ALAMEDA, Calif. – Oakland defensive back Brandian Ross made a fairly smooth transition from cornerback to safety this past offseason.
Trying to stop Denver quarterback Peyton Manning? That's an entirely different challenge.
Ross was named the Raiders' starting strong safety Friday, ending a week's worth of speculation over how the team would compensate for the loss of injured Tyvon Branch.
Not bad for a player who went undrafted out of college two years ago and was on Green Bay's practice squad at the beginning of last season. Ross has only one other start in his NFL career, which came at cornerback in the 2012 regular season finale.
Branch injured his ankle in Oakland's 19-9 win over Jacksonville last week.
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Online: AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org
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