The Raiders signed eight year veteran strong safety Greg Wesley to a one year contract. The former Kansas City Chief was a 3rd pick in 2000 and started for the Chiefs for several years, he was replaced by Benard Pollard in 2007. Heading into his ninth year has played both strong and free safety.
He played solid in a back up role,and in key situations or critical downs he would replace one of the starters. He was bumped 0ut of his back up role with the arrival of DaJuan Morgan the third round pick from North Carolina State.
Some may question why the Raiders would sign another safety at this point seeing as the starters are set FS Michael Huff and SS Gibril Wilson.
The team has added depth in signing Wesley, and he is a low risk/high reward free agent pick up. He is being brought into camp to compete at the position and show what he can do.
He realizes that he isn't being counted on as a starter, but being a veteran player he can help out in multiple receiver sets. He can help mentor younger players such as Tyvon Branch at the position.He can instruct him on what to look for and assist the team if someone goes down as well as help on special teams if needed.
The safety position has become a very physical position. It isn't safe being a safety; they're asked to play closer to the line of scrimmage like a linebacker to help shut down the opponents run game.There is a good chance that a safety will have to match up with a bigger fullback or much bigger lineman. I can recall eight safeties going down with injuries in 2005.That was the same year that the Raiders lost SS Derrick Gibson to a broken wrist and CB Charles Woodson, who was playing a lot more safety in the Raiders' big nickel scheme at the time, to a broken fibula.
In today's game you might need to carry more than four safeties in the event of injury and that could be the reason Greg Wesley will be in training camp attempting to join the silver and black. If he can continue to make plays and make the team, it will help the team in more ways than one.
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2 months ago
Great Read, Jeff!
You stated some valid points here. My high school team seems to play a 3-5 becuase the safety is moves in with LBs most of the time!
Anyways, Huff, Wilson, Branch and Wesley... not too shabby for depth especially if you are paying a veteran only $750K. I would have preffered a LB or DT signing instead. Still not over Nmandi not signing a long term contract also!
from 2 months ago
Thanks for the comments and compliments, Umer! Sorry it took a while to respond. Hey, I hope you have a phenomenal season for your high school team.
from 2 months ago
Oh thanks, man. Yeah man, we made it to the CIF (Inland California) championship but lost. Still we finished 10-4 and knocked off some powerhouses along the way. Inland schools are tough and our division ranks in the top 5 of the NATION! Two CIF champions (one of them being the team we lost to last year!) one CIF finalist (us) and the rest all playoff teams just in the last year!
We are looking for a championship this year, anything less will not be enough!
from 2 months ago
Umer,
Are you talking about the Inland Valley League? Citrus Belt League? I recall Centennial putting up a tremendous fight against De La Salle coming back from 31-7 to tie the score at 31 only to fall 37-31 in Division I. I recall Div I, II and III championships were all played at the Home Depot Center in Carson, CA.
2 months ago
Yeah, you got it man! I am from Santiago and we played aginst Cenntenial at the Home Depot Center but got pummeled. Yeah Centennial went to the State Championship but lost to De La Salle. Man You live somewhere around here dont you?!?! Its a small world
from 2 months ago
Well how about that a Shark, sporting the Teal/Black/white gear. I don't reside there I'm in L.A. but I have family residing near the Home Depot Center in Carson and I like watching High School football. I noticed that your school has 15 returning starters and a new QB Brandon Connette that Coach Mitchell says is "tremendously talented". It has been noted that TE/LB Marlion Barnett, OL Jordan Johnson, DB/WR Sean Martin, and DB/WR Sean Murray all will received playing time this year. You'll get another shot at your rival Centennial just be prepared to do damage on Sept 5th against Esperanza. Go Sharks!
2 months ago
Correect again man! We had a no-contact exhibition game just a few weeks ago against Centennial where we beat them 45-24 and one of the guys tried hit Sean Martin. Martin dodged the hit but swung back and both teams got disqualified for that day.
Yeah all those players are monster athletes whereas Centennial let go of some key starters to college.
Keep an eyes on us!
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