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The Raiders have had a long legacy of excellence at center, and the latest to try to live up to it is rookie Jared Veldheer.
Veldheer was named the starter by coach Tom Cable this week.
He's the latest to join what has been a distinguished group of players that includes Jim Otto, Dave Dalby and Don Mosebar. His predecessors, notably Otto, Dalby and Mosebar, were known for their tough, physical and heady play, and they were at the heart of a Raiders offense that prided itself on softening up a defense with the run and then keeping the pressure off long enough to throw the deep strike.
Veldheer, a third-round pick out of Hillsdale College in Michigan, edged out veteran Samson Satele in a job competition that lasted throughout training camp.
Cable said the 6-foot-8, 315-pound Veldheer, a converted tackle, gives the Raiders an imposing presence in the middle of the line. He'll also be the tallest center in the league.
"I looked at his consistency and his upside, what his mistakes are," Cable told the Contra Costa Times. "There are things that you can fix easily and improve him, but he certainly makes us a little bigger and a little more physical in there."
Cable and his staff are hoping that Veldheer's size and strength will allow him to match up well against opposing nose tackles.
Former Raiders linebacker Bill Romanowski had this observation about Veldheer, as quoted in the Raiders blog, "Thoughts From The Dark Side."
"Well, I'd try to figure out the best way to get around him, because I know I'm not going to be able to go through him," Romanowski said.
Raiders Beefing Up Offensive Line by Starting Rookie Center Jared Veldheer
Sep 7, 2010 – 9:59 AM
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