After offseason programs, who will start for the Raiders in opener? [Paul Gutierrez]

[game94501]

After offseason programs, who will start for the Raiders in opener?

[NoClapsPlease]

tough to argue everything, including the TE spot.

[game94501]

tough to argue everything, including the TE spot.

I don't think that the TE spot will be decided until late into training camp. From what's been reported, Ausberry is making a compelling case for himself.
Other positions to watch, IMO, are LG and RT.

[Raider Ran]

Baring injuries that is your starters. Book it. Now guys like Criner and Burris may work their way into the line up but these 22 guys will be starting opening night.

[NoClapsPlease]

I don't think that the TE spot will be decided until late into training camp. From what's been reported, Ausberry is making a compelling case for himself.
Other positions to watch, IMO, are LG and RT.

well until he starts blocking better than myers, it wont mean much.

[Raider Ran]

I don't think that the TE spot will be decided until late into training camp. From what's been reported, Ausberry is making a compelling case for himself.
Other positions to watch, IMO, are LG and RT.

Knapp uses a lot of 2 TE formations. Myers is far an away a better blocker. Gordon is a better blocker. Ausberry role will be more of a pass catching TE until he can beat at least Myers.

[djh_raider]

At the end of the day, who cares who the starters are. What is important is who gets the most playing time. I do not really disagree with the starting line up proposed.

However, FB Owen Scmitt will see some serious time with Reece in non-FB roles. Reece is a match-up nighmare. Criner and Streater will also puch for time (I think Streater may push out Murphy).

As for TE, Gordon is the best of the 3. The knock on Myers has been his blocking. It has already come out that the Raiders will use 2 TE's quite a lots. I expect it will be Gordon and a mix of Myers and Ausberry.

As for Carlisle starting at LG, I would not be so sure. I see him as the backup (expensive backup) for both LG and RG.

[The AzzAzzin]

I see the TE postion as Ausberry is the pass catching TE who needs to work on blocking, Gordon is the blocking TE , who can catch but not polished at all, and Myers is the vet who is a mixture of both, but not great at either blocking or catching but is good enough at both.

[coogi]

Knapp uses a lot of 2 TE formations. Myers is far an away a better blocker. Gordon is a better blocker. Ausberry role will be more of a pass catching TE until he can beat at least Myers.

i seriously hope we still use enough fullback formations to utilize reece..and not just as a blocker for DMC..im still unsure why they havent at least let reece try to get some reps at TE...i mean i know its two different positions but both pretty much block most of the time with occasional pass catching..

[TheMongoose]

Scout.com: Pats cut veteran tight end Scaife

anyone know anything about this TE Schaife just cut by the Pats?

could be a good body to check out for training camp

[MileHighRaider]

At the end of the day, who cares who the starters are. What is important is who gets the most playing time. I do not really disagree with the starting line up proposed.

However, FB Owen Scmitt will see some serious time with Reece in non-FB roles. Reece is a match-up nighmare. Criner and Streater will also puch for time (I think Streater may push out Murphy).

As for TE, Gordon is the best of the 3. The knock on Myers has been his blocking. It has already come out that the Raiders will use 2 TE's quite a lots. I expect it will be Gordon and a mix of Myers and Ausberry.

As for Carlisle starting at LG, I would not be so sure. I see him as the backup (expensive backup) for both LG and RG.

I love our depth on the O. It's the D that still concerns the heck out of me. I am cautiously optimistic our D will suck by just enough less than last year, maybe just maybe we squeak into the playoffs. But we take an injury or two on D and we have serious issues. IMHO.

[Raider Ran]

Scout.com: Pats cut veteran tight end Scaife

anyone know anything about this TE Schaife just cut by the Pats?

could be a good body to check out for training camp

Scaife was cut after the Patriots claimed injured tight end Jake Ballard off waivers from the New York Giants. Scaife struggled with his conditioning during his brief tenure with the AFC East club.
The former Tennessee Titans starter and franchise player, Scaife was with the Cincinnati Bengals last season. However, he registered no statistics due to a shoulder injury and spent the year on injured reserve.

Um I would say NO.

[raiderrocker18]

While a lot of people are busy worrying about who will start at tight end between Myers and Ausberry, it seems a lot of people are on the same page as I am, and see the LG (Carlisle vs Bergstrom) and RT (Barnes vs Barksdale) as the two position battles that will most affect the team. If Carlisle wins out I wouldn't be too concerned as he has been among the best ZBS guards in the NFL throughout his career (though noticeably declining in the last 3 years) and Bergstrom is not only a rookie, but one who will be transitioning from tackle. On the other hand, it would worry me if Barnes beats out Barksdale. This will be Barksdale's second season, and Khalif Barnes is the definite weak link of our line. If Barksdale doesn't win that battle this year, we will need to again worry about the RT position in the draft this year, as well as worrying about false starts and holds from Barnes.

Knapp's west coast offense heavily features 2 tight ends. Look at Owen Daniels and Joel Dreessen. Myers and Ausberry will take those roles. On another note, I'm tired of hearing about how great Ausberry is. Everyone is saying "oh look his big and runs a 4.4 fourty! First of all, he is not NEARLY that fast. In fact, he was clocked running in the 4.7 range before the draft, and that was while he was still at 235 pounds. Now he's about 30 pounds bigger and 30 pounds slower. He isn't some ridiculous mismatch like Jimmy Graham or Gronk, but at the very least he does bring wide receiver skills to the tight end position. But lets stop talking about how fast he is

[LINQ]

What's cool is we actually have depth (well in some places) and the preseason will be fun to watch for once. I'm really looking forward to seeing this young WRs play and see what they can do with Pryor & Leinart out there. Burris will be fun to watch in preseason as well, I expect he will get A LOT of playing time during those games.

[NoClapsPlease]

While a lot of people are busy worrying about who will start at tight end between Myers and Ausberry, it seems a lot of people are on the same page as I am, and see the LG (Carlisle vs Bergstrom) and RT (Barnes vs Barksdale) as the two position battles that will most affect the team. If Carlisle wins out I wouldn't be too concerned as he has been among the best ZBS guards in the NFL throughout his career (though noticeably declining in the last 3 years) and Bergstrom is not only a rookie, but one who will be transitioning from tackle. On the other hand, it would worry me if Barnes beats out Barksdale. This will be Barksdale's second season, and Khalif Barnes is the definite weak link of our line. If Barksdale doesn't win that battle this year, we will need to again worry about the RT position in the draft this year, as well as worrying about false starts and holds from Barnes.

Knapp's west coast offense heavily features 2 tight ends. Look at Owen Daniels and Joel Dreessen. Myers and Ausberry will take those roles. On another note, I'm tired of hearing about how great Ausberry is. Everyone is saying "oh look his big and runs a 4.4 fourty! First of all, he is not NEARLY that fast. In fact, he was clocked running in the 4.7 range before the draft, and that was while he was still at 235 pounds. Now he's about 30 pounds bigger and 30 pounds slower. He isn't some ridiculous mismatch like Jimmy Graham or Gronk, but at the very least he does bring wide receiver skills to the tight end position. But lets stop talking about how fast he is

yea i think barksdale is supposed to win that spot

i'm bothered that he isnt breaking the lineup yet however i'm not shocked because i never thought he was that good in college.