Oakland Raiders camp battles--running backs
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
The Examiner
Running back has to be the deepest position on the Oakland Raiders roster. They have three top flight halfbacks, plus added a potential Hall of Fame fullback over the offseason. When it comes time to drop the roster to 53, there are going to be cuts in this position that will be painful.
PROJECTED STARTER: Whilst the plan will be to utilize all three of their top flight backs significantly, former top pick Darren McFadden would seem to have the inside track to being the nominal starter. In the offseason workouts, he has flashed the blazing speed that was all the rage before he was drafted in 2008.
At fullback, veteran acquisition Lorenzo Neal will be the opening day starter barring injury. Neal was brought in because it seems that Oren O'Neal's injury won't be ready in time. Neal is going to be a veteran stabilizing force on a young offensive team.
KEY RESERVES:
Michael Bush and Justin Fargas are going to be key factors in the running game. It would be easy enough to consider them more of a 1b and 1c than reserves, but there is only one starter at halfback. The key question will be the fifth back. If Oren O'Neal surprises and is good to go, it would be likely that he is kept as a second fullback. However, with him not expecting to go, Louis Rankin seems to be well liked by the organization and would likely be used as a combination half back and full back.
ON THE BUBBLE:
the battle for the fifth back position has a crowded field of contestants: Halfbacks Rankin and Gary Russell, as well as fullbacks Luke Lawton and Marcel Reece. Out of these candidates, Rankin seems like the most probable to make the team.
The Raiders will likely be cutting some talent from their offensive backfield by the conclusion of camp, which as the cliche goes, is a good problem to have.
Expected roster:
Darren McFadden, Michael Bush, Justin Fargas, Louis Rankin, Lorenzo Neal, and Oren O'Neal will be placed on the PUP list which will give the Raiders a chance to activate him in season if necessary.
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