The Oakland Raiders have sorely needed some help on their offensive line as quarterback Derek Carr was sacked 51 times last season, third most in the NFL.
The Raiders are hoping that sophomore left tackle Kolton Miller will be that answer. However, as an insurance policy, the Raiders have signed Super Bowl champion left tackle Trent Brown. After spending a few seasons in San Francisco as a right tackle, Brown was moved to the left side after he was traded to the New England Patriots last year.
Now, back on the West Coast, Brown finds himself on the right side of the ball once more. It was announced recently by head coach Jon Gruden that Miller will stay at left tackle and Brown will start at the right. According to Scott Blair of NBCsports.com, Brown was fine with the decision:
“It is what it is,” Brown said after Tuesday’s OTA session at the Raiders’ Alameda training facility. “I knew all along I was going to be placed where they needed me, and I was fine with the decision.”
Brown was signed by the Raiders in mid-March to a 4 year, $66 million contract, which is the largest for an offensive tackle in league history. While it is not unusual for left tackles to get paid, considering they guard the blind side, it is abnormal to then move that left tackle to the right side.
Of course, things can change over the course of a season. While this move might be considered strange, the Raiders still have given themselves plenty of options to switch things up.
Brown himself also stated that he would be comfortable playing in either role:
“I’m pretty much stepping right back into it, doing what I was doing,” Brown said. “[Moving to left tackle], that was more of a transition than it was coming back to right. I definitely had to get my reps in, get my work in. it took some time, but I got comfortable over there. I think I could play either side comfortably now.”
Offensive coordinator Greg Olson made it clear that this is the lineup they want. The team at all levels has shown commitment to Miller.
Bringing in championship experience like Brown should also help the team in many ways. Few players on the Raiders have had opportunities similar to Brown.
The Raiders also brought in additional support for their offensive line this week. The team signed controversial veteran guard Richie Incognito. He is only signed to a one-year deal and will be required to prove himself on and off the field to maintain his spot.
