So it turns out that the move of undrafted rookie free agent and former defensive end Alex Daniels to the fullback might be a more permanent situation than just adding an extra body to the spot. When asked about Daniels grasping the position on Saturday, Coach Tom Cable was enthusiastic.
“I’m anxious to go in and watch us on film and study that. But it looks like he is grasping it and picking it up,” said the Raiders head coach.Then Cable was asked if Daniels has been getting under the skin of his defensive teammates, “I think so,” Cable laughed. “I think that’s a good thing though. That’s a good personality for that position.”
Daniels has openly embraced the change of position and officially changed his number to 39 for Sunday’s practices. He has been very aggressive at the position and with injuries piling up to the other candidates, Daniels could gain an inside track to making the final roster if he takes the bull by the horns.
“If I’ve got to block for McFadden I’m going to block for McFadden. If I’ve got to block for Bush, I’ve got block for Bush,” said Daniels recently. “If I’ve got to block for President Obama, if it’s going to help the Raiders win, then that’s what I’ve got to do.”
Cable said, “(FB) is a group that we have to find the right people in. So to have (Moline, Tonga, and Reece) back practicing is big.”
In other positional switching news, Cable spoke of the job Trevor Scott is doing at the weak-side linebacker spot. “The OTA’s were really good for him and that’s where you saw him settle in and get more comfortable. He has picked up here in camp where he left off then.”
Scott has put on about five to seven pounds compared to his weight listed on Raiders.com, Cable said he’s around 260-262 now. The Watertown Daily Times website put up a pretty good article about Scott giving back to his roots. You can check that out here.
“I love what I’m doing now,” Scott said. “Playing linebacker enabled me to get in on tackles. I do a lot of different stuff and it’s a lot of fun. Third down is the money down and you get to go rush the quarterback. You get a sack after that and it’s all worth it. Defensive end is way more tiring. You are fighting with 320- or 330-pound offensive linemen on every play and you have to go rush. I’m just running now. It’s not as tiring. It gives you a little more gas for third downs.”
There has not been much news coming from the “tweeters” this camp about Scott. But I think it is safe to assume that no news is good news in this case.
Another potential switch is in the works for the 2010 third round draft choice, Jared Veldheer. The Raiders are taking a long look at how Veldheer is doing at the center position. He’s a very smart player and Cable says that he’s getting the physical part but needs to get better with the mental aspect.
All three of these guys are players you’ll want to pay attention to in the upcoming preseason game at Dallas.
And Now an exclusive glance at Raiders 2010 Training Camp:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=
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