With training camp fast approaching, it is time to take a look at how the position battles are going to be shaping up. The most obvious position to begin is the quarterback position. This one has had a lot of ink both real and virtual devoted to it over the offseason, but looks to be rather straightforward how it is going to play out.
PROJECTED STARTER:
Barring an injury, JaMarcus Russell is going to be the starter on opening night. There is a line of thought among several in the Raider Nation that if Jeff Garcia has the better camp then he should be the starter out of the gate. The Raiders have far too much invested in Russell to bench him at this point. The Oakland Raiders have sixty millions reasons invested in Russell being the long term answer for the franchise.
Garcia's presence is undoubtedly been putting pressure on Russell, whilst also giving him a template to learn from. The key for Russell will be to have a strong camp and preseason to silence the nay-sayers, and get the team off on the right foot.
KEY RESERVES:
In the event of an injury, Garcia will be in off the bench. It is difficult to imagine the Raiders benching Russell unless his play was beyond putrid. Garcia is a gamer who will make the most of any opportunity that comes his way, and will leave the Raiders in capable hands.
ON THE BUBBLE:Examiner.com Examiner Publishing Tool
The key race in this position will be the battle as late addition Charlie Frye will be battling with Bruce Gradkowski. Gradkowski was far from impressive in any of his practice sessions that were open to the media. Frye has not yet worked out in front of the press. One of these two men will be the emergency quarterback come opening night. This will be a good reason to watch the fourth quarter of the preseason games.
ON THE OUTS:
Andrew Walter has to be counting the days until his release. He has been on the outs with the organization for the past year, and with the additions of Frye and Gradkowski, his freedom has just become a matter of time. He made a cursory appearance only at the mandatory camp, and skipped everything else, which was a clear statement that he wants out. The organization seems ready to grant him his wish, which should happen during camp.
Danny Southwick has zero chance of making the active roster out of camp, and if he is lucky, he may get to take one kneel down snap in a preseason game. However, he has been at all the camps, and would be a likely candidate for the practice squad.
