QUARTERBACKS

Jason Campbell was brought in to be the starter and alter the direction of the sinking ship that was captained by JaMarcus Russell. If he plays well and continues to improve upon his number as he did in Washington, the Raiders will have found stability at the most crucial position in the NFL. Bruce Gradkowski is the ultimate back up; he’s professional, fiery and gets the most out of his abilities. Kyle Boller did everything needed to win third in the depth chart. It helped that Charlie Frye was sidelined, but credit should be give by the way he performed during the summer.

Vital Cog:

Campbell – If this route doesn’t work, Gradkowski will be in at quarterback, and then who knows what happens.

RUNNING BACKS

Michael Bush was expected to carry the workload. But an injury to his wrist that is heavily wrapped after surgery could sideline him for up to the first four games of the campaign. So it’s time for Darren McFadden to shine and provide the playmaking the Raiders expected out of him coming from Arkansas. Michael Bennett jolted this grouping by showing burst and a fresh set of legs. His presence will be needed if any of the rushers misses substantial time. Rock Cartwright is a solid veteran that can do it all in small dosages and Marcel Reece will be the lone fullback for Hue Jackson’s rushing attack.

Vital Cog:

McFadden – He was an explosive runner, a threat as a receiver and Mr. Everything in college. Since with Oakland, he’s been a mystery. Can Hue Jackson pull out the potential?

WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS

This may be the most questionable group on the Raiders offense. Youth, inexperience and projects headline this corps, which will need a surprise effort out of someone to make this offense go. Louis Murphy may be the best at this point out of a bunch that has very good acceleration. Darrius Heyward-Bey looks more polished and has increased confidence, but will that lead to the production needed to justify his selection so high last year in the draft? Yamon Figurs, Nick Miller and Johnnie Lee Higgins are either way too inconsistent or have not been on the field long enough to prove they can contribute at the pro level successfully. As for Chaz Schilens, more injuries will delay his start to the season. Tight end Zach Miller could be pro bowl bound because he’ll have a passer with way more ability than Russell. That alone will make him a top threat in the AFC at his position. The Raiders like Brandon Myers and will continue to bring him along slowly on special teams and as Miller’s back up.

Vital Cog:

Heyward-Bey – Murphy should be fine and if Schilens is healthy, they could string some solid performances out of the two. But the speedster from Maryland could really make this an uprising with steps towards becoming a legitimate starting caliber target.

OFFENSIVE LINE

Jared Veldheer – Oakland’s mammoth third round draft choice – will start at center. “I’m just very excited with the opportunity and I can’t wait to play (against the Titans),” Veldheer said. “All I did when I got here was worked as hard as I could at any position they put me at. I knew that would take me to where I needed to be.” Oakland offensive line has not been cohesive enough to validate having a rookie in the mix, and that may affect their play this season. Robert Gallery at left guard is solid, but he even has had injuries that have not allowed him to play a full compliment of games. Mario Henderson is erratic at left tackle and if Oakland wants Campbell to have success, they can’t allow free shots to the passer as they’ve had in recent seasons. Samson Satele lost his job to Veldheer, but he’s not a run blocking menace. Cooper Carlisle is the only other veteran on this unit with experience that can give Oakland spurts of steady play. Athletic freak Bruce Campbell is not ready to make his debut in the starting line-up. Langston Walker at right tackle has the look of a starter, but can he anchor himself and show Raider fans that his second stint by the Bay will be a success? Erik Pears and Khalif Barnes are pedestrian options as reserves.

Vital Cog:

Veldheer – The rookie is being put in a tough situation with a veteran quarterback who has been through a lot of instability in his career as a Redskin. If Veldheer can prove to be powerful when run blocking and play respectably when protecting Campbell, he won’t be supplanted.

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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

ESPN’s Adam Schefter is once again making untrue statements about The Oakland Raiders, this time regarding Matt Leinart. The Raiders have never discussed trading for Leinart.

The Raiders are very happy about their quarterback situation.

The Silver & Black has had a history with ESPN and their reporters, with the club vehemently denying information that has been disseminated by the likes of Adam Schefter and Chris Mortensen.

In January of 2009, Mortensen reported on ‘NFL Countdown’ that the team was negotiating to sell a major percentage over to a billionaire investor who had interest in moving the franchise to Los Angeles.

Raiders chief executive Amy Trask stated after the report: “Chris contacted no one with the Raiders to ascertain if there was any truth to his report. There is not.”

Mortensen responded with an email to The Associated Press commenting, “The Raiders have lost the privilege with me of running stories past them for comment. This stems from their history of denials to most stories I have reported — as well as others in the media — when those stories have eventually proven to be true.”

Owner Al Davis has even shot back at Mortensen, calling him “a professional liar,” during the Lane Kiffin fiasco.

Schefter reported this morning that three teams showed interest in Leinart and that the Raiders were one of those clubs actively looking into acquiring his services.

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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

The Raiders also cut tight end Eric Butler to reach the 75-man roster limit. The next cut will get the Silver & Black to 53-players after the contest against the Seattle Seahawks.

ESPNs Adam Schefter reported that three clubs have discussed trading for Arizona Cardinals quarterback Matt Leinart. Oakland was one of the teams mentioned, along with the New York Giants and Buffalo Bills. With Kyle Boller and Bruce Gradkowski cementing themselves as back-ups in Oakland this summer, there is no reason for Oakland to bring in a struggling young NFL arm, even though it is to store away in the depth chart.

“The team’s a little tired, that’s the only thing,” head coach Tom Cable stated this week. “At the same time, we’re working to freshen them up.” The starters won’t see much action against the Seahawks, which will give them a shot to take a breather and prepare themselves physically for week-one against the Titans.

Jason Campbell was a spectator during the Raiders practice session open to the media.

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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

Fullback Chane Moline, offensive lineman Allen Smith, tight end Tony Stewart and wide receiver Paul Hubbard are no longer members of the Silver & Black. Oakland has to release another player by tomorrow.

The veteran Stewart was the only slight surprise. The nine-year veteran played three campaigns in Oakland, mostly in a special teams capacity, but while serving as the team’s NFLPA representative.

Tight ends Zach Miller and Brandon Myers round out the tight end unit, with Oakland possibly keeping the bulky John Owens for his blocking skills.

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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

Bruce Gradkowski is ready to start if Jason Campbell can't go

Oakland Raiders quarterback Jason Campbell was carted off the field on Saturday night with a confirmed neck injury that has not been deemed serious by coach Tom Cable.

But an injury to the passer’s right wrist sustained earlier in the contest versus the San Francisco 49ers is more of a concern to team officials.

“Right now, I guess it’s the wrist,” Cable said, addressing which injury was more of a concern.

Campbell stated he is a fast healer and his longevity has been proven, as the former Redskin has not missed prolonged periods of football with injuries in his career.

“It felt a lot worse at the time that it happened,” Campbell told reporters after the game Saturday night regarding the stinger.

Oakland is in good shape if Campbell is not able to go week-one versus the Titans. Bruce Gradkowski had a stellar showing after months of inactivity, posting 202-yards and two touchdowns on 14-of-22 passes.

“I haven’t been out there so it was good to get the feel of the first team,’’ Gradkowski said. “It was good to play almost three quarters. It was really good to get back out there and get a feel.’’

Gradkowski is all but assured the back-up job with that performance. Hue Jackson must’ve felt comfortable knowing that the hard-working back up was prepared and had a solid performance in his first action running the Raiders new offense.

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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

FB Marcel Reece in action versus the 49ers

Oakland Raiders wide receiver Chaz Schilens continues to show fragility and is expected to be out for three-to-six weeks after arthroscopic knee surgery. Head coach Tom Cable had a media session yesterday and stated it’s a “three to six week issue.”

Schilens would have been a starter, even though he has not been able to prove himself as a starter since entering the league and has spent more time on the sidelines injured than on the field. This guarantees more playing time for Louis Murphy, who is Oakland’s best wide receiver. Darrius Heyward-Bey would have seen time out there regardless being a first round pick last year and the owner wanting to see his speedy receiver in action. Oakland was very thin and had many questions along this unit to begin with, now, without a player they depended on, Hue Jackson will face some major hurdles in the passing game unless the youngsters develop quickly.

Running back Michael Bush will undergo a procedure on his fractured left thumb, but will not likely miss the opener. Bush will get the bulk of the load of the ground if healthy.

Jared Veldheer will dabble at center and tackle this week. He’s too raw and very inexperienced at both spots. More maturations will be needed, but expect the rookie to be in the line-up sometime this year, especially if Samson Satele or Langston Walker cannot entrench themselves at their respective positions. Tom Cable said of Satele, “ want to look at it. There were some things from last night’s game that I was not pleased with but there were also a lot of good things at the center position. I think the fact that Samson is ready to go is the most important thing right now.”

DE Jay Richardson and DL Alex Daniels will miss the final game of the pre-season.

Cable gave very little when talking about his special teams: “I felt like we were getting closer to that. I don’t know after last night that it’s any clearer than it was before but I’ve got an idea.” There is little indication on who will grab the return duties, but at this point, the veteran Yamon Figurs provides more consistency and a better option at wide receiver. Johnnie Lee Higgins has not been the same since getting rocked in the home opener in 2009.

Cable on Marcel Reece:  ”Well, I’ll say this: He just continues to get better. That’s the thing that he’s shown us is that, from one week to the next he’s going out and improving on whatever his negatives were from the week before. It’s starting to show up more and more that this guy, you can coach him, he’ll take it and he’ll go get it again. I certainly think that he’s really showing himself the right way.”

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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

“Bruce Gradkowski was one of the bright spots in terms of going in there and having some efficiency and move the club around fairly well,’’ Tom Cable commented. “I think that’s what you want from your backup quarterback and he showed himself very well that way.’’

“I haven’t been out there so it was good to get the feel of the first team,’’ Gradkowski said. “It was good to play almost three quarters. It was really good to get back out there and get a feel.’’

Gradkowski ended 14-of-22 for 202 yards and two scores. We also saw the continued chemistry between Louis Murphy and the passer when they both hooked up for a 74-yard scoring strike in the second quarter.

As for Jason Campbell, the expected starter got Oakland out of the gate quickly with four completions on their 81-yard scoring drive. After the sack by 49ers defender Travis LaBoy, an organization and fan-base held their collective breath seeing Campbell on the turf and seated on the passenger seat of a cart.

“It felt a lot worse at the time that it happened, but … they don’t think it’s going to be really, really serious,” Campbell said. “But at the same time it’s something we’ve got to take care of before the season starts.”

Campbell suffered a stinger, but Cable stated he expects to have his starter under center week-one versus the Titans.

Running back Michael Bush sustained a fractured left thumb and audio of his post-game chat can be found here on SBReport.net.

Jared Veldheer started for the injured Samson Satele. “I think you have to look at the film for that. I can remember one, there was a run through by a linebacker, (Patrick) Willis, one time that was on him but overall I think he directed the protections well,’’ Cable said of his center. “He really didn’t show up as the game went on so that’s a good sign. But we’ll have to look at the film.”

Neither Johnnie Lee Higgins nor Yamon Figurs distinguished themselves on special teams. But Figurs tallied two more catches for 18-yards while the inconsistent Higgins was shut-out on offense.

For the first time this pre-season, the Raiders did not record a sack. Rookie Rolando McClain led the team with 8 total tackles.

Both specialists are in pro-bowl mode; Sebastian Janikowski booted a 57-yard field goal and Shane Lechler bombed a 61yard punt, averaging 53.0 yards on his 4 attempts.

Darren McFadden played and was ineffective on the ground with 9-yards on 7-carries. He managed two receptions for 16-yards.

Defensive tackle Desmond Bryant had an elbow injury.

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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist