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Oakland Press, Oakland, Ca
Expectations run high in the bay area this year, as the NEW Oakland team takes the field. Alot more changes then expected, some new faces arrive, some favorites leave, however, you can be assured, that the organization in intent on winning some games this year, with an eye on the league Championship next year. Let get right to it.
Quarterbacks
Last year starting QB duo of Granger and Holliday are gone this year, replaced with this years number one pick in the draft, Gene Hamilton, and his backup at Air Force, Ronald Palmer. With the signing of Palmer, resigning Holiday became unnecesary, and a solid second QB Granger would have been this year was made moot when Wichita offered S Edelstein in a trade, that the Oakland front office jumped on. With the entire QB corps cleaned up, and the rookies signed long term, this position will be set for years to come.
Runningbacks
A truly stunning performance considering he was running behind a rookie offensive line, Lomeli overachieved, motoring for 1248 yards and 5 TD's. Reconizing his efforts, he was named the teams best player during the offseason. However, when the opportunity came to draft 2 time Heisman Trophy winner, runningback Wesley Connell from Clemson, the Oakland front office moved up to snag the second pick in the draft, and brought Connell home to the bay area. He easily won the starting job in training camp, and Lomeli will back him up this year.
Tightends
With Flores gone in the mega-trade to Little Rock, Richard Ventura moves into the starting lineup with something to prove, and with Hamilton at QB this year, Venturas numbers should skyrocket.
Recievers
It would be an understatement to say that Martinez has a dissapointing year. With Granger underachieving, then getting injured for the remainder of the year, and Holiday forced to play "not to lose", the stud rookie was nearly non-existent. The bright site was the improving play of fellow SE Tessier. Fiqured to be a role-player, he exploded, and contined to improve, and has offically moved to Flanker this year and will start. Chris Mann returns to the team backing up Martinez, and free agent Eric Fisher joins the team this year hoping to win a spot.
Next week: Offensive line
Expectations run high in the bay area this year, as the NEW Oakland team takes the field. Alot more changes then expected, some new faces arrive, some favorites leave, however, you can be assured, that the organization in intent on winning some games this year, with an eye on the league Championship next year. Let get right to it.
Quarterbacks
Last year starting QB duo of Granger and Holliday are gone this year, replaced with this years number one pick in the draft, Gene Hamilton, and his backup at Air Force, Ronald Palmer. With the signing of Palmer, resigning Holiday became unnecesary, and a solid second QB Granger would have been this year was made moot when Wichita offered S Edelstein in a trade, that the Oakland front office jumped on. With the entire QB corps cleaned up, and the rookies signed long term, this position will be set for years to come.
Runningbacks
A truly stunning performance considering he was running behind a rookie offensive line, Lomeli overachieved, motoring for 1248 yards and 5 TD's. Reconizing his efforts, he was named the teams best player during the offseason. However, when the opportunity came to draft 2 time Heisman Trophy winner, runningback Wesley Connell from Clemson, the Oakland front office moved up to snag the second pick in the draft, and brought Connell home to the bay area. He easily won the starting job in training camp, and Lomeli will back him up this year.
Tightends
With Flores gone in the mega-trade to Little Rock, Richard Ventura moves into the starting lineup with something to prove, and with Hamilton at QB this year, Venturas numbers should skyrocket.
Recievers
It would be an understatement to say that Martinez has a dissapointing year. With Granger underachieving, then getting injured for the remainder of the year, and Holiday forced to play "not to lose", the stud rookie was nearly non-existent. The bright site was the improving play of fellow SE Tessier. Fiqured to be a role-player, he exploded, and contined to improve, and has offically moved to Flanker this year and will start. Chris Mann returns to the team backing up Martinez, and free agent Eric Fisher joins the team this year hoping to win a spot.
Next week: Offensive line
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