Las Vegas Raiders: 3 Assistant coaches who have the most to prove in 2020

Tom Cable

At this time last year, many speculated that offensive line coach Tom Cable was on the hot seat. The reason for said speculation was a combination of the Raiders’ performance in 2018 and the coach’s lack of success with the Seahawks.

During his last three years in Seattle, Cable’s offensive lines surrendered an average of about 44 sacks per season, and finished in the bottom quarter of the league for adjusted line yards twice, per Football Outsiders. Two years ago, Oakland allowed 52 sacks which tied for the fifth-most in the NFL, and the team ranked 22nd with a modest 4.21 yards per carry. A big reason for the lack of success in both locations was the development – or lack thereof – of young tackles George Fant, Germain Ifedi, and Kolton Miller, which of course, falls on the shoulders of the man in charge.

However, Cable was able to silence some critics in 2019 as the Silver and Black dramatically improved in pass protection, surrendering a mere 29 sacks, which was the eighth-fewest in the league. Meanwhile, the line helped rookie running back Josh Jacobs become the organization’s first 1,000-yard rusher since 2015, and Miller stepped into his own as a solid left tackle.

Now, the question is, was last season a one year wonder or a sign of what’s to come moving forward? If Las Vegas’ big men can continue to play at a high level in 2020, and if the 2018 first-round pick continues to grow, then Tom Cable will prove himself as a respectable offensive line coach.