PSW4: Running Backs to Watch

As the Raiders come to town, 2nd and 3rd unit players will be fighting to earn roster spots - including players who factor into the running game. First, let's look at running backs.

Marshawn Lynch is still nursing a sore back, but Beast Mode doesn't tend to play preseason games anyway. He's locked into the #1 role and will almost certain play in the season opener.

Robert Turbin has proven himself as a good fit and a hard worker. He's a lock as Lynch's understudy. Carroll recently said that pass protection is the main issue for young backs, so if Turbin gets some downs, it will mostly be to give him more practice in the passing game.

Leon Washington played tough and took some shots last week. While Tate took one return to the house, he dropped one as well. Leon's experience and sure hands on special teams has him solidly on the 53-man list.

Michael Robinson has had a toe injury that held him out a bit this off season, but there's no question that this Pro Bowler will start on Week 1. In 2010, Robinson ran as the play was written, ran through the line, and would make a good block in the 2nd level. In 2011, Robinson made live reads that were in-sych with Lynch and Cable, would lend a shoulder at the line, and would make a great block in the 2nd level. That year-over-year improvement makes Robinison a lock.

Last year, we kept four RBs. The writing is on the wall for the remaining two on the roster.

Vai Taua is unlikely to make the 53-man group, however, he has the ability to play both RB and FB as well as special teams. He'll probably end up on the practice squad, though if Carpenter is put on the PuP list, he's a longshot to take that temporary spot.

Kregg Lumpkin was insurance for us in the preseason. As I see it, he's fighting for a spot on another team or as a guy who might come back later in the year in the case of injury.

The main things to watch for are Turbin's pass protection and to see if Vai Taua can make an outside case to stick on the 53. Lumpkin will be interesting to watch just in case we see him again later in the year - with us or against us.