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May 27, 2008

Friends and competitors

The business of the NFL can be weird.

When Andrew Walter was buried on the bench last year and wanted to be traded, he spoke with someone that understood his situation.

Marques Tuiasosopo.

Now Walter's friend is a competitor again after having careers in Oakland that were very similar.

Walter would have loved to have been traded last year.

He knows the franchise quarterback is JaMarcus Russell and his only future in Oakland is that of a backup.

Tuiasosopo knows that story, too. He was a backup, who like Walter, didn't fit the offense of the coaching staff.

But Tui stayed with the Raiders, even though at least one team (Cleveland) confirmed it tried to trade for him.

So when Walter was sitting last year knowing team's inquiries about him wouldn't get him out of Oakland, he talked to his friend, Tuiasosopo who was playing for the New York Jets after leaving as a free agent.

So it will be interesting to see them battle for the backup job behind Russell not that Tui is back.

Tui is a lot closer to Josh McCown, whom Lane Kiffin adored last season than Walter will ever be.

That means Walter could be relegated to No. 3 in a system not suited for his talents.

And I'm sure when Walter and Tui spoke last year, the idea of them being teammates again wasn't the main topic.

Who ends up being Russell's backup is anyone's guess. I still give the edge to Walter.

But when the trading deadline approaches this year, Walter won't have to call Tui to talk about being stuck in Oakland.

He'll probably have a locker next to his.

--Jason Jones

Posted by Ahmed Ortiz at 2:06 PM | Comments |