Oakland Raiders: Winning trench warfare

March 5, 3:00 AMOakland Raiders ExaminerPatrick Patterson

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The key to winning and losing football games, is winning the war in the trenches. The Raiders have been weak on both sides of the trenches for the past several years. If the Raiders want to be competitive, they have to upgrade both their offensive and defensive lines.

Along the offensive line, the Raiders seem to be leaning towards Mario Henderson starting at left tackle, as he played well to close the season once he replaced the deposed Kwame Harris. Despite his apparent success, he is still unproven as he only started a few games in 08. The only sure thing along the the offensive line is left guard Robert Gallery. Gallery has established himself as one of the better guards in the NFL after an inauspicious start at tackle. Cooper Carlisle who is solid if not spectacular, will be the player to beat at right guard.

With Jake Grove signing with the Miami Dolphins, the Raiders have a hole to fill at center. The Raiders are said to be looking at Duke Preston from the Buffalo Bills as a potential acquisition at center. The Raiders have to be hoping that Cal center Alex Mack will fall to them in the second. This would be a great pickup. The Raiders have been week at the center position since Barrett Robbins had his meltdown just prior to the Super Bowl.

The Raiders would be wise to sign Khalif Barnes, the tackle with whom they had a visit today. Barnes has been a durable tackle for the Jacksonville Jaguars who has played both right and left tackle. The Raiders need to upgrade their right tackle position because Cornell Green has been mediocre at best in that position.

The defensive line is in worse shape than the offensive line. Derrick Burgess's play has fallen greatly since his two Pro Bowl seasons, and he has also become injury prone. With this being his contract year, he may find some of his missing game, as he has been complaining about his contract for the last few offseasons. Jay Richardson seemed to be a find in the fifth round, but he has been distinctly average. He is more of a depth player who can spell a starter, but is not starting material. Trevor Scott has shown promise as a situational pass rusher, but the Raiders lack an every down defensive end who can do it all.

The interior of the defensive line has been a sieve for the Raiders since Darrell Russell's heyday. Tommy Kelly never played up to the contract he receiver in the last offseason. He is expected to be the penetrator and get after the quarterback, but he has been less than effective at doing so. It doesn't help that Terdell Sands has never broken out. Despite Sands' size, he plays soft. His role is to take on multiple blockers, but doesn't. Gerrard Warren is inconsistent. He is a penetrator like Kelly, so having Kelly and Warren lined up next to each other is going to be a major liability against the run.

The Raiders would do well to draft B.J. Raji the defensive tackle out of Boston College. He would fill the Raiders need for a force on the inside of the defensive line. Defensive end would also be a very good move with the opening pick. The Raiders should bring in former Jaguar defensive end Paul Spicer for a look.

As commenter "Howie" said yesterday, the Raiders need to build a dominant offensive line. That is a line that is the absolute truth, and they need to do the same thing with the defensive line. These lines should be built with the combination of the draft and free agency.

SEE ALSO:

Opening statement on the draft

Potential targets emerging

Raiders to host Barnes

Building blocks on defense

Can Marshall tackle Raiders woes?

Redemption of Robert Gallery

Oakland needs the Raider attitude

Highest priority positions to upgrade

Revamping offensive line a priority

Defensive line a liability

Grove a 'Fin, Carlisle returns

Raiders need to cut deadwood