The Oakland Raiders are lining up for mini-camp this week 

By Victor Cotto, S&B Report Staff Columnist

The Oakland Raiders’ mandatory mini camp will open this week and SBReport.net will be there to bring you exclusive audio, action photos and coverage of daily happenings live from Alameda. In this edition of Monday Morning Musings, we’ll preview what to look for in the coming days as the Silver & Black get on the field in preparations of a new season.

 Getting a Sneak Peak at Tom Cable’s Offensive Line

 It will be interesting to see the configuration of the offensive line during drills and who is where when JaMarcus Russell is under center. Cooper Carlisle at right guard, Robert Gallery at left guard and John Wade at center are locks to keep those positions, unless injuries avert Oakland’s plans.

Kwame Harris at left tackle, whether or not Mario Henderson can supplant the former 49er and Cornell Green’s play are just some of the storylines to follow.

Paul McQuistan’s versatility will help him keep a roster spot throughout the summer and in my opinion, ultimately when the season starts. But can he convince the coaches that he can handle the right tackle spot consistently and provide a steady presence there to keep some of the aforementioned players on the bench? 

What to look for: The Raiders need to find starters at both tackle spots. The journey begins this week, and for their sake and Russell’s health, Oakland better find a players that lock the spots up without any shadow of a doubt and help complement what looks to be a steady interior of that line.

Second-ary to None

DeAngelo Hall brings swagger and confidence to the Raiders secondary 

One of the units that will grab national attention as the season approaches will be the newly sculpted secondary in Oakland. It’s very talented, expensive and has the potential to be dynamic if all the components play up to their level of potential.

DeAngelo Hall and Gibril Wilson are new faces, Michael Huff is working at a new position and Nnamdi Asomugha will look to have another pro-bowl caliber year in hopes of landing the long-term deal he has earned.

Jerry McDonald reported that the exclusive rights cornerback is not expected to attend the mini camp this week and that there is no lock that he will be present at the start of training camp. Asomugha is one of the league’s best defensive players, and moreover, one of the few young players the Raiders have groomed over the last decade that has become a legitimate stud. With the addition of Hall and the big money given to him, it will be interesting to see how Asomugha handles the negotiations and whether Oakland compensates him appropriately.

What to look for: Wilson and Huff need to be stout at the back end of the defensive backfield. Huff needs to show he can fly to the ball and become the playmaker he once was as a collegiate. Wilson is one of the keys to the Raiders turning around their poorest run defense. He is a solid tackler around the line of scrimmage and can make big plays from his strong safety spot. If both guys take to their new surroundings, it will go a long way in making this secondary the best in the NFL.

Run Baby Run

The Raiders offer a fleet of running backs to Lane Kiffin’s disposal. And with their variation of styles and abilities, getting a first glance at how they are used and in what situations will be compelling.

Justin Fargas appears to be healthy after a season ending leg injury, Michael Bush is completely healed and has looked good in practices, and Darren McFadden will be the rave of the summer.

Oh, and LaMont Jordan still remains on the roster.

Kiffin realizes the importance of making life easy for his young quarterback with a strong ground game. Add to that high percentage plays designed for the good hands of their versatile rushers and Oakland is looking like a team that will depend heavily on their ball carriers to rack up yards and get into the end zone frequently.

What to look for: How much can McFadden digest early on in camp? Is he used as a rusher or as the multi-dimensional threat we viewed in college? Getting him on the field due to his game breaking ability is imperative. And regardless whether Fargas or Bush can carry the load, seeing how McFadden gets incorporated into the offense and how he will affect the passing game will be enthralling.