Oakland Raiders’ Foundation is Solid in Training Camp
Aug 8, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Oakland Raiders guard Gabe Jackson (66) against the Minnesota Vikings at TCF Bank Stadium. The Vikings defeated the Raiders 10-6. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Gabe Jackson
Gabe Jackson was just mauling Justin Ellis in blocking drills. Knocked him down then on next snap shut him out in pass block #Raiders
— Levi Damien (@LeviDamien) August 3, 2015
One of the Raiders’ biggest strengths coming into the 2015 season is their huge offensive line. It appears that the bully former head coach Hue Jackson was trying to build has finally been built. Renowned offensive line coach Mike Tice told Sirius XM Radio, “It’s the biggest, most athletic group I’ve worked with.”
So we can expect them to do the job this year with Tice bringing his expertise to such a group. And part of that foundation from last year was guard Gabe Jackson returning for his second year. He was an absolute steal in the 2014 NFL Draft in the third round and would have been a steal had he gone in the second.
After a solid rookie season, the 6’3″, 336-pounder started camp this year showing what he can do. On a couple of plays, it was at the expense of 6’2″, 334-pound Justin Ellis, 2014 starting nose tackle. Raiders writer Levi Damien, who has been my training camp eyes, tweeted about those plays.
Next: Latavius Murray