Oakland Raiders, Linebacker Edition: Who'll Start at Stronside LB?

(Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

With the exception of Nnamdi Asomugha, the Oakland Raiders Linebackers have been the lone bright spot on a dismal defense the past few seasons.

The past three seasons Kirk Morrison and Thomas Howard have provided excitement and big plays almost on a regular basis.

However, the duo of Morrison and Howard need to find one more guy to complete their trio.

This past season the Raiders rotated between Ricky Brown, Sam Williams and Jon Alston. Which one of these guys will step up and provide Howard and Morrison with the help they've been needing? Or, will it be rookie Frantz Joseph? 

Let's take a look at the second level of the Raiders defense.

OLB, weakside, Thomas Howard: Howard will be entering his 4th season with the Raiders. So far, he's shown the ability to make tackles in the open field and an even greater ability in coverage.

In 2008, Howard had 97 tackles and one interception. In his three seasons with Oakland Howard only has two sacks due to Rob Ryan only blitzing once in a blue moon. In 2007, Howard was snubbed from the Pro Bowl when he had 95 tackles, 11 passes defended, and six interceptions. Two of which he returned for touchdowns.

MLB, Kirk Morrison: Kirk Morrison has been the motor for the defense since arriving in Oakland in 2005. The only criticism Morrison gets is that he isn't able to shed blockers as well as you would want him to. You could also attribute some of that to the poor play of the front four in recent years. But, make no mistake, if Morrison gets his hands on the ball carrier he will make the tackle.

Morrison has started all but one game in his four previous seasons with the Raiders. In those four seasons he has accumulated 498 tackles, three sacks, and seven interceptions. With all of Morrisons stellar play he has yet to see a Pro Bowl.

OLB, strongside, ??? I'm gonna leave this one up to debate. Who do you think should start for the Raiders at OLB. Should it be one of the guys from last season, Sam Williams, Ricky Brown, or Jon Alston? Does anyone think that the "Feel Good Story" of Frantz Joseph will have a chance at cracking the starting roster?  That's who I'm pulling for.

Let me know what you think,  who should the Raiders other starting linebacker be?

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