because Oren O’Neal impressed the coaching staff with his recovery from major knee surgery.

Lorenzo Neal was always an insurance policy for Oren O’Neal. If O’Neal is good to go, he’s the primary blocking FB. The Raiders will use their other FB spot for a West Coast-style fullback who can catch the ball out of the backfield and create mismatches with linebackers. Marcel Reece is that type of player.

David White seems to think we’ll keep 3 fullbacks on the 53-man roster, but the Raiders kept only 2 all last season, so the other fullback is likely to either be Reece or G. Russell. My vote is for Reece, who has shown great versatility blocking, catching the ball, running with the ball, and playing special teams.

As Black_Lion said in another thread, teams are more likely to cut veterans who aren’t going to make the roster to give them an opportunity to catch on with another team. I’m sure Coach Cable discussed the issue with Lorenzo and told him that Oren O’Neal’s healthy knee meant he was unlikely to make the final roster. I hope Lorenzo finds another place, or at least stays in shape to be ready to assist a team in need this season. Best of luck to you Lorenzo.

He’s a great character guy and is probably my favorite fullback in the league other than O’neal and Owen Schmitt (representing West Virginia!) and I certainly wish him the best.

However, I more than understand this move. With mitchell’s hamstring problems not going away anytime soon and Huff, I hear, has some injury problems and isn’t really a good player in the first place. Baker reassures our depth at safety, an area we’re thin at in depth and weak at talent wise. Baker had a good year last year in Oakland and was someone I wanted resigned. I doubt he’ll start unless there’s an injury, but he brings good depth to the position.

But why cut Neal? Because fullback is overflowing with talent. O’Neal is 100% again, Russell has been a great runner and pass catcher, Lawton is a great receiving fullback, and Reece can do a little bit of it all. There’s younger, more athletic talent than what Neal brought. perhaps he wasn’t a good zone blocking fullback after all, or maybe he just simply wasn’t as multi-talented as the rest of the fullbacks.

Neal is a good blocker, but he’s not really that good at anything else. The Raiders love players that can do a little bit of everything and players that can be effective in every situation. Neal is a below average pass catcher, and is not much of a runner anymore.

Overall I say, good move Oakland.

The Raiders need football players, and they cut one of the better ones who actually wanted to be here. I suppose Jeff Garcia is next.

Williams wont go Al Davis is high on him and like i said he is a core special teams player, on kickoff coverage and punt coverage, Bowie does have a long road ahead of him but he is a special teams player none the less

Until right after the preseason and there should be a few decent DT’s in free agency who will be released.