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August 6, 2007

Three tight ends still standing

NAPA - There are three standing on healthy legs.

The Raiders began training camp with six tight ends.

They are down to three after Fred Wakefield went down with what looked like a serious knee injury during special teams drills this morning.

He was taken off the field on a cart with an air cast on his right leg. Teammates came by and patted him on the shoulder, which usually means they know a guy's season is probably over.

James Adkisson is out with a hamstring injury. Randal Williams was released on Aug. 3.

That leaves rookie Zach Miller, second-year player John Madsen and free agent Tony Stewart as the only tight ends left.

The Raiders cut former starter Courtney Anderson before the start of training camp.

A viable tight end is essential for the Raiders if they want to run the West Coast offense.

Miller looks good. Madsen is up to 240 pounds after playing receiver in college. Stewart is a career backup.

A position that was a question mark is now screaming for help and depth. If Miller goes down, the Raiders' tight end situation looks bleaker than it did last year.

--Jason Jones

Posted by Bill Bradley at 12:16 PM | Comments |