[ad_1]
Raiders head coach Jon Gruden knows he has more players to keep than the number of places available. Quarterback Derek Carr understands that too and understands the tough calls ahead for the team's top decision maker.
It was clear during their exchange broadcast during the episode "Hard Knocks" Tuesday night, where Gruden lamented the cuts that are looming on the horizon.
Gruden: "We have a lot of good players on the list, and we can not keep them all."
Carr: "Many good players will not be part of the team."
Gruden: "A lot of good guys too."
Carr: "Yeah, it'll be hard."
Hard, and not so cut and dry. Moving from a list of 90 people to 53 at the latest on Saturday afternoon is not just a matter of decision.
The mathematical list is not usually so simple.
Gruden and GM Mike Mayock need to look at the collection as a whole and make some brutal choices involving players they really love.
"It will be a challenge for us," said Gruden. "Mayock will have to wear his boxing gloves. We will argue about this training. "
They must weigh their strengths and weaknesses, then examine the versatility of each player and the number of areas in which they can contribute.
For example, Gruden said he often kept three quarters, which would create a place for Nathan Peterman. To keep it would cost another player a position, perhaps a defensive lineman, for example. Injuries also play a role here, as the Raiders decided what should be done to account for the transport of an unavailable player.
If they carry right-hander Gabe Jackson on his placement in the injured reserve, will another offensive lineman have to justify his absence?
In addition, are there any possible exchanges or late upgrades? The Raiders are studying all this. The final of the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday will not play a huge role in this field, not after a off-season, a training camp and three pre-season games to assess talent.
Uncertainties, however, remain as to the formation of this alignment of 53 people.
"I think the bulk of that is the injury status of our team, and that becomes available," said Gruden. "We've talked to a lot of teams, a lot of teams have talked to us about compositional changes, etc., so there are a lot of things going into that right now."
[[[[RELATED: AB reinstated in the Raiders offensive after his absence]
Gruden and Mayock will choose the best possible alignment of 53 people from their available talents. Most players know if they will be Raiders next week or not. There are others, real bubble players, who will not know until the ballots are distributed. Here are some people who could stress the week:
QB Nathan Peterman: Jon Gruden really likes the 25-year-old, as we saw on Tuesday night in "Hard Knock". Can the Raiders afford to keep a third quarter?
FB Alec Ingold: This is the unprepared rookie or veteran Keith Smith at the halfback position. Ingold has put his best foot forward. Will it be enough to overthrow the holder?
WR Ryan Grant: He lost the battle to be the first receiver. He could still earn a spot in the lineup.
WR J.J. Nelson: He was sprinted in order to get a spot in the camp, but he then sprained his ankle against Arizona. Now his destiny is in the air.
OT David Sharpe: It looks like Brandon Parker will be the attacker, but it's not quite settled. He could be kept as the fourth tackler, or this place could go to another group of positions.
DL Ethan Westbrooks: It seemed like a safe bet a few weeks ago. The signature of Corey Liuget puts this in jeopardy.
DT Anthony Rush: The unprepared rookie had an excellent pre-season. He probably deserves a concert, but we do not know how many defensive attacks the Raiders have, or how Justin Ellis feels. It's hard to see the Raiders keeping the veteran and rookie.
DT P.J. Hall: I propose here the draft of the second round of last year, even if others do not agree. Hall was not seduced, even though there is still untapped potential. It may be too early to abandon it, but it must find a role to contribute from the start. And that's the same argument the Raiders can have with Rush, Westbrooks or Ellis: How many defensive tackles will the Raiders keep? Four? Five? The Raiders need help on the offensive line and the third quarter is a luxury spot. It will be hard to choose, especially when some of their guys can slip inside.
LB Jason Cabinda: It may be the linebacker's stranger, with special team captain Kyle Wilber who should have a spot, Marquel Lee able to add two spots and Brandon Marshall having an experience at the center.
CB Keisean Nixon: It looks like he's going to do the alignment, as the fourth-half outside corner.
S Curtis Riley: Riley was solid, maybe better than Erik Harris sometimes. This is a place affected by the number of people in other positions. Riley has played well, but can the Raiders afford four warrants with split back half Lamarcus Joyner able to play so well?
[ad_2]
Source link