Oakland Raider Position Battles to Watch for in the Last Preseason Game
In many ways, the Oakland Raiders are a rebuilt team.
In other ways, the Raiders are still in transition.
Just how much transition are they in?
That largely depends on the result of the battles for positions on the team. I expect Thursday's game against the Seattle Seahawks to be played hard because some of these battles may come down to it.
Turn the page to have a look at them.
Quarterback Bruce Gradkowski
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We start with the quarterback position and Bruce Gradkowski.
Gradkowski is a hero in Raider Nation for doing a little something last season. That little something happens to be the only something that was done on the Raider offense before he was injured.
After overcoming two knee injuries, he's had to overcome a torn pectoral and a pulled groin. From there, he was able to play very well against the 49ers to state his case for the back-up quarterback job.
Quarterback Kyle Boller
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Jason Campbell is the obvious starter but Kyle Boller was outplaying all Raider quarterbacks for the first couple of preseason games. It actually looked like Boller would be the number two until Gradkowski had his big game.
As of now, it could all come down to Thursday for Boller and Gradkowski.
Corner Chris Johnson
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Chris Johnson had an off year last year.
However, he has had an awesome training camp.
There are two problems.
One: There's another corner outside of Johnson and Nnamdi Asomugha having a great camp.
Two: Johnson missed the last preseason game with a pulled hamstring.
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Corner Stanford Routt
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When I first heard that Routt was in a heated battle with Johnson, I thought Tom Cable had lost his mind. After watching Routt play this preseason, my faith in Cable was restored.
Routt is looking like a Pro Bowler this preseason.
His teammates speak of how he finally gets it.
Maybe he'll get the starting spot too.
Thursday evening may decide.
Safety Michael Huff
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Michael Huff should be a part of the corner competition but he's losing his hold on the free safety position.
That's because he can't tackle.
For two games in a row, Huff has missed a tackle and allowed the running back to break a long run. The Raider front seven is outstanding but backs sneak through any front seven at times.
Opposing offense are playing too.
A free safety needs to be able to make a tackle for a 10 yard gain rather than have the play for a 90-yard touchdown run.
Something must be done here.
Huff's three interceptions last year are hardly enough to make up for his non-tackling.
Safety Mike Mitchell
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Mike Mitchell played free safety against the 49ers.
All I can say about that is finally.
He has struggled mightily in man coverage as a strong safety so it's a good fit. Mitchell should be allowed to roam and hit as a free safety because that's what he does best.
You also don't have to worry about Mitchell being scared to tackle as the last line of defense.
Perhaps Mitchell can so someting Thursday to gain the Coach Cable's trust.
Guard Cooper Carlisle.
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I have all the respect in the world for Cooper Carlisle because he gave Raider Nation all he had. Unfortunately, Carlisle has nothing left to give to Raider Nation.
There's no shame in that.
Athletes are supposed to ride it until the wheels fall off.
Now it's time for the coaches to recognize that and act accordingly.
Guard Bruce Campbell
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Bruce Campbell has all the talent in the world to be a great guard.
He's big, strong, and fast to pull outside.
But is he ready?
He has quietly played well this preseason and is a good fit for Hue Jackson's bully movement.
Thursday night can tremendously help his case to win the job at right guard.
Center Samson Satele
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Samson Satele has played last year and this preseason as if Delilah has gotten a hold of him. He has given up sacks and he's been consistently pushed back in the run game.
What else does he have to do to lose his job?
He has a big and strong youngster looking to take that job from him.
It's too bad Satele had to get hurt for this battle to heat up.
Center Jared Veldheer
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Jared Veldheer is a small school wonder that came to the Raiders as a left tackle. A lost battle with Julius Peppers showed that his lack of length will hurt him as a left tackle.
However, he is a big, strong, athletic and smart man so center may work well for him. He got confused a few times starting at center against the 49ers but played well over all.
Raider Nation has yet to see Satele play as well as Veldheer did against the 49ers. Veldheer is also the better fit for Jackson's bully movement.
There's one more game to make that decision easier or harder.
Receiver Louis Murphy
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Everyone in Raider Nation knows that Chaz Schilens will be the number one receiver when he's healthy.
But what about the number two receiver?
Who will be number one if Schilens is down for a while?
Throughout camp, all the talk has been about how much Darrius Heyward-Bey has improved. Murphy then promptly reminded us with a 74-yard touchdown catch that he is still here too.
Murphy has production as an advantage but Heyward-Bey is the number one draft pick.
Receiver Darrius Heward-Bey
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Heyward-Bey is catching the ball much better these days.
He did have a drop against the 49ers but so did Murphy.
There are many competitions within this competition.
Improvement vs production.
Game speed vs timed speed.
First round pick vs late round gem.
Clutch player vs a drop in the clutch last year.
Maybe Thursday night settles it.
I hope you enjoyed the slide show.
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