Oakland Raiders Held Hostage by Offensive Line

Nov 2, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks defensive end Cliff Avril (56) is defended by Oakland Raiders tackle Menelik Watson (71) at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Not Working

I think Watson is a tremendous athlete with all the upside in the world and will make a great left tackle one day. But that one day is’t today as  he is struggling mightily this year with pass blocking and run blocking at right tackle. I’m sorry, I love this Watson kid but Howard at right guard and Watson at right tackle is exactly why this offensive line combination isn’t working.

It’s more Howard than it is  Watson but Howard was a great pass blocker and a road-grader in the running game last year. But at 6’7″ with long limbs, defensive tackles have too much leverage on him and he gets pushed back too much. This is happening when we know what kind of a right tackle he is and Watson, who’s relatively new to football,  is going through growing pains.