Trevor

Scott

Ellis was already lining up with the first-team in his first practice since signing earlier in the week. Barring a Derrick Burgess trade, the two veterans figure to start at end with Trevor Scott as a situational pass rusher.

Ellis has a Week 9 bye to begin his rehab, but may not recover quickly. He is 34 years old and has been dealing with arthritis in the joint. Trevor Scott and Matt Schaughnessy will play more if Ellis doesn’t return for Week 10.

Scott played just 251 snaps for the Raiders last season, and graded out as one of the worst defensive ends in the league by Pro Football Focus. He’d be a pass-rushing specialist if he ended up in New England.

Scott, who now weighs 256 pounds, is taking his starting assignment seriously: “I want to start, I want to get double-digit sacks and just try to (defend the) run as well as I can.” He’s a good bet to lead the Raiders in sacks this season.

Scott was at weak-side end (the more sack-friendly position) with Ellis on the left. Scott is getting this deserved opportunity after flash-filled rookie year and a highly impressive offseason. He’s one of our favorite deep IDP sleepers.

Scott was an animal, posting two sacks and three tackles for a loss. Howard and Sam Williams split time on the strong side as the team adjusts to Jon Alston and Ricky Brown’s absences.

“It just kind of sucks,” said Scott, “the whole thing.” Scott is six months removed from surgery, so he’ll likely be eased back in during training camp. As well as RE Matt Shaughnessy played down the stretch last season, Scott will likely be relegated to a rotational role as he enters a contract season.

Scott finishes with 22 tackles and 1.5 sacks, shuttling between weak-side linebacker and right end in ten appearances. He combined for 12 sacks in his first two years, so this was a disappointing campaign. Scott is under control for the $550K fourth-year minimum in 2011, but his ability to regain a starting job may hinge on Matt Shaughnessy’s finish to the season.

Scott interestingly started Sunday’s game over Matt Shaughnessy at right defensive end, and dropped Ben Roethlisberger for a first-half sack. Scott is one of the most athletic and versatile players on Oakland’s roster, so his loss will hurt. Shaughnessy is a more than capable alternative, though.

Scott has been ruled out for the rest of the game. The Raiders are already without DL Richard Seymour, who was ejected for smacking Ben Roethlisberger in the head earlier in the quarter. Matt Shaughnessy will take over at RE.