Oakland Raiders 2009 Training Camp: The Top Battles To Keep an Eye On

(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

RDE Derrick Burgess vs. Trevor Scott, Greyson Gunheim, and Slade Norris

Derrick Burgess is the starter and is in a contract year, so I fully expect him to have a good year, but it all depends on him remaining healthy and injury free. Perhaps the team can use him more on passing downs as opposed to running plays to keep him healthy.

Trevor Scott had a great first year and made an impact as a sixth round draft choice with five sacks. Greyson Gunheim came off of the practice squad to contribute and show the coaching staff what he could do.

The unknown factor right now is Slade Norris. He played both defensive end and linebacker in college, and right now he is being penciled in as a developmental pass rusher.

Expect the team to come out of training camp three or four deep at the position.

TE Zack Miller vs. Tony Stewart, Darrel Strong, Brandon Myers, Chris O’Neill, and John Paul Foschi

Zack Miller is the unquestioned starter. The reason this position is put down as a position that will have a training camp battle is due to the fact that he is recovering from sports hernia surgery.

Miller is scheduled to be ready for training camp, but it also appears that the Raiders will run more two tight-end sets, which will help improve the running game and provide more pass protection while allowing Miller to be more involved in the passing game.

Brandon Myers was drafted for his size and blocking ability. Chris O’Neill is a talented player that is an excellent receiver and a decent blocker. The Raiders brought back veteran John Paul Foschi, who was with the team from 2004-2006; he played fullback, tight end, and on special teams. He is an excellent blocker and a good receiver over the middle and on the seam routes.

The article isn’t going to predict the Raiders' regular season record either. The goal of this article is to point out a few of the training camp battles that will go down in Oakland, Ca.

I want to be realistic, and with that concept in mind, first things first, I want to see the Oakland Raiders play better, be more consistent, show improvement, and be far more competitive. These are all attainable goals for the team.

Al Davis wanted his track team at the wide receiver position, and he has it. As a matter of fact, the team’s got the height, weight, and speed combination at every position with the exception of the offensive line and defensive tackle positions, where you need more power than speed.

Speed does you no good in the middle. Speaking of the middle, the Raiders didn’t draft any defensive tackles, which I didn’t agree with, but it wasn’t my decision to make. This means that the team will count on the current players at the position. These guys have to get the job done, or this will be the main need area in the 2010 draft.

New defensive coordinator John Marshall will not talk to the media, but word has gotten out through head coach Tom Cable that the team will address their issues against the run with scheme and technique, as well as that the team wants to be more aggressive on defense.

That could mean several things; however, try this on for size—the Raiders playing multiple fronts. The Raiders are focusing a lot on fundamentals, making sure players are in the right position. They're also adding a lot of pressure packages but focusing on the fundamentals. Teaching them and coaching them is a welcome sign.

The Raiders could keep the 4-3 as their base defensive look but also show a 3-4 look. I know some might scoff when that statement is read, but a good way to mask the issues at DT is playing with fewer of them.

To be successful in the 3-4 you need a NT who is big enough to demand a double-team block, as well as one willing to sacrifice himself and his body for the good of the team. I don’t feel that the team has that right now, but the hope is that Terdell Sands can be a stopgap toward say a Terrence Cody next year.

The next step would be having the necessary linebackers to pull it off. This is all speculation, but imagine this if you will: LDE Desmond Bryant, NT Terdell Sands, RDE Tommy Kelly, LOLB Thomas Howard, LILB Kirk Morrison, RILB Frantz Joseph, ROLB David Nixon, LCB Nnamdi Asomugha, RCB Chris Johnson, FS Hiram Eugene, and SS Mike Mitchell.

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