There are always a few surprises in training camp, and one of the storylines starting to gain traction at Raiders’ training camp this week is an unexpected battle along the offensive line.
Jackson Powers-Johnson has been the presumed starter at center for months, but he has been splitting reps with Jordan Meredith since the start of camp.
At first, it appeared the coaching staff just wanted Meredith to get backup reps, but according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal’s Vinny Bonsignore, there might be more to the story than that.
“There might be a little bit of a surprising job fight that’s developing here, and that’s that starting center, of all places, where over the first four days of training camp, and today completed day four of camp, Jordan Meredith and Jackson Powers-Johnson… have split the four days of practice, two practices each, as the first team starting center,” Bonsignore said on the Vegas Nation podcast.
“That included today, Sunday, where Jordan Meredith got the bulk, if not the exclusive first team reps as the starting center, and talking to some people in the building… the reality of it, as I’ve been told, is there’s competition everywhere, and apparently it includes starting center.”
According to reports from camp on Monday, Powers-Johnson was taking first-team reps at center again, but based on Bonsignore’s comments, the situation might be one to monitor as training camp moves into preseason.
x: @raidersbeat
Considering that the Raiders offensive line gave up 50 sacks last season, I’m ecstatic that there is competition on the offensive line. The offensive line, in my opinion, is the most important group on the field. As I have said previously, it was the offensive line play, or more accurately the lack thereof, that cost Kansas City another Super Bowl. On the other side of that coin, the Philadelphia Eagles have perfected their offensive line to the point where it is actually a weapon on third and one and goal line situations.
Anyone who knows anything about football knows that the offensive line is the quarterbacks, wide receivers, tightends and runningbacks best friends.
In the past, the Raiders had, for years, one of the best offensive lines in the league, bar none. You guys know all the names, Shell, Upshaw, Jim Otto, Steve Wisnewski, Dave Dalby, Micky Marvin, Lincoln Kennedy, Rodney Hudson, ect. In the present, the Philadelphia Eagles currently have the best offensive line in the league. Ask Joe Burrows about how important the offensive line is. Or Patrick Mahomes or Matthew Stafford any other
quarterback or head coach in the league.
Bottom line, the Raiders need to protect their investment, ie. Ashton Gentry, Geno Smith, Brock Bower, Michael Mayers ect and an offensive line that doesn’t give up 50 sacks is the best way to do that.
Also, Adian O’Connell couldn’t win the starting job over Gardner Minshew and has shown that his accuracy is inconsistent, at best. Additionally, he has shown himself to be a lead footed quarterbacks who cannot avoid the rush. If the Raiders truly are serious about turning this team around then they need a viable option at the backup quarterback spot, should an unforseen injury befall Geno Smith during the grueling 17 game regular season schedule. I suggest battle tested, 31 year old, grizzled veteran Joshua Dobbs. He won’t break the bank and is mobile, much more so than Adian O’Connell.
It’s called an affordable insurance policy.
Dobbs is on another team and is the backup on that team. NE traded away a much more dynamic QB to create the spot for Dobbs. And if Geno can’t hold up for 17 games with all the talent that suppose to take off the pressure than maybe the short sighted front office/HC should’ve found someone who could hold up. As far as the actual topic on hand. If JPJ loses to Meredith than that’s a problem.
Raider Nation, what is undeniable is that the Raiders offensive line gave up 50 sacks last year. Aloso, there is no doubt that Adian O’Connell is inconsistent, lead footed and a placeholder as opposed to a starting quarterback. He couldn’t even beat out Minshew, last year, for the starting job.
I agree that Dobbs is on the New England roster but if teams can trade for Aaron Rodgers and other quarterbacks then surely Joshua Dobbs to can be had admittedly for a price.
To me, until proven otherwise, the Raiders offensive line is suspect. Additionally, the Raiders were last in rushing in the NFL. The first priority is getting a competent offensive line and the second priority should be acquiring a competent backup quarterback. I have no doubt that both your and my comments are out of concern for this team getting better. Let us both HOPE for the best.