Oakland Raiders Should Consider Tony Sparano For Future

September 14, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders guard Austin Howard (77) during the second quarter against the Houston Texans at O.co Coliseum. The Texans defeated the Raiders 30-14. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Fixing the Offensive Line

Center Stefen Wisnieski, left guard Gabe Jackson and left tackle Donald Penn have been outstand but the right side has been shaky. That’s where right guard Austin Howard and right tackle Menelik Watson are and they were killing the offense. Howard was a great right tackle for the New York Jets but he was struggling to adapt to playing guard while Watson, who was injured last year,  is really in his rookie year.

So I guess it’s no accident that the two were giving up too many pressures, sacks and tackles for a loss for the offense to function. Sparano kept coaching the offensive line after he became interim head coach and it looks like it;s starting to pay off. Watson is no longer all over the place with his balance and the 6’7″ Howard is bending his knees so he doesn’t give up leverage to shorter defensive lineman inside anymore`.

The Raiders rushed for 179 yards on Thursday night after averaging in the 60s at one point this season. And Carr had time to throw deep or short as the Raiders gave up only one sack to the vaunted Chiefs pass rush. I won’t call the offensive line fixed after one great night but I will say Sparano is fixing it.