With Javon Walker and Drew Carter's, prior knee injuries and Ronald Curry's Achilles history, some are wondering if the Raiders can stay healthy enough to be a threat through the air in 08'.

Recent news from IBA's Jerry Mac reports the highly paid Walker was out performed by Carter at OTA's.

Not a major problem, but would be nice if he was in shape, though its pretty early and theirs alot of time before the seasons starts, but still, the report has some questioning Walker's signing already, and in turn, the viablility of the raiders receiving corps as a whole.

Are things as grim as doomsdayers predict?

Carter had an unspectacular but solid season with Carolina and in my opinion is a solid Z who may challenge for the Y slot.

Lets hope Javon can win the X spot he was paid for. He's a professional, and in my mind, its more of a mention than a red flag.

Its always an unknown when it comes to a particular players health (Curry had foot surgery recently), but I believe Kiffin and co. are fairly good at managing their resources.

Questions of health will remain a factor this season and beyond until they prove critics wrong, but the real "X" factor may be whether Oaklands stable of untested but seemingly gifted reserve receivers can step in and make plays if called upon.

The fruits of a trade with Baltimore for former 1st round draft pick CB Fabian Washington, Richmond Spider Arman Shields has the name to be a Pro football player and at 6-1, 195 lb has the size too.

He contributed 160 catches for 1,930 yds and hauled in 13 TD's.

But after a blazing season opener against Vanderbilt in which he caught 12 passes for 107 yds, he tore his PCL the next game and missed the rest of the year.

Despite the serious injury, the Richmond wide out drew scouts attention.

Reports state a local scout for the Eagles was "pissed" when evaluators swarmed the work out.

Arman wasn't as below the radar as some thought, especially considering a seemingly weak WR draft class.

Though injured most of last year, reports from a packed Pro day state he "killed" the competition in drills.

Of note to Raider fans familiar with Al Davis' love of speed, was one of Arman's 40 times.

Though he averaged 4.44 total he did mange to clock a blazing 4.38 and silence critics who felt his knee was a concern.

If he can stay healthy, he could be a sleeper in the years to come.

6-4,225 lb. Chaz Schillens was a Raider 7th round pick (So was Curry) in the 08' draft.

The former San Diego State Wide out played 39 games, caught 103 passes for 1,603 yds and 7 Tds.

He has the size and speed the Raiders want to exploit.

He's a long shot who'll have to work hard to make the team, but may end up a project player like Carter was in Carolina or, like Johnnie Morant for us a few years back.

Hopefully the former...

Out of the Northwest another big receiver, 6-3, 240 lb. Marcel Reece from the University of Washington. He didn't let the fact he was undrafted keep him from performing well enough to win a contract from Oakland on May 13th of this year.

From watching film, he seems like an above average straight line runner who makes good adjustments on the ball, but will need to work on routes and blocking if he expects to compete in Coach Kiffin's "West Coast Hybrid" .

And because I like to root for the locals and the under dog, I'll be watching closely to see how he progresses...

Though making appearances in all 16 regular season games his rookie year, former UTEP return star Johnnie Lee Higgins failed to distinguish himself in 07'.

With some new competition, especially on punt and kick returns, he'll have to do a much better job than last year if he hopes to advance.

At times he looked tentative and unsure.

He'll have to steel his nerves and study hard if he wants to contribute in 08'.

Though the Raiders have made moves in the draft and free agency this year and last, they'll likely need one or heaven forbid, more receivers to step up this year if they want to utilize their $60 million dollar QB and return Oakland to the dominant air threat they used to be.

Mykle VanHausen

Can Gerard Warren compliment Warren Sapp?

The Denver Broncos dumped DT Gerard Warren to the Oakland Raiders for a conditional 5th round draft pick next year.

If Warren stays, and makes the final roster, the Broncos get the pick.

If Warren stays and plays (At least 50%) he'll earn $2 million dollars.

Some Raider fans are delirious over the addition of another DT to Oaklands run challenged front 4, but given Warren's blatant desire to exit Denver (and their equally passionate desire to get rid of him, to a Division rival no less) is he a viable cog in the Infernal Machine or a broken down part headed for the scrap yard via Alameda?

Warren made 49 tackles and 5.5 sacks in his 2 years in Denver. The 6-4, 325 lb. Defensive Tackle was considered aces to the Denver elite a year ago and rewarded him with a 6 yr contract worth $36 million dollars, but last season Warren missed time with injuries to his big toes and this year finds a new Defensive scheme tailored away from his skills.

Warren has been a disappointment after being drafted 3rd over all out of Florida state in 2001 by Cleveland.

He was traded to the Broncos along with so many other of his fellow Clevelanders, that the Bronco Defense became known derogatorily as the "Brownco's" in 2005.

The injuries to his toes and apparent attitude toward the Broncos probably made the decision to deal Warren to the Raiders has Oakland fans thinking he must be a complete dud, and yes, with the injuries to his big toes may be slower off the line, but the attack style Defense of Captain Rob Ryan is a much better fit for the excellent pressure man and the fact he'll be subbing for Sapp and Sands means they have a better chance to stay fresher in the 4th, longer into the season and still have the bulk to stop the run.

If Warren can show any of the spark that made him a $36 million dollar man a little over a year ago and stay healthy, he could be the missing piece that makes the Raider Defensive Machine World Class.

He's not the be all end all like a Marcus Stroud, but, with Sapp, Sands, Kelly and (gulp) Brayton, he doesn't have to be.

And if he's a complete wash, we lose a fifth round pick at least trying to address a serious Defensive deficiency.

The Broncos won't miss Warren not only considering the new Defensive scheme, but the addition of several DTs they stock piled over the off season including, ancient Block absorber Sam Adams (6-3, 350) from Cincinnati, another 300 lb plus DT in the guise of Jimmie Kennedy (6-4,320) from the Rams, who, like Warren, was a 1 draft pick (12th overall in 2003) and pot smoking draft casualty Marcus Thomas (6-3,315) out of well nowhere actually, Florida booted him after his second suspension mid season.

Warren may have slowed (or not) but, as you can tell by the heft of Denver's new crew the Broncos Defensive scheme this year is going to include clogging the line of scrimmage and letting their Backers scrape.

While Warren isn't bad against the run, the Raiders gain a lane clogging potential pocket pressuring rotational DT and Denver loses a headache and helps reclaim one of next years picks they dealt away.

Depends of course on the performance of Warren, but in the eyes of many in the Raider Nation, the addition of depth to a worrisome weakness on the D-line is already a positive.

*Warren appeared in last nights Pre season finale in Seattle seeing limited action in the 1st half. He gained penetration and collapsed the pocket against the Seahawks 1st string on one play, but seemed to get washed out of plays in the back half of the game.

Bottom line, Warren should make the cut, if only to add veteran depth to breathe the starters and to finally get Tyler Brayton off the LOS.

Antajj Hawthorne is a guy I'm rooting for, though he did spotlight himself with a boneheaded off sides call on a 4th and short.

Should Warren make the squad and proves to be healthy, he should fill the role slated for him adequately.

Mykle VanHausen