"He dictated coverage. He dictated everything," Davis said.

For those keeping score, Branch had 501 receptions for 8,685 yards and 67 touchdowns, averaging 17.3 yards per catch. Stallworth had 537 receptions for 8,723 yards (16.2 yards per catch) and 61 TDs, and Swann 332 catches for 5,462 yards (16.3 yards per catch) and 51 scores.

In 18 postseason games, Branch had 72 catches for 1,281 yards and five touchdowns.

--Cable wisely has taken the opposite approach of dealing with Davis, working with him rather than against him. Predecessor Lane Kiffin said he barely spoke to Davis at all in his final months -- something Davis has refuted through the arbitration process.

"I know all the stories. I've heard them. But I've been in there two years now as an assistant and the interim head coach and head coach," Cable said. "The guy is amazing. He is probably most responsible for the NFL being where it is. And he's proud of that.

"What he told me when he hired me is, 'We can only do it if we do it together. ... I need you for this, this and this. What do you need from me?'"

--When Cable was rattling off the list of leaders which have helped change the culture of the Raiders, he named cornerback Chris Johnson and safety Hiram Eugene.

Johnson took over for DeAngelo Hall, was an instant upgrade, and cashed in with a contract that reportedly included a $4 million signing bonus. Eugene replaced Michael Huff, the No. 7 overall pick in the 2005 draft, and received high marks from the coaching staff.

Johnson was an unrestricted free agent, Eugene a restricted free agent.

Both players have been at the Raiders' voluntary offseason workout program and Johnson's terms have been printed in the media, although not from Raiders sources.

The Raiders have not announced the signing of either player on their "transactions" on the club Web site, and team spokesmen won't confirm the signings either.

--The player the Raiders seemed most interested in at the USC Pro Day wasn't a Trojan, but wide receiver Ramses Barden of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

Barden had a private interview with Raiders scouts and officials, and also talked with the Raiders at the Senior Bowl and at the NFL scouting combine.

The San Francisco Chronicle reports wide receivers coach Sanjay Lal has been a frequent caller.

Barden is 6-foot-6, 229 pounds and had 20 straight games with a touchdown reception. If Barden is a target, it means the Raiders are likely passing on the two players most frequently associated with their No. 7 overall pick -- Texas Tech wideout Michael Crabtree and Missouri's Jeremy Maclin.

It's conceivable Barden could be available with Oakland's second-round pick, No. 8 in the round.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "It makes a statement from the club and a statement from the player that this is where he wants to be. It's the right marriage and a step in the right direction." -- Raiders coach Tom Cable on the symbolism associated with the re-signing of cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha.