away from colossal draft bust JaMarcus Russell. Campbell was making great strides under Jackson and offensive coordinator Al Saunders this season and was the perfect game manager for an offense that features the NFL’s best running game.

Now the Raiders have to quickly figure out what they are going to do. For now, it looks like backup quarterback Kyle Boller will be given the first opportunity to start.

The Raiders must decide now whether they think Boller is capable of keeping them in contention. Oakland is 4-2 and trails San Diego (4-1) by a half-game in the AFC West. The Raiders host Kansas City next week, then have their bye. They then host Denver. So the Raiders -- who are two games over .500 for the first time in nine years -- have a manageable next few weeks.

Boller was just OK on Sunday as the Raiders won on the steam of a kick return for a score by Jacoby Ford, a touchdown pass on a fake field goal from punter Shane Lechler to Kevin Boss and improved defense. Boller was 8-of-14 for 100 yards. He missed badly on some passing attempts.

Still, Boller is experienced. He has started 46 NFL games, the last coming while with the Rams in 2009. He played under Jackson in Baltimore. Several Raiders receivers said Sunday they will have confidence in Boller if he is their starter. Ford said he will expect to see Boller as the starting quarterback “until I’m told otherwise.”

Ford should expect Oakland to consider other options in the next couple of days.

This is the first big personnel challenge for the Raiders since Davis’ death. Jackson and Mark Davis -- Al Davis' son -- are currently making decisions with input from others including former Raiders employees John Madden, Ron Wolf and Ken Herock.

If the Raiders decide to pursue a quarterback outside the organization who can start, the list probably will begin with David Garrard. He is a free agent who was cut by Jacksonville. He would give the Raiders a veteran presence. But he hasn’t played in six weeks, so there is a rust factor.

Perhaps Oakland would consider calling Denver about Kyle Orton, who was replaced by Tim Tebow last week. ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reported Sunday morning that the only way Denver would trade Orton is if a team suffered a major injury and called the Broncos.

Would the Broncos deal the free-agent-to-be inside the division, though? I bet they would.

I’m sure the quarterback Jackson would most like is Carson Palmer. He coached him in Cincinnati. Yet the Bengals have maintained that they won’t deal Palmer. The trade deadline is Tuesday. Yahoo is reporting the Raiders are already trying to get Palmer.

Of course, there’s another name out there. Yes, Brett Favre. He is 42 and has maintained he is retired. But wouldn’t that be the ultimate tribute to Davis, adding a beaten-up gunslinger to save the season?

That scenario is much more of a pipe dream than reality, and the Raiders must face reality in this situation.

If they stick with Boller, I could see them bringing back Trent Edwards to back him up. Boller beat out Edwards for the backup job this summer. The Raiders also probably will try to speed up the development of rookie Terrelle Pryor. He is expected to be activated from the roster-exemption list Monday. His five-game NFL suspension ended last Monday.

Pryor was expected to be a project. He is still a project, but if other options fail, he could be pressed into action. But he is far from being ready.

This major flux at quarterback is definitely not what this team needed. It's also devastating for Campbell, 29. He fit in well with this team after not succeeding in Washington. Now his future is up in the air. His contract expires at the end of the season. There were indications that the Raiders could give him a new deal. Now, that is likely on hold.

Jackson said Sunday that the biggest thing the team will miss is Campbell’s leadership.

They also will miss the balance he gave the Raiders' offense. With Campbell out, teams will key on stopping the running game, which could limit the offense. The ever-optimistic Jackson vowed that his team will “be just fine.”

There is a lot to like about this team. But the loss of Campbell certainly casts a cloud over this season.

Al Davis knew in recent years that he would not be around forever. Rebuilding his beloved Oakland Raiders was his lone mission.

With his health declining steadily, Davis worked diligently at reconstructing his franchise. That was a primary reason why he cut JaMarcus Russell –- the No. 1 overall pick in 2007 –- in May 2010. In a meeting to tell Russell he was being cut, Davis told the quarterback he wished he could devote several years to Russell’s development, but he simply didn’t have time.

Davis wanted to build a Super Bowl winner right away.

The Raiders aren’t quite there. In the final game he witnessed his team play, this past Sunday, the Raiders were outclassed by a better New England team. However, the Raiders are going in the right direction.

In his final couple of years, Davis showed he could still be a top evaluator.

Yes, he had some major draft, free-agent and trade whiffs in the past decade. Davis’s decision-making was the reason the Raiders were bottom feeders for the past decade. That’s undeniable.

However, his decision-making of recent years is the reason the Raiders are considered a team on the rise. Also, undeniable.

Davis’ last great call of his life may be Denarius Moore. He could forever be known as Davis’ last gift to the Raiders.

Davis drafted Moore in the fifth round this year out of Tennessee. He has quickly developed into a top receiver for the Raiders and draft gurus are admitting Moore was one who got lost in the shuffle. Davis also scored in the fourth round last year with explosive receiver Jacoby Ford. Other mid- or late-round finds include tackle Jared Veldheer, defensive ends Matt Shaughnessy and Trevor Scott, safety Tyvon Branch and receiver Louis Murphy.

