Raiderstation

As we just saw with the departure of Brennan Caroll under the latest Raiders regime- Offensive Line coach is critical. So much so, I’d argue after the OC (or in our case HC/OC combo) it’s the most crucial position coach on the offensive staff. (Maybe QB Coach too)

We can’t get Bill Callahan and Dante Scarneccia (formerly of NE) is retired. Who else is out there? Quick aside- Dante pieced together offensive lines in NE with spit, glue, rubber bands and duct tape and they won Super Bowls.

I’m also off the mindset this hire might matter even more than DC. We’ve got a lot of pieces for the offensive line that I believe were simply used or not instructed on why they wanted them to do last year.

We’re not talking best line ever in the history of the game, but I think we can take a huge step forward from what we saw last year with the right coach.

I personally think their are a few ways to target and address the OL situation.
However, step #1 is addressing what position JPJ is at or is he trade bait?
Are they (new staff) going to go after a new OC or roll with JPJ there?

If our younger/unknown guys work out great. Go hard after good FAs anyway. Depth is huge too.

Coach dd 11 wrote: Fri Feb 20, 2026 6:39 pm I personally think their are a few ways to target and address the OL situation.
However, step #1 is addressing what position JPJ is at or is he trade bait?
Are they (new staff) going to go after a new OC or roll with JPJ there?

There seems to be a growing consensus that he doesnt have the football IQ to be a C and with his physicality, he is better suited to be an OG.
And were another injury to occur, replacing an OG would be less problematic than losing your center.

Cruisin with Tooz wrote: Fri Feb 20, 2026 7:29 pm There seems to be a growing consensus that he doesnt have the football IQ to be a C and with his physicality, he is better suited to be an OG.
And were another injury to occur, replacing an OG would be less problematic than losing your center.

Well just to look at the dude I'll have to say he doesn't look like the sharpest tool in the shed lol

Coach dd 11 wrote: Fri Feb 20, 2026 6:39 pm I personally think their are a few ways to target and address the OL situation.
However, step #1 is addressing what position JPJ is at or is he trade bait?
Are they (new staff) going to go after a new OC or roll with JPJ there?

I don't see any way JPJ is our best option at C. His injury questions take him out of the equation IMO. He can fight for a spot at G if he isn't traded. And his trade value is next to nothing so I see him as a guy fighting for a roster spot

Agreed, I’d prefer an Iron Horse at Center.

Again, I'm not arguing one way or the other but you guys are like me, we are fans and NOT THE COACHES! You have no f[raiders_icon]cking clue, nor do I about what the FO or the new staff thinks or believes in JPJ. The only thing we truly know is under PC they used him as a OG and the FO refused to trade him. The why's are pretty important and are important decisions moving forward. That is all i'm saying!

pfish57 wrote: Fri Feb 20, 2026 3:37 pm There is no rhyme or reason to why PC would not play our rookies especially when the team was deep six half way into the season???? We really don't know what we have with a lot of these players...just like the 2 DT we drafted rarely saw the field! I feel sure the new regime can properly evaluate what we have on the roster.

Even with the lack of talent on the oline, even with competent coaching, it will improve. Add in a decent player or two, it's going to be light years better than what it was last year. Im not saying it'll be a top half of the NFL unit, but way better than what we witnessed last year

Coach dd 11 wrote: Fri Feb 20, 2026 11:02 pm Again, I'm not arguing one way or the other but you guys are like me, we are fans and NOT THE COACHES! You have no f[raiders_icon]cking clue, nor do I about what the FO or the new staff thinks or believes in JPJ. The only thing we truly know is under PC they used him as a OG and the FO refused to trade him. The why's are pretty important and are important decisions moving forward. That is all i'm saying!

He started off as a guard under AP too and moved to center after James was out. So that's two coaching staffs that wanted him at guard over center

Hellbound wrote: Sat Feb 21, 2026 6:15 am Even with the lack of talent on the oline, even with competent coaching, it will improve. Add in a decent player or two, it's going to be light years better than what it was last year. Im not saying it'll be a top half of the NFL unit, but way better than what we witnessed last year

Of course we all want a top offensive line. But after last year I would be happy with just getting to competent

I think it would be wise to get a center and a right tackle in free agency. (Meaning giving out a solid contract) #1 overall is obvious, but having that high 2nd round pick would be great for best player available. Whether that's Dline, linebacker, corner, even a receiver. If a stud O-lineman is there at the round 2 pick you can snag them too even if they've added a couple in free agency. Kolton is a proven left tackle and Caleb Rogers/Charles Grant showed some real promise at guard. JPJ is a starter at guard. Grant can be in a competition at multiple spots. Glaze would be involved in guard competition/depth

Coach dd 11 wrote: Fri Feb 20, 2026 11:02 pm Again, I'm not arguing one way or the other but you guys are like me, we are fans and NOT THE COACHES! You have no f[raiders_icon]cking clue, nor do I about what the FO or the new staff thinks or believes in JPJ. The only thing we truly know is under PC they used him as a OG and the FO refused to trade him. The why's are pretty important and are important decisions moving forward. That is all i'm saying!

We dont know that they refused to trade him. We know he wasnt traded.

vtraider wrote: Sat Feb 21, 2026 6:29 am Of course we all want a top offensive line. But after last year I would be happy with just getting to competent

Competent won't be good enough with Mendoza under center week 1. We need a top line and it can be done in 1 year.

Goodtimes333 wrote: Sat Feb 21, 2026 7:39 am I think it would be wise to get a center and a right tackle in free agency. (Meaning giving out a solid contract) #1 overall is obvious, but having that high 2nd round pick would be great for best player available. Whether that's Dline, linebacker, corner, even a receiver. If a stud O-lineman is there at the round 2 pick you can snag them too even if they've added a couple in free agency. Kolton is a proven left tackle and Caleb Rogers/Charles Grant showed some real promise at guard. JPJ is a starter at guard. Grant can be in a competition at multiple spots. Glaze would be involved in guard competition/depth

Yea at this point, keep JPJ at guard. I think his best position is center but the injuries are a problem and more of a problem at center.

There are a decent handful of OT and IOL prospects that can be had in rounds 3 and 4 of the draft, in my opinion. You have to use at least one of those first 6 picks on a lineman, but using 2 of them to acquire one of each wouldn't bother me in the least. You still go out and get Linderbaum and suddenly you have a solid line with a bunch of youth for depth.