June 25, 2008
Oakland Raiders Camp Battles: Offensive Tackles-Kwame Harris, Paul McQuistan, Cornell Green, and Mario Henderson duke it out
As we continue the on going "camp battles" series we will find that the starting offensive tackles will have their work cut out for them this year as they will be given the task of protecting JaMarcus Russell. Both tackle positions are up in the air as the warhorse Barry Sims has moved over to San Francisco leaving a void at the left tackle position, and Paul McQuistan outplayed incumbent Cornell Green when Green was down with injury. Who will replace Sims and will Green win his job?
Projected Starters: Left Tackle: Kwame Harris, Right Tackle: Paul McQuistan
Tom Cable is high on Kwame Harris and thinks that he has the skill set to be a solid left tackle in his zone blocking scheme, despite his failures as a Niner. Paul McQuistan was an instant fan favorite with his flaming red mullet after being drafted in 06. He found his niche at right tackle last year when the starter Greene went down with injury, and the Raiders went three games without giving up a sack.
Projected Depth: Cornell Green and Mario Henderson
Green is one of those journeyman players that are great to have around as they can provide effective relief in multiple positions. Green was less than impressive as a starter last year, and was outplayed by McQuistan. Mario Henderson was a third round pick that the Raiders traded up for in 2007. He spent most of the season last year on the sidelines in street clothes. With the pick the Raiders invested in him, look for him to be a reserve tackle on the roster this season.
Outside Looking In: Mark Wilson, Seth Wand, and Jonathan Palmer
Seth Wand was signed midseason last year and couldn't get any playing time. Wilson, who happens to share the name of one of the most reviled Raiders in history, has been a practice squad player. Palmer was signed of the Steelers' practice squad at the end of last season. If the Raiders keep five tackles one of these three make it in.
What to Look For:
The Raiders traded up to get Henderson, so many eyes will be on his development. He had a rough preseason last year, and a repeat of that could open up a slot for the others. Cornell Green is a wily veteran, so his battle with McQuistan should be a good one. KEep an eye on Kwame Harris as well, as this will be the first chance to see if he is clicking with Cable's schemes.
WildCard:
This race is fairly open, and anyone can surprise.
Discussion
19 Comments on "Oakland Raiders Camp Battles: Offensive Tackles-Kwame Harris, Paul McQuistan, Cornell Green, and Mario Henderson duke it out"
#1
Posted by pat T, June 25, 2008 12:16 AM
Great article Patrick... I've read in a couple of sites that Jonathan Palmer has really impressed... And hopefully Harris can reviva his career in Oakland Tom Cable must see something in him after drafting him in SanFran and tan rooting for Al Davis to bring him in, so he must see something in him that we might not see YET... And Henderson can improve an at least become a servicable back up...
GO RAIDERS!!!
#2
Posted by Thoughts from the Dark Side: Oakland Raiders Camp Battles: Offensive Tackles-Kwame Harris, Paul McQu, June 25, 2008 5:09 AM
[...] Read more. Posted in Blog, Oakland Raiders | [...]
#3
Posted by Raider Blues, June 25, 2008 7:13 AM
Good article Patrick.
I'm mostly concerned at left tackle but believe we need to pursue help across the entire line in this next off season
#4
Posted by KUSHMAN, June 25, 2008 7:24 AM
yes I hope kwame is as good as cable says he is. I think he will live up to the hype.. as was said before, he was a good blocker for frank gore in sf.. so rush blocking isn't a problem.. its just protecting russell's backside that i worry about .. but you can't ignore what cable did to that line the 2nd half of the 07 season... it seems he can take somewhat mediocure lineman and make them a machine!
#5
Posted by KUSHMAN, June 25, 2008 7:49 AM
oh raider blues i agree.. next draft will be all about the interior of the team.. d-line and o-line all the way .. raiders draft an awesome SLB .. its on. there's actually a very huge and fast LB coming outa next years draft(dunno what college).. hes a monster.. gotta be samoen .. anyone know the name of this beast by chance?
#6
Posted by kevin murphy, June 25, 2008 7:54 AM
unlike most people,i am encouraged by this years draft. and although its been obvious for years that we need a stud/run-stopper at D tackle, i believe that Gerard Warren was doing quite nicely for us before he got injured. i also believe that the coaching staff saw that, and it was a contributing factor in opting for McFadden over Dorsey or whoever. Warren is large enough to make a differrence against the run and before he was injured was providing quite an inside pass rush, something we have lacked for WAY TOO LONG!. and...... with Kelly at D tackle.....all of a sudden we are looking more formidable inside where we have been vulnerable for too many years. and, although the jury's out on William Joseph, look how often the addition of one player makes everybody else along the line suddenly better!
i also predict that it will be our DEFENSE not our offense that turns things around and garners as much if not more atttention then our much anticipated offense. at this point if Hartwell fills that other side better then Robert Thomas, we could have an absolutely "sick" line backing corps!
add that to the additions of Hall and Wilson....man alive!!!!! and Roudt adds depth, he may be the best kept secret in football when it comes to the proverbial "5th" back or nickel back, look how well he played the last two seasons, the man is a force and provides necessary depth.
anyway, Raider Nation, .....its a new year a new season, and...........
A NEW ERA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
#7
Posted by Dan, June 25, 2008 8:08 AM
I've been on vacation. Can someone tell me what is going on with Aso and Jordan?
#8
Posted by kevin murphy, June 25, 2008 8:13 AM
as far as rthe O-Line is concerened, i dont think we have thst much TO BE concerned about. trust the judgement of Tom Cable,its obvious he has been nothing short of a miracle worker, so he must see something in Harris others dont or cant!, personally i have always been high on McQuistan, i like his attitude and his energy, Grove came to camp bigger and stronger, from reports i have heard from the "inside" Mario Henderson is also coming along nicely. with Gallery stabilizing and the addition of Cooper Carlisle, all of a sudden our hithertoo weakest spot is actually turning into a strength! and of course there's Wade!!!!!!
RAIDER NATION
BE HAPPY WE'RE BACK!
#10
Posted by KUSHMAN, June 25, 2008 8:50 AM
i like your optimism kevin ... i hope you're right my man. i mean, hartwell was let go by both falcons and the bungles.. and their defenses are terrible.. so hopefully he can just be a run plugger for us.
#11
Posted by SpokaneOakfan, June 25, 2008 9:34 AM
Kevin- I think you're thinking of Jame Laurinitus from O-State, the son of the guy who was "Animal" of the Road Warriors. Absolute beast.
I actually think that the lines will surprise this season.
#12
Posted by snappy831, June 25, 2008 10:03 AM
It seem's that every NFL know it all think's that our line is still on the bottom ranks of the league, i'm thinking there scared to accually say that our oline is looking good because of the past, they need to get over it because we are on the rise! just think of how many first down's we will convert because of the lack of false starts by Simms! It seemed like every time we ran for a first down Simms would be holding on to someone! McQuistan on the right and Harris on the left. Keep the sack's down boy's!
-Go Raiders
#13
Posted by KUSHMAN, June 25, 2008 10:04 AM
yer talkin to me right spokane? haha funny my name is kevin too ... but ah okay cool man thanks for the info.. dude imagine that guy teamed up with howard and cpt kirk .. scary.
#14
Posted by KUSHMAN, June 25, 2008 10:47 AM
i dunno if this is the guy im talkin about spok .. this dude im talkin about has to be bigger than 240 lbs ..
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/player/profile?playerId=173999
#15
Posted by NateDawgSnB, June 25, 2008 3:26 PM
The line backer that has the most promise coming out of college this year is the guy from USC, hes said to be a hell of alot better than Keith Rivers. I remember watchin the draft and they were talkin about this guy and they were saying if he was a Junior and was able to come out this year he would of been a top 5 pick. And definatly the first linebacker taken. So we will have to absolutley choke this season away if we want a chance at him. Laurinitius Isnt to far of a long shot though but im sure he will go in the top 10 this year. I rather not have that high of a pick this year to be honest. Im hopin we have the 32nd pick in this years draft:)
#16
Posted by Snowyfish, June 25, 2008 6:01 PM
Great article Patrick. As a fan from the UK who is still learning about the finer points of the game your breakdown of the players on the Offensive and Defensive Lines (areas that often get overlooked in our limited coverage) is greatly appreciated.
#17
Posted by Bill, June 25, 2008 10:13 PM
I would really like to see Harris on the right side because he is a road grader. Then I would like to see Mario on the left if he is ready.
#18
Posted by gimster, June 26, 2008 4:26 AM
The linebacker you are talking about NateDawg his name is Rey Malaluga from USC and he is a beast
#19
Posted by LV LOCAL, July 6, 2008 8:10 AM
kevin murphy, could you be more specific as to what you have heard about M Henderson from the "inside". I have not heard any positive news on him. DE's are blowinbg right past him in OTA's is all I have heard about. Since we traded up for him I would like to hear anything good about him.
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