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[Ramhearder]

jthom1:
Rams announce they have claimed OT Joe Barksdale on waivers from Oakland and waived OT Ty Nsekhe..

[Rambos]

Oakland Raiders waive tackle Joe Barksdale

By Jerry McDonald

jmcdonald@bayareanewsgroup.com
Posted: 09/26/2012 09:52:02 AM PDT
Updated: 09/26/2012 02:13:18 PM PDT


Oakland Raiders tackle Joe Barksdale (72) walks the sidelines during the second half of an NFL...

The Raiders have jettisoned another draft pick and added one more player to the organization who spent time with the Green Bay Packers during the tenure of Reggie McKenzie as director of operations.

Offensive tackle Joe Barksdale was leaving the facility Wednesday carrying some of his belongings with the Raiders about 20 minutes into practice. A Raiders spokesman said 20 minutes earlier that Barksdale was "still on the roster."

The website "The Sideline View" reported early Wednesday morning that Barksdale, a third-round draft pick, had been waived. Barksdale's exit would leave a spot open on the 53-man roster.

The Raiders did announce the signing of wide receiver Tori Gurley to the practice squad, filling the spot left by the previous day's release of defensive tackle Vaughn Meatoga.

A clue was provided regarding Barksdale's spot in the pecking order when he was inactive for the Raiders-Steelers game despite an injury to starting right tackle Khalif Barnes.

Instead of activating Barksdale, the Raiders instead moved rookie third-round pick Tony Bergstrom from guard to tackle and had him suit up as the backup. Barksdale, taken when the Raiders were transitioning from a zone scheme to more of a drive-blocking team, was inactive for all three games.

____________________________________________________________________________________

The Oakland Raiders waived offensive tackle Joseph Barksdale on Wednesday. The second-year player is eligible to be claimed off waivers on Thursday, according to NFL reporter Adam Caplan.

Barksdale was a third-round pick out of LSU by Oakland in the 2011 NFL Draft. He played in all 16 games in 2011, without making a start. He has not appeared in a game in 2012.

The Raiders have now shedded both of their third-round picks from 2011. Cornerback DeMarcus Van Dyke was released earlier this month. Van Dyke and Barksdale were the Raiders' second and third selections overall last season, as they did not have a first-round pick.

Oakland and new head coach Dennis Allen are still trying to rework the roster after a disappointing 1-2 start that was salvaged only by a surprising victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. Despite the bad start, the AFC West is still up for grabs, as the Raiders are just one game behind division-leading San Diego and face the Denver Broncos this week.

[Rambos]

Joseph Barksdale
OT, LSU
6-foot-5, 325 pounds
Projection: Late-round pick
Scouting Reports

From National Football Post:

Possesses good overall size for the position and looks natural when asked to sit into his stance off the line. Is an above-average athlete who exhibits a good first step off the football in the run game and has the ability to quickly get around defenders and seal. Looks pretty athletic at the second level, can reach linebackers off his frame and initially push them past the play. However, doesn't seem to really understand angles. Consistently seems to overstep in tight areas and give defensive linemen space to side step his block and get up the field. Isn't a real compact or explosive puncher either.

Exhibits a good initial step off the football in the pass game and displays above-average range toward the corner. However, needs to do a better job getting off the snap count on time. Too often is late out of his stance and gives up the edge too easily at times because of it.

Impression: Is a good athlete with some natural bend and power to his game. However, lacks ideal awareness, isn't real clean when asked to redirect and needs to be a more effective puncher. Has some raw talent with some upside, but I don't know if he will ever put it all together.

From NFL.com:

Strengths:
Barksdale has ideal size for the tackle position. Capable of thwarting power pass rushers and using his windspan to push rushers past the pocket. Does a good job getting into position while running blocking and letting his size take over. Can picks up blitzing linebackers and stays home against stunts. Experienced and durable.

Weaknesses:
Not a great overall athlete. Lacks some quickness and flexibility. Speed rushers give him problems in pass pro. 3-techniques can beat him to the point in the running game. Not overly comfortable blocking in space. Not a true road-grader. Has natural strength but doesn’t doesn't play with nastiness.

