The Los Angeles Rams will be joining the Oakland Raiders in Napa for a two-day joint practice. By doing so, it will give the two teams an early look at how far along their players really are.
The Raiders are hosting the Rams on August 7th and 8th for their first look at live action. Afterwards, both teams will head to Oakland for Saturday’s week 1 preseason game. Which in fact, will be the Raiders only home game of the preseason.
With it being the first preseason game, many starters won’t suit up, as it will be used for rookies and players who find themselves on the roster bubble, to show the coaching staff that they belong. Although, over the two days of joint practice, many starters will face off against each other, giving a real testament of what things might look like once week 1 of the regular season rolls around.
One position group to really keep close tabs on during the joint-practices will be the offensive line. The Raiders have invested heavily in the group up front, by drafting Kolton Miller in the first-round one-year ago. Oakland made Trent Brown the highest paid offensive lineman in NFL history to solidify right tackle.
Rodney Hudson is arguably the best center in the league by many accounts. Gabe Jackson currently finds himself as the fourth highest paid left guard, and newly brought in Richie Incognito also has a quality repertoire in pass and run blocking in the trenches.
The highly regarded Raiders offensive line will be thrown right into the swing of things with the Rams coming to camp, as their defensive line can really bring it. Guys such as, Aaron Donald, Clay Matthews, Dante Fowler Jr, and Michael Brockers round out the Rams defensive front, which will give an early indication on how much the Raiders offensive line has improved.
Last season Derek Carr hit the turf, a career high 51 times. Gruden made it his focus of attention this offseason to build an improved offensive line unit, keeping Carr upright in the pocket. Now with all the pieces in place for a much upgraded unit, Tom Cable will be asked to orchestrate the offensive line in a much improved manner.