Las Vegas Raiders head coach Pete Carroll has never shied away from defending his players, but his latest comments about the team’s struggling offensive line have sparked frustration among fans.
When asked if changes could be coming to a unit that has consistently failed to protect Geno Smith and establish a run game, Carroll downplayed the idea of a major shakeup.
“We want to see JPJ [Jackson Powers-Johnson] come back to action and get back involved,” Carroll said. “In all phases of it, we got to get off the football better and make more of the running game. There’s not enough happening there to act on the play pass game, and we’re just not getting enough. So, we just got to keep working it. We got the guys we got, and we need to keep developing and keep building on it.”
That type of response, essentially “we have what we have,” has not gone over well with Raider Nation, especially when the numbers show just how much the line has struggled.
The Numbers Regarding the Raiders’ Offensive Line
Through three games, the Raiders’ starting offensive line has been a revolving door for opposing pass rushers. According to Next Gen Stats, here’s how each starter has fared in pass protection:
- LT Kolton Miller: 11 pressures, 2 sacks (120 pass block snaps)
- LG Dylan Parham: 15 pressures, 1 sack (120)
- C Jordan Meredith: 8 pressures, 1 sack (120)
- RG Alex Cappa: 11 pressures (82)
- RT DJ Glaze: 16 pressures, 4 sacks (119)
- RG Jackson Powers-Johnson: 5 pressures, 1 sack (38)
It’s silly to think the Raiders can just get rid of the entire offensive line, but there are changes the team can make now.
Powers-Johnson, who is recovering from a concussion he sustained during practice, is a natural center, not guard. Yet, Carroll seemed to point to him coming back at right guard, not center.
“We’re working at the right guard spot. Our young guys, they’ll get their turn sometime, but they’re not ready yet. So, we have what we have, and we got to make our guys do better, and we got to fit it together better than we have.”
Jackson Powers-Johnson Should Play Center, Not Guard
During an appearance on The Rush with Maxx Crosby, he shared a revealing story about why center is where he belongs. In Week 8 last season against the Kansas City Chiefs, when starting center Andre James went down, coaches were frantically looking for a replacement. JPJ was furious when they considered others instead of him.
“I was irate, I was pissed … I went up to AP and was like ‘Coach, respectfully, I’m going to play (expletive) center. I won the Rimington. I can do this.” The Rimington trophy is given to the top center in college football.
For crying out loud, if Powers-Johnson wants to play center and has the accolades to back up his play, let him play center!
The line is not improving, and the Raiders’ offense is suffering because of it. Fans have also directed their anger at Pete’s son, offensive line coach Brennan Carroll, who many believe should be replaced. The cries for change are only getting louder, and patience is wearing thin.
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