Oakland Raiders: Back-Ups Stepping Up To The Plate In 2011

The season comes to an end, and fans start looking toward an uncertain free agency pool, and the always important NFL draft class. The Oakland Raiders have already made bold decisions as they have changed their coaching outlook heading into the 2011 season and beyond. So far, their decisions have been deemed as positive making the move from Tom Cable to Hue Jackson.

Hue Jackson has made it known what kind of football team he aspires to create. A team of physical dominance and athleticism. A team of mental toughness and discipline. The kind of team that can be a force not just for the present, but also the distant future.

With free agency and the draft approaching, fans look for ways to improve their football team. Often forgotten is the unsung back-ups that have a vast amount of potential, that could one day make true contributions.

This slide show will display those players who in 2011, could fill some true wholes on our roster, leaving the free agency period and NFL Draft room to fill other needs of depth.

Bruce Campbell

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GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 26: (L-R) Marcel Reece #45, Mike Mitchell #34 and Bruce Campbell #73 of the Oakland Raiders before the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on September 26, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. The C

Bruce Campbell is probably best known for his outstanding performance at the 2010 NFL Scouting Combine. His performance initially had media frenzies assuming he would go to the Oakland Raiders in the first round due to his measurables and the pride the Raiders take in the measurables of their players.

Well, the Raiders made the media look a bit foolish in their display of patience, choosing Campbell in the fourth round.

Then Head Coach Tom Cable, decided that it would be beneficial, that Campbell would be a back-up right guard, instead of tackle, giving Campbell a better chance at getting playing time, and also becoming more versatile.

Well, Cable did not allow Campbell to get much playing time at that position, despite the poor play of starter Cooper Carlisle.

Personally, I didn't have a problem with Cable's decision to sit Campbell, because he truly was a raw prospect. But Right Guard? This guy has Tackle written all over him. To put Bruce Campbell at guard would be the biggest waste of athleticism I have ever seen.

Campbell should project to be a solid Right Tackle. Especially as the Raiders transition to a Power Blocking Scheme. Because Campbell is known for his athleticism, his strength is over shadowed, but he is very strong. He could anchor that side of the line for quite some time.

Daniel Loper

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GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 26: Guard Daniel Loper #60 of the Oakland Raiders sits on the sidelines during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on September 26, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated th

Cooper Carlisle has been a liability at right guard for the Raiders for quite some time. The Raiders ranked second in rushing offense in 2010, but it is an understatement to say that the left side of the line was the Raiders bread and butter. Carlisle unfortunatley is not the answer at that position.

Daniel Loper started four games in 2010 at that position, making the Raiders rushing attack a lot better. It is a big difference when you can run on both sides of the offensive line.

Loper is a viable right guard in a power scheme. 6'6 320lbs and quality footwork. Loper would really fill a void on this offensive line that we all know needs work.

To get a guy like Logan Mankins in free agency would be huge, but expensive. Loper could do a very adequate job at making this line a whole lot better. Loper is a 6 year veteran, who's been a back up for quite some time. His window of opportunity of becoming a starter is closing, but I think he could be a good veteran for a long time if he hits the ground running.

Having an assistant O-line coach in Steve Wisneiwski could be a big deal in Loper's development.

Travis Goethel

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - DECEMBER 12: Maurice Jones-Drew #32 of the Jacksonville Jaguars breaks the tackle of Travis Goethel #50 of the Oakland Raiders during the game at EverBank Field on December 12, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Ge

Travis Goethel was apart of the great draft class the Raiders had in 2010. I think because of the impact earlier round rookies had, Goethel goes a bit unnoticed. Goethel did start off the year injured but when he was healthy, he made some big plays on special teams.

Travis Goethel was projected to be a pure middle linebacker. Many felt that he did not have the skills in coverage to be an outside linebacker. Goethel himself admited that he was better as a run stopper than in pass coverage. Though a solid tackler, Goethel struggled when he filled in for Rolando McClain vs Jacksonville, but when he filled in for OLB Quinton Groves, he did a very good job in both stopping the run and pass coverage.

Maybe he is more versatile than we thought. I still see him being a back up in 2011, but if he can loosen up his hips a bit, Groves might want to watch his back.

Goethel, McClain and Kamerion Wimbley as a group could give the Raiders some bulk at the linebacker position.

Jeremy Ware/Walter McFadden

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OAKLAND, CA - SEPTEMBER 2: Jeremy Ware #23 and Mike Mitchell #34 of the Oakland Raiders celebrate against the Seattle Seahawks during an NFL preseason game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on September 2, 2010 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jed Jac

Two other rookies that went unnoticed last year were Jeremy Ware and Walter McFadden.

