Eugene hopes he's found a home

Small-town product who played on three Europe teams last year makes quick impact for Raiders

By MARTY JAMES
Executive Sports Editor

What a difference a year can make. That’s the way Hiram Eugene feels.

A year ago he bounced between Frankfurt, Amsterdam and Berlin of NFL Europe. He was also hurt and got a late start as a free agent on organized team activities, the Oakland Raiders’ offseason program.

This year Eugene, a free safety on a very deep and talented defense, feels like he’s done all of his homework and is ready for any challenge that comes his way.

“I’m much more confident of myself this year than last year,” he said after Wednesday’s late afternoon practice at the Raiders’ training camp complex. “Our tempo in camp is so high. But you benefit from it, because the game is moving at a fast pace. You have no choice but to really go at that pace.”

Eugene didn’t miss an OTA, enabling him to get a jump start on the season and what is expected of him.

“It has been a good camp for me,” said Eugene, a second-year player from Louisiana Tech. “But I know there’s still some things that I lack. I try to work on the things that I’m having trouble with, and it helps me carry it into the game.”

Eugene — who is from Jeanerette, a small town in southern Louisiana — started off the preseason in a big way.

Playing the dime position as a fifth defensive back in a zone set up, he intercepted a pass on third down and returned it 36 yards for a touchdown with nine minutes to go in the second quarter of the Raiders’ 27-23 win over Arizona last week in Oakland. He went untouched to the end zone.

“I was in the right place at the right time, doing my thing,” he said. “It was a very big moment. For one, you get the coaches and the fans behind you, and that’s always a plus. And then you build that confidence off of that after making such a big play. All good can come out of something like that.”

Eugene also had two tackles, both in the open field.

Those types of plays can go a long ways in registering an impression with the coaching staff and improving a player’s chances of making the roster. Eugene, who was on the practice squad for the majority of last year’s season, is listed third at free safety on the Raiders’ depth chart. He’s playing behind Stuart Schweigert and B.J. Ward.

“I think I’ve got a very good shot,” Eugene said. “For me, it’s going to take continuing to make more plays, continuing to recognize, and continuing to have my teammates trust me as well as my coaches.

“(Defensive coordinator) Rob Ryan puts me in a good position to be able to make plays. He’s got a lot of trust in me.”

Eugene also spent time on the Raiders’ practice squad in 2005 after joining the Silver and Black following the start of that season.

“I’m very pleased with the way things have been going. The way coaches here are running things, the players are getting fired up.”

Asked about his individual skills in the secondary, Eugene said he can break on the ball well, has good range of the field, and has a good read on the quarterback.

“I’ve got a good knack for the ball. I try to be where ever the ball is.”

Eugene was All-District and All-State at wide receiver and free safety for two years (1997 and 1999) at Jeanerette High School. He also earned All-State honors in basketball and track and field (high jump and long jump) in 1999, and was considering professional baseball at one time.

He played two years of football at Pearl River Community College and made 29 tackles with a sack as a senior at Louisiana Tech while playing in 12 games.

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