Howard, Morrison get some help

With the first training camp practice coming this afternoon, a pre-camp review of the Raiders' linebackers: Starters?WLB Thomas Howard, MLB Kirk Morrison, SLB Robert Thomas. Reserves?Jon Alston, Ricky Brown, Jon Condo (long snapper), Isaiah Ekejiuba, Edgerton Hartwell, Grant Irons, Malik Jackson. Remember the days when running backs glided into the wide open spaces behind the Raiders' front four, free to catch passes and turn up field for easy first downs? Nothing against Greg Biekert and Elijah Alexander, a pair of capable savvy veterans, but when the Raiders were winning division titles it seemed only William Thomas was adept in coverage in the Raiders linebacking corps. No longer. Howard intercepted five passes year, took two to the house for touchdowns, and Morrison had four more. Nine picks from two linebackers. Throwing underneath against the Raiders is not without an element of risk. So teams opted to run against them instead, and the bad news is that Morrison and Howard weren't nearly the roadblocks against the run than they were against the pass. At least one defensive lineman grumbled about their inability to get off blocks last year, hinting that the defensive line's troubles against the run wasn't being helped any by two smallish linebackers who didn't adequately fill gaps. Morrison and Howard, who are on the field for most every snap, in theory have help in front of them and behind them this season. Up front is Tommy Kelly, replacing the more run-challenged Warren Sapp. Joining them in the box is strong safety Gibril Wilson, who will lend a physical presence. If these two men play as advertised, Howard and Morrison will demonstrate whether they're one trick ponies or every-down linebackers who can excel regardess of down and distance. What's to like Howard was even running stride-for-stride with Darren McFadden during one minicamp practice. He runs like a young Derrick Brooks and can be a Pro Bowl player if his run defense goes all the way to average. Morrison has a relentlessly positive attitude and is seemingly immune to bad vibes. It shows in the way he pursues and tackles, even if sometimes those tackles are too downfield. Thomas' versatility enables him to step into any situation in a pinch, and special teamer Ricky Brown has the same quality. Ekejiuba is strictly a special teams player and is likely to stay that way, but he is very good at it. The Raiders were a different team when he was on the field _ as he was in their shutdown of Bears' return specialist Devin Hester. The Raiders will watch Hartwell closely. He was a stout run defender with the Ravens who had a serious knee injury with Atlanta. If he can somehow regain his form, he could find a role in short-yardage or even move Morrison to the strong side for some formations against run-heavy teams. What's not Williams simply can't remain healthy enough to become the player Davis is convinced he can be. He is the Raiders' version of Rich Harden _ you're never entirely comfortable waiting for the next trip to the training room. There are those who not only wonder if Hartwell has anything left, but who believe he wasn't all that special in Baltimore and simply profited from playing alongside Ray Lewis. Kiffin loves Alston's speed, recounting the story of the time the linebacker ran down Reggie Bush from behind when Stanford played USC. He got on to the field in some packages last season, but had some troubles in pass coverage despite that speed. After missing a year because of a serious back injury, Irons is back and looks as good coming off the bus as ever. At 6-foot-6 and 285 pounds, he looks more suited for defensive end than linebacker.