I couldn't choose between the two because they are both so similar, though both of them have their own specialties. Both are 5'10, close to 190 lbs, quick feet, and both have Nickel Back written all over them.

Jeremy Ware is a more physical corner. He is going to try and jam slot receivers, who are typically smaller receivers, at the line of scrimmage. Walter McFadden is a bit better in man coverage, and was drafted because his ball skills.

McFadden's only time of significant play was vs. Miami. Needless to say he struggled. Struggle may not even be the word. But with another training camp he should make real progress. Ware on the other hand had a bit better of a rookie year making a big play vs the Chiefs with an interception.

Standford Routt is probably going to be opposite Nnamdi Asomugha if he stays. Chris Johnson could be let go with a rookie draft pick in Jimmy Smith out of Colorado being a possibility. So the need of a nickel back is apparent.

Desmond Bryant

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OAKLAND, CA - NOVEMBER 28: Desmond Bryant #90 of the Oakland Raiders stands on the sidelines during the closing minutes of their loss to the Miami Dolphins at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on November 28, 2010 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Sh

6'6, 310lbs. Those are Richard Seymour's measurables. 6'5, 290lbs. Those are Desmond Bryant's measurables. The closest thing to a Richard Sermour the Raiders are going to see.

Desmond Bryant had a very solid preseason in 2009 as an undrafted rookie out of Harvard. Bryant is a very good prospect who has lots of room to improve and the sky is the limit for this young man. Bryant is a very good pass rusher similar to Richard Seymour, but unlike Seymour, Bryant can improve against the run.

If you asked Bryant to gain about 15 pounds of muscle and power, he could be a great replacement for Seymour. Wether the Raiders Franchise Seymour, or preferably give him a long term deal, the fact is, Seymour only has so much time with us. Looking toward the future of that position should be beneficial for the Raiders. I see Bryant really having a solid performance in 2011. Could come away with quite a few sacks.

Damola Adeniji

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LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 24: Damola Adeniji #80 of the Oregon State Beavers catches a pass as he defended by Kevin Thomas #15 and T.J. Bryant #1 of the USC Trojans during the first quarter of the college football game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on

Damola Adeniji was a hard decision for me to put on this list. I kept thinking to myself, how could he make a difference going into 2011. But at the end of the day, I couldn't leave him off. Wide Receiver is a delicate subject for Raider fans in my opinion.

Some believe it is not a need. Others believe it is. Then you have the fans who want a veteran at that position. Then I thought to myself, if there is so much uncertainty at that position, reguardless of what your opinion is, wide receiver is a concern. I want your opinion on what you think Adeniji can bring to the table.

Damola Adeniji was added to the practice squad last preseason, but did not get the chance to make an impact in any of the preseason games. Why? I think the Raiders had an intriguing prospect in Nick Miller and wanted to see what he could do. They also wanted to give Jhonnie Lee Higgins one more chance. And don't get me started on the waste of a roster spot in Todd Watkins(who I beleive was eventually cut).

Coming into 2011, the outlook of that position is completly different. Jacoby Ford made the need for Nick Miller unneccesary. Higgins for lack of a better term is soft. Watkins is finally out of here.

Now I expect all of our receivers to get better. DHB is going to show great improvement. Louis Murphy will be a lot more consistent. Ford will continue to make plays, and YES, I have faith, Chaz Schilens will stay healthy.

So what of Damola Adeniji?

Adeniji was a special teams player for Oregon State. He was a one year starter his Senior year, which is why I think he went undrafted, but it was a productive senior year. 57 receptions, 807 yards, 5 touchdown receptions.

6'3 215 pounds, solid hands, and all of the scouts mentioned his body control. Adeniji brings a dynamic that no other receiver on our roster brings. A physical presence over the middle.

Schilens is 6'4 225lbs. But his body is not as compact as Adeniji's body is, giving Adeniji a huge advantage in crossing routtes.

The Raiders have all the speed they need at WR. So the fact that Adeniji fan a 4.5 in the forty, is not that big a deal. I know Al Davis looks for those 4.3 runners, but 4.5 is not slow. Corners may not feel the wind blow past them when Adeniji runs by them, but they will feel the ground shake when he runs through them.

Schilens and Adeniji both share the gift of quality hands. With Murphy and DHB becoming better targets, adding Adeniji to this corps could be huge.

For the record, I am a Jacoby Ford fan. But in my opinion, the Raiders aren't going to ask Ford to be a traditional receiver. He can do things that most receivers just can't do, the Raiders are going to let him be an "X Factor" type of play maker. When you need a big play, let Ford do his thing. A lot like the way Kansas City used Dexter McCluster. Only from the WR position as opposed to RB.