Fire OL Coach Tom Cable
The Oakland Raiders offensive line was a banged up unit in 2018. Rookie Brandon Parker was forced into a starting role due to Donald Penn’s injury. Gabe Jackson was placed on Injured Reserve with an elbow injury. Kelechi Osemele appeared in just 11 games and while first-round rookie Kolton Miller appeared in all 16, he suffered multiple knee injuries throughout the year.
That being said, there is no reason the Raiders’ line can’t be one of the best in the NFL. Heading into the season, Pro Football Focus ranked the Raiders as having the seventh best offensive line in the league.
Miller, despite his struggles, was ranked as the second best tackle in the draft by new GM Mike Mayock. Osemele is a two-time Pro Bowler, one-time All-Pro and one-time Super Bowl Champion. Rodney Hudson was just named second-team All-PFF. Jackson has allowed just 10 sacks in his five year career.
Overall, the Raiders line should be one of the most feared in the league. They have more than enough talent to keep quarterback Derek Carr upright. Yet, in 2018 they allowed Carr to be sacked 51 times, tied third in the NFL.
While some of the blame could be placed on the injuries, Offensive Line coach Tom Cable should shoulder some of that responsibility as well.
Carr took 20 sacks in 2017 and saw that number almost triple under Cable’s first year back as the OL coach. He was unable to get the most out of both Miller and Parker. With the Raiders investing first and fourth round picks on those two players, Cable’s first priority should’ve been having them game ready each week.
But Cable’s struggles don’t stem from the 2018 season. As the Seahawks’ OL coach from 2011-2017, Cable’s units allowed the second, 12th, third, sixth, third, second and fourth most sacks in the league. While one could argue personnel, Cable clearly wasn’t able to coach his lines up to standard in pass blocking.
Furthermore, Seattle ranked 23rd in total rushing yards during the 2017 season. In 2018, they jolted all the way up to first. Again, one can argue personnel, but overall the offensive line stayed the same, showing Cable’s ineptitude.
Offensive line, outside of maybe right tackle, should be the least of Oakland’s priorities in 2019. However, if they don’t fire Cable, who has proven time and time again to be unsuccessful, there is a chance they won’t reach their full potential.
