Raiders go with rookie center over Satele

The Oakland Raiders already have a new quarterback this season. Now they have a new starting center, too.

Rookie Jared Veldheer spent nearly all of training camp practicing at left tackle, but beat out incumbent and former University of Hawaii standout Samson Satele after moving to center and will be in the starting lineup when the Raiders open the season at Tennessee on Sept. 12.

Veldheer, a third-round draft pick who played at Division II Hillsdale College in Michigan, is Oakland’s fourth different opening day starting center in four years.

Coach Tom Cable cited Veldheer’s size as a key factor in starting the rookie ahead of Satele.

"The fact that he has it in his background, the fact that it was a need for our team, and then when you first start to do it with him how natural he was at it," Cable said. "You probably have a bigger, physical presence for sure just because what he is physically that way. But you’re giving up some experience."

Satele, acquired from Miami in exchange for a pair of draft picks before last season, missed a chunk of training camp because of a sore ankle. He missed the 2009 season opener with an injury, but started 12 games after replacing Chris Morris.