Midway through this season, the Raiders players and coaches were gushing about offensive lineman Denzelle Good and how he was the team’s MVP early on. What he did to earn such praise was step in at both tackle and guard, first for the injured Trent Brown at right tackle and then for the injured Richie Incognito.
Stepping in at right tackle was no small accomplishment. Not only did Good do it midway through the season opener, but he had never even practiced at tackle for the Raiders entering his third season with the team.
He played so well in spot duty, he got the start the following week too. Then moved to left guard and has played there ever since.
His fellow guard Gabe Jackson thinks that’s worth a big payday from his linemate.
“I feel like Denzelle Good has done a great job of stepping up for us and has been a real big part of the offense playing both guards, tackle, whatever the job requires that week,” said Jackson Thursday. “I’m just excited for him and I know he should get paid this offseason.”
Jackson then ended his conference call doubling down on his request, saying “Denzelle Good for president. Back up the Brinks truck. Pay the man.”
Someone should probably be offering Good a lucrative long term deal this offseason. Whether it’s the Raiders or not is the question. The 29-year-old was claimed off waivers from the Colts in 2018 and re-signed to a one-year deal last offseason.
The interesting thing about Jackson’s emphatic statement is if the Raiders are to “Back up the Brinks truck” for Good, it would mean Incognito would likely not be back. The 37-year-old just completed the first year of a two-year extension he signed with the team that would pay him $6.35 million next season, but carries no dead money should he be released this offseason.