DeMarcus Van Dyke Has Advantage in Camp Battle?

CB -- Shawntae Spencer vs. DeMarcus Van Dyke vs. Chimdi Chekwa: The Raiders added free agents Spencer (49ers) and Ron Bartell (Rams), a pair of experienced corners, and they worked with the first team throughout the offseason. Bartell looks like a lock on the left side, but Spencer could face a challenge at right cornerback after a rough 2011 season. Spencer started every game in 2009 and 2010 for the 49ers but made zero starts last year and appeared in only one game. He was limited by a hamstring injury in camp, which hurt his chances to impress new 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. But that doesn't fully explain why he played so few snaps and why the 49ers released him after the season. Last year the Raiders drafted Van Dyke in the third round out of Miami and Chekwa in the fourth out of Ohio State. Both are still raw, but Van Dyke appeared in 14 games and made four starts last year, while Chekwa played in only four games with one start. Of the two, Van Dyke has more speed but Chekwa is more physical. At cornerback in the NFL, speed trumps brawn. Advantage: Van Dyke.


(cbssports.com)