Henderson could be Raiders’ answer at left tackle

By Brad Wilbricht  |   Friday, June 26, 2009  |  Comments( 10 )

Oakland Raiders
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The Oakland Raiders have been plagued by a revolving door at the left tackle position in recent years, but they may have found their long-term solution in Mario Henderson. Henderson came on strong toward the end of last year and is expected to pick up right where he left off in 2009.

After the now-departed Kwame Harris struggled late last year, Henderson started the final three games at left tackle without allowing a sack. Henderson had been working on the right side of the offensive line, but Harris’ absence opened the door for the former Florida State standout. Now, Henderson is poised to protect quarterback JaMarcus Russell’s blind side for years to come, assuming Russell remains in Oakland for the long haul.

Henderson is only 24 years old and displays the athleticism and strength to hold up against pass rushers off the edge. Newcomer Khalif Barnes, formerly of Jacksonville, has previously spent time at left tackle, but all signs are pointing toward Henderson taking over at the position. Barnes would likely then move to the right side of the line, while Cornell Green would revert to a backup role and provide valuable depth in the trenches.

The Raiders previously thought they had their franchise left tackle when they selected Robert Gallery with the second overall pick in the 2004 draft. However, Gallery has since been moved to the interior after struggling on the outside early in his career. With Henderson on the perimeter and Gallery paroling the inside of the Raiders’ offensive line, the team could have two outstanding anchors to build around for years to come.

Henderson recently made headlines after hiring super-agent Drew Rosenhaus to represent him. Oakland’s front office could be leery of the move, as Rosenhaus is notorious for instigating holdouts in order to secure maximum contract figures for his clients. If Rosenhaus didn’t anticipate a large payday in Henderson’s future, he might not have been as eager to add him to his client base.

Even with Rosenhaus now in the mix, the emergence of Henderson would be a welcome addition for Raider Nation. Oakland has suffered through years of inconsistency at left tackle and needs someone to provide stability at the position. If Henderson continues to progress a big payday is on the horizon and the Raiders will do everything in their power to keep him in the Bay Area.
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About Brad Wilbricht

Brad Wilbricht covers numerous sporting events including the NFL, NFL Draft and college football. His analysis is simulcast through several media outlets across the country. Additionally, Brad is a regular guest on a variety of talk radio shows and can be frequently heard on the airwaves. To...
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