Silver and Black Report

With the final roster cuts to be announced tomorrow, we sat down and came up with our own roster:

QB: JaMarcus Russell, Jeff Garcia, Bruce Gradkowski

Cut: Charlie Frye. Gradkowski is more mobile than Frye and with an offensive line that isn’t Pro Bowl caliber just yet, mobility will be a valuable asset.

WR: Chaz Schilens, Louis Murphy, Darrius Heywayd-Bey, Javon Walker, Johnnie Lee Higgins, Nick Miller

Cut: Jonathan Holland, Todd Watkins. Holland had been a pleasant surprise at training camp and Watkins is a camp warrior. However, the Raiders made it clear that they want size and speed and that means Holland and Watkins are gone. The reason I feel the Raiders will keep Nick Miller is because Miller definitely has the speed. On top of that, Miller can return kicks and has been used in a plethora of other plays in camp; making him a very versatile player despite his short size. Then again, this is all if the Raiders go with 6 receivers. If they go with 5, then Miller will be cut and will be brought onto the practice squad (if he clears waivers).

RB: Darren McFadden, Michael Bush, Justin Fargas, Oren O’Neal, Louis Rankin

Cut: Gary Russell, Luke Lawton, Marcel Reece. With O’Neal healthy, Lawton becomes expendable. Plus, Bush can give some relief to O’Neal at fullback if push comes to shove. Marcel Reece makes the practice squad yet again and Russell gets a pink slip; not because he’s not good, rather because Louis Rankin offers up more of a dynamic run game. Actually, Rankin runs more like Fargas SHOULD be running; one cut and gone. Plus Rankin has better top end speed over McFadden and Rankin’s ability to change directions at the line of scrimmage is valuable in a zone blocking scheme; making more than just the initial defender miss.

TE: Zach Miller, Tony Stewart, Brandon Myers

Cut: Darrell Strong. Stewart is the more seasoned veteran and can play on special teams. Myers surprised many in camp with his catching abilities; seeing as how he was drafted for blocking needs. That bonus alone makes Darrell Strong expendable.

O-Line: Mario Henderson (LT), Robert Gallery (LG), Chris Morris (C), Cooper Carlisle (RG), Cornell Green (RT), Khalif Barnes, Paul McQuistan, Erik Pears, Samson Satele

Cut: James Marten, Seth Wand, mark Wilson. McQuistan is really a bubble player. McQ has struggled quite a bit this offseason and preseason. Don’t be surprised if McQ gets cut. Also, Satele could get a pink slip if a better Center becomes available after the first round of cuts. Satele played all but one series last light, had problems with protection (calling out assignments), and has a few issues with the QB/Center exchange (the few that the Raiders had were on Satele’s watch).

D-Line: Greg Ellis (LDE), Tommy Kelly (DT, Gerrard Warren (DT), Trevor Scott, Jay Richardson, William Joseph, Desmond Bryant, Matt Shaughnessy, and Ryan Boschetti.

Cut: DT Terdell Sands, Greyson Gunheim. Sands has been a constant disappointment. His work ethic has to have been the ire of Raider coaches. Sure, he’s big and strong, but he seems to not be motivated to giving 100%. I don’t know if he’s waiting for something or not, but one thing is clear, it looks like his scholarship is up.

LB: Ricky Brown (SLB), Kirk Morrison (MLB), Thomas Howard (WLB), Jon Alston, Isaiah Ekejiuba, Slade Norris.

Cut: Sam Williams, David Nixon, Morlon Greenwood, Chris O’Neil.

DB: Nnamdi Asomugha, Chris Johnson, Stanford Routt, John Bowie, Hiram Eugene, Tyvon Branch, Mike Mitchell, Rashad Baker, Michael Huff.

Cut: Michael Hawkins, Darrick Brown, Jerome Boyd. There is a big drop off after Nnamdi and Chris Johnson with the corners group. I struggled with keeping Miller because his coverage skills are much to be desired, but he is a dual role player and Coach Cable said that he wanted versatile players. Boyd, Brown, and Hawkins were gone on this principle and the fact that SOMEbody needed to be cut.

Kicker/Punter: Sebastian Janikowski, Shane Lechler, Jon Condo (long snapper)

Cut: Ricky Schmitt: did you REALLY think he would make the roster?