Tag: Raiders offensive line

5 takeaways from Raiders 53-man roster

We have the Raiders initial 53-man roster. And with it there are some interesting observations. Let’s look into a few of those which stood out to me.

We have the Raiders initial 53-man roster. And with it there are some interesting observations. Let’s look into a few of those which stood out to me.

Some teams have opted to carry three quarterbacks on the roster. Others have gone with just two, essentially placing their third quarterback on the practice squad. The Raiders chose the latter. Most likely they will bring back either Carter Bradley or Nathan Peterman to be that third QB. But if another QB comes available they like, who knows.

Kristian Wilkerson seemed like a shoo-in to make the Raiders roster. But he and Jalen Guyton were both cut in favor of a couple young players who showed a lot of potential. Tyreik McAllister showed elite speed and kick return abilities while undrafted rookie Ramel Keyton showed great skills and length as a receiver. We will wait to see if they are both still on the roster after whomever the Raiders add off waivers, but they are here now over Wilkerson and Guyton, and that says a lot.

Nine offensive linemen are on the Raiders squad. Almost all of them play multiple positions. Cody Whitehair, Jackson Powers-Johnson, and Dyland Parham can all play both center and guard. Andrus Peat can play guard and tackle. And Thayer Munford and DJ Glaze can play either tackle spot in a pinch.

Seven linebackers is a lot. Like a LOT lot. Mainly because we aren’t in the age of a middle linebacker and two outside linebackers any more. In most cases there will be just two linebackers on the field at any given time. So, at most five linebackers is needed. My hunch is one or two of them will be headed for IR with designation to return and perhaps one waived with the hope for a return to the practice squad. If it’s IR, then Tommy Eichenberg and/or Amari Burney would be the likely candidates as both got banged up this preseason.

Did I mention there are SEVEN linebackers? That will not stay that way. See the above for how that could go down. There’s also five defensive tackles and six cornerbacks despite Antonio Pierce’s displeasure with the preseason performances by the depth at both positions.

The two DT’s who made it on the end of the roster are last year’s draft picks Byron Young and Nesta Jade Silvera. Likewise both rookie cornerbacks made it along with Brandon Facyson who can’t seem to get healthy, making for another candidate for temporary IR.

So, you can see several positions that could see moves made as the team welcomes a few waiver claims.

Josh McDaniels on Raiders’ personnel shuffle on the O-Line: ‘We’re not searching for anything’

Josh McDaniels: Raiders ‘not searching for anything’ at O-Line

The Raiders appeared to be searching for their five best offensive linemen during the preseason, especially after right tackle Brandon Parker suffered a season-ending injury.

When Las Vegas traded last year’s first-round pick, offensive lineman Alex Leatherwood, the situation up front became more uncertain. Their two starters on the right side last season were suddenly gone.

So it’s not a complete surprise that the Raiders shuffled linemen in and out of the lineup — on the right side, specifically — during their Week 1 loss to the Chargers. It’s rare to see, but it’s understandable.

Unfortunately for coach Josh McDaniels, it didn’t work. Quarterback Derek Carr was hit nine times, looked uncomfortable for most of the game, threw three interceptions, and fumbled twice.

But McDaniels says the O-Line search, if there ever was a search, is over. He’s found a surplus of linemen — seven, at this point — who deserve to play.

Here’s part of what McDaniels told reporters on Monday about his personnel shuffle up front, according to The Athletic’s Tashan Reed.

“We’re not searching for anything. We’re playing the guys that deserve to play,” McDaniels said. “If something were to break and we say, ‘Hey, these five are clearly different from the other five,’ then we could go in that direction.”

So if five linemen suddenly appear ready to take the field together and grow as one unit, McDaniels would welcome it. But he’s not searching. Perhaps he’s casually looking. Maybe he’s simply hoping for the best as he studies game film.

That would make a lot more sense if the line had played better on Sunday. Instead, it looked like McDaniels was indeed searching for answers, though he said postgame that the plan was to play multiple linemen all along. But clearly, having five starters on the line is what every team wants.

A starting five is certainly what Carr is used to, as are all quarterbacks. Seeing players shuffle in and out of the lineup, when they are literally protecting Carr’s health and career, can’t instill confidence. Judging from the Raiders’ Week 1 loss, Las Vegas should have searched much harder during the offseason for more proven blockers.

The run blocking was better than the pass blocking, however, and McDaniels also said that pass protection is a team effort. The running backs have to do their part, he said, and there were times when Carr could have thrown the ball earlier.

Carr is actually an ace at getting rid of the ball quickly, but he also needs decent pass protection over the course of a game. When he loses confidence in his blockers, his play can deteriorate and he can become turnover prone, as he was in Week 1. Plus, he’s not adept at off-script playmaking or scrambling from the pocket.

McDaniels should know that about his QB. It’s early, but his plan along the offensive line is not working. Whether he’s searching for a legit starting five or not, they need to play better, whoever is out there. There’s plenty of time for that to happen, starting this Sunday against the Cardinals at Allegiant Stadium.

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Derek Carr on Raiders’ unproven offensive line: ‘No matter what, I have a job to do’

Derek Carr on Raiders’ unproven offensive line: ‘No matter what, I have a job to do’

For months, there have been questions about the Raiders offensive line and whether it’s good enough to help propel what’s supposed to be a high-powered offense in Las Vegas.

Actually, the chatter began last season, when the group was one of the worst in the NFL. Little was done to improve the situation this offseason, especially during free agency.

So naturally, with superstar defensive ends Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa on deck Week 1 against the Chargers, the questions haven’t gone away.

Quarterback Derek Carr was asked about his “Carr Insurance” when he talked to reporters on Wednesday, and he projected confidence and trust in the group. Plus, Carr knows that no matter who is blocking, the table is set and he has to get the job done, anyway.

“I’ve always had that confidence of just that trust. When it’s been really good or sometimes when it’s been tough,” Carr said Wednesday. “I know that, no matter what that is, I have a job to do. To move the football and things like that.”

Carr went on to compliment offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo and all the work the line has put in to become better. Carr also said he’s excited to watch his new line play as a unit for the first time.

It will help that left tackle Kolton Miller, the Raiders’ best lineman by far, will finally suit up after being held out of the preseason. The Raiders will need him of course, as the Chargers’ front is imposing.

“You’ve got to block two of the best rushers and that’s not even including the inside guys who are unbelievable,” Carr said. “That’s a tall task for anybody. Hats off to the Chargers. They’re loaded everywhere, so we’ve got our work cut out for us.”

When Carr mentioned that some of his past lines were better than others, he wasn’t kidding. The Raiders previous regime put together a stellar offensive line before dismantling it, leaving what we see today.

And while Carr is correct to say he has a job to do no matter what, it seems to me, and to others, that coach Josh McDaniels and general manager Dave Ziegler could have done more to provide Carr with proven players up front.

At least Alex Leatherwood and Brandon Parker, last season’s starters on the right side, have been replaced. They were eyesores in 2021, and a danger to Carr’s health in pass protection.

Plus, superstar wide receiver Davante Adams is an expert at getting open fast. Tight end Darren Waller and WR Hunter Renfrow will also provide Carr with quick-throw opportunities.

So the entire team has their work cut out for them against the Chargers, as Carr said. But all eyes will be on the offensive line. Unless they can get the job done, that is. Usually, we only notice the line when it performs poorly. If they can put an end to an offseason’s worth of questions, Carr’s job — to lead a high-powered offense — will be much, much easier.

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Josh McDaniels: Raiders OT Thayer Munford Jr. made ‘some progress’ in his start vs. Vikings

Josh McDaniels: Raiders OT Thayer Munford Jr. made ‘some progress’ in his start vs. Vikings

Does offensive tackle Thayer Munford Jr., a seventh-round pick from this year’s NFL Draft, actually have a chance to start for the Raiders this season?

The notion seems a tad crazy — until you look at the Raiders’ situation at right tackle.

Veteran OT Brandon Parker is injured and had a shaky performance in the Hall of Fame Game. Alex Leatherwood, last year’s first-round pick and part-time starter at right tackle, is apparently falling down the depth chart, given he didn’t play until the third quarter of Las Vegas’ win against the Vikings on Sunday.

Instead, it was Munford that played the entire first half at right tackle, after Leatherwood started there at the Hall of Fame Game.

So how did Munford perform? Reporters asked coach Josh McDaniels before Raiders practice on Monday, and here’s a portion of what he said.

“I thought, generally speaking, (Munford) acquitted well for himself and did some things he’s been doing on the practice field,” McDaniels said. “It was good to see some of that stuff carry over to the game.

“Obviously, a lot of rookies on the field yesterday. A lot of them with things they’re going to learn from today and when we watch the film. But generally speaking, I think there was some progress.”

McDaniels also painted a rosy picture of the entire offensive line, which is a potential weak spot for Las Vegas. McDaniels said the unit was “headed in the right direction,” though there are still things they “can do better as a group.”

As for Munford, McDaniels was reserved in his answer, but at right tackle, progress is a good thing for any potential starter. The Raiders coaching staff seems confident it can teach any physically-talented lineman to block in their scheme. That was apparent when Las Vegas re-signed Parker, despite his struggles last season.

Munford played college football at perennial powerhouse Ohio State, so he clearly has talent.

But it was just one start during the preseason for Munford. The real answers will lie in the weeks ahead, as the Raiders have several important decisions to make about who will block for quarterback Derek Carr, wide receiver Davante Adams, and a host of other playmakers.

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Raiders activate four offensive linemen off COVID-19 list, available vs. Buccaneers

The Raiders simply need their starting linemen to be ready to play against the Buccaneers on Sunday.

After a near week-long scare, four members of the Raiders starting offensive line are off the Reserve/COVID-19 list and are available to play on Sunday against the Buccaneers.

When starting right tackle Trent Brown tested positive for the coronavirus, the remaining starters were placed on the list because of close contact with Brown. Consecutive negative tests by the four were reported recently, and according to ESPN’s Field Yates, they’re clear to play.

This is obviously fantastic news for Las Vegas. The Tampa Bay defense is formidable, having dominated quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the Packers last week. Unfortunately, Brown is out. So is starting safety Johnathan Abram. He had close contact with Brown on Tuesday so there isn’t enough time to clear him by gameday.

Additionally, the Raiders lost a primetime opportunity. Las Vegas was slated to play on national television on Sunday night, but the game was moved by the NFL for added schedule flexibility.

Regardless, the Raiders would be wise to take a look at their safety protocols within the organization so they can avoid close calls like this. It’s been fined by the NFL for a lack of mask-wearing on the sideline. Coach Jon Gruden was also fined. Multiple players also faced discipline for attending an indoor event and not following mask-wearing mandates.

But for now, the news is good. The Raiders simply need these four linemen to play on Sunday to function as a team. Thankfully, that is now the case.

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