We hear Raiders QB JaMarcus Russell followed through on his plan to hold a private and voluntary passing camp between the end of minicamp and training camp. Russell covered the airfare for several receivers as they joined him in his home state of Alabama to get some extra practice in, but one key player did not join them.

First-round pick Darrius Heyward-Bey told PFW he was unable to attend the workouts as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury that sidelined him for almost all of minicamps and OTAs.

“I have been here in Oakland rehabbing, but the rest of the guys are out there linking up … to make sure we get that chemistry going,” he said.

Heyward-Bey, a Maryland product, became a controversial figure in Oakland the day he was drafted, when the Raiders passed up Texas Tech WR Michael Crabtree, who was largely regarded as the highest-rated receiver in the draft, with the seventh overall pick. It’s believed that Raiders owner Al Davis favored Heyward-Bey for his speed — he had the best 40-time of all the athletes timed at the Scouting Combine, running a sub-4.3 according to some who clocked him.

Already under the microscope, he came under harsher scrutiny after dropping three passes in a row at his first minicamp. Sitting out for an extended period with a hamstring injury that never was described as serious didn’t help his case, either. Although it cost him some valuable preparation time on the field with Russell, Heyward-Bey has remained optimistic. He told PFW the injury was actually a positive, as it allowed him to get the undivided attention of his position coach.

“I look at (the injury) as a blessing in disguise,” he said. “I have a chance to work more with my wide receivers coach Sanjay Lal, and be here at the (Raiders') complex and really work on the things that I need to work on and get that one-on-one attention that every young receiver needs.”

The Raiders simply don’t have many other good options at receiver, so despite his shaky start, Heyward-Bey still is very likely to be a starter by Week One, if he can stay healthy. Second-year veteran Chaz Schilens and the fleet-footed Johnnie Lee Higgins will also compete for starting spots. Javon Walker is still in the mix, but the Raiders are not expecting much from him.

Kickoff is coming! Be sure to buy copies of the Pro Football Weekly/Yahoo! Sports 2009 NFL preview magazine, as well as the Pro Football Weekly/Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Football Guide 2009, both of which are now available at bookstores, newsstands and retail outlets where magazines are sold. Or order your copies online at PFWStore.com