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Raiders Sign Veteran FB Owen Schmitt

Chris Shellcroft — Wed, 16 May 2012 14:53:30 +0000

Marcel Reece has yet to sign his contract tender but that almost nothing to do with the Raiders signing veteran fullback Owen Schmitt. For all we know Schmitt might not even make the 53-man roster and if he does it will likely come at the expense of Manase Tonga’s job.

Schmitt came out of West Virginia as a 5^th round pick of the Seattle Seahawks back in 2008. He quickly established himself as a punishing blocker in the run game with the ability to be a threat in the passing game as well.

Just consider Schmitt a tight end lining up in the backfield.

Last season the Raiders were exposed for their lack of depth at fullback at one point going with rookie Richard Gordon as the lead blocker for Michael Bush.

Schmitt spent the last two seasons is Philadelphia and is infamously known for a bashing his head with his own helmet during a pregame introduction.

Raiders Resume the Business of Football

Chris Shellcroft — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 23:45:48 +0000

These are tough times for the Oakland Raiders. The passing of Al Davis will never be placed in the past. The presence of Davis will always be felt around the organization. His influence is that great that there won’t be a day that goes by without some talk or though of Davis.

Still, there is a task at hand. While I won’t pretend to know Davis I can confidently say that he would want his team to continue to prepare for Sunday’s game in Houston. Never forget that the only business Al Davis every truly knew was football.

With that being said the Raiders made a couple roster moves today.
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Raiders Unveil Practice Squad

Chris Shellcroft — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 20:26:50 +0000

There could still be plenty of roster moves to come but for now the Oakland Raiders have filled out their team for 2011. Today the Raiders announced the members of the practice squad. As you might expect there are nothing but familiar faces.

Most notably is Sterling Moore who cleared waivers thus landing right back in the lap of Al Davis. Moore’s impressive preseason play will almost surely be rewarded with some time on the active roster.

Joining Moore are Jamie Cumbie, Mason Brodine, Manase Tonga, Alex Parsons, Kevin Brock, Jeremy Leman and Eddie McGee. All of the aforementioned saw action in preseason games for the Silver and Black.

Another familiar face is that of Ricky Brown who was signed today for his second stint as a Raider. Seth Wand is presumed to be the man that has given way for Brown on the active roster.