Brayton survives in Oakland; Huntley pays price

By Anthony Carroll  |   Thursday, August 30, 2007  |  Comments( 70 )

Oakland Raiders
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If one thing is more surprising than the Oakland Raiders cutting Kevin Huntley, it's the Oakland Raiders not cutting Tyler Brayton.

In their first wave of cuts Tuesday, the Lane Kiffin-led Raiders opted to release the 25-year-old Huntley, who, not too long ago, was considered to be one of the top candidates to start the '07 season at right defensive end.

The former Kansas State standout, who was signed by Oakland as an undrafted free agent in 2005, appeared in the final five contests of the team's '06 campaign and recorded 10 tackles, 2½ sacks and a fumble recovery.

Also departing with Huntley on Tuesday was defensive tackle Jared Clauss; quarterback Jeff Otis; linemen Torrin Tucker and Albert Toeaina; defensive backs Levonne Rowan and Colin Branch; and wide receivers Johnnie Morant, Rich Parson and Lauren Williams.

Outside of cutting the much-hyped Morant, who was selected in the fifth round of the '04 draft, only the release of Huntley was considered a surprise on the day.

Not only did the 6-foot-7, 270-pounder show flashes of potential in five short stints last season, but he also greatly outplayed Brayton. In 57 more regular-season appearances, the 280-pound Brayton has posted just 3½ sacks more than Huntley did in a handful of snaps last year.

Of course, Brayton does average a meager 1½ sacks a season, so using No. 91 as a measuring stick doesn't say much.

Still, over the past three offseasons, the former first-rounder from Colorado has quickly become the Alvis Whitted of the defensive unit. Like Whitted, who has played five seasons at wide receiver for the Raiders but never caught over 30 balls, Brayton continues to make the final roster, despite a lack of production.

Each year, there is every reason to cut the 27-year-old Brayton. He's too undersized to effectively play defensive tackle, too weak to rush the passer off the end and too slow to stand up and play linebacker.

Perhaps his greatest attribute is avoiding the cut. Not the cut block, the roster cut.

Unfortunately, Oakland opted to give Brayton one more shot at success, but at the cost of a higher potential player in Huntley.

Luckily, the '07 draft has given hope to Raider fans. Two defensive end selections -- Quentin Moses from Georgia (third round) and Jay Richardson from Ohio State (fifth) -- mean Brayton will almost certainly be reduced to second-team action.

If he makes it past Saturday, though, and onto Oakland's final 53-man squad, one has to wonder why Brayton was once more undeservedly wedged onto the team's roster.

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: 70  |  Sign Up  View all comments
No.1
Raider Revenge		08:51 AM
08/30/2007
Brayton is so far playing 2nd unit DT. When I analyzed the 3 preseason games he was creating a great deal of pressure. I also...
No.2
La Milicia Negra		09:06 AM
08/30/2007
True True... We have 3 Alvis Whitted... Justin fargas, the whitted of tailbacks, Brayton, whitted of the D-line, and lastly the...
No.3
Thec		09:20 AM
08/30/2007
La Miicia Negrra, I come into te office this morning get on the blog and read this, 3 alvis whitted's that ish is too funny...
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