NAPA, Calif. -- Observations on the 2003 Oakland Raiders from training camp practices:

	Jerry Porter caught 51 passes for 688 yards last season.

1. Jerry Porter has pretty much emerged as the second option in this offense. Jerry Rice is lighter and is the "go-to" receiver. Porter is the big-play guy. Tim Brown has adjusted to a selfless role where he catches shorter passes that may free up Porter. But Porter is a big, explosive big-play threat who is headed toward stardom.

2. The Barret Robbins comeback doesn't look too good. He's trying. He's taking medication and he is practicing. But, over the weekend, Raiders coach Bill Callahan moved tackle-guard Matt Stinchcomb to the first-team center position. Adam Treu is established as the backup and the deep snapper. Where does that leave Robbins, who is trying to win back the confidence of his teammates after bolting on them on the eve of the Super Bowl? Medication for his bipolar disorder bloated his waistline. His weight soared as high as 360 pounds. Robbins trimmed his weight within seven pounds of what the Raiders want him at, but he's struggling because of offseason knee surgery. He has had swelling and his practice time has been limited. "Actually, Barrett looks better than he did a year ago," coach Bill Callahan said. "But he still needs to establish a consistency of practice. He'll go at it in the morning, and the knee will swell up on him. He can't get the rhythm in his practices." Robbins won't play in the Raiders' first exhibition game, and he knows that he needs to play to win back the confidence of his teammates. He's willing, but the body isn't cooperating yet. I don't get any positive vibes about this situation right now.

3. The star of camp is second-round choice Teyo Johnson, a tight end from Stanford who adds amazing athletic ability to the passing attack. Because he was a Division I basketball player, Johnson has the footwork to work through zone defenses and be open. He catches the ball well and his running style is explosive.

4. Cornerback Phillip Buchanon has been slowed by a hamstring injury since the start of camp and hasn't hit his stride as the starting cornerback on the other side of Charles Woodson. Callahan said that Woodson is having a great camp. Buchanon must be healthy at the start of the season because of Tory James' departure in free agency.

5. The Raiders got a major scare Tuesday when defensive end DeLawrence Grant sprained his left knee in a non-contact incident during an impromptu morning scrimmage. Grant will miss a week, which hurts because he's competing for a starting job. Except for 37-year-old Trace Armstrong, the Raiders' ends are young. Grant is a pass-rusher. Kenyon Coleman is in his second year and Tyler Brayton is a promising first-round choice who will play a lot this season. Third-round choice Sam Williams may also get early playing time, too. With four of the top-five ends so young, the Raiders don't know what they have at that position.

John Clayton is a senior writer for ESPN.com.