Post OTA Oakland Raider offensive check up

June 21, 11:37 PMOakland Raiders ExaminerPatrick Patterson

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Tom Cable coaches Mario Henderson during an OTA. Photo by Patterson/EXAMINER.com

Now, the offseason workouts have come to their conclusion, and the team is all but on hiatus until they report to Napa for training camp at the end of next month. Through the offseason, the Raiders have met for quarterback schools, minicamp, and five OTA sessions. This makes it a good time to examine where the Oakland Raiders stand. Today, the focus will be on the offensive side of the ball, and tomorrow will be the defensive side of the ball.

Quarterbacks: JaMarcus Russell is improving after his rough start to the offseason, however he will still have to step things up in camp to be the quarterback that he needs to be for the Raiders to be successful. Jeff Garcia had a few rough patches in mincamp, but has been a demonstrative and vocal leader. Both Bruce Gradkowski and Charlie Frye are fighting for the third quarterback spot. Danny Southwick has been around, but got no meaningful reps. Andrew Walter has been MIA except for the mandatory camp.

Running backs: The Raiders running back stable looks to be ready to be one of the best in the league. Darren McFadden has been flashing the speed that he didn't have last year with the turf toe injuries. Justin Fargas ran smooth, making clean cuts, and showing why he is a legit 1000 yard back. Michael Bush is the power back of the three, yet he has deceptive speed. Louis Rankin and Gary Russell have both flashed ability. Lorenzo Neal, Marcel Reece, and Luke Lawton will be competing in camp to see who will open holes. Oren O'Neal has yet to suit up as he is still recovering from his injury suffered in the preseason last year.

Wide Receivers: Darrius Heyward-Bey has been unable to stay off the trainer's table. Fellow rookie Louis Murphy has shown flashes that he will be successful at the NFL level. The star of the wide receiver corps has been second year receiver Chaz Schilens, who's only blemish was being held out of the final OTA with soreness. Neither Javon Walker, nor Arman Shields have seen the field at all. Johnnie Lee Higgins has looked solid, as has Todd Watkins.

Tight Ends: Zach Miller missed practices early due to a sports hernia, but upon his return didn't seem to miss a beat. The tight end position looks to be featured in this offense as many of the plays run in front of the media featured the tight end as the receiver.

Offensive Line: With these having been non-contact practices, it is next to impossible to get a fix on how the offensive line is playing. So far, Khalif Barnes and Mario Henderson look to be in a dead heat for the left tackle position. Cornell Green has played the bulk of the first team snaps at right tackle, with Erik Pears working the second team. Robert Gallery and Cooper Carlisle are the guards, with John Wade getting the first team reps over Samson Satele, as Satele returns from offseason surgery.

Tomorrow... the defense...

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