Lachey Arrives in Camp Ready to Tackle New Position, Team
New Raider tackle, Jim Lachey, arrived in camp Monday and in the starting lineup almost simultaneously.
Lachey is young (25), huge (6 feet 6 inches, 283 pounds) and accomplished. A No. 1 draft choice in 1985 and a Pro Bowl player last season, he came from San Diego for a large package--John Clay plus the reported third- and fourth-round draft picks in 1989--and the Raiders have big plans for him.
They installed him at left tackle, considered the key in pass blocking. The left tackle generally works without help from the tight end and the pass-rush specialists line up there. It’s the position Art Shell once protected. Incumbent Bruce Wilkerson has been moved to Clay’s old right tackle spot.
Lachey had been holding out, trying to get the Chargers to trade him closer to Pittsburgh, where he lives.
Los Angeles may be only 100 miles closer, but Lachey succumbed after several conversations with Al Davis.
“He told me, ‘I’ve been watching you for three years, and he was recalling plays and games I’ve had, things like that,” Lachey said. “Geez, he knew everything about me.”
Clay, who was held out of the Raider scrimmage last Saturday because of a sore back, has yet to pass his Charger physical, but the Chargers haven’t complained. Charger personnel director Steve Ortmayer said Monday that the Chargers are protected if it’s a serious injury, but that team doctors say it’s a “minor low back strain.”
Raider Notes
The Raiders cut eight players, including Mickey Marvin, their No. 1 right guard from 1978-85, a bulldog who made up in zeal what he lacked in size and speed. “He epitomizes what this organization is all about,” Coach Mike Shanahan said. “He’s a team player. People like him are the reason this franchise was so successful. He’s one of the classiest people I’ve ever met.” . . . Also cut: wide receivers Ken Henry of USC and John Shapiro of Brown; cornerback Todd Stoney of Occidental; linebacker Mel Black of Eastern Illinois; No. 10 draft choice, quarterback David Weber of Carroll (Wis.) College; guard Greg Kunkel of Kentucky and halfback David Adams of Arizona. . . . Former Raider cornerback Lester Hayes, 33, was not signed after trying out Monday with the Houston Oilers, who left open the possibility that Hayes may tryout again later in the upcoming season.