Raiders’ hidden treasure: Offensive line, a group that could exceed expectations

[Artois]

Raiders’ hidden treasure: Offensive line - AFC West Blog - ESPN

Raiders’ hidden treasure: Offensive line
By Bill Williamson | ESPN.com

Examining a position group that could exceed its preseason expectations:

The Oakland offensive line has been a negative influence on the team in recent years. I don’t see it being a problem anymore.

I think this unit is still a work in progress and it is still far from elite, but it’s not a problem.

I really like young center Stefen Wisniewski and left tackle Jared Veldheer. The Raiders added solid guard Mike Brisiel from Houston. He is excellent in the zone-blocking scheme the Raiders are going back to, and he is a tough player. These are three strong pieces to the line. They are all athletic and tough. They will battle all day long.

Guard Cooper Carlisle is also adept in the zone-blocking scheme. At right tackle, Khalif Barnes will try to hold off second-year player Joe Barksdale.

Again, this isn’t a great unit, but there are some solid pieces and I don’t think the Raiders are overly worried about this being a problem area.

Raiders’ hidden treasure: Offensive line - AFC West Blog - ESPN

[HBD]

It ALL starts in the trenches !

[MileHighRaider]

There's a ringing endorsement.

Thanks Artois.

[cheapshotartist]

The offensive line is the foundation of the entire offense. Things are falling into place.

[Raiders Baby!]

Not to mention we spent our top pick on Bergstrom. I don't know much about his past, but I've watched a number of interviews with him and he seems to be very smart. Contrary to popular belief, offensive linemen need to be some of the smartest players on the field, so I'm hoping he and Wiz can develop into a cerebral G/C core.

[BVJ]

Not to mention we spent our top pick on Bergstrom. I don't know much about his past, but I've watched a number of interviews with him and he seems to be very smart. Contrary to popular belief, offensive linemen need to be some of the smartest players on the field, so I'm hoping he and Wiz can develop into a cerebral G/C core.

Bergstrom has a degree in Chemical Engineering, he is extremely smart.

[smucky]

Lest we forget Mr. John Condo, long snapper extraordinaire.

[KrimzonR8R]

Unlike our previous seasons, I actually have some confidence in our O line. If they can stay healthy and gel into a good group, our offense will win a lot of games. The only question mark I think we have is Barnes. That guy just seems to be too much of a liability. I just hope if Barksdale does replace him, he doesn't become another liability.

[UglyDuck]

ESPN John Clayton picks the AFCW:

Denver 10-6
San Diego 9-7
Kansas City 7-9
Oakland 5-11

[KrimzonR8R]

I love that all these analysts are picking us to lose the division. Now that we've finally got management, coaching and personnel on the same page they think this is going to be a hinderance. This is def not the same old Raiders. I'd probably put us at the bottom still if Al was still alive but not with Reggie and Allen at the helm. This team will not be allowed to fold in tough games, will no longer be tolerated to play without discipline and will demand everyone be accountable at all times.

And them crowning the Broncos is pretty funny. No one knows how that team is going to be with a new offense and whether Peyton is really going to make a difference. He could just as easily fall into a slump and throw 13 TDs with 20 INTs. Their offense is just as new as ours and with more of a question mark at QB. Who's backing up Manning if and when he goes down? Hanie, Osweiler and Weber? Whatever, I'm more inclined to see what happens to their running game and WR corp when Manning gets knocked out

[rhumbob]

I can see why they make that choice:
1. Denver won last year. John Fox is an excellent, underrated head coach, Tebow gone and replaced by Manning
2. San Diego - consistent leadership and personnel. Norm is a vey good regular season coach. Phillip Rivers is one of the better QBs
3. KC has less offseason changes...really KC and Oakland s/b a toss up

Even though I can see their logic, I disagree with the conclusion.

I think we have been very messed up...like 49ers messed up. I can see a turnaround for us similar to what the 49ers had last year. There are holes on the team, no doubt. I think our personnel is better than our record has indicated. We will do better this year just from putting the players in a position to succeed and getting rid of the crazy number of penalties (discipline anyone?). I think San Diego is on a slide down hill and KC is justed messed up. I see us and Denver battling for 1 and 2 and it being pretty close. The AFC West games will be epic this year. Can't wait.

[RaiderFan39]

5 - 11??!! BAHHHH!! WTF?!

Part of me can't stand when these guys make these ridiculous predictions against the Raiders but then the other part of me kinda likes it because then we can prove these A-holes wrong.

No way we're doing 5 - 11 this year....no way.

[gil03]

for quite some time now analysts consistently said that we weren't going to be successful until AL was out of the picture and the team had a competent GM. Last year we had NUMEROUS CRIPPLING events happen to us that were by anyone standards detrimental to the team in each of their own cases. However despite all these adverse conditions last year we managed to still go 8-8 and had a chance to make the playoffs in our last game. This season we have that competent GM, a healthy DMC, a fully competent QB, seasoned WR's, solid line on both sides and a defensive minded HC! that's not even mentioning the potential of the players that we picked in the draft and IMO a linebacking core that is going to surprise a lot of people with the players we picked up. OK i guess I know the answer to my question already in why the analysts continue to crap on our team....that being the bias, bottom line is this team is quickly becoming what everyone has been asking for for a long time. Now we'll find out if the NFL is ready for the Raiders return.

[SLVR and Black]

Bergstrom has a degree in Chemical Engineering,...

Is that your way of saying that he's a meth head?



I kid, I kid!!!

[RaiderInSD21]

Is that your way of saying that he's a meth head?



I kid, I kid!!!

..New season of Breaking Bad coming up.. fuuuuuck yeah!