SHOCKING UPDATE: Raiders GM and NFL Top Insider Hints At Personnel and Head Coaching Change After Raiders Week 3 Loss With Front Office in Talks With Former Super Bowl Winner As Possible Replacement

It always seemed like the Raiders were going to make some moves this week. Even ignoring the Antonio Pierce ‘business choice’ saga, their performance in Week 3’s loss to the Panthers justified it. Sending the message doesn’t hurt, but it’s also in the Raiders’ best interests to try something different, particularly on offence, following three games of lacklustre performance.

Following Sunday’s setback, Pierce was unambiguous about how the Raiders’ review process will proceed this week. The first evidence of this came on Wednesday, when Pierce was questioned about rookie offensive tackle Jackson Powers-Johnson and whether coaches saw enough in his debut to warrant a larger role this week.

It sounds like Jackson Powers-Johnson might start next week.
I adore a simple, three-word response. Many NFL coaches would dodge this question for three-and-a-half minutes to prevent any sign of a competitive disadvantage.

Powers-Johnson, the Raiders’ second-round pick