Oakland Raiders: Notes And Observations From Preseason Game #2

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Aug 14, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; General view of the line of scrimmage as Oakland Raiders center Tony Bergstrom (70) prepares to snap the ball against the St. Louis Rams in a preseason NFL football game at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

6. The Offensive Line Looks Good – Really Good

In the minds of many, Oakland had a very serious problem with their offensive line. And perhaps, in the minds of some, they still do. More specifically, with the right side of the offensive line. With Hudson as the center, Gabe Jackson as the left guard, and Donald Penn as the left tackle, that side of the line seems set, solid, and ready to rumble.

The right side of the line has drawn a lot of questions though. Would rookie Jon Feliciano compete for a starting job? Would Khalif Barnes take over the right guard spot? What are the Raiders going to do about what looks like a weak right side of their offensive line?

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Apparently, the Raiders have already found the answers while the rest of us were clutching our pearls and worrying out loud. For the second straight game, J’Marcus Webb – thought to have been brought in for purposes of depth – has been the starting right guard, and 2013 draft pick Menelik Watson – a huge disappointment in the eyes of many – have manned the right side of the line and have done a tremendous job of it. In fact, Webb and Watson were the only two starting lineman to not draw a flag last night.

With that configuration as the starting offensive line, the Raiders have not allowed Derek Carr to be sacked once in two games. And overall, the offensive line has surrendered just two sacks in their first two exhibition games – both of them at the hands of the Vikings against the non-starting units.

The offensive line has been a very nice surprise during camp and the exhibition campaign thus far. They’ve pass protected very well, have blown people off the ball to open running lanes, and have been pretty dominant against opposing team’s top units.

If the line can sustain that kind of momentum heading into the season, the Raiders’ offense is going to be in really good shape.

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