Question: I just read that Jermey Newberry is thinking of joining the Raiders. What's your thoughts on this and the possibilities of him making the team?
-- Harold Jennings III, Antioch
Answer: It's not uncommon for players who know they could change teams to look around the NFL and see where they might fit. Probably every available offensive lineman looking for playing time figures they could start for the Raiders, considering they gave up an NFL-worst 72 sacks.
A couple of things work against Newberry's interest in the Raiders. First, he plays center, where the raiders have Jake Grove, a second round pick in 2004. The team isn't likely to move such a high pick after only three seasons or give Grove the impression they are looking to replace him with a veteran. Also, Newberry has battled injuries recently and the Raiders have shied away from those are the kind of players lately. That's why the team didn't make a bigger push for quarterback Daunte Culpepper last year.
Newberry would provide a veteran influence and could probably add depth. And it wouldn't hurt new offensive line coach Tom Cable to have a player familiar with his coaching technique. If he were to be signed by the Raiders, Newberry would start off as a backup.
-- Jason Jones
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