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Raiders and Niners mix it up in Napa

JOHN BURGESS/THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
What happens when you bring the Forty-Niners into the Raiders training camp? A lot of pushing, shoving and head-butting, as this morning scuffle shows.

By MATT MAIOCCO
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

Published: Monday, August 4, 2008 at 1:54 p.m.
Last Modified: Monday, August 4, 2008 at 8:18 p.m.

NAPA - The San Francisco 49ers and Oakland Raiders met in a rare combined practice Monday and -- here's a surprise -- a fight broke out.

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Forty-Niner Louis Holms, left, tries to get around Raider tackle Seth Wand during morning drills at the Raiders training camp in Napa Monday.
JOHN BURGESS/THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

The scuffle and ensuing scrum erupted shortly after the morning practice began, and occured even as coaches were warning players to avoid "live" tackling

Their purpose was to avoid injuries by employing a "wrap-and-release" technique instead of full-bore contact.

But Raiders linebacker Edgerton Hartwell didn't get the memo. He leveled 49ers fullback Moran Norris with a shoulder tackle on a 7-on-7 passing drill. Norris got to his feet and immediately went after Hartwell. There were a few punches thrown as players from both sides joined the fun.

Forty Niners coach Mike Nolan, who coached Hartwell with the Ravens, tried to calm him down. Hartwell pleaded his case to Nolan. He told Nolan that Norris came at him.

Combined practices are unusual in the NFL, but take place occasionally to give players a change of pace. The cross-Bay rivals play an exhibition game Friday, 7 p.m., at the Oakland Coliseum.

See Matt Maiocco's blog for regular updates on the San Francisco 49ers.


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