With the mishap that caused Trent Brown to miss Sunday’s game in Cleveland, it was clear the Raiders offensive line had seen more reserves playing more snaps than the starters.
I was curious about this, so I looked it up. What it revealed was pretty interesting. First of all left tackle Kolton Miller and center Rodney Hudson have played every snap this season (483). At the other three positions, backup snaps have outnumbered those of the first-teamers 840 to 609.
Gruden called it bizarre what the Raiders have played through along the Oline and that seems a pretty good word.
There was one more interesting observation, however — Denzelle Good has missed just 18 snaps all season.
That wouldn’t be worth noting except Good came into the season as a reserve guard, which means should things go as they are supposed to, he wouldn’t see the field at all. That plan lasted all of 18 snaps.
What’s more, Good hasn’t just filled in as a guard. He played his first three games at right tackle. It wasn’t until week four that he moved to left guard with Richie Incognito on injured reserve. And that’s where he’s been ever since.
“He might be the unsung hero of our team. He really is. ” Jon Gruden said of Good. “Playing right tackle in the heat of the battle in Carolina without any reps and then doing it against the New Orleans Saints on Monday Night Football, moving back to left guard and not only playing two positions but playing them well. He is a physical presence, he has a lot of fun playing, he’s a great guy and I think if he were around here he’d say he’s one of the favorites here on our football team. Everybody loves being around him.”
Despite their injuries, primarily at right tackle and left guard, the Raiders have jumped out to a 4-3 start and are coming off a game in which they rushed for 208 yards in a 16-6 win over the Browns.
Good was originally claimed off waivers from the Indianapolis Colts in December of 2018. He re-signed this past offseason to a one-year, $1.8 million deal. It carries $1.2 million in playing-time incentives which at this point he seems likely to earn. And at this rate, they may want to think about offering him a midseason extension.
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