Satele back with Raiders, competing for center job

Aug. 4, 2011GUTIERREZ ARCHIVE
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Paul Gutierrez
CSNCalifornia.comNAPA -- Samson Satele's days as the Raiders' center seemed numbered when Oakland drafted Stefen Wisniewski and first-year coach Hue Jackson all but anointed the rookie his starter.But if Satele re-signing with the Raiders Tuesday and being at training camp on Wednesday didn't signal a potential shift, Jackson's answer to my question about Satele's role definitely did."This game is about competition and competing and performance," Jackson said. "I know everyone said I've handed the job to Stefen but at that time Stefen was the only center other than (Alex) Parsons on our team. So, Sammy's back and he'll get a chance to go in there and line up and play and show what he's got."But obviously, I"m very happy with Wisniewski. He's doing an excellent job and, again, that's going to be fun to see because we're going to raise the level of play of this whole football team."Satele said he had other offers but was intrigued in completing what the Raiders started last season. He was also intrigued that Jackson said he could compete for the starting job."I've got to battle this kid, a second-rounder, and he looks good out there," Satele said. "My focus is not (on) starting the preseason, but I want to start that Sept. 12 game at Denver and keep it all the way through the season. So my focus is on beating him out any which way."And if I'm the man, I'm the man. And if he's the man, he's the man. Whoever doesn't win the job, he'll be the sixth man (on the offensive line)."Meaning Satele is also open to moving to either guard sport.Also, second-year lineman Bruce Campbell said he is inching closer to practicing after reporting to camp with a right knee injury. But he is not sure if he will work at guard or tackle."I built up a little confidence in myself from last season to the offseason to coming into this season," Campbell said. "So I feel confident, pretty much anywhere. So I'm willing to play wherever's going to help the team best."I asked Jackson if there was any update on the status of restricted free agent Michael Bush."Hopefully he'll be here soon," Jackson said. "He doesn't have to be here until (Thursday). Looking forward to having him walk into the room give him a big hug, and then come on, let's go."