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Raiders: What to take from Dave Ziegler and Josh McDaniels’ talk with the media

By Alexander Monfreda

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JANUARY 09: Quarterback Derek Carr #4 of the Las Vegas Raiders runs off the field after warmups before a game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium on January 09, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Raiders defeated the Chargers 35-32 in overtime. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JANUARY 09: Quarterback Derek Carr #4 of the Las Vegas Raiders runs off the field after warmups before a game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium on January 09, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Raiders defeated the Chargers 35-32 in overtime. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 14: Offensive tackle Alex Leatherwood #70 of the Las Vegas Raiders blocks defensive end Alton Robinson #98 of the Seattle Seahawks during a preseason game at Allegiant Stadium on August 14, 2021, in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Raiders defeated the Seahawks 20-7. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 14: Offensive tackle Alex Leatherwood #70 of the Las Vegas Raiders blocks defensive end Alton Robinson #98 of the Seattle Seahawks during a preseason game at Allegiant Stadium on August 14, 2021, in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Raiders defeated the Seahawks 20-7. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

Raiders: What to take from David Ziegler and Josh Mcdaniels’ talk with the media

Raiders offensive line

The ’21 Raiders offensive line was nothing short of disappointing, Kolton Miller aside. There are still quite a bit of quality offensive linemen in free agency, and McDaniels states the team is always interested in improving.

“If there’s a good fit, we’ll try to make the team better in any way that we can”, McDaniels said. While general manager Dave Ziegler agrees, he also added a statement that may not be what Raider Nation was hoping to hear.

“You’re in all those markets pretty consistently, and there was no offensive lineman that we were interested in”.

What reason do the Raiders have for not being interested in offensive lineman free agents? After all, this unit was ranked 28th last year. The coaches simply believe in the players they have, and their abilities to coach; And why shouldn’t they believe in their coaching skills? After all, McDaniels has helped coach New England to multiple Super Bowls. He’s holding himself to that standard, too.

"“Our job is now gonna be to work like hell to improve the guys we have”."

The one thing the Raiders’ new regime has focused on with the offensive line is flexibility, and that was shown when they signed Alex Bars, who’s played each of the five offensive line positions at the NFL level. As McDaniels puts it, “You can’t just put a bunch of one-trick ponies together”.

This is why Parker and Eluemunor were retained; Flexibility, and versatility.

The pair had an interest in retaining Eluemunor due to his ability to play both guard and tackle effectively. Parker was noted as a swing tackle, who Ziegler refers to as “Athletic for his size and not a finished product”.

When it comes to second-year offensive lineman Alex Leatherwood, McDaniels told the media he knows what Leatherwood was drafted to be, and he’s going to give him that chance. While Leatherwood will be given the opportunity, the ones who are out there will ultimately be the best five guys available.

Ziegler commented on Leatherwood as well, expressing his excitement to work with him and “let him carve out his path”.

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