Overview:
Barksdale's a backup right tackle prospect with exceptional size but less-than-adequate athleticism for the next level. Uses his strength to stop the bull rush in pass protection, but has a difficult time dealing with double-moves or edge rushers. Can create some running room by walling off defenders but doesn't fire off the ball, get a ton of movement, or excel locating targets at the second level. Has good football IQ, picking up blitzers and staying home against stunts, but limited athleticism still causes him to be a step late at times. Developmental prospect worthy of a late-round pick.

From Sideline Scouting:

Positives: Good overall size and length... Very solid pass protector... Long arms... Reasonably good athlete... Patient... Very solid initial quickness and pass set... Good arm extension, uses his hands well... Solid anchor... Reasonably good kick step... Flashes good lateral movement and slide... Very solid lateral range... Solid knee bend... Very solid run blocker... Good strength, can control defenders at POA... Can get movement in the running game... Does a nice job getting to the second level... Solid flexibility and body control... Can seal linebackers from the action... Generally keeps his feet moving throughout the play.

Negatives: Inconsistent technique... Lacks good explosion or suddenness to his game... Marginal hand punch, lacks any real pop... Can struggle with edge speed, will overextend and lunge... On the ground too much... Rises up too early and is too upright in his slide... Bends at the waist... Is a little heavy footed and allows his base to get too narrow... Can be awkward changing direction, loses his balance too easy... Lacks good awareness, doesn't keep head on a swivel, lose game focus... Appears to lack mental toughness... Lacks a mean streak, plays relatively passive with little sense of urgency... Not an especially good finisher... Has talent but may never play to his potential... Similar to Arizona Cardinal Levi Brown.

[sosa39rams]

I doubt he's the "fix", but I sure as hell hope he is! I still think we should go after OG Jake Scott.

[laram0]

Hopefully a change of scenery and Jeff Fisher can light this guys fire!

[mde8352gorams]

The Raiders are not one of the best drafting teams, so my expectations are limited. Maybe Paul Boudreau can coach the kid up. If not, at least he and Brockers can sing the LSU fight song together. At worst he's a short term fix. We need Saffold and Wells back.

Go Rams!

[swatter555]

"Appears to lack mental toughness... Lacks a mean streak, plays relatively passive with little sense of urgency..."

That says it all.

[citr92]

hopefully it will be a quick fix, curious if they're even going after jake scott....

[Rambos]

I'm kinda feeling good about it, he was drafted only a year ago. He went in the third RD and I looked he was projected to be a 3rd or 4th RD pick. I think we may have got a gift here. I don't look for him to play anytime soon but he has talent just need to coach him up. I look at it as if we just got another 3rd pick this year.

[Rambos]

Jim Thomas ‏@jthom1

Giants also made waiver claim on newest Ram Joe Barksdale. He was awarded to StL based on worse 2012 record by Rams (1-2) than Giants (2-1).

[THOLTFAN81]

Jim Thomas ‏@jthom1

Giants also made waiver claim on newest Ram Joe Barksdale. He was awarded to StL based on worse 2012 record by Rams (1-2) than Giants (2-1).

To be honest I am not a Giants lover by any stretch, in fact I dont particularly like them...but they know talent when they see talent so I take that as a positive that the Giants also put in a claim for this guy.

[BarronWade]

so can either him or Wayne Hunter play LG? cuz ojinaka is the most needed fix

[ramsfan7]

The Raiders are not one of the best drafting teams, so my expectations are limited. Maybe Paul Boudreau can coach the kid up. If not, at least he and Brockers can sing the LSU fight song together. At worst he's a short term fix. We need Saffold and Wells back.

Go Rams!

yeah i think its a short term fix until Saffold and Wells come back

[shower beers]

A project for sure but hey, why not?

[Rambos]

- With the knee injury to Rodger Saffold, Barksdale will be expected to be active and ready to go on Sunday against Seattle. Wayne Hunter, who has battled knee and ankle injuries this week, should be ready to make his second consecutive start. That would likely leave Barksdale as the third tackle behind Hunter and Barry Richardson.

If Hunter goes down Barksdale will be in, that's scary!