This year’s class of rookies was initially thought to be a weaker group of players than the class of 2010. But as the long dog days of training camp wither on, the class begins to look Moore and Moore impressive. Let’s take a look at some of the rookie news from Raiders camp 2011.
The Raiders staff has asked rookie tight end David Ausberry to put on 5-10 more pounds. Ausberry said his playing weight during his first and only season playing tight end for USC was 232 pounds. He said he weighed in at the NFL combine at 243 and is still able to be really fast at the increased weight. Currently he is holding at 244 but says he is eating right and trying to get closer to 250 pounds before the start of the season. Achieving what the Raiders want from him regarding his weight could go a long way towards swaying the coaches’ decision on whether or not the rookie makes the final roster.
Undrafted rookie free agents, safety Zac Etheridge of Auburn and cornerback Sterling Moore of SMU, are pushing each other to get better, even on their days off. If you follow them on Twitter you will see them tweeting back and forth to each other and saying things like “No days off” and “Watching film.” Moore is considered by some to be the best of the class of undrafted free agents and has said that being lined up regularly across from fifth round pick and standout, wide receiver Denarius Moore, is a challenge he willingly accepts. Moore says the two stay late often after practice to work on their game.
Richard Seymour says that rookie center/guard Stefen Wisniewski is certainly worthy of being a top pick of the draft. “The thing about a rookie, they don’t know what they don’t know, and it’s not their fault,” said the veteran defensive lineman. “But I think he’s showed a lot of toughness. As an interior offensive lineman, that’s what you want to see, because you can coach up the rest.”
Wisniewski has been downgraded to taking his reps mostly with the second team offense in light of the recent re-signing of third-year center Samson Satele. But Hue Jackson contends that he doesn’t know where anybody is going to end up yet. Having to compete for the position instead of being handed the spot will build the rookie’s character. He is getting a minor amount of reps with the first team line at guard, but the thought process is he may have to fill that spot if there is an injury.
Rookie wide receiver Derrick Jones from the University of California (PA) was carted off the field toward the end of a practice last week. Today it was revealed that he will have to wait until the 2012 preseason to compete for his roster spot in the NFL. He will be out all season with a torn Achilles tendon.
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