Mid-week mail call:
Tony from San Lorenzo, Calif., wants to know if I think fullback Owen Schmitt will make the 53-man roster.
Bill Williamson: He was signed partly for insurance if Marcel Reece didn’t sign his tender. Now that Reece has signed his tender, I still think Schmitt can make the roster. They are two different types of players and they fill different roles on the team. Schmitt can be a candidate to carry the ball in short-yardage situations. Also, he has a history with Oakland offensive coordinator Greg Knapp. So, I think Schmitt has a real chance to make the roster.
Dennis from San Diego wants to know if I think Robert Meachem will be a No. 1 receiver in San Diego.
BW: I think Malcom Floyd goes to camp as the No. 1 receiver and Meachem goes as the No. 2. In the end, I’m not sure if there will be any designation. I think Philip Rivers will spray the ball around to Floyd, Meachem, Vincent Brown, and Eddie Royal in addition to tight end Antonio Gates and the running backs. It will be a group effort in San Diego with Meachem getting his share of opportunities, especially on deep routes.
Eric from Fresno, Calif., wants to know if I think Shawntae Spencer will start at cornerback for Oakland.
BW: I think he goes to camp as the No. 2 cornerback behind Ronald Bartell. But I think Oakland’s young cornerbacks will be given a chance to develop. They will give 2011 draft choices Chimdi Chewka and DeMarcus Van Dyke an opportunity. I would be shocked if Chewka develops quickly enough to take Spencer’s job from him at some point.
Tony from San Lorenzo, Calif., wants to know if I think fullback Owen Schmitt will make the 53-man roster.
Bill Williamson: He was signed partly for insurance if Marcel Reece didn’t sign his tender. Now that Reece has signed his tender, I still think Schmitt can make the roster. They are two different types of players and they fill different roles on the team. Schmitt can be a candidate to carry the ball in short-yardage situations. Also, he has a history with Oakland offensive coordinator Greg Knapp. So, I think Schmitt has a real chance to make the roster.
Dennis from San Diego wants to know if I think Robert Meachem will be a No. 1 receiver in San Diego.
BW: I think Malcom Floyd goes to camp as the No. 1 receiver and Meachem goes as the No. 2. In the end, I’m not sure if there will be any designation. I think Philip Rivers will spray the ball around to Floyd, Meachem, Vincent Brown, and Eddie Royal in addition to tight end Antonio Gates and the running backs. It will be a group effort in San Diego with Meachem getting his share of opportunities, especially on deep routes.
Eric from Fresno, Calif., wants to know if I think Shawntae Spencer will start at cornerback for Oakland.
BW: I think he goes to camp as the No. 2 cornerback behind Ronald Bartell. But I think Oakland’s young cornerbacks will be given a chance to develop. They will give 2011 draft choices Chimdi Chewka and DeMarcus Van Dyke an opportunity. I would be shocked if Chewka develops quickly enough to take Spencer’s job from him at some point.
Bill Williamson | email
NFL- ESPN AFC West Blogger
- Spent four seasons covering the Broncos for the Denver Post
- Previously covered Vikings, Packers, Seahawks
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Bill Williamson
Williamson joined ESPN.com in 2008 after four seasons covering the Denver Broncos for the Denver Post. He previously covered the Minnesota Vikings, Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks.
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