Oakland Raiders Versus The AFC West: Offensive Line

Nov 16, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (left) awaits the snap from center Stefen Wisniewski (61) during the second quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Oakland Raiders

The Raiders’ offensive line was a bit of a Jekkyl and Hyde act in 2014. It’s true that they fronted one of the worst rushing attacks in the NFL last season. Oakland’s ground game was utterly horrific, gaining just over 1,200 yards – for the entire season. Of course, the fact that Darren McFadden and Maurice Jones-Drew were running the ball – or not running the ball, as it were – had a lot to do with it.

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While it’s easy to pin the Raiders’ running woes on the offensive line last season – and certainly, they do bear some measure of responsibility – it seems that perhaps, poor coaching and a lack of commitment to the running game, as well as McFadden and Jones-Drew themselves bear a bigger share of the blame. For while the ground game barely moved in 2014 when those two were running the ball – McFadden carried 155 times for 534 yards (3.4 ypc); Jones-Drew carried 43 times for 96 yards (2.2 ypc) – the ground game looked vastly different when other running backs were carrying the ball.

When Latavius Murray was finally given the chance to run behind Oakland’s line, he managed 424 yards on 82 carries (5.2 ypc) and even Marcel Reece managed 85 yards on the meager 21 carries he had (4.0 ypc).

So it seems that maybe Oakland’s run blocking may have had more to do with who was running the ball rather than the thought that they were just a poor run blocking unit – though there is certainly still room for improvement. Also, consider the fact that Oakland’s offensive line gave up just 28 total sacks last season, which was tied for sixth best in the league.

So perhaps the offensive line wasn’t the dumpster fire some folks seem to think it was last season.

And this season’s unit looks to be even stronger. Free agent acquisition Rodney Hudson replaces a Stefen Wisniewski who had underperformed for the last couple of seasons as the anchor of Oakland’s offensive line. It is a definite upgrade. With Donald Penn and Gabe Jackson to Hudson’s left, that side of Oakland’s line looks to be very, very solid.

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The concern is on the right side of the line where there look to be camp battles between Khalif Barnes, Menelik Watson, Austin Howard, Jon Feliciano, and J’Marcus Webb, for playing time. The favorites to win the battles at this point have to be Barnes and Howard. Both have some experience and have played the positions well before.

The Raiders’ offensive line is going to be in good shape this season. With a strong group of running backs, as well as vastly improved receiving corps, the Raiders will have a dynamic offense. It starts with the offensive line and protection will be key. But this is a line capable of being the engine that helps this offense go, taking it to heights it hasn’t seen in quite a long time.

Next: The Best In The West?