Oakland Raiders: The good, bad, and ugly in preseason win over the Lions

Ugly: Kolton Miller

It might be a little unfair to throw rookie left tackle Kolton Miller into the “ugly” pile so soon. And really, it’s only for one play.

The rookie first-round pick, and eventual successor to veteran stalwart Donald Penn – a succession that may come sooner, rather than later – played just twelve snaps against the Lions. And for the most part, he held his own against Detroit’s pass rush – though, admittedly, it’s not a pass rush nearly as the ones he’ll face against division rivals Denver, Kansas City, and San Diego.

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Throughout the early portion of the offseason work, and camp so far, Miller has been a standout performer. For a rookie, he’s holding his own against some of Oakland’s pass rushers, and has the coaches believing they made the right call with the fifteenth overall pick this year.

So far, he’s looked the part of a savvy, veteran left tackle.

Gruden and his coaches are obviously so high on him right now, that Penn’s status is really up in the air – something that, for many, is unthinkable, given his importance to what’s been a rock solid offensive line for the most part, the last few years.

But – here we are.

Miller has impressed, but the one play that really got him noticed is one he likely wants back. On Marshawn Lynch’s first touch of the game against Detroit, he burst through a massive hole and sped away from the defense for a 60-yard touchdown.

A touchdown that was ultimately negated, because of a blatant holding call on Miller.

Now, you can argue that the hole Lynch burst through, might not have existed at all, had Miller not been holding. Or, that perhaps it would have been there, but much smaller, giving Lynch less room to operate, and giving the defense a chance to wrangle him.

Either way though, it was an ugly play and one Miller will have to learn from.

Overall though, his performance wasn’t bad, and was part of a collective effort from a line that gave up zero sacks, and just one quarterback hit. All in all, it wasn’t a bad start for the rookie, or the line as a whole.