Davis also deserves credit for making Hue Jackson a head coach. Jackson is changing the culture in Oakland and he is intent on seeing through Davis’ last wishes of making the Raiders a winner again.

If the Raiders do win their fourth Super Bowl title in the foreseeable future, Davis’ fingerprints will be on the Lombardi Trophy. Just like the first three.

Oakland Raiders rookie quarterback Terrelle Pryor struggled in his first practice Friday. It would have been a surprise if he did well.

It was just a week ago that the former Ohio Sate player realized he’d be eligible to play in the NFL.

This is was his first organized team practice in months and was rusty and dropped a few snaps. It doesn’t mean a thing. This was just the beginning of a developmental season for Pryor.

Pryor said Oakland coach Hue Jackson didn’t want him to wear No. 2, the number Pryor wore in college. The last player who wore that number in Oakland was colossal bust JaMarcus Russell. That’s not a good look in Oakland these days. Pryor will don No. 6 in Oakland.

Pryor and newly signed cornerback Lito Sheppard are not expected to play Sunday against New Orleans, but Pryor may take a few snaps in Oakland’s preseason finale Sept. 2 against Seattle.

Terrelle Pryor is wearing No. 6 in Oakland. He wore No. 2 at Ohio State. The last player to wear No. 2 in Oakland was bust quarterback JaMarcus Russell. Nobody is ready to see that number behind center for in the Silver and Black quite yet. It’s kind of a reverse number retirement.

In other AFC West nuggets Friday afternoon:

Denver owner Pat Bowlen told the Denver Post he likes the “energy” new coach John Fox has brought to his team. Times have been tough for Bowlen, who is not used to this losing stuff. He wants to win badly.

Is Fox is the man to do it? We’ll see, but from being at Denver’s camp last week, I can tell there is a renewed stability in the building after the Josh McDaniels' disaster and that players enjoy working for the experienced Fox.

It’s never too early to start thinking about the 2012 draft.

Matt Williamson of Scouts Inc. thinks Kansas City safety Eric Berry is one of the game’s rising stars.

A former UFL player is making folks notice him in the Chargers’ secondary.

Denver quarterback Kyle Orton is back at practice after his wife reportedly gave birth. He left during Thursday’s practice.

Denver cornerback Perrish Cox was in court Friday. He goes to trial on sexual assault charges in October.

We’re still waiting for movement on Oakland cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, the top free-agent prize on the market. There has been some developments.

The San Francisco 49ers are going to unload cornerback Nate Clements. That means they are clearing salary-cap room at the same position Asomugha plays. More smoke, folks, more smoke.

The Jets are currently considered the 49ers’ fiercest competitor for Asomugha right now. The Jets still have cap room left after agreeing to a monster deal with receiver Santonio Holmes earlier Wednesday. Jets star cornerback Darrelle Revis says his team wants Asomugha badly.

While the Raiders wait to see what happens with Asomugha, they will wave goodbye to quarterback Bruce Gradkowski. He has agreed to a deal with Cincinnati.

It was evident throughout the offseason that Gradkowski would leave. He was a favorite of former coach Tom Cable. Jason Campbell will be backed up by Kyle Boller. Gradkowski had somewhat of a cult following in Oakland. Despite his limitations, he did often ignite the Raiders’ offense. He was a good Raider, who always gave the team his best effort. He was the anti-JaMarcus Russell and he’ll always have a warm spot in the hearts of many Oakland fans for that very reason.

• The Raiders signed rookie running back Taiwan Jones, fourth-round pick. It will be fun to watch the speedy Jones in training camp.

• The Brandon Mebane talks are heating up. Denver is one of a few teams trying to grab the Seattle defensive tackle. Denver has a huge need and could pay big to get Mebane.

• Count Colts safety Melvin Bullitt as one of those was surprised by Eric Weddle’s record contract with the Chargers.

• Raiders linebacker Kamerion Wimbley admitted he could sign a long-term deal to help the Raiders’ salary cap. He has been franchised by the team for 2011. This could help the team add some free agents.

San Diego safety Eric Weddle reportedly is prepared for free agency when it begins. Weddle talked about the open market, but he also said he wants to return to the Chargers. From what I hear, the Chargers want him back too. But if Weddle gets a huge offer elsewhere, I could see him leaving.

The NFL said there is no date yet set for the supplemental draft. It is usually held in mid-July. Former Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor is the focus of the draft. The Raiders have been connected to Pryor.

The Jets and Ravens have announced this week they will stay home at their facility for training camp instead of traveling because of the lockout. As of now the two teams in the AFC West that travel for camp, Kansas City and Oakland, are still planning to go away. Of course, everything is fluid when it comes to the lockout.

The hits keep coming for JaMarcus Russell. GQ ranked the former Oakland quarterback as the worst No. 1 overall pick of all-time in any sport. Wow. That hurts. Russell was taken by Oakland with the top pick in 2007. The Raiders cut him in May, 2010. He remains unemployed.