The team's starting middle linebacker was sentenced to jail for 180 days after being found guilty on charges of third-degree assault, menacing, reckless endangerment and discharging a firearm.
Although his attorney filed an appeal and a request for a jury trial, one has to expect NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to suspend McClain for a good portion of the 2012 campaign.
Tank Johnson was initially given an eight-game suspension that was later reduced to six games after the defensive lineman served 60 days of a 120-day jail sentence on his gun charge.
So, Oakland must move forward without their 2010 first-round pick in their immediate plans.
Which players have been thrust into the spotlight?
Aaron Curry, LB
Curry is slated as the team's weak-side linebacker, but took some snaps as the middle backer in the team's OTAs.
While the No. 4 overall pick in the 2009 draft isn't incapable of playing in the middle, but moving his position would cause a reshuffling of the entire linebacking corps.
Travis Goethel, Miles Burris or Nathan Stupar could eventually work their way into the middle spot, but Curry needs to live up to his early draft status and become a fine starter.
Even if he stays outside, he'll need to be around the football more and can't solely rely on McClain to take on blocks in order to make plays.
Tyvon Branch, S
Branch is the team's franchise player and, quite frankly, is an underrated safety. He's not elite, but is a sound last line of defense that's been a tackling machine for the Raiders in his first three seasons with the team.
He totaled 101 tackles last season with one sack and no interceptions...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Oakland Raiders
