How Good is the Oakland Raiders Offensive Line Now?

May 11, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders assistant head coach/offensive line coach Tony Sparano (center) instructs during rookie minicamp at the Raiders team headquarters. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

A hard question to answer for most without a true quarterback.  Whoever gets under center for the Raiders this year will do so with the confidence of a beefy and strong offensive line filled with talent.  All I know is, Offensive Line Coach/Assistant HC Tony Sparano must be licking his chops right now.  Look at the talent he has to pick from on the offensive line:

OL– Austin Howard, Donald Penn, Menelik Watson, Tony Bergstrom, Jack Cornell, Jarrod Shaw, Matt McCants, & Khalif Barnes (Could possibly re-sign Tony Pashos)

OG’s– Kevin Boothe, Mike Brisiel, Lucas Nix, Lamar Mady

C– Stefen Wisniewski

Let’s not forget that most of the names listed above can play left or right guard as well.  Impressive job General Manager Reggie McKenzie did bringing in some added depth at the OL/T/G positions to compete in camp.  On paper it looks decidedly that the Raiders left tackle will be occupied by Donald Penn, left guard by Menelik Watson/Kevin Boothe, center of course will be Wiz, right guard by either Kevin Boothe/Mike Brisiel/Khalif Barnes, and right tackle by Austin Howard.  Now, that’s not a dead set lineup, because there are a lot of “if” factors in there.  One being the possibility of Mike Brisiel retiring from football.  It’s been rumored, but no official reports have come forward yet.  Other factors include performance and health.

Maybe this even helps to keep Running Back Darren McFadden healthy all year, any takers?  In any event, RB Latavius Murray will be 100% and ready to compete for the starting position, and the Raiders Coaching Staff does like third year back out of Purdue, Kory Sheets.  I guess at this moment anything is possible for the Raiders, and I really like the way this off-season is shaping up.  A solid offensive line is a good thing to have at any level, and it will help to provide the extra time needed in the passing game.

By now, Raider Nation should be able to see the direction this team is headed, and they can be assured that the man behind the shield, GM McKenzie, is trying to bring back the winning ways to Oakland.  I have said it before, and I am sure I will say it again, I believe in Reggie McKenzie.