We are now in the fourth and final division of the AFC, the AFC West, in our look at 2011 Training Camps. Introducing the Oakland Raiders.
Team Needs: Quarterback, Offensive Guard, Offensive Tackle, Linebacker, and Free Safety
Quarterback: Bruce Gradkowski, Charlie Frye, and J.T. O’Sullivan will be unrestricted free agents, and Gradkowski and O’Sullivan are surely gone. Frye could return, but I think the Raiders would like to see something else. Hue Jackson coached up Troy Smith in Baltimore, and I think Smith would be a good fit in Oakland. Fellow Buckeye Terrelle Pryor has also been a hot name. Pryor will be available in the NFL’s supplemental draft.
Offensive Guard: The chances of Robert Gallery returning are very slim, and the other guard, Cooper Carlisle, could be a salary cap casualty. Tackles Langston Walker and Khalif Barnes can also play guard, but they could leave as free agents. That leaves Bruce Campbell and rookie Joseph Barksdale.
Offensive Tackle: Langston Walker and Mario Henderson will become free agents, while Jared Veldheer may be forced to start at center. Khalif Barnes is also a free agent. If Walker and Henderson return, they will almost certainly receive competition from rookie Joseph Barksdale and free agent additions.
Linebacker: Ricky Brown, Thomas Howard, and Sam Williams are key contributors, who could leave in free agency. Brown may return, but Howard and Williams will probably leave in search of more playing time. Kamerion Wimbley could use some help on the other side.
Free Safety: Don’t expect starting free safety Michael Huff to re-sign. This could be Mike Mitchell’s chance to show his worth, but the Raiders probably should sign a veteran backup plan.
Training Camp Battles: Wide Receiver and Offensive Line
Wide Receiver: Louis Murphy, Darius Heyward-Bey, and Chaz Schillens will battle it out to start opposite Jacoby Ford. Schillens was the Raiders top receiver entering last season, but he was plagued by injuries. Heyward-Bey and Murphy are burners with shaky hands.
Offensive Line: The Raiders staff must decide who will fill the five starting offensive line jobs this summer. Jared Veldheer is a lock to start, but does he start at guard, center, or tackle? Rookie Stefan Wisniewski could start at guard or center, and rookie Joseph Barksdale could start at guard or tackle. The same goes for former Maryland star Bruce Campbell. There is no guarantee starters Robert Gallery, Cooper Carlisle, Langston Walker, and Mario Henderson return. Daniel Loper could start at guard. And don’t rule out the possibility of the Raiders adding two or three linemen in free agency.
Fantasy Bust: Michael Bush: The Raiders will give more and more carries to Darren McFadden, which means less and less carries for Michael Bush.
Fantasy Sleeper: Jacoby Ford: Jacoby Ford has the physical talents to be one of the top receivers in the NFL.
What I’ll Be Watching:
Does Nnamdi Asomugha re-sign?
Can Jacoby Ford build on a solid rookie season?
Can Bruce Campbell step up?
Will Darren McFadden become elite?
Write It Down: Firing Tom Cable was the biggest mistake Al Davis ever made. Even bigger than drafting JaMarcus Russell or hiring Art Shell for a second time.
