Raiders Not Protecting Investments
Another June, another round of short on memory Raider fans predicting 12-4 division title winning seasons. I get it. Kind of. They got two top five picks in their backfield in JaMarcus Russell and Darren McFadden. They signed two of the biggest names on the free-agent market in DeAngelo Hall and Javon Walker, though both are bigger on name than talent at this point. The Raiders apparently missed the memo that John Madden sent Al Davis back in the 70’s. The game is won and lost on the front lines. Let’s take a look at the Raiders offensive line.
RT Cornell Green- Well, he’s been in the league for nine years and played for six different teams. One of them, the Bucs, twice. How many really talented tackles do you think switch teams seven times in nine years? Yeah, probably not many. Yet on all those teams in all those years he’s only managed to start 18 games.
RG Cooper Carlisle- Drafted by the Broncos in 2000. Managed to start just 6 games in five years for Denver. In three years with the Raiders he has started every game. Might sound like a good thing, but hasn’t the Raiders O-Line stunk for at least three years?
C John Wade- Probably the best player on the line. But he is an 11 year starter with a history of knee problems. Of course, injury is not likely to scare off the Raiders, just ask Tommy Kelly.
LG Robert Gallery- Mr. Can’t Miss. Missed. After getting off to an okay start at Right Tackle in his first couple of years the Raiders finally moved him to left in 2006. He gave up the fourth most sacks in the league despite only playing ten games. That experiment ended quickly as he was moved to left guard last year. He did an adequate job at guard last year. Here’s the problem. Who was the last left guard drafted number two overall? Yeah, I don’t know either. Every draft bust countdown I’ve ever seen has Tony Mandarich in the top five. Why doesn’t this guy fit there then?
LT- Kwame Harris- The Niners drafted Harris in 2003. How much success have they had since then? He has gone the Robert Gallery route of trying every position to see what fits him best. RT,RG,LG,LT He’s done them all. None of them very well clearly.
Weak left tackles, adequate guards and an old beat-up center. This is the recipe for success in the NFL?
