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May 13, 2008

Longshot gets his chance

The Raiders signed rookie minicamp standout Marcel Reece.
That Reece was signed after his good showing as a tryout player during last weekend’s minicamp is keeping consistent with what Lane Kiffin has preached.
Players that produce will be rewarded.
He was given a Raiders helmet for his effort last weekend, something the other tryout players wouldn’t leave team headquarters with.
Reece played tight end, receiver and running back at the camp. Listed at 6-foot-3, 240 pounds, Reece is the kind of player that can create matchup problems the Raiders want to create on offense.
He played receiver at Washington and that’s the position the Raiders list him at.
Reece has a ways to go to make the team.
His best chance might be at tight end or as an H-back. The Raiders have Zach Miller, John Madsen and Tony Stewart returning at tight end.
Fred Wakefield missed all of last season with a knee injury and will be looking to make the team, too.
Stewart was primarily a special teams player. If Reece could fill that role, he’d be a cheaper alternative.

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The Raiders’ on-again, off-again relationship with CB Duane Starks continues.
He was waived today to make room for Reece and Greg Spires. Rookie FB Matthew Hahn was also let go.
I’m not sure why the Raiders continue to bring Starks back or why he continues to come back.
He was cut at the end of training camp in 2006 and brought back days later. Starks made the team again in 2007, only to be cut during the season to make room for Dominic Rhodes.
Starks re-signed with the Raiders last month.
But the last thing the Raiders need is more cornerbacks, right?

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FYI: I won’t be at Thursday’s media availability for organized team activities. I already had some vacation time planned and didn’t get word of the open session until last Friday.
I’m sure my bosses will find someone capable of filling in. I’ll have my laptop in case for strange reason I get the urge to blog (I doubt that I will).
I’ll be back next week, ready to check and preparing for minicamp, June 3-5.
-- Jason Jones

Posted by tnegrete at 6:46 PM | Comments |