Lincoln Kennedy doesn’t hold back…
The Raiders have a 3-0 record for the first time since 2021, but there is still a lot for the team to clean up from an execution standpoint, and offensive line play is near the top of the list – especially in terms of run blocking.
Pro Football Focus grades the Raiders’ offensive near the bottom of league as a run blocking group, and a lot of their inconsistencies have come at the guard positions.
Spencer Burford has given up 12 quarterback pressures in three games (4th most in the league according to PFF) and Jackson Powers-Johnson has put sloppy plays on film, as well.
Former Raider great Lincoln Kennedy has been one of Powers-Johnson’s biggest advocates in recent years, but Kennedy said JPJ’s play has been a little concerning in the last two games.
“I would like to have been a fly on the wall in the offensive line room yesterday when they were reviewing game film against the Saints because I would want to know what was JPJ thinking on that goal line play when he went inside,” Kennedy said on the Locked on Raiders Squad Show.
“They were running blast. Blast is a man block play where you block the man over you nine times out of 10. The hole was between the guard and the tackle. We call it a 14 blast and for some reason JPJ took two steps inside and completely whiffed the defensive tackle. I saw him beat the ground from the film and TV copy. He knew that he messed up, but I was just curious what was going through [his] head. Why would you go down that far when the man is lined up right over you because it’s just isolation blocking…”
“There’s been mistakes like that since JPJ has been in the league that I question. I’m concerned. Now I know we have solidified the coaching staff. They’re not going anywhere for a while. Now these guys have to learn each other, and there’s going to be times where guys just mess up for whatever reason. But you don’t want to mess up at the expense where you take out your primary playmaker.”
The play Kennedy referenced (below) was what ‘JT the Brick’ called the hardest hit he has seen Jeanty take since being drafted by the Raiders…
Will the Raiders explore options at guard?
Powers-Johnson left Sunday’s game with a groin injury, but according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the injury is not believed to be serious.
It will be interesting to see how the Raiders choose to handle Powers-Johnson’s groin injury, especially with a player like Caleb Rogers waiting in the wings.
With the Chiefs coming to town in week 4, the interior of the offensive line will be tasked with slowing down Chris Jones.
Jones is a mismatch for just about every offensive lineman in the league, so you can be sure the coaching staff will spend extra time this week getting Burford and whoever plays right guard ready for the Chiefs.
x: @raidersbeat
This dude is nuts. JPJ has been more than solid. Why doesn’t he say anything about how awful Burford has been?