The Las Vegas Raiders decided that sticking with continuity would be the best course of action for the offensive line. All five Week 1 starters started multiple games for the team last season.
However, the Raiders decided to shuffle things up, and the only two players who have kept their same role from last season are left tackle Kolton Miller and right tackle DJ Glaze. That appears to have been a mistake, as their offensive line has been among the worst in the NFL.
Brennan Carroll, who is the son of head coach Pete Carroll, has come under fire from the fan base recently. He has no experience being a head offensive line coach in the NFL, and many believe that he only has the job due to nepotism.
Though he’s only three games into the job, Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report is urging the Raiders to move on from Carroll already.
“In this case, the fans are probably right. Carroll—yes, the son of head coach Pete Carroll—isn’t solely responsible for the team’s struggles up front,” Knox wrote. Jordan Meredith hasn’t been good at center, and right tackle DJ Glaze has struggled. Of course, it was probably Carroll’s decision to start Meredith over Jackson Powers Johnson at center—and for constructing the line in general.
Carroll is also Las Vegas’ run-game coordinator, and the Raiders‘ ground game isn’t exactly thriving. The Raiders used the sixth overall pick on Ashton Jeanty and, to this point, have failed to get him going.
Raiders Could Replace Carroll With Joe Philbin
It’s very difficult to see a scenario where Pete Carroll is going to fire his own son after just three games. However, he could quietly demote the coach in favor of a more experienced voice. Knox noted that senior offensive assistant Joe Philibin is on the staff.
If the Raiders are going to salvage their season, something needs to change,” Knox wrote. “Moving on from Carroll would be a great start. It won’t fix every issue, of course, but giving more power to offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, offensive assistant Joe Philbin and assistant offensive line coach Andy Dickerson might just provide the spark Las Vegas needs.”
Philbin already had to take over offensive line duties once last season when James Cregg was fired. At this point in his career, he may simply not want the responsibility, but the group did improve when he took over last year. If things continue to get worse, the Raiders should absolutely empower Philbin.
Should Raiders Shuffle up OL?
The decision to move Meredith to center seems to be a mistake. The best lineup the Raiders had last year was Miller at left tackle, Meredith at left guard, Powers-Johnson at center, Dylan Parham at right guard and Glaze at right tackle.
The team should really consider going back to that lineup. The current group clearly isn’t working, but there is young talent there. They just need to be coached up and put in the right position to succeed. One thing is clear: the Raiders need to do something, or it’s difficult to see how things will get better.
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