Oakland Raiders: Is Cable or Buckner facing the most pressure?

If the Oakland Raiders are to succeed this season, the offensive and defensive line need to be better. So which coach is facing the most pressure?

We are officially at the point of the NFL offseason where it feels like we’re watching paint dry. The Oakland Raiders just wrapped up mandatory mini-camp following OTAs that commenced a couple a weeks ago. All of the major offseason events have passed. Before you know it, it’ll be Monday night football against the Denver Broncos.

The offseason went by in a blink of an eye. Maybe that is because of all the talent the Raiders acquired via free agency and the draft. There really is no reason for the 2019 Oakland Raiders to not be competitive. Pressure is definitely going to be felt by every player and coach. However, when it comes to the position coaches there are two that standout when it comes to enormous expectations.

Offensive line coach Tom Cable and defensive line coach Brentson Buckner easily face the most pressure of all the position coaches. On Cable’s end, we know how horrendous the offensive line was. Derek Carr was sacked 52 times, the most he’s ever suffered. On Buckner’s end, he comes in as the savior because he was signed early in the offseason.

The work that he has cut out for him is heavy. The Raiders only tallied 13 sacks last season, which is just as ridiculous as allowing 52 sacks. It begs the question to ask, who’s facing the most pressure in 2019?

It most certainly has to be Tom Cable. By far, the most intriguing aspect of the Oakland Raiders is going to be their offense. They’re fully reloaded all around, not to mention Derek Carr entering year two in Jon Gruden’s system. This offense is poised to be electric, but that won’t matter if the offensive line cannot protect Carr. The 52 sacks allowed last season doesn’t even do it justice to how bad they were last season.

At least half of Carr’s check downs came from pressure in his face two seconds after the snap. It won’t matter what great play Gruden calls if the offensive line doesn’t do its job.

At that point, having Antonio Brown and Tyrell Williams as your receivers is irrelevant because Carr won’t even have time for their routes to develop. The addition of Trent Brown brings hope that the right side of the offensive line will be solidified. That means all the pressure will be on Cable to ensure Kolton Miller develops into a stout offensive tackles.

He doesn’t need to be elite, but has to be consistent. His technique needs to be sounds, which took a hit once he sustained an injury last season.

When it comes to the running game, the offensive line was sufficient. They were able to get Doug Martin over 700 yards, so that’s a positive, especially since the depth at running back is potent. In order for the offense to click, the very first step has to be the play of the offensive line. Give Derek Carr some time so he can actually utilize the weapons around him.

If Carr is struggling to stay in the pocket because of pressure, then I would expect Cable to be fired come midseason.

The first test will be in week one with the Broncos stellar duo of Von Miller and Bradley Chubb. Let’s not forget that Vic Fangio runs the show their now, so their defense will look rejuvenated. I have little faith and belief in Cable’s ability to get the offensive line clicking on all cylinders. His track record is against him.

I really hope they’re able to play at a solid level this season because I want to see Carr in an offense with no excuses. But if there is no protection, then what can he do? All the pressure is on Tom Cable in 2019 to get the offense where they need to go. It’s just hard to envision him actually doing a good job.