Oakland Raiders 2011 Preseason Preview: 8 Things to Watch Week 1

It's finally here. Real football. After the most historic yet frustrating offseason in the history of the National Football League, football finally returns Aug. 11. The Oakland Raiders are coming into a season where their expectations are a bit higher than in years past. Yes, the Raiders are considered true contenders in their AFC West division and could quite possibly be the champions of that division come season's end. The foundation of that lofty goal begins in the preseason.

True, the preseason is meant for coaches to evaluate their team and young prospects but coaches around the league will always say there is nothing wrong with taking pride in a preseason victory. Raiders head coach Hue Jackson's philosophy is, "If they are keeping score, I want to win."

The Raiders had a respectable season with an 8-8 record this past year, with a perfect 6-0 record within their own division. The Raiders believe the 2010 AFC West Championship belonged to them, and they are hungry to finish what they started.

The Raiders have a few holes to fill and plan to use the preseason to separate the good from the great. Here are some things to watch out for heading into Week 1 of the preseason.

Trent Edwards: The Battle for No. 2

The Raiders decided to put the Bruce Gradkowski era behind them, allowing him to reach a deal with the Cincinnati Bengals. The Raiders kept backup Kyle Boller as he has a decent relationship with Hue Jackson prior to the both of them coming into Oakland in 2010. The problem is, Boller does not inspire much confidence if starter Jason Campbell goes down.

The Raiders needed to fill out their quarterback depth chart with a third player at that position. In comes Trent Edwards.

Edwards is most known for his time as a Buffalo Bill. He was a third-round pick in 2007 and won a starting job in 2008 and 2009. Edwards played well, but not stellar as the Bills eventually decided to go in a different direction in 2010.

I believe the Bills gave up on Edwards a bit too fast. He is a very good athlete that has the big arm that we know Al Davis loves. Edwards won some respectable games against a very difficult AFC East division.

The question is, can he be our No. 2 quarterback?

I try not to bash Boller too much, but I have never been a fan of his NFL career. He is a good man and teammate, but when the lights come on, his nerves just get the best of him. I think Edwards' poise is much better if ever his number is called.

Jordan La Secla: There is nothing spectacular about Jordan La Secla. He has an above-average arm, and can sell a play action pass, and in this offense, that's what you need. He can put some touch on the ball and, to his credit, has some productive games under his belt at San Jose State. He may have had a better college career if he had some talent at the skill positions.

I'm not sure how much time he will get in the preseason as Boller and Edwards battle it out, so making this team may be hard. But if the Raiders can find some level of upside with La Secla, he could be a surprise.

The Epicenter: Satele vs. the "Wiz Kid"

I think an interesting battle is between Stefan Wisniewski and Samson Satele. Both are fighting to get the starting job for the center position.

Satele obviously has experience on his side, but Wisniewski might have every other edge. Satele struggled his first year as a Raider, but he came on strong toward the middle of the 2010 season. Satele plays hard but struggles with some of the bigger defensive tackles.

With similar measurables, some believe Wisniewski may have the same challenge. But the one thing that all scouts noticed of the rookie is that he plays with a whole lot of leverage. Word is, Wisniewski has had a bit of a problem with defensive tackle Richard Seymour. But who wouldn't? Overall, Wisniewski's camp has been very strong.

My question is, how fair is this battle going to be?

We all know that Stefan's uncle, Steve Wisniewski, is the assistant offensive line coach and no doubt had a big part in his nephew coming to the Raiders. So is the guy who is coaching the offensive line allowed to have an opinion on who gets to be the starting center—arguably the most important position across the line?

If Satele and Wisniewski are dead even in performance, who gets the edge?

The Raiders have to make that decision.

Denarius Moore: The Late-Round Rookie

Every year the Raiders find a late-round rookie that becomes a very important part in the team's foundation and is very productive on the field. In 2007 it was Michael Bush, in 2008 it was Chaz Schilens despite injury, in 2009 it was Louis Murphy and in 2010 it was Jacoby Ford.

Heading into 2011, it seems that rookie may be wide receiver Denarius Moore out of Tennessee. When I think of Moore, I think of everything that Johnnie Lee Higgins was supposed to be.

It seems like he makes a big play in every practice he has been at since camp has opened. He has beaten almost every defensive back the Raiders have and has shown a lot of field presence when keeping his feet in bounds.

Now, before we declare Moore the next great Raider receiver and we bash Standford Routt and Chris Johnson, let's keep in mind that Moore is coming into an offense that is a lot more precise than it was a year ago. The Raiders and Jason Campbell finally don't need to think too much and can just react and play. That means timing is going to be easier to execute.

