The Las Vegas Raiders‘ offensive line has been a big reason for the team’s continued struggles this season. It doesn’t help that there have been a lot of injuries, but the decision-making from the coaching staff has been questionable.
It started before the season when the Raiders decided to move Jordan Meredith to center and Jackson Powers-Johnson to guard. It’s been a series of head-scratching decisions ever since.
When Powers-Johnson went down with an injury, many wanted to see rookie third-round pick Caleb Rogers take over at right guard. Instead, the Raiders tried Alex Cappa and Meredith at right guard.
Rogers has finally got a chance to play in recent weeks and played the whole Week 14 game against the Denver Broncos. Against one of the NFL’s best defensive lines, Rogers didn’t give up a single pressure, sack, quarterback hurry or hit. He also didn’t commit any penalties.
Former Raiders offensive lineman Richie Incognito has been very critical of how the coaching staff has managed the offensive line. Head coach Pete Carroll had pointed to practice play as a reason why Rogers wasn’t getting a chance earlier in the season.
Incognito called out that line of thinking after the rookie’s strong performance against Denver.
Carroll Praised Rogers After Game
It’s still a small sample size for Rogers, so it remains to be seen if he will be an impact player on the offensive line, but early signs are good. The Raiders’ offensive line has been such a train wreck that it’s hard to understand why he didn’t at least get a chance sooner.
Carroll came away impressed with Rogers, and it sounds like he’ll keep getting a chance to prove his worth.
“Caleb got to play a whole game today,” Carroll told reporters Sunday. “That’s magnificent for us to evaluate and for his growth and all of that. It didn’t seem like the issues were there. I didn’t see any issues with him watching the game from the sidelines.
Another Rookie Impressed vs. Broncos
Cornerback Darien Porter is another rookie that Raiders fans have been hoping to see more of this season. He mostly shut down Courtland Sutton in Week 14 and had two pass breakups.
When he’s had a chance to play, he’s done well. Carroll liked what he saw from Porter against the Broncos.
“I thought this was his best game, even the first – the back shoulder throw, I mean, he played it perfectly,” Carroll said Monday. “He was a fraction of an inch from getting his hand in the pocket and knocking that ball out, too. He challenged the heck out of it, and I thought he played a really nice game. And he’s been working at it. He’s really clean technique-wise. He’s a real product of our system. I’m really fired up about that because he looked really good yesterday.”
With Kyu Blu Kelly out for the season, Porter will likely be starting at cornerback for the rest of the year. He can prove that he deserves a starting role next season if he finishes the year strong.
Former Raiders Star Calls out Pete Carroll Over Caleb Rogers Decision