Grove reclaims starting center job

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Aug 26, 2008 | by Steve Corkran

ALAMEDA -- 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 balky right knee healthy enough to fight for the spot he once owned.

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

Grove edged out veteran John Wade on the strength of his consistent play in minicamps, 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, (we) 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 almost three years ago. Ultimately, doctors performed microfracture surgery after last season, restoring the strength in Grove's knee.

"This is the best it has felt since my rookie year (in 2004)," Grove said Tuesday.

Grove persevered through pain last season but never regained the confidence needed to play without fear of his knee betraying him. Hence, Kiffin tabbed Jeremy Newberry as his starter.

Now, Grove is confident his best NFL years await him. Perhaps that's why he proclaimed the starting job his the day he arrived at training camp a month ago.

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

Wade lost the starting job, but that doesn't mean he is out of a job, Kiffin said. He now will be taught the nuances of playing both guard spots so that he is valuable enough to keep on the 53-man roster as a primary backup.

Wade has spent his entire 10-year NFL career at center. However, Kiffin said, he has what it takes to make the transition to guard.

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

Thomas injured

Outside linebacker Robert Thomas sustained a right knee injury before full-team practice started. Trainers carted Thomas off the field, and he was taken to a hospital for further examination. Thomas supplanted 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 this season and is hopeful of making the team as a backup and special teams player.

Extra points

The Raiders released kicker Aaron Elling and wide receiver Drisan James in reaching the league-mandated limit of 75 players. The Raiders have until Saturday afternoon to pare their 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 (Friday at Seattle)," Kiffin said. "... 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 by Kiffin so that he could tend to 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.

-- Steve Corkran