The Raiders signed veteran guard Daniel Loper on Friday. He is expected to add depth to what appears to be a rather thin corp of guards. He joins Brandon Rodd as the only guards on the roster behind starters Robert Gallery and Cooper Carlisle.
Prior to starting five games for the Lions last season, the 6-6, 320 lb Loper played in 40 games for the Titans from 2006-08. The five starts he had for the Lions were the only starts of his NFL career. But he brings a great deal of experience to the Raiders offensive line and at 28, he is still capable of playing at a high level athletically.
Despite Loper and Rodd being the only players on the Raider roster officially listed as a guard, rookie fourth round pick Bruce Campbell will be moving to guard. Campbell was drafted out of Maryland as an offensive tackle, but he has been practicing at guard and according to Cable, has been switched to guard so he can get more playing time right away. However, several other offensive lineman on the team are expected to move inside to play guard should the need arise.
In addition to Campbell, whomever loses out on the starting right tackle job between Khalif Barnes, Langston Walker, and Erik Pears, will pull double duty backing up the guard and tackle positions. Toss in backup center Chris Morris, who is capable of playing guard, and the Raiders now have plenty of choices along the line and pieces to move around. Walker, Pears, and Morris all played at left guard last season when Robert Gallery went down with injury. While, Barnes reluctantly played a few games at right tackle and with Cornell Green no longer on the team, will most likely either start or back up both tackle positions.
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