But let's also give credit where it is due. Moore is making big plays and I am glad to hear it. I cannot wait until we see it in live action.

Van Dyke vs. McFadden vs. Ware

The Raiders selected two cornerbacks in each of the last two drafts. In 2010, they drafted some smaller guys in Walter McFadden and Jeremy Ware, and in 2011 they decided to add some size in DeMarcus Van Dyke and Chimdi Chekwa.

Now it is time to battle it out and see who survives the cutting board.

I think it is a far-gone conclusion that Stanford Routt and Chris Johnson are going to be our starters, and free safety Michael Huff will get a lot of playing time at nickelback due to his versatility.

Unfortunately, rookie Chekwa has gone down with an injury, so this is Van Dyke's time to separate himself from both McFadden and Ware if he can.

McFadden has made some plays in team drills, so I am sure he will get a lot of playing time to get people to forget him in the Miami game in 2010.

But Van Dyke is not going away. I think he is coming in with a bit of a chip on his shoulder. He too has broken up some passes and taken in some interceptions. So I think he has something to say.

His position coach, Rod Woodson, has given him both praise and criticism.

I have heard nothing about Ware, good or bad. That usually means he has an uphill battle to make the team.

Chaz Schilens: Silver and Black and as Strong as Steel?

Yes, believe it or not, Chaz Schilens is in camp getting knocked down, but more importantly, getting back up. I made the prediction that this was the year Schilens stays healthy throughout the season and so far I still am in the running to making the correct assumption.

I'm not really worried about what Schilens does in the preseason. We all know that he can be one of our most dangerous weapons when he is 100 percent. My question is, how much chemistry does he have with starting quarterback Jason Campbell?

I think the one edge Louis Murphy, Darrius Heyward-Bey and Jacoby Ford have is their extra time with Campbell in the offseason. Schilens couldn't perform to the level he is now because he wanted to be full go heading into camp which he is.

He spent the offseason staying in shape and working out in both Oakland and San Diego, so hopefully he can show the Chargers what his work has turned him into.

Kevin Boss vs. Zach Miller

I am not going to lie: I hated losing Zach Miller. I just assumed Miller would return to the silver and black. I think I underestimated the influence Tom Cable had on this team and I credit Cable for stealing Miller away from us. I don't think the Seahawks even had Miller on their radar with John Carlson on their roster as Carlson is no slouch.

Signing Kevin Boss made things a bit easier for me. I said to myself, "He is no Miller, but he is a good replacement." The more I thought about it, I came to the estimation that he could actually be better.

Before you call me crazy, hear me out.

He is taller, stronger and his hands are just as good. Plus, I seriously doubt Miller would dominate Boss in a foot race.

On offense, what was the biggest strength and weakness?

The weakness, hands-down, was in the red zone. Boss is 6'6" and 250 pounds.The strength was the running game, and Boss is a much better run blocker than Miller is.

Boss turns our weakness into a strength, and a strength even stronger.

One more point: Think about where the two tight ends ended up.

Boss is with an organization that has a history of productive tight ends, including two Hall of Famers in David Casper and Todd Christensen.

Miller is with a team that has never had a great tight end and is playing with a college coach that has never produced a first-round talent at that position—well, unless you count Mike Williams. Plus, the Seahawks have invested their time in former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Tarvaris Jackson and their money in his favorite target, Sidney Rice.

So which tight end is going to have the biggest impact on his new team?

David Ausberry and the Rest of the Tight Ends

Another rookie I am excited to see is David Ausberry. I think the Raiders see him as a similar athlete as Marcel Reece—a versatile receiver that may not have the speed Al Davis wants at the receiver position, but would be lightning fast at any other position. It seems like that position will be tight end.

Ausberry is making the transition quite smoothly. At 6'4", 245 pounds and 4.47 speed, the first word that comes to my mind is range. This guy stretches out for every ball that comes his way and I am going to love to see him against a live opponent.

But what about the rest of the tight ends on the roster?

Sixth-round pick Richard Gordon was drafted ahead of Ausberry, when Virgil Green was still on the board who eventually went to Denver, and when Miller left for Seattle the Raiders wasted no time signing Kevin Boss.

So did the Raiders basically waste a pick?

College and NFL teammate DeMarcus Van Dyke has had Gordon's back, calling him a dangerous athlete, but I have heard nothing of Gordon's play other than his blocking. And if Gordon somehow shows some upside, what happens to Brandon Meyers?

Meyers did nothing to show greatness when Miller went down for two weeks in 2010, but he has made some big plays especially on special teams.

One thing is for sure: The Raiders can't afford to carry four tight ends on the roster.