Much of Raiders’ success riding on Cable’s shoulders

By Anthony Carroll  |   Monday, May 05, 2008  |  Comments( 32 )

Oakland Raiders
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There’s no doubt the Oakland Raiders are placing a lot of trust in 22-year-old quarterback JaMarcus Russell this season. If healthy, he’s the one player guaranteed to touch the football on every offensive down.

One man who will never touch the ball, though, is the team’s offensive line coach, Tom Cable. Yet, the way things have gone this offseason, Cable may be the No. 2 guy in terms of trust heading into 2008.

The 43-year-old assistant, who’s entering his second season with the Raiders, will not only have to repeat, but also improve upon, an impressive 2007 debut.

The year before Cable’s hiring, Oakland’s offense ranked 29th in rushing with 94.9 yards per game and last in sacks allowed with 72 given up. Upon Cable’s arrival, the Raider offense jumped to sixth in the NFL in rushing yards per game (130.4) and allowed 31 fewer sacks.

The starting crew the ex-Atlanta Falcons assistant was working with last season was comprised of LT Barry Sims, LG Robert Gallery, C Jeremy Newberry, RG Cooper Carlisle and RT Cornell Green.

Don’t be surprised if more than half of that lineup is adjusted before the 2008 season begins. Already, Sims and Newberry have been replaced with new bodies up front, and the recovering Green is certainly no lock to hold down the right tackle spot.

It’ll be Cable’s job to mesh together the new unit. And with an inexperienced quarterback and heavily rush-oriented offense dependent on that line, this year is more important than ever.

Replacing Sims at left tackle will be free-agent pickup Kwame Harris, who signed a three-year, $16.3 million contract in early March. The deal, however, pays the 322-pounder a $3 million base salary up front with 2009 and 2010 slated as option years.

Essentially, if Harris doesn’t work out, he’ll be cut at the end of the season.

There’s certainly potential there for Cable to work with, though. The former first-round pick has started 44 games in his five-year career, but was benched in 2007 after giving up 8½ sacks in 2006 and 9½ in 2005. If there’s one player Cable needs to pay the most attention to, it’s Harris. He has the most responsibility on the O-line, and also the most upside. With that, however, he also brings with him the most downside.

At center, replacing Newberry will be former Tampa Bay Buccaneers lineman John Wade. The 33-year-old, who has played 10 NFL seasons, has never committed more than five penalties in a campaign or allowed more than four sacks. As it appears now, the consistent Wade may help do some on-the-field coaching himself in ‘08.

The other question mark -- outside of perennial question mark Robert Gallery -- is Cornell Green at right tackle. The 315-pounder missed six games late last season with an ankle injury. Up to that point, Green was having a career-worst season, already haven given up seven sacks and committed eight false starts. His late-season injury opened up the door for soon-to-be third-year lineman Paul McQuistan and also 23-year-old tackle Mario Henderson to make a move this offseason. It’ll be Cable’s job to find the right man for the job, whomever that may turn out to be.

Undoubtedly, the five men picked to line up in front of Russell next season will have a tough task ahead.

With running backs Justin Fargas, Darren McFadden, Michael Bush and LaMont Jordan all still on the roster and a young, mobile quarterback under center, implementing Cable’s zone-blocking scheme is critical to having any offensive success in 2008.

But no pressure, coach.

Anthony Carroll can be contacted at
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About Anthony Carroll

Anthony Carroll began writing for RealFootball365.com on Sept. 26, 2005, making him one of the longest tenured contributors to the “365” team. As a senior writer, Anthony has taken on the task of delivering original content to the silver and black faithful year round, despite having to deal...
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