Oakland Raiders: Training Camp Battles To Watch

At least Shane Lechler and Sebastian Janikowski are locks...

Raiders head coach Tom Cable is coming off of a promising 3-3 finish to the 2008 campaign, but the roster still has notable question marks that training camp should help clear up in training camp.   

1. Darrius Heyward-Bey, Johnnie Lee Higgins, Chaz Schilens, and Louis Murphy (WR)

Talk about a mess.

Oakland released Ronald Curry and failed to land a big-name free-agent receiver (Terrell Owens and Anquan Boldin).

Veteran Javon Walker has been a disappointment after signing a $55 million contract last year. His injuries and conduct place him closer to the IR than the starting line-up.

Mike Williams didn't fare much better.

Oakland is now left with talented but unproven candidates fighting to be the featured wideout in 2009. No early favorite here.  

Heyward-Bey plays right to Jamarcus Russell's strengths. The Maryland product's size and speed make him ideal for jump balls and vertical routes. But Heyward-Bey's questionable hands leave doubts about him as a go-to target.

Higgins was the Raiders' most explosive player in 2008, catching a team-high four receiving touchdowns and adding three more on punt returns. At 6-0 and 185, he must bulk up if he hopes to compete against larger defensive backs.

Schilens has favorable size (6-4, 225) and came on strong with two touchdowns in the final two games of 2008 after being used mostly as a blocking receiver.

The rookie Murphy brings SEC speed, as well as experience on two BCS championship teams at Florida.

Prediction: Heyward-Bey in a toss-up

Higgins was the team's leading receiver, but his punt return duties will relegate him to second on the depth chart. Schilens and Murphy will battle for third, leaving (almost by default) Heyward-Bey, who needs to have an immediate impact to justify his No.7 draft selection.

That being said, this competition will probably be more wide open than the names I mentioned. In any case, it will likely be decided during the season, not in camp.

2. Ricky Brown, Sam Williams, Jon Alston, Slade Norris (Strong-Side Linebacker)

Another mess, plain and simple.

The Raiders had to address this position during the off-season if they had any hope of resurrecting a 31st-ranked run defense from 2008.

The results?

In the draft, Brian Orakpo (a popular pick among mock drafts) was ignored, as was the Matthews-Cushing duo from USC. A free-agent possiblity, Leroy Hill, resigned with the Seahawks.

Brown is the incumbent, and won't exactly face stellar competition in camp.

Williams is a former starter, but he and Alston figure to be more of special teamers. The same goes for the unproven Norris.

Prediction: Brown by default, based on his competition. Just expect to see running backs salivate when given the opportunity to run outside on Oakland.

3. Tyvon Branch, Hiram Eugene, Michael Huff, Michael Mitchell (Safety)

With the departures of Gibril Wilson and Rashad Baker, the battle will be come down to these four. 

After being replaced by the undrafted Eugene at free safety one game into Tom Cable's 2008 tenure, Huff will battle him once again in camp for the position.

A disappointment so far since being drafted in 2006, this may be a make-or-break season for the former Thorpe Award winner.

Mitchell, the team's second round pick in 2009, will be under considerable pressure to produce at strong safety. The Raiders are high on the hard-hitting but raw Ohio product, even if most of the pundits are not.

He will compete against Branch, who displayed a knack for being around the ball before his leg injury in 2008.

Prediction: Eugene holds off Huff, who is unable to improve the sloppy tackling that led to his benching. Branch will beat out Mitchell, who should still see plenty of action this season.

4. Khalif Barnes vs. Mario Henderson (Left Tackle)

Jamarcus Russell can't pass while laying on the turf.

Protecting his blindside and reducing the 31 sacks from last season is a must if the Raiders' franchise quarterback has any shot at developing.

Avoiding silly penalties will also be key to putting Russell in manageable situations.

After serving mostly special teams purposes, Henderson came on strong at the end of 2008. He made five starts at left tackle, including the final three games during which the Raiders went 2-1.

Challenging him will be Barnes, a former second round pick in 2005 who started of 57 of 60 possible games in Jacksonville. 

Prediction: Henderson

Henderson earned the advantage with his play down the stretch, but he will have to solidify the sport with a strong performance in camp.

5. Jamarcus Russell vs. Jeff Garcia (QB)

In his first full year as a starter, Russell showed flashes of brilliance - most notably, the cannon arm that Al Davis fell in love with. He finished off 2008 strong with six touchdowns and just two interceptions over his last three games. 

However, his accuracy (a 53-percent completion rate) remains a concern. Critics of Russell's work ethic point a prolonged rookie holdout that wasted valuable learning time. They also cite reports that Russell has reported to camp overweight.

What Garcia lacks in measurables he makes up for with his onfield performance. He has led two different teams (the Eagles and Bucaneers) to the playoffs in the past three years. He also offers mobility - a plus, if the Raiders' offensive line does not improve. 

Garcia clearly does not intend to be, as Peter King said, "a quietly supportive backup." 

Prediction: Russell

This "contest" may end up being nothing more than a media build-up.

Garcia provides a proven alternative at signal caller, but this team belongs to Russell, and the speed drafted around him attests to that.  

Jamarcus' progression will benefit from him finally having coaching continuity as a pro. And being challenged for the job by a hungry Garcia should provide even further motivation to succeed.