HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) — Trading for quarterback Geno Smith and drafting running back Ashton Jeanty were two major offseason moves meant to put a jolt in the Raiders' anemic offense.
But whether those players succeed will largely rest on the five largely unproven linemen blocking for them.
That doesn't mean they won't get the job done, but it's one of Las Vegas' major questions as training camp winds down and a new season is about to begin.
“I think they’re getting a good feel for one another," coach
Pete Carroll said. “It feels like there’s some continuity. Kolton (Miller) is doing a terrific job. I’m really fired up about what Jordan (Meredith) is doing in the middle. So it feels pretty solid right now. There’s still room for competition, but at this point, we’re feeling pretty good.”
The Raiders should be set on the left side.
Miller is the anchor, an eight-year veteran who last season was ranked by Pro Football Focus as the 14th-best tackle out of 140. The Raiders signed him to a three-year, $66 million extension on July 30, with $42.5 million guaranteed.
PFF ranked fourth-year pro Dylan Parham as the 24th best guard out of 136.
But there is uncertainty over the rest of the line.
Jackson Powers-Johnson and DJ Glaze started as rookies last season and showed promise, giving Las Vegas potential mainstays for years to come. Glaze has solidified his spot at right tackle, though pass rusher Maxx Crosby hasn't made his life easy in practice.
Powers-Johnson was expected to be the team's starting center after running with the first team in organized team activities and minicamp. Meredith, however, has taken over the position despite not playing that spot in a regular-season game in his three NFL seasons.
“It’s a learning curve, of course, but it’s a lot of fun going out there and just like making a call, getting it right, or seeing the other guys that they see something,” Meredith said. "It’s just great when you see other people also communicating.”
Now Powers-Johnson is at right guard and likely will start there, but free-agent acquisition Alex Cappa returned to practice on Wednesday after missing time because of a rib injury.
“When (Cappa) gets his chances, we know he’s going to have to make the most of them,” Carroll said. “JPJ is getting more comfortable. He continues to be really physical at the spot and he’s a strong and powerful guy, so he’s making progress.”
Depth is an issue throughout the roster, and that's especially true on the offensive line.
The Raiders might have seven players they feel comfortable playing up front, with former starter Thayer Munford and his ability to play guard and tackle almong them.
“We’re just so young on the second group,” Carroll said. “It’s just going to take time. We have good movement by the young guys. They get out of their stance and they get on people well. We’re just not as accurate with our calls. We’re not as clear with our technique, but that takes time, so I’m not worried about that.”
Smith and Jeanty were the shiny toys the Raiders added to their roster, but if the offensive linemen don't produce, then it will severely limit what Las Vegas can accomplish.
This is an offense that last season was 29th in scoring at 18.2 points per game and 27th in yardage with a 303.2 average. Their rushing offense, which averaged 79.8 yards, was last.
“I feel like I’m coming in just continuing to grow that connection with them, being able to talk, communicate,” Jeanty said of the line. “But also I want them to know, ‘Hey, you’re working hard and blocking. I’m going to take advantage of those blocks and those plays and make the big plays down the field.’”
The Raiders, like the other 31 teams, will have some difficult decisions to make in getting their roster down to 53 players by Tuesday.
Carroll said he tries to be clear with the players who were cut while also letting some know they could still return to the team.
“These guys are in this meeting room right here deserve to be part of this club,” Carroll said. "They have given everything they’ve got. I love the way that they’ve fought through maybe their old habits, old ways, to join us and be part of the mentality that we’re standing for here. They feel like they’re our guys, so when we have to do that, I’m going to try to open the avenue so that they have a sense of how they could wind up coming back to us.
"And it happens all the time, so we’ll see.”
Backup running back Raheem Mostert was given permission to miss Wednesday's practice to tend to a family matter.
Kyu Blu Kelly, who is battling Darien Porter for a starting cornerback spot, did not practice because of a hamstring issue.
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