Leman has yet to suit up in an NFL contest but has spent time on the practice squads of the Egales, Vikings and Chargers. The Illinois alum was most likely referred to the Raiders by Chuck Bresnahan. Like current Raider Darryl Blackstock, Leman spent time with Bresnahan in the UFL while they were all members of the Florida Tuskers.

Leman is going to be wearing #53 but he in no way resembles the last man to wear #53 for the Silver and Black. Unlike Thomas Howard, Leman was clocked at a lumbering speed of 4.8 in the 40. Leman also plays on the inside. During his time at Illinois, Leman was a first team All-Big 10 selection while also being named a semi-finalist for the Dick Butkus Award.

The only real mystery is why it took over a year for Howard and the Raiders to part ways.

Ever the professional, Howard watched as his starting job was handed over to Quentin Groves and then Travis Goethel. Not once did Howard complain, only expressing his gratitude for the privilege to be a Raider.
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There has been plenty of talk during this extended off-season about the Raiders making the move to a 3-4. Unless they draft wisely or by some miracle actually get to sign free agents, then that seems highly unlikely given the current personnel. Sure, plenty of the recent additions have been of the OLB/DE hybrid variety. But given the amount of money invested in the defensive line and the fact that there just isn’t the depth at linebacker, it would seem a move to be made at a later time.

The linebacking core wasn’t exactly a strength last year though there were plenty of key contributions throughout the season.

Kamerion Wimbley arrived in the East Bay as a Cleveland castoff. He emerged as a pass rushing dynamo with a $10-million franchise tag. Wimbley’s presence helped revitalize a defense that had been without a consistent pass rusher since the decline and subsequent departure of Derrick Burgess.

If the Raiders have any designs on making the move to a 3-4 then they’re going to need more guys like Wimbley who are as comfortable standing as they are getting down into a three-point stance. Wimbley might not be one of the better assets against the run but that’s where Rolando McClain comes in.
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