Pete Carroll revealing a player's massive improvement this offseason just proves why the Raiders aren't worried
Heading into the offseason, there were thoughts that the Las Vegas Raiders may try and attack the offensive line group really hard, and change things up a bit. They were one of the reasons the offense was so bad last year, but not the biggest reason, and not even close to being the biggest one. […]
Heading into the offseason, there were thoughts that the Las Vegas Raiders may try and attack the offensive line group really hard, and change things up a bit.
They were one of the reasons the offense was so bad last year, but not the biggest reason, and not even close to being the biggest one. Everything you could think of was wrong with the offense last year, but the two biggest things were coaching and QB play, which both were addressed in good ways this offseason.
The offensive line played their part in being bad, just like every other position group, with their two offensive tackles both being top five in the league in blown blocks. The run game wasn't good at all, and whoever was the quarterback, it felt like they were always getting pressured.
So, yes, we all thought they would address the offensive line in some way. Some people thought they should be ultra-aggressive in addressing it, and some thought there just needed to be a few new pieces here and there. They drafted two offensive linemen in the middle rounds and signed former Cincinnati Bengals guard Alex Cappa.
And, that's all they needed to do, because honestly, the Raiders are not worried about the offensive line heading into 2025, and it's mainly because of the progressions they see some players making from last year to this year.
"We have good leadership," head coach Pete Carroll said at mandatory minicamp. "It was great to get Kolton [Miller] out there and be part of it. Saw a lot out of DJ Glaze. I thought he'd had a really, really good offseason with us. He looks like he's ready to go. He’s a second-year guy, and guys go from year one to year two, and they have the ability to make a big jump, because they're through the rookie haze, and he's shown that. So, it looks like a good, solid group."
Glaze had his fair share of rookie moments last year. That happens, but what's important is that he always bounced back, and he has had even more great moments than he has had bad moments. The potential is through the roof, and if the Raiders are saying that he has gotten better, then that could mean that in 2025, he is a really good football player.
And if he is playing well, and he is a good player, then maybe the Raiders change their mind on the contract they want to give Kolton Miller. Maybe they see that Charles Grant is really good, and that's their tackle duo of the future because it's much cheaper and much younger.
But the primary focus is having a good offensive line for this team, to give Geno Smith, the former Seattle Seahawks QB, time to throw to all of the weapons the Raiders have gotten now. That's what's most important, and so far it sounds like it's exactly where it should be.
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He’s going to be very good.
