Grove Named Starting Center for Raiders

Winning the competition for the starting job at center was the easy part as far as Jake Grove was concerned. The real obstacle was getting his right knee healthy.

Finally, almost three years after he first injured his knee, Grove is back at full strength. Tuesday, he learned from Raiders Coach Lane Kiffin that he also is back in the starting lineup.

Grove edged out John Wade on the strength of his consistent play in mini-camps, training camp and three exhibition games, Kiffin said.

"It was very close," Kiffin said. "Both guys played extremely well in preseason. (We) gave them both starts, gave them equal opportunities, and Jake — I wouldn't have guessed it when we signed (Wade) — ended up beating him out."

Grove never doubted his ability. It was a matter of finding out why his knee continued to bother him after his initial surgery. Ultimately, doctors pinned down the source of his discomfort and performed microfracture surgery after last season.

"This is the best it has felt since my rookie year," said Grove, a second-round draft pick in 2004.

Grove played through pain last season but never regained the confidence needed to play without fear of reinjuring his knee. Hence, Kiffin tabbed Jeremy Newberry as the starting center.

Grove is confident that his troubles are behind him. Perhaps that's why he proclaimed the starting job his the day he arrived at training camp.

"I knew after getting hurt, I couldn't come in and mess around," said Grove, who started 32 games his first three seasons but only two last season. "This was kind of make-or-break. That probably added a little extra motivation for me."

Kiffin said, "He's much stronger, quicker. He came out and took the job. He earned it. He didn't get it by default."

Wade, a 10-year veteran at center, will be taught the nuances of playing both guard spots so that he can serve as a primary backup at several positions.

"He's really smart," Kiffin said. "It won't be a real hard thing to do."

Outside linebacker Robert Thomas sustained a right-knee injury Tuesday and was taken to a hospital.

Thomas replaced Sam Williams as Oakland 's starting strong-side linebacker after four games last season. However, he lost the job to Ricky Brown in training camp and is hopeful of making the team as a backup and special-teams player.

The Raiders released kicker Aaron Elling and wide receiver Drisan James in reaching the league-mandated limit of 75 players. The Raiders, who play their final exhibition game Friday at Seattle , have until Saturday afternoon to pare the roster to 53.

Sebastian Janikowski (hamstring) returned to practice and kicked well, Kiffin said. "Unless there's a setback, he'll kick for us in the game," the coach added.

Punter Shane Lechler (quadriceps), cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha (ankle) and safety Rashad Baker (ankle) missed practice and won't play Friday, Kiffin said. Receiver Javon Walker was excused from practice because of a personal matter.

Kiffin clarified the role of running back Michael Bush, one day after Bush worked out at fullback. "Michael Bush isn't here to be a fullback," Kiffin said. "Michael Bush has a chance to be a spectacular tailback in this league and that's what he's here to play." Even so, Kiffin added, there are some situations where Bush will be used in a capacity similar to that of a fullback.

 

 

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