Silver and Black Report

Kwame Harris will try to revitalize his career across the Bay

By Victor Cotto, S&B Report Staff Columnist

This week, the Silver & Black report answers five questions that many within the Raider Nation may be pondering. The situation at left tackle, the crowded backfield and linebacker inquiries will be some items that will be addressed in this edition of Five Questions & Answers.

Will Kwame Harris start at left tackle? If not, who will protect JaMarcus Russell’s blindside?

The Raiders signed Kwame Harris believing he can develop under Tom Cable’s tutelage and take over at left tackle for the departed Barry Sims. Harris failed miserably in San Francisco and was run out of town by the media and fans. In Oakland, he will be playing in a gap-blocking scheme that is run friendly and could be complimentary to his strengths. If he has a good grasp of the scheme and can gain the confidence of the coaching staff, he will be at left tackle. If Harris is a bust, the Raiders will part ways with him due to their cap friendly deal that will make it easy on them to sneak out of the contract without crippling monetary implications. Mario Henderson is the player to watch that could supplant Harris. Last year’s third round choice has the frame to play left tackle and he can propel himself up the chart with a solid camp, especially if Harris struggles to straighten out his career.

Will there be defined roles for all the running backs on the roster?

It is safe to say that Lane Kiffin will go into the summer believing that Justin Fargas is his starter. After a huge year in 2007 and the contract they inked him to, Fargas is deserving of such status. He will be the guy that gets most of the workload and will be utilized to churn out yardage in their basic packages. There are questions always about his durability, so mixing it up with Darren McFadden and Michael Bush is something that should be expected. Bush will be the grinder and the ‘go to’ guy in short yardage situations and goal line packages. McFadden is so versatile, you may see him in the same backfield with the aforementioned rushers, split out at wide receiver, and used as a rusher and pass catcher in many formations. All three rushers could see time as the featured runner as well depending on their productivity. McFadden may not have the same impact Adrian Peterson had a year ago, but his versatility will help the Raiders be more creative and give favorable match-ups elsewhere to other targets on this offense.

Is Kirk Morrison going to be at middle linebacker? Can Edgerton Hartwell force a change in the configuration at linebacker?

In 2002, Hartwell was outstanding playing in the middle while Ray Lewis was sidelined with injuries in Baltimore. He became a very good run defender and earned himself a big pay day with the Atlanta Falcons in 2005 when he hit free agency. Hartwell has always been solid against the run, something the Raiders need to improve upon – and since Morrison has struggled at times fighting through blockers to get to ball carriers – it isn’t out of the question to see a change at middle linebacker. Morrison is outstanding working in space as evidenced by his play in 2007 when he compiled 4 interceptions and showed great aptitude in coverage. But Hartwell is no where near the player he once was and will have to prove many doubters wrong to show he can win a job on this team, much less a starting role in the middle of the defense. Plus, run stuffing starts in the trenches anyway, and if Terdell Sands and Tommy Kelly cannot hold their own along the defensive line, it doesn’t matter who Oakland puts at middle linebacker.

Who has the inside job for the back-up quarterback spot?

Right now, Andrew Walter is the overwhelming favorite to be Russell’s back up. That’s a scary proposition considering that last season, Oakland had seasoned veterans with starting experience to ease any loss at quarterback. Jeff Otis, Erik Meyer and Brian White are all names that will and should be forgotten. Once training camp begins, Oakland should keep their eyes on the waiver wire and attempt to bring in a veteran who can embrace the back-up role behind Russell and provide enough support for Walter who has those lone miserable starts from the 2006 season on his resume.

If you had to forecast what the Raiders offensive line will look like in 2007, who would be playing in what spots?

John Wade would be at center with his steady play. Cooper Carlisle – Oakland’s best lineman last season – would be at right guard, and Mario Henderson would be next to him at right tackle. Robert Gallery should be able to continue to lock down the left guard spot and with many prayers, Cable’s system will work wonders on Harris and turn him into a functional left tackle. Paul McQuistan did a solid job at right tackle replacing the injured Cornell Green last season. So if Henderson can’t pry away the left tackle spot or the coaches don’t feel he is ready to play right tackle, McQuistan could reprise his starting role from 2006.