The Raiders appear to have improved substantially in the passing game with the departure of QB JaMarcus Russell and the addition of offensive coordinator Hue Jackson, with a byproduct being the development of second-year wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey.
Heyward-Bey was a standout at the Raiders' practice Wednesday in Alameda, catching everything thrown his way, smoothly accelerating out of breaks and turning upfield after securing the ball. A spin move he put on Nnamdi Asomugha after making a catch left the All-Pro cornerback with nothing but air.
For a day, anyway, Heyward-Bey's performance resembled one befitting the No. 7 overall pick in the 2009 draft.