(photo by Patrick A. Patterson)
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Once the game with Seattle concludes the Raiders will have about 48 hours to determine the nature of their final 53 man roster. For several of the players, they have worked hard all their lives for this one chance to make an NFL team, and that dream will come crashing down on Saturday. There will be veterans who will have to market their services elsewhere, hoping that another team will take a chance on them. Then there will be these guys, they will be the ones who will start the season decked out in Silver and Black as Oakland Raiders.
Quarterback: (3)
JaMarcus Russell, Jeff Garcia, and Bruce Gradkowski
No big surprises here. Charley Frye pushed Gradkowski hard, and this one can easily go wither way. Gradkowski will get it based on having been with the team longer.
Running back: (5)
Darren McFadden, Justin Fargas, Michael Bush, Gary Russell, and Oren O'Neal
The fullback situation was pretty well set in stone once the veteran Lorenzo Neal was cut two weeks ago. Gary Russell will get the nod as the fifth back based on his ability to play either halfback or fullback, which is something that Coach Cable alluded to during minicamp. He has also been a key player on special teams, which will put him onm the team.
Wide receiver: (5)
Darrius Heyward-Bey, Louis Murphy, Javon Walker, Chaz Schilens, Nick Miller
Chaz Schilens's foot should be ready to go by the fourth game, so the Raiders won't IR him, as IR costs a player an entire season. This does leave the Raiders thin at WR to start the season, but it wasn't too long ago they broke camp with only four.
Tight end: (3)
Zach Miller, Brandon Myers, and Tony Stewart
Myers has had an impressive preseason displaying hands that no one expected of him. Stewart is a special teams war horse, and will use that to beat out Darrell Strong.
Offensive line: (10)
Mario Henderson, Robert Gallery, Samson Satele, Cooper Carlisle, Cornell Green, Khalif Barnes, Erik Pears, Paul McQustan, Chris Morris, and Mark Wilson
The starting five are set. Barnes is expected to return after week two, which could leave Green on the bench. When Barnes returns, Wilson will likely be the one jettisoned. However, the Raiders need to break camp with enough “just in case” depth.
Defensive end: (4)
Trevor Scott, Greg Ellis, Jay Richardson, and Matt Shaughnessy
No surprises here. Greyson Gunheim's time runs out.
Defensive tackle: (4)
Tommy Kelly, Gerard Warren, Desmond Bryant, and William Joseph
Desmond Bryant has come on strong, and will make the team as an undrafted free agent. William Joseph will beat out Ryan Boschetti by a hair. No matter what Cable says, not injured, but not playing for two games means that Terdell Sands is done as a Raider.
Linebacker: (8)
Kirk Morrison, Thomas Howard, Ricky Brown, Jon Alston, Slade Norris, and Isaiah Ekejiuba
As long as Ekejiuba and Morrison are healthy, this is the end of the Sam Williams scholarship program.
Defensive backs: (9)
Nnamdi Asomugha, Chris Johnson, Tyvon Branch, Hiram Eugene, Stanford Routt, Justin Miller, Mike Mitchell, Rashad Baker, John Bowie
With Bowie finally able to break camp healthy, he gets one more year on the coattails of being the guy the Raiders got for Randy Moss.
Special teams (3)
K-Sebastian Janikowski
P-Shane Lechler
LS-Jon Condo
Comments
Higgins is gonna get cut???
Few observations pat. You failed to mention Jonnie Lee Higgins and Jarome Boyd. Boyd played well and would think he gets the nod over bowie.
higgins cut? not likely. baker over huff and boyd? no. you list 8 lb's but name only 6 and your numbers add up to 52. boyd, o'neill, and nixon to the practice squad.
Patrick, what's going on here? Were you even trying Higgins will not be cut first of all.I actually think they will carry six WR's anyway.Atleast until Chaz is recovered.And did anyone but me notice your picks to make the O-line? Mark Wilson has already been cut! This past Sunday!
You only have 52 & you wrote they were keeping 8 lb's & you only have 6 players listed. They will keep 6 WR.
+ Johnnie Lee Higgins fool!
Gee Pat! you must have been in a rush to put this arcticle out.
Unusual for you to have so many key mistakes!!
wilson looked good last night , sealed well on first touchdown run, did his job no holding, no offsides, sacks came from the outside. wonder about the "zone" blocking, a lot of teams are using it, but does not seem to work well for the raiders.
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