Is Reggie McKenzie Ruining the Oakland Raiders?

Dec 1, 2013; Cleveland, OH, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Chad Henne (7) and Cleveland Browns defensive end Desmond Bryant (92) at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

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In 2010 and 2011, Richard Seymour was teaching Desmond Bryant,who had a similar body type, how to be a defensive lineman. And it looked like it was working until Bryant was allowed to walk to the Cleveland Browns after the 2012 season.  He has the perfect combination to be a great 3-4 end and would have been good with Houston at the other end and Justin Ellis at nose tackle.

Then the Raiders had 2011 3rd-round pick Joseph Barksdale as a promising right tackle prospect but he was cut by McKenzie. That hurts because he’s the third best tackle in the NFL according to Pro Football Focus as Menelik Watson is coming along. The Raiders could have been developing Watson behind Penn to play left tackle with Barksdale holding down the right side.

Tommy Kelly is another guy that’s helping a better team than the Raiders as he put pressure on rookie quarterback Derek Carr. His cost was a little too high but something could have been worked out as he showed he’s a good 3-4 end last Sunday. Outside linebacker Khalil Mack can use a guy inside of him that can beat one-on-one blocking and not give opposing quarterbacks room to step up to avoid him.