In this latest installment of the weirdness the NFL lockout has ushered in, Raiders' rookie offensive lineman Stefan Wisniewski told me Wednesday that he has not spoken to his uncle -- Oakland assistant line coach Steve Wisniewski -- except for the one day last month when the lockout was briefly lifted.
The league has barred contact between team employees and players while the lockout is in effect. Cordial conversation between relatives -- like New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin and son-in-law guard Chris Snee -- aren't being overly regulated. Even so, Wisniewski said he and his uncle, a former standout Raiders lineman, have been playing it safe. He doesn't like it at all but said no one is taking any chances.
Representatives of the NFLPA have been at recent workouts with the Raiders and Atlanta Falcons to keep them updated on issues surrounding the current status of the lockout. Those representatives met with players at organized workouts over the past two days in suburban Atlanta.
Raiders defensive end Richard Seymour said the conversations have been informative and healthy and that representatives came to the workouts because they knew there would be a sizable gathering of players. No details were given, but there were question-and-answer sessions after players were briefed.