Can Khalif Barnes Get a Shot with the Oakland Raiders?

After all the offseason improvements, Oakland Raiders look to be a left tackle away from  contention. Jared Gaither looks good in silver and black, but it doesn't look like that will happen.

It appears now that the Raiders are going with a guy already on the team. That made me think. Can Khalif Barnes get a shot?

Khalif Barnes is a former second round pick out of Washington. He came into the league and anchored the Jacksonville Jaguar offensive line when they were good.

Many in Jacksonville wondered why he was let go after the 2008 season. They clearly haven't been as solid up front since.

Barnes then came to Raider Nation to compete with Mario Henderson for the job at left tackle. The competition never materialized as Barnes broke his ankle in camp.

Here we are a year later, and Barnes is playing musical chairs along the offensive line while Henderson is getting Pro-Bowler treatment coming off of a horrible year. 

Many in Raider Nation got overly excited about Henderson in 2008 when he shut out Mario Williams and Gaines Adams. We must remember that those were two games and he only had five starts that year.

The Raiders need a consistent left tackle now so they can contend. Henderson showed none of that during his 2009 campaign.

Many in Raider Nation are quick to blame JaMarcus for holding the ball too long. There is some truth to that, but neither of his two replacements made it through the season as they were injured due to bad protection. He had the same QB in 2008 anyway.

Does this spell doom and gloom for Henderson?

No.

It means his spot should be open for competition. Many in Raider Nation believe he will get that from small school wonder Jared Veldheer. I don't believe he's ready yet and the Raiders have a team that can contend now with a solid left tackle.

Barnes has established himself as a solid left tackle before. He has some impressive shutouts on his resume as well. Mario Williams, Aaron Schobel, and Dwight Freeney are on Barnes's list from 2008.

It took an attempt of a cut block for Kyle Vanden Bosch to get his one sack against Barnes that year. Vanden Bosch would otherwise be on that list.

It has been reported the offensive coordinator Hue Jackson is bringing in power-blocking plays. Khalif is, of course, a better fit for that. He's actually a better run blocker, period.

He's 28 years old, so he hasn't lost anything physically unless his broken leg didn't heal correctly. An opportunity may be all that he needs.

If Henderson wins, great. He earned it.

Raider Nation will then know that they exhausted all options.