SEATTLE -- Don't think tomorrow night's game is meaningless for many of the Raiders' young players.
Just look at the case of Ricky Brown.
The Raiders closed out the preseason here two years ago and Brown played before ultimately being cut. He was added to the practice squad, eventually added to the active roster.
This year he'll probably be a starting outside linebacker.
Who will be this year's Brown?
I like Marcel Reece's chances.
Lane Kiffin called him a project because he arrived in Oakland a wide receiver and is now a fullback.
His pass-catching ability in the Raiders' offense would be an asset at some point, but the Raiders don't want to put him on the field just yet.
"It was a numbers' situation," said Raiders coach Lane Kififn of moving Reece to fullback with a stop at tight end in between. :Justin Griffith got hurt one day, and we didn't have enough guys so we had to move him there to play him there. We kept him there thinking that maybe someday he'll have a chance."
Reece will likely be released and re-signed to the practice squad where he can continue learning to play fullback.
He needs time to adjust to the physical style he'll need to play fullback in the NFL. If he adapts, we could be talking about Reece in a couple of years having the final preseason game off.
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Reece played college football up here at Washington and his teammate with the Huskies, Louis Rankin, has been the subject of several emails.
Many have asked if he has a chance to make the final roster. But I can't see the Raiders keeping four tailbacks. Rankin can return kickoffs, but he'd be No. 3 at that on the depth chart and fourth once Tyvon Branch is available.
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If you're wondering who won't make the team, watch the second half of tomorrow's game. Chances are anyone playing in the second half won't be on the team Saturday afternoon.
--Jason Jones
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