September 3, 2008
Oakland Raiders offensive line the real redeem team: Thoughts from a Reader's Side
For all the talk of the USA Basketball team being about redemption, there is a unit more maligned that needs to step up and redeem themselves, the Oakland Raiders offensive line. Contributor Umer Waris states his case that the Raiders offensive line is the true Redeem Team.
Grove, Gallery, Harris and the Raiders offensive line: The Real Redeem Team
by Umer Waris
Special to Thoughts from the Dark Side
Since the harassment of Raider Qbs in the 06 season, the Raiders O line unit has gone a long way in the correct direction. After giving up a miserable 72 sacks, the number declined to 41 last season. Given the large array of staff changes to go along with a multitude of coaching scheme variations happening year after year, not much could be expected from this group.
In comes Coach Tom cable. Known for establishing a well versed running game during his tenure with Atlanta, Cable is turning heads once again with the ground attack he established in Oakland last year. Leading the Raiders in becoming the 6th best rushing team in the NFL and of course, a 72 to 41 sack turnaround (with the SAME starters from 06), Cable has given Raider Nation a reason to be optimistic again. With a running game like Oakland’s along with the laser-arm of QB in Jamarcus Russell behind them, this O-line will probably have the most active part in returning Oakland to its glory days
Respecting the fact that all O linemen are equally important in the roles they play on the o line as a whole, I will be highlighting a only few. They include those who will making a path towards resurgence not only for the team but for themselves as well.
Center: - Jake Grove
The second round pick from Virginia tech was rated the best center in college coming into the 2004 draft. He also happens to be the second man behind Robert gallery in what is commonly seen as the 04 Raiders O linemen busts. Grove put a halt to such comments after he beat out veteran John Wade and was named the starter at center for 08 having taken most reps with the first team offense during training camp and preseason.
The man who started all of 2006 had to sit out the entire 07 season after he was placed on the IR list. His injury first occurred in the 05 season but after undergoing surgery, he started the entire 06 season. His knee being still an issue forced Jeremy Newberry to take the starting role last year. Now after undergoing a second procedure, the once top center in college is ready to redeem himself showing greater movement and agility beating out a man who has only missed 8 games in the past 6 years in John Wade.
Grove is on his way to redeem himself from his current “bust” status.
Left Guard: - Robert Gallery
Robert gallery is an integral part of what football experts and the media dub as the 2004 Raiders O line bust squad. But like his fellow squad member Jake Grove, working hard and proving the doubters wrong is the first of his goals.
Selected 2nd overall, Gallery was rated the best prospect for the 2004 NFL Draft and received the highest rating of any offensive lineman (perfect 9.0 score) since Southern California's Tony Boselli (8.8) in 1995 by The NFL Draft Report. The Big Ten's Offensive Lineman of the Year did not allow a sack in his last 36 college games. In short, today’s Jake Long.
As mentioned above, under the tuition of several o line coaches/ ideologies and a cluster of position changes in his young NFL career (LT to RT and finally LG), the talented athlete has never had the chance to sincerely develop and hone his skills like many of his brothers on the line. In comes Tom Cable and finally Robert is given a home at LG where he is certifying his college prominence by helping the Raider’s ground attack reach amongst the elite in the league.
Gallery will be shaking the league with his emergence and look for him to reach a pro-bowl or two along the way.
Left Tackle: - Kwame Harris
The same O-line troubles that Oakland has had, Kwame Harris has witnessed across the bay; too many coaches in too little of a time. Because of this, his performance has quickly banished him into the ‘bust category’ after having been a first round selection in 2003.
Offensive Coordinator Greg Knapp, who served in the same position with the 49ers when Harris was drafted, believes Kwame still has a lot to give.
Having started all 16 games at RT in 2006, Kwame Harris played a vital role in helping Frank Gore lead the NFL in rushing and reach a 49er record of 1,695 yards. His blocking also assisted Gore in rushing for a franchise record of 212 yards in a single game the same year.
In the words of Greg Knapp, Harris is a prototypical LT with his size and speed & a few rusty corners only needing to be oiled and running again. With the Raiders being a run first, second and third team, its Harris’s run paving that probably caught Kiffin’s eye most bluntly.
Going against Pro-bowler Kyle Vanden Bosch in week 2 of the preseason, some might expect the supposed ‘bust’ from across the bay to give Mr. Bosch a 5+ sack day. But no. Harris maintained his ground and gave Russell a nice pocket to work in against the Titans.
As of now, Cable is working on restoring the confidence Harris has lost since his days with the 49ers. Protecting Russell’s blind side is his new role; a challenge he is ready to surmount.
Reflecting back on the o-line, Raider Fans can only expect it to get better with its second year under Cable. With McFadden only ready to make the rushing attack even stronger and Russell looking to compete, the Raiders may already have the pieces to rise into a threatening force at offense.
Umer Waris is a regular contributor and commenter on TFDS.
Discussion
18 Comments on "Oakland Raiders offensive line the real redeem team: Thoughts from a Reader's Side"
#1
Posted by S&B, September 3, 2008 12:08 AM
The O-Line must take the next step and become good passblockers. The test will come in a few days. I agree we are certainly a run 1st offense, but we are not going to be successful if we can't pass confidently on 1st or 2nd down. Our offense needs to be able to put up 17-24 points to be successful. Pass blocking will be important.
The player to watch: Harris and Green. They are the key to a successful season
#2
Posted by KUSHMAN, September 3, 2008 8:05 AM
enough has been said already about our improved o-line... where they struggled against ARZ because of kiffin's stupidity in giving away the gameplan to pass regularly.. you're right rob they did spectacular against the titans.. which gives hope to the season.
RA RAAAIDDERRSSS
#3
Posted by KUSHMAN, September 3, 2008 9:48 AM
my appologies ... you're right pat! didnt mean to give rob the credit on this one.. good article btw my man..
#4
Posted by PortlandRaider, September 3, 2008 10:32 AM
I second Kushman in that it gave they passing game no chance to succeed! The running game softens up the defense and thereby opens up the passing game.....telling the other team the game plan was lame. Keep that info in-house......build confidence and excitement and put them in a position to succeed..rather than fail.
Patrick, nice article on our OL..I have a ton of confidence in Cable...to get our guys working as a cohesive, effective unit. Perhaps individually we may not be as strong as other lines..but as a team we are improving..and that is awesome!
Raiders for life!
#5
Posted by Raider Scott, September 3, 2008 11:03 AM
I am counting on our O-line to run-block as good (or better) as it did last year. Even after reading this article I will still be nervous every time JRuss goes back to pass. Pass protection is still an unknown quantity. Even with protection, I still wonder what we really have in terms of receivers. The only guy I think we can count on consistently is Zach Miller, but if he needs to stay back to help block we are really counting on Curry to stay healthy and play well. I saw a little spark from Walker but I don’t want to count on him too much. So for now we have a questionable line for pass protection and a receiving core that is unproven. Let’s hope the run can open up the passing game. I am tired of us losing the opening game but it burns me to lose on Monday Night. I sure loved being “the Kings of Monday Night Football”.
#6
Posted by Todd, September 3, 2008 3:38 PM
I agree with Raiders Scott said about the recievers. I will not lie I do not like that we picked up lee or what ever his name is. I think I would have rather picked up Horn. Even though he is old and isn't that good anymore he could have tought the youge guys some stuff. There was a couple of young recievers that I liked during the pre-season.
#7
Posted by LDizzle, September 3, 2008 3:50 PM
Kush you need to apologize again as well as Portland Raider because this article was written by neither Rob nor Pat. It was Umer Waris that wrote this article.
Speaking of which; Very nice article Umer. Very insightfull and well researched. I can tell you really did your homework on this one. I don't completely agree with you on Kwame Harris simply because he had a terrible game against the Cards the following week (and yes I am know the Kiffin exposed the game plan) But certainly with Gallery and Grove you are right on the money. I would even like to see Gallery step in and try his hand at LT again someday. It is possible he could still live up to that 9.0 rating coming out of college at the Tackle position. Until then, at least he is a damn fine Guard.
Umer perhaps you could do a 2nd version of this article this week which features the right side of the line and perhaps a good backup (or utility guy like Fred Wakefield)? Just a thought.
#8
Posted by KUSHMAN, September 3, 2008 7:45 PM
haha wow my bad sorry umer! i just see the picture on the top right corner and think either pat or rob. good article my man.. i hope you are right about harris dude.. i really do...
#10
Posted by raidermomo64, September 3, 2008 10:54 PM
Umer, that was excellent. Anyway you could write for the SF Chronicle, cause they are lame. I would love to see Gallery prove everyone wrong. He can still be the man. But, I would also love to see Kwame be the man. I will always back the Silver & Black and its players. Go Raiders!! 10-6
#11
Posted by PortlandRaider, September 4, 2008 11:00 AM
Thank LDizz......Sorry Umer! Well done Umer..gotta give the cred where it is due!
I second the option of giving Gallery the opportunity to play LT at some point...Let's keep building him up...improving his technique in the system..and slowly move him over..when he is ready! Perhaps have him take some reps over there...as a backup..."just in case"!
If I remember correctly, LDizz are you a Blazer fan as well?
GO Raiders!
#12
Posted by LDizzle, September 4, 2008 11:51 AM
Yes Portland Raider I am a Blazer fan indeed. I too am from Portland originally. I was just telling some buddies of mine how I get goose bumps just thinking about how great the players are that haven't set foot on the court for the team yet in Rudy, Bayless, and Oden. I am in Laker country now and they are pretty afraid of us these days.
#13
Posted by MrMojo4321, September 4, 2008 2:38 PM
Nice article Umer, well written, concise, and I hope your right. If the Raiders can churn out about 4 yards per carry, offensive tackle play should improve as a direct byproduct. Defensive ends can't fly around the tackle if they have stay at home to maintain the line.
One Nation...
#14
Posted by PortlandRaider, September 4, 2008 3:38 PM
LDizz,
Seems like trading places...I moved from cental cali about 4 years ago and immediately fell in love with this Blazers team....Last year..both of my teams had high hopes with the top draft pick...but GO couldn't go and neither could JaMarcus...This year is a definitie turning point for both of our teams! Raiders first of course..:)
#15
Posted by juice, September 4, 2008 8:51 PM
Nice article Waris, much improvement has been shown by the Raiders' offensive line, but they still have much more to improve on as well. After a good glance at the Raiders offense, it seems that the pieces are set in place. In order for those said pieces to thrive, the pass protection must improve. I realize that under Cable's watch the line decreased the total of sacks allowed dramatically, but I believe a lot of that was because Oakland ran the ball so damn much. I would love to see this unit take the next step, but I just can't shake the feeling that they will be looking for a top shelf tackle in the offseason via free agency or the draft.
#16
Posted by Raider Blues, September 4, 2008 11:04 PM
Are we all Raider/Blazer Fans on here? Not not you Mike 9er!
Lakers afraid of us - they need to be! It's our time to come back and be a force!
It sucked having the first pick in both NFL/NBA and getting nothing back for an entire year.
New Year - New found fans with something in common.
Just Win Baby / Rip City!
#17
Posted by PortlandRaider, September 5, 2008 12:17 AM
Rock on Raider Blues!!!! We have something in common! Superbowls and Rings will be headed our way! Patience is a virtue as they say :)
Are you a B-edger as well?
Here's to a great 2008-2009 season on both fronts!
Let's start with Monday night first!
#18
Posted by Umer Waris, September 5, 2008 8:36 PM
Thank you all for the compliments!
Was away for a while and so just seen the article right now.
For all u guys wondering about the right side of the O line, i didnt see any players looking too much of resurgence on that side. Carlisle was a proven run blocker with Broncos and Green doesnt have much too redeem for.
All u Portland fans, I do see much optimism for ur team... considering all those top draft picks u guys got! EIther way, Gasol, Kobe, Odom and hopefully Bynum will be there to push them all back down!
Anyways I do see them making the playoffs this year
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