Raiders’ top five camp battles, with projected winners

By Anthony Carroll  |   Wednesday, August 08, 2007  |  Comments( 47 )

Oakland Raiders
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Earlier this week, the Oakland Raiders released their first depth chart of the young NFL season. Expectedly so, the highly anticipated grid featured several surprises, most stemming from the offensive side of the ball.

Just days before Oakland's preseason opener, here's five camp battles to keep a close eye on and the forecasted winner of each.

5. Fullback: Zack Crockett vs. Justin Griffith

Crockett's eight-year road with the Raiders may finally be coming to an end. The recently signed Justin Griffith, a 27-year-old ex-Atlanta Falcon, will be looking to push the older Crockett out of the starting lineup this preseason. On the field, Griffith holds the edge over his veteran competitor in pass catching and lead blocking; however, he lacks the short-yardage skills that Crockett possesses.

Because Griffith is seven years younger and better suited for head coach Lane Kiffin's rush-oriented offense, the winner will be Justin Griffith.

4. Tight End: Zach Miller vs. John Madsen

An ex-wide receiver and unproven rookie will be battling it out for the top spot at tight end this preseason. The incoming competitor, the 6-foot-5, 259-pound Zach Miller was Oakland's second draft choice in 2007, and caught over 140 passes in three years with the Arizona State Sun Devils. His competition, the equally large John Madsen, made a transition from wide receiver to tight end last season and hauled in 11 receptions for 146 yards and a touchdown. Whoever loses this camp battle shouldn't be too upset; the runner-up will see plenty of field time in '07.

However, with Miller being such a high draft choice (38th overall) and Madsen still learning the ins and outs of the position, expect Miller to steal the No. 1 spot.

3. Right Defensive End: Quentin Moses vs. Kevin Huntley

The team's starting right defensive end from 2007, Tyler Brayton, has been secluded to the second-team 'D', making room for the rookie Moses and Huntley, a second-year Raider. Moses is one of the team's three third-round draft choices from this year's rookie class, and the 6-5 defender -- who recorded 11½ sacks in 2005 -- brings hope to a DE lineup that lacked depth last season. Meanwhile, Huntley is a rather unknown end with plenty of potential. The 6-7, 270-pounder recorded 2½ sacks and 10 tackles in just five games last year, and he showed plenty of intensity coming around the corner.

According to all reports, Moses has had an outstanding camp, particularly in the pass-rushing department. Unless the undrafted Huntley visibly outperforms the rookie this preseason, expect Moses to take the final starting DE slot and run with it.

2. Center: Jake Grove vs. Jeremy Newberry

Grove has had three uncontested years at center with the Raiders. This season, veteran Jeremy Newberry is there to make things uncomfortable for the 27-year-old. Newberry, who has missed 22 games in the last two seasons, has undergone microfracture surgeries to both knees over the past two years, but he's gearing up to attempt a comeback along Oakland's O-line.

Based on the severity of Newberry's recent injuries and the late struggles of Grove, this camp battle will likely be very tight. Because the ex-San Francisco 49er is so versatile, though, the advantage goes to Newberry, assuming he makes it through the preseason healthy.

1. Quarterback: Daunte Culpepper vs. Josh McCown vs. Andrew Walter

Rookie JaMarcus Russell is too concerned with money to partake in the team's offseason QB battle, so the current split stands at 33 percent of the total snaps for each signal-caller. Equally splitting time behind center is the recently acquired Daunte Culpepper, who has appeared in 85 games in eight years, Josh McCown (35 games in five years) and Andrew Walter (12 games in two seasons).

Of the three quarterbacks, Culpepper holds the most impressive track record, McCown is the healthiest and most energetic and Walter possesses the most potential. At this point, it's likely that team owner Al Davis chooses the track record over potential, principally because the 22-year-old Russell -- whose birthday is today -- is waiting in the background. Expect this one to go down to the wire, but for Culpepper to win the starting quarterback slot for a year.

Anthony Carroll, a senior writer for RealFootball365.com, can be contacted at acarroll@realfootball365.com.
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About Anthony Carroll

Anthony Carroll began writing for RealFootball365.com on Sept. 26, 2005, making him one of the longest tenured contributors to the “365” team. As a senior writer, Anthony has taken on the task of delivering original content to the silver and black faithful year round, despite having to deal ...
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CommentsComments: 47  |  Sign Up  View all comments
No.1
raidersensation		11:56 PM
08/08/2007
Excellent analysis. I'm especially intrigued with how Moses can help us. I can just hear Berman now when they go to Arrowhead and ...
No.2
BIll West		12:38 AM
08/09/2007
JaMarcus Russell knows that when and if he signs, he is going to be the starter. McCown and Walter are not series candidates to ...
No.3
timbrown4ever		03:32 AM
08/09/2007
Good article. According to Fox Sports.com, The Raiders have offered Russell about $30 Million in guarantees. Apparantly Russell ...
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