ALAMEDA – Wouldn’t it be nice to have Quentin Moses around about now?
The Raiders had their reasons (apparently) for cutting their first of three third-round picks in the preseason. Even though coaches raved about him and said the rookie defensive end couldn’t be blocked, he wasn’t good enough to make the opening-day roster.
Now the Raiders are facing a third consecutive game without Pro-Bowl defensive end Derrick Burgess. What's more, Gerard Warren, who leads the team with three sacks, might also miss Sunday's crucial AFC West Division game in San Diego with a thigh injury.
So that leaves reserves Chris Clemons and Tyler Brayton to fill the holes.
Clemons can rush the passer, but plays a lot on special teams and plays defense sparingly. Brayton doesn’t show the burst off the edge as a defensive end.
Moses would have been able to step in and help with the pass rush right now.
No explanation was ever given as to why Moses was cut. But for a team that could use another pass rusher right now, it makes you wonder why Moses is gone.
****
Running back LaMont Jordan said he wants to play Sunday against the Chargers, but doesn’t know how his back will hold up.
He won’t risk hurting the team or himself to play, he said.
It was bad enough for Jordan to be carted off the field in Miami. Having seen players leave the field on stretchers this season, he doesn’t want to leave the field in a similar fashion.
Unless Jordan can’t walk, I expect him to try to play.
****
Coach Lane Kiffin didn’t say who would fill the Raiders' roster spot made available after the team waived safety B.J. Ward.
Former Raiders safety and now free-agent Jarrod Cooper worked out for the team Wednesday. Kiffin said he is looking to replace Ward, but could also use cornerback Chris Carr at safety.
Cooper, who has served a four-game suspension for steroid use, still lives in the Bay Area.
He’d be a good fit. The Raiders miss his intensity on special teams. And he’d be a decent backup safety, too.
Adding another defensive lineman with the open roster spot is an option. The Raiders could promote defensive tackle Josh Shaw from the practice squad.
--Jason Jones
About Comments
Reader comments on Sacbee.com are the opinions of the writer, not The Sacramento Bee. If you see an objectionable comment, click the "report abuse" button below it. We will delete comments containing inappropriate links, obscenities, hate speech, and personal attacks. Flagrant or repeat violators will be banned. See more about comments here.