The Oakland Raiders have very high expectations for the defense after general manager Reggie McKenzie made a number of improvements in the offseason and after adding Nick Roach, Chrles Woodson, Kevin Burnett, Tracy Porter and Mike Jenkins, one player that was already on the team in Lamarr Houston will have the chance to step up as well.
The defense comes in after ranking in the bottom half of the league in passing and rushing yards allowed per game and with some of the positions transitioning to new players, Houston will have a chance to be a leader on the offensive line. Both Seymour and Kelly are gone the season and after being a second round pick back in 2010, Houston now has the chance to be vocal and to help the younger players along in training camp.
The Raiders had issues sacking the quarterback last season and while the rushing defense is expected to improve, the team needs Houston to be a force in the rushing and passing attack. The team didn't bring in anyone in free agency to help the passing attack, but many in the NFL believe that improving cornerback play can help the defensive line, as quarterbacks will have to hold the ball more as they work in the pocket if the coverage is better. Houston said he is ready for his new responsibilities and that he will work hard on his technique during camp.
Stefen Wisniewski has been solid in camp at center and while the team has through of moving him to guard, so far that appears to not have happened. The team signed Andre Gurode, who came play center and guard, after dealing with an injury to rookie Menelik Watson and that has sparked some to wonder if Wisniewski should move over. Wisniewski said that he feels good at center and with the new blocking scheme that is where he is best at.
Wisniewski said that center is his best position and over training camp he is working on his blocking callas as well as his transitions with new quarterback Matt Flynn. Wisniewski was a second round pick back in 2011 and the team is hoping that he can be a stalwart on the offensive line.