Picture: The Canadian Press

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Las Vegas Raiders have used 14 offensive linemen in 13 rotations throughout 20 possessions of their first two preseason video games all seeking a reliable five-man unit for the common season.

And first-year Raiders coach Josh McDaniels says it’s not out of the bizarre.

“I don’t actually suppose that is distinctive in any respect, that is actually regular,” McDaniels mentioned Monday. “There’s simply an excessive amount of to be gained in coaching camp so that you can forego the chance to work with completely different groupings. In the event you put 5 guys collectively, and that’s the one 5 guys they follow moreover, you’re doing them a disservice as a result of it’s not practical.”

Possibly not, however if you’re seeking to overhaul a unit that allowed vital strain all season on the suitable facet in 2021, you will need to discover the suitable cross safety for veteran quarterback Derek Carr.

The outcomes via two preseason video games have not been nice with the Raiders having allowed 9 sacks. These sacks imply rather a lot when each lineman in camp is competing for a spot on the 53-man roster.

There was no less than one sack towards a rotation involving each lineman who has performed a down for Las Vegas up to now, though a number of of these gamers will likely be backups or off the roster when the season begins.

The largest difficulty is at proper deal with. Brandon Parker, who opened camp because the starter there however is now out with an undisclosed damage, was on the sector for 3 sacks within the Corridor of Fame Sport, with every of them coming from gamers he was lined up towards.

Final yr’s first-round choose Alex Leatherwood did not even get into the second sport towards Minnesota till the second half whereas seventh-round rookie Thayer Munford acquired the beginning.

McDaniels insists his sport plan is all a part of a studying course of beneath offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo and assistant line coach Cameron Clemmons.

“He’s used to teaching the complete group as one unit,” McDaniels mentioned. “That’s actually what we’re making an attempt to harp on offensively is, whether or not it’s the 5 offensive linemen or it’s the 11 guys on the sector collectively, we now have to have the ability to work with each other, no matter who they’re. They’re by no means going to be the identical guys for the complete yr and even for a complete sport.”

With one of many weakest offensive strains final season, Bricillo has his work minimize out for him main as much as the common season, particularly with Parker out indefinitely and Denzelle Good retiring mid-training camp.

Left deal with Kolton Miller seemingly has his spot locked up, whereas left guard John Simpson and middle Andre James seem to have agency grips on their spots as properly.

That leaves McDaniels and Bricillo to sift via 11 linemen to shore up the suitable facet of the road.

Leatherwood, who began final season at proper deal with and guard, is a type of gamers vying for a spot on the suitable facet this yr.

“We acquired an energetic competitors occurring, it’s coaching camp,” Leatherwood mentioned after Sunday’s 26-20 win over Minnesota. “So that you’re getting everyone in at completely different spots, go along with completely different folks, and all of us simply competing looking for the very best 5.”

McDaniels mentioned he’s happy with the depth he’s acquired whereas watching the offensive line competitors. After Sunday’s win, he mentioned he feels there’s loads of time with the common season greater than three weeks away.

“There are some guys that possibly didn’t begin (Sunday) for one motive or one other that will likely be beginning on opening day sooner or later,” McDaniels mentioned. “However the competitors is actual. It’s ongoing, and I feel it’s the healthiest factor we now have going for us within the locker room as a result of it makes everybody higher. Once they know they arrive to work — and there’s one thing to be mentioned about every day’s work that they put in — that makes it extra vital. They arrive in with an important angle, an important method, and I feel it’s made our workforce higher.”

NOTES: The Raiders launched DT Vernon Butler and WR Demarcus Robinson on Tuesday. Las Vegas additionally introduced it has waived CB Nate Brooks, DE Gerri Inexperienced and OL Tyrone Wheatley Jr.

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