Since the harassment of the Raiders' QBs in the '06 season, the Raiders' O-line has gone a long way in the correct direction. After giving up a miserable 72 sacks, the number declined to 41 last season.
Given the large array of staff changes, as well as the multitude of coaching-scheme variations happening year after year, not much could be expected from this group.
In comes Coach Tom Cable. Known for establishing a well-versed running game during his tenure with Atlanta, Cable is turning heads once again with the ground attack he established in Oakland last year. Turning the Raiders into the sixth-best rushing team in the NFL and, of course, a 72 to 41-sack turnaround (with the SAME starters from '06), Cable has given Raider Nation a reason to be optimistic again.
With a running game like Oakland’s, along with the laser-rocket arm of QB JaMarcus Russell behind them, this O-line will probably have the most active part in returning Oakland to its glory days
Respecting the fact that all O-linemen are equally important in the roles they play on the line as a whole, I will be highlighting only a few. They include those who will be making a path towards resurgence, not only for the team, but for themselves as well.
Center: Jake Grove
The second-round pick from Virginia Tech was rated as the best center in college coming into the 2004 draft. He also happens to be the second man behind Robert Gallery in what is commonly seen as the '04 Raiders' O-linemen busts.
Grove put a halt to such comments after he beat out veteran John Wade and was named the starter at center for '08, having taken most reps with the first-team offense during training camp and preseason.
The man started all of 2006 had to sit out the entire '07 season after he was placed on the IR list. His injury first occurred in the '05 season, but after undergoing surgery, he started the entire '06 season.
His lingering knee issues forced Jeremy Newberry to take the starting role last year. Now, after undergoing a second procedure, the once-top center in college is ready to redeem himself, showing greater movement and agility while beating out a man who has only missed eight games in the past six years.
Grove is on his way to redeem himself from his current “bust” status.
Left Guard: Robert Gallery
Robert Gallery is an integral part of what football experts and the media dub as the 2004 Raiders' O-line bust squad. But like his fellow squad member Jake Grove, working hard and proving the doubters wrong is the first of his goals.
Selected second overall, Gallery was rated as the best prospect for the 2004 NFL Draft and received the highest rating of any offensive lineman (perfect 9.0 score) since USC's Tony Boselli (8.8) in 1995 by The NFL Draft Report.
The Big-10's Offensive Lineman of the Year did not allow a sack in his last 36 college games. In short, he was today’s Jake Long.
As mentioned above, under the tutelage of several O-line coaches/ideologies and a cluster of position changes in his young NFL career (LT to RT and finally LG), the talented athlete has never had the chance to sincerely develop and hone his skills, like many of his brothers on the line.
17 comments Last one added 10 months ago — Leave a Comment
FL Raider Girl 10 months ago
I agree with what you say, except you didn't mention what a bust Mario Henderson is. I think he will be the reason that JaMarcus Russell is sacked this year. Unfortunately it will happen all on JaMarcus Russell's blindside.
I don't know why he was kept, but there better be a good reason.
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noel ramos 10 months ago
hes not starting
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Umer Waris 10 months ago
Thanks for the comments FL Raider Girl,
like Noel said, Henderson wont be starting. Harris will. He really hasnt proven th worth for which the Raiders traded up to get him for. I was surprised he wasnt released as well.
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john failho 10 months ago
Mario Henderson will not play this year.
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J.C. Ayvazi 10 months ago
And on the right side of the line?
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Umer Waris 10 months ago
thanks for the comments J.C,
Not too many redeemers looking for redemption on the right side though. Carlisle (RG) was a proven run blocker with Denver for a long time. Cornell Green (RT) doesnt have anything much to prove and redeem himself for except for the fact that he never has had a home in the NFL having been with so many teams.
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Jeff Little 10 months ago
Good Read, Umer!
I agree with all of your takes and like the article. I would've mentioned the right side of the line as well. I see where you were going with your response to J.C.'s comment. I want to see the team improve the depth on the O-Line. As of now it appears that the Raiders will need to use a few draft choices on the O-line to improve the depth. It would be nice to see the team two deep at every position.
I also have to have the question; how did Mario Henderson make the roster? I know he isn't starting but the question remains.
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Umer Waris 10 months ago
Thanks for the comments, Jeff.
More draft choices should be devoted to both lines if possible in the next draft or so.
For Russell to ever become as effective as he was in college, he needs protection and that I havent seen that thus far.
Good Protection=Nice Pocket=Accurate Russell=Better Offense.
Everybody seems to be on the train for getting another reciever or maybe even trade for Boldin since Carter left. Beisdes the salary cap issue in the Boldin trade, we dont even have a pocket for a QB to throw from so how can we even think of going to look for another reciever.
Give Russell the protection and then go looking for the firepower.
As far as Henderson goes, it beats me. You never know behind closed doors and maybe there is a positive to him... somewhere
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mike Raider 10 months ago
Ha Ha, Gee i wonder who AA is, that same lame 49er fan, who has nothing better to do with his sad life than spend hour after hour of his pathetic days writing up long, bitter vitriol against other teams, post after seething post, what a bitter mess, just read his bitter posts, with all his pathetic dots and exclamation points, all his sad bitter posts all read the same.... and look he changes his posting name to hide behind that sad, bitter little girl. Hey AA, why don't you get a life.... yah "anonymous" for sure you sad loser
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Umer Waris 10 months ago
Mike i couldnt agree with u more.
AA is just like that Mikey Whiner dude. Both need a life.
My advice is the same to u, forget about the pathetic loser and carry on.
The guy is like a rat on every Raider article never failing to spread his foul scent around.
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Umer Waris 10 months ago
HAHA,
Exactly my point whiner!
You are just like a rat on every Raider article spreadig his foul scent every where you go, whiner.
So sad, so sad.
I havent even looked at the bottom two respnses i left and I can almost know for a fact that you replied your butt off on them too.
HAHA, you did reply, what a loser!
Are u actually just waiting for me to reply to this nonsense so u can have something to do in that small room mommy looked u up in?!?!
"How did he know, AGAIN" isnt that what youre thinking whiner! Lets just say people like u r just plainly.... predictable. Ah Whiner, you really didnt have to change ur name for people to understand how stupid u are
Lets just try and hope that Martz can do something right for a change.
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mike Raider 10 months ago
Hey everybody, make sure you ignore -- Amourous Aardvark, or 49erMike.... same cowardly, bitter losers spitting out garbage, ignore them and they can go back to their rat-holes.... or to another venue for their self-loathing diatribe
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Umer Waris 10 months ago
There the guy is AGAIN!
Mikey i know its you.
Lets check out how well Martz carries on with the Niners before we even talk about how well Knapp is, shall we?
I have seen a sad little geek... hes right in front of me!
Whats the matter Mikey had to change ur name cause the big bullies were pushing u around
or was ur mommy making u feel too insecure and kept on beating ur ass?!?!
I know what ur thinking, "How did he ever find out!" all curled up in a little corner.
Loser
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EndZoner 10 months ago
Great article, Uber. This o-line was rebuilt last season and is infinitely better than '06. Cable coming in and giving the stability of 2 consecutive years is huge for these players.
The hallmark of the Raiders o-lines have always been the center. Going all the way back to Jim Otto, the position of center has been the steady force. And we haven't had that since Barrett Robbins. Hopefully Grove has healed and will be effective against the big DTs in the league.
I like the way that, although much bigger than your prototypical zone blocking guard, Gallery has made himself into a steady force on the left side. Yes, he was picked to be the LT forever and it hasn't worked out that way. But his steady play at LG will help this team get better and better.
Kwame Harris hasn't showed me his ability to be better than Sims was. Good on the run, but the speed rushers can be a problem. I hope we get that worked out before a QB gets killed.
A player that had some bright spots last season that you don't mention is McQ. He did some good work as a RT when Cornell Green was hurt. And now they are saying he is strictly a LG/LT. He has had some problems with false starts this pre-season and training camp, but those can hopefully be worked out if we need him to come in.
Mario Henderson is still a "project" that needs work. Hopefully he can work his way to be worthy of wearing the #75 for this team.
One of the things about this o-line scheme is there is a lot of patience needed in the course of the game. The scheme is designed to get better as the game goes along. Wear out the defenders and run out clock/get late scoring drives in the 4th. The o-line needs the defense to keep us in the game so that we do not need to go pass happy to catch up.
I will see all of you Monday night! Just over a week from the time I type this. I can't wait!
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Umer Waris 10 months ago
Thanks for the comments, Endzoner.
Firstly, my name is Umer not Uber.
Secondly, i agree with all of your takes.
Cant wait for the season opener as well!
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Dan Ferranti 10 months ago
Awesome article Uter. I love it when people write satirical articles. It's always good to start the day with a good laugh.
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Jeremy Kaufman 10 months ago
The raiders are lucky Russell is so big, because he's gonna be taking plenty of sacks this year. I guess on the bright side, if things get too out of control in Oakland, Jamarcus could always take over at left tackle lol.
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