Carr Insurance
The Raiders made two key moves along the offensive line, inspiring some intrepid beat writer to coin the phrase “Carr Insurance.” Donald Penn, who had started for the past two years at left tackle, was re-signed to a deal commensurate with his high level of play as Derek Carr’s blindside protector. But the big splash was made early on as the Raiders added former Ravens guard Kelechi Osemele.
Osemele fills the remaining gap in the Raider front, where the right guard position had been occupied by a series of out-of-position tackles (Austin Howard, J’marcus Webb) over the past two years. Osemele will likely play left guard for the Raiders, meaning that 2014 draft pick Gabe Jackson (AKA “Route 66”) will take his road-grading talents to the right side.
Blogging Dirty
Osemele is a big man at 330 pounds, but with good quickness and feet for a man his size. He is, like Jackson, a powerful run blocker along with being a capable interior pass blocker and the combination of those two massive guards and last year’s marquee free agent signee Rodney Hudson give the Raiders as good an interior offensive line as any in the NFL.
While the group is touted as – naturally – protection for Derek Carr, the addition of Osemele is likely just as much about cleaning space for Latavius Murray in the run game. The Raiders run game improved dramatically between 2014 and 2015 on the strength of the Hudson signing alone, the addition of Osemele will likely allow Bill Musgrave to really do what he loves to do running the football.
The Raiders apparent starting offensive line will now be Penn, Osemele, Hudson, Jackson and either Menelik Watson or Austin Howard. Looking around the league, it’s hard to think of a team with a better starting five right now. The offensive line is what makes the offense go, and there should be no reason to not expect a massive improvement in the Raider offense in 2016.