October 11, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) hands off to running back Latavius Murray (28) against the Denver Broncos during the first quarter at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Make Improvements in the Run Game
In the two games prior to their bye, Murray had carried the ball 28 times for just 88 yards. Though this could be explained in part to an apparent shoulder injury Murray has been playing through, Oakland’s inability to move the ball on the ground begins with the offensive line.
According to Pro Football Focus, Gabe Jackson is the only Oakland offensive linemen with an above-average run blocking grade through five games.
With the season-ending injury to Menelik Watson, Oakland ultimately has no choice but to deal with right tackle Austin Howard’s inconsistencies in both the run and pass game. While he has flashed at times, he still struggles to properly execute on the back side of runs and can’t seem to effectively seal the edge on runs designed to go to the outside.
J’Marcus Webb is another guy at fault, as he is currently the No. 93 overall guard according to PFF.com. Add to the fact that Webb is the only offensive linemen with a negative pass blocking grade for Oakland, and it may be time for Mike Tice to look for other options at right guard.
Fourth-round selection Jon Feliciano has yet to appear in the regular season, but he has reportedly been improving behind the scenes for Oakland during practice throughout the season. Though it is always difficult disrupting the rhythm of an offensive line, it’s tough to imagine that Feliciano does much worse than Webb at this point.
Another area that Oakland could address in wake of their struggles on the ground is their predictable play-calling, as Musgrave has visibly struggled to be creative with his play calls on the ground through five weeks.
According to Maurice Moton of BleacherReport.com, 71% of the running plays Musgrave has called have been in between the guards, 20% more than the league average.
Musgrave will likely address this issue given the amount of time he will have to self-evaluate his play calls in the beginning of the season, but he won’t be able to have the success he wants on the outside until his offensive line improves.
Next: Continue to Develop Rookies on Defense