RAIDERS : Long Reports to Camp, Says He Had Personal Business

Saying it was just a case of miscommunication, Howie Long reported to the Raiders’ training camp late Saturday night after a one-day unexcused absence.

Why did Long fail to report to training camp on Friday, the first day veterans were due?

“Not to be sarcastic, but it’s personal,” Long said. “I just had to take care of some family business. It was just a case of something popping up at the last minute, and I had no choice.”

Why didn’t Long inform Coach Art Shell of his absence?

“I didn’t speak to Art, but I spoke to management and everything was fine,” Long said.

But Shell apparently never got the message.

Shell said everything was fine.

“I met with him and I was satisfied with everything he had to say,” Shell said. “This chapter is closed.”

While the case is closed on Long, who practiced for the first time Sunday, the cases remain open for the Raiders’ eight holdouts: quarterback Steve Beuerlein, tailback Marcus Allen, fullback Steve Smith, cornerback Mike Haynes, safety Vann McElroy, tight end Mike Dyal, defensive end Greg Townsend and defensive end Anthony Smith, their No. 1 draft pick.

Has there been any progress in negotiations?

“I’m just waiting for them to tell me when they’re coming in,” Shell said.

Raider Notes

The Raiders released safety Russell Carter, a seven-year veteran. “We’re going in a different direction and we feel comfortable with the younger players we have,” Coach Art Shell said. “We released him early to give him an opportunity to catch on with someone else.” . . . The Raiders also cut Anthony Grove, a rookie wide receiver from LaVerne. . . . Defensive end Lyle Alzado, attempting to make a comeback at 41, didn’t practice Sunday. Shell said that Alzado had suffered a strained calf muscle. Alzado’s status is listed as day to day. . . . Linebacker Bruce Klosterman sat out Sunday’s practice because of a hamstring injury, and running back Leon Perry was sidelined because of a shoulder injury.