Oakland Raiders

Terrence Cody (DT)



Terrence Cody

This acquisition is almost as big as Cody himself. A big DT was just what the Raiders needed to dominate against the run. Cody is a monster in the run game, consistently eating double teams. He is only a rookie, but his strength and ability to eat space is already impressing coaches, he is seemingly impossible to move at the point of attack. Coach Cable expects him to start immediately and help the whole defensive line perform better. He will also make life for MLB Dannell Ellerbe who joins the Oakland Raiders from the Baltimore Ravens as well. Do not expect 10 sacks from Cody, but expect the Raiders to use him as the centerpiece of their defense and for him to free up his teammates or pick them in one on one blocking situations.

Lardarius Webb (CB)



Lardarius Webb

A promising young talented cornerback with the hands of a WR, Webb was a prospect all Davis salivated over. He caught Al Davis' eye when he ran the fastest 40 yard dash time for a corner back at the 2009 NFL combine and benched 225 pounds 15 times. Webb only played half of his rookie season, but impressed when he was put on an island with the other team's number 2 wide receiver. He was also very helpful in run support. Perennial Pro Bowler Nnamdi Asomugha is excited to have a young, hungry cornerback to mentor and to play opposite of. Webb's speed and ability to press makes him a great fit for Oakland's physical, old school, get in your face defense. Webb is also versatile enough to return kicks.

Sebastian Vollmer (LT) and Brandon Tate (WR)

Vollmer (LT/RT)



Brandon Tate (WR)



Brandon Tate and Sebastian Vollmer were both brought in via a trade from the Patriots which cost the Raiders speedy OLB Thomas Howard and LT Mario Henderson. Vollmer was thrown into action 14 times his rookie year and started 8 games. He did a fine job replacing the Patriot's then injured LT Matt Light. He did a good job holding his own against the NFL's best pass rushers and flashed some dominance in the run game. Vollmer also saw time at RT when veteran RT Kackzur got injured in week 15 and 16.

Brandon Tate is a somewhat speedy receiver who also displays nice hands and the ability to catch the football in a crowd. Tate was a star receiver at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Before tearing his ACL his senior season, Tate was considered a better prospect than former University of North Carolina teammate Hakeem Nicks who was drafted in the first round. Nicks went on to have a great season for the Giants while Tate had an injury tainted rookie season. Other than injuries, Tate needs to work on his route running if he wants to become a big time NFL receiver. Offensive Coordinator Hue Jackson believes he can help develop that part of Tate's game.


Off-Season Progression and Training Camp Battles



After a rookie season filled with drops, Darrius Heyward Bey, the #8 overall choice in the 2009 NFL draft worked hard all off season to work on his hands and put on 10-15 pounds of muscle to become harder to tackle. He also changed his jersey number from 12 to 85. Heyward Bey his competing for the slot receiver position with fellow second year WR Brandon Tate and veteran Johnnie Lee Higgins. Scouts have noticed Heyward Bey's noticeable progression, and he is expected to have a big sophomore year. WR's Louis Murphy and Chaz Schilens are expected to start ahead of Heyward Bey.

A key position battle will be between halfbacks Michael Bush and Darren McFadden. Michael Bush is slower, but punishes defenders when he lowers his shoulders. McFadden has world class speed and is always a threat to score a long touchdown. He is not as elusive as many would expect, but he can also bring some pain to opposing defenders. McFadden is yet to break out having only one 100 yard rushing performance in his two seasons in the NFL. Bush is steady, and has been productive whenever given the ball. Bush is expected to start, with McFadden coming as a change of pace back and as a good receiving option. The coaches hope McFadden will eventually elevate to splitting half of the carries with Bush and eventually living up to his #4 overall draft status by being the work horse of the Raiders hopeful rushing attack.

QB:
Kevin Kolb (75)
Gradkowski (68)
Frye (66)

HB:
Michael Bush (77)/Darren McFadden (77)
Cartwright (69)

FB:
Luke Lawton (60)

WR:
Louis Murphy (75)
Mark Clayton (76)
Schilens (72)
Brandon Tate (68)
Heyward Bey (68)
Johnnie Lee Higgins (70)
Holland (58)
Watkins (52)



Tight End:
Zach Miller (86)
Steward (69)
Myers (66)

O-Line
LT Vollmer (79)
LG Gallery (82)
C Satele (79)
RG Dahl (87)
RT Gaither (86)
LG Walker (77)
C Morris (71)
RT Pear (70)
RT Veldheer (68) (R)
RG Rodd (67)

Line Backers:
LOLB Barnes (72) .. Ravens
MLB Ellerbe (72) .. Ravens
ROLB Wimbley (82)
OLB Misi (68) (R)
MLB Gooden (70) .. Ravens
MLB Brown (70)
ROLB Williams (63)

D-Line:
LE Scott (?)
DT Cody (72) (R)
DT Kelly (78)
RE Shaughnessy (72)
LE Richardson (71)
RE Groves (68)
DT Joseph (66)
DT Bryant (66)

Safeties:
FS Eugene (72)
SS Sensabaugh (80) .. Cowboys
SS Mitchell (68)
FS Giordano (66)

Cornerbacks:
Nnamdi Asomugha (98)
Lardarius Webb (73) .. Ravens
Brandon Ghee (68) (R).. Bengals
Routt (67)
McFadden (64) (R)
Thomas (56)

Kickers:
P Lechler (98)
K Janikowski (90)

Orange = Starters
White = Backups

Well done Love threads like these.