Angry Pope
All Raider
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- Feb 2, 2006
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Raiders Team Report
8/11/2006
Steve Corkran
PERSONNEL ANALYSIS: Robert Gallery struggled a bit in his first-ever NFL start at left tackle. He gave up a sack, got called for a false-start penalty and, along with the rest of the line, failed to open many huge holes in the running game. However, the Raiders aren't worried. Art Shell said Gallery has looked like a "natural" in his switch from the right side to the left, the position he played in college. Gallery, who missed five days of practice at the start of training camp to recover from a quadriceps strain, figures to get better and more consistent as the season progresses. Many expect him to develop into a Pro Bowl player in the near future, if not this season. . . .
Veteran K Sebastian Janikowski has worked hard to regain the form that made him one of the league's better kickers until last season. That work paid dividends in his first game and showed that he still has the ability to be one of the elite kickers. He made all three of his field goal attempts in Oakland's first game, including ones from 50 and 51 yards, which were longer than his season-best last year. After finishing last in field goal percentage among those with at least 10 attempts last season, look for him to have a rebound season.
NEWCOMER REPORT: LB Darnell Bing is making a smooth conversion from safety. He has shown a knack for picking up the defense and playing within the context of the scheme. The Raiders still want Bing to add some weight to his 230-pound frame without losing his impressive speed. Bing doesn't figure to crack the starting lineup this season. He likely will get plenty of time to learn the scheme and the nuances of the NFL while he contributes on special teams.
SCOUTING REPORT: Veteran Danny Clark has been replaced by second-year player Kirk Morrison as the starting middle linebacker. Clark, who has experience playing inside and outside, figures to be the first player off the bench when one of the three starters gets hurt. He'll still fulfill a leadership role and could step in if rookie Thomas Howard struggles.
TRAINING CAMP BATTLES: Rookie Michael Huff, the seventh overall pick, is challenging veteran Derrick Gibson for the starting strong safety spot. Huff is fast, strong, smart and versatile--his ability to move around in Oakland's scheme makes him comparable to former Raider cornerback Charles Woodson in that he can provide run support near the line, cover a bigger receiver in the slot or blitz. He excels in every facet of the game, though he lacks experience and likely will go through some growing pains in the early stages of the season. Gibson has been injury-prone during his career, but he has the edge over Huff in terms of his knowledge of Oakland's scheme and what to expect in regular-season games. Gibson's downside is that he lacks consistency and hasn't developed into an impact player. Huff is getting most of the reps with the first-team defense and figures to beat out Gibson as long as he continues to progress. If so, Gibson will be relegated to a backup spot and as a core special teams player.
8/11/2006
Steve Corkran
PERSONNEL ANALYSIS: Robert Gallery struggled a bit in his first-ever NFL start at left tackle. He gave up a sack, got called for a false-start penalty and, along with the rest of the line, failed to open many huge holes in the running game. However, the Raiders aren't worried. Art Shell said Gallery has looked like a "natural" in his switch from the right side to the left, the position he played in college. Gallery, who missed five days of practice at the start of training camp to recover from a quadriceps strain, figures to get better and more consistent as the season progresses. Many expect him to develop into a Pro Bowl player in the near future, if not this season. . . .
Veteran K Sebastian Janikowski has worked hard to regain the form that made him one of the league's better kickers until last season. That work paid dividends in his first game and showed that he still has the ability to be one of the elite kickers. He made all three of his field goal attempts in Oakland's first game, including ones from 50 and 51 yards, which were longer than his season-best last year. After finishing last in field goal percentage among those with at least 10 attempts last season, look for him to have a rebound season.
NEWCOMER REPORT: LB Darnell Bing is making a smooth conversion from safety. He has shown a knack for picking up the defense and playing within the context of the scheme. The Raiders still want Bing to add some weight to his 230-pound frame without losing his impressive speed. Bing doesn't figure to crack the starting lineup this season. He likely will get plenty of time to learn the scheme and the nuances of the NFL while he contributes on special teams.
SCOUTING REPORT: Veteran Danny Clark has been replaced by second-year player Kirk Morrison as the starting middle linebacker. Clark, who has experience playing inside and outside, figures to be the first player off the bench when one of the three starters gets hurt. He'll still fulfill a leadership role and could step in if rookie Thomas Howard struggles.
TRAINING CAMP BATTLES: Rookie Michael Huff, the seventh overall pick, is challenging veteran Derrick Gibson for the starting strong safety spot. Huff is fast, strong, smart and versatile--his ability to move around in Oakland's scheme makes him comparable to former Raider cornerback Charles Woodson in that he can provide run support near the line, cover a bigger receiver in the slot or blitz. He excels in every facet of the game, though he lacks experience and likely will go through some growing pains in the early stages of the season. Gibson has been injury-prone during his career, but he has the edge over Huff in terms of his knowledge of Oakland's scheme and what to expect in regular-season games. Gibson's downside is that he lacks consistency and hasn't developed into an impact player. Huff is getting most of the reps with the first-team defense and figures to beat out Gibson as long as he continues to progress. If so, Gibson will be relegated to a backup spot and as a core special teams player.
