About two months ago, it was reported that five Raiders offensive linemen showed up to offseason activities between 30-40 pounds overweight.
That accusation came from new Raiders strength and conditioning coach Tom Shaw so there’s a high probability that those numbers were accurate. Though Shaw didn’t mention any of the players by name, the loose-lipped man running the operation was happy to divulge one of the names last week.
“David Sharpe was 370 pounds in the offseason. He’s down to 338,” Jon Gruden said Friday on Fox Sports Radio.
Sharpe, for what it’s worth, has made a strong impression on the new coaching staff over the past few months and is a dark horse candidate to earn the starting job at right tackle.
Gruden added that Kelechi Osemele is down to 315 pounds (down from 330), but Osemele actually told The Athletic on Saturday that he’s down to 305 pounds.
On the other end of the spectrum, rookie first-round pick Kolton Miller has added weight (in the amount of 12 pounds) since the draft and his personal trainer told the Las Vegas Review-Journal that the added weight is mostly in Miller’s shoulders, arms, and back.
Miller is now reportedly tipping the scales at 6’9, 321 pounds and were it not for Gabe Jackson, Miller might be the Raiders heaviest offensive linemen.
Speaking of which, if Gruden is going to keep his guards moving with his multiple blocking schemes, any chance Jackson dropped a little weight in the offseason as well?
On a side note (and serious note)… isn’t it nice to have a head coach who finally shares a little about what’s going on behind the scenes? In the past, Raider coaches would have concealed a paper cut to keep the media, the fans, and apparently their opponents, all guessing.
Keep it up, Chuck.
twitter: @raidersbeat
“Jon Gruden” is the coach this “Raiders” team needed!! There’s no “bullshit” with him…he “Loves” everything and anything about the “Oakland Raiders” he backs up his players, his coaches and the whole organization…what other coach in the NFL just a week before training camp is to begin, gives back to the community with a “free” meal, a chance to see some of the real true legends of the Silver and Black and invite (500+) die-hard “Raiders” fans!! All taken care of by, the Raiders Head Coach, “Jon Gruden” what’s the word, priceless!! ☠️
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