Matt

Shaughnessy

Shaughnessy is smartly taking a one-year, “prove-it” deal in an effort to rehab his value at age 26. Shaughnessy flashed legit Pro Bowl-caliber talent early in his career with Oakland -- specifically 2010 -- before a major shoulder injury wiped out his 2011 season and he returned less effective in 2012. If back to 100 percent, Shaughnessy could end up as the Cardinals’ starting right defensive end. Bruce Arians promises to use Darnell Dockett inside more moving forward. Calais Campbell is Arizona’s all-world left end, or “five technique.”

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.

“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 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.

With Quentin Groves replacing Scott at weak-side linebacker, Cable believes this alignment puts the Raiders’ best 11 on the field together. Shaughnessy still should play often (Oakland only carried three ends), but won’t be a reliable IDP. Scott is a major sleeper, and a double-digit sack candidate.

Ford returned for the season finale after missing six games with a mid-foot sprain. The dynamic playmaker will likely enter the 2012 season as the kickoff returner and third receiver behind Darrius Heyward-Bey and Denarius Moore. Shaughnessy missed all but three games last season.

We won’t know until later in the week if they could possibly sit out against the Seahawks. On a side note, Johnson said the Raiders are “probably the most talented team in the National Football League,” which indicates that his concussion is clearly the most severe.

There has been some speculation that Wimbley might play linebacker, but Oakland is set outside with WLB Trevor Scott and SLB Thomas Howard, and he isn’t going to replace Kirk Morrison in the middle. Matt Shaughnessy will likely now become a third-down, nickel rusher, with Wimbley as the full-time left end. RE Richard Seymour will move inside in obvious passing situations.

They aren’t going to a 3-4. While it’s a good way to get as much pass rush on the field as possible, 4-3 outside linebacker isn’t a position Wimbley has played at the college or pro levels. It also brings Thomas Howard’s future into serious question, and means that Matt Shaughnessy is in line to start at left defensive end, assuming Oakland doesn’t draft Jason Pierre-Paul.

Trevor Scott, who had been filling in, will move back to defensive end where he played in the first four games. Matt Shaughnessy will head back to a rotational role while Scott starts opposite Lamarr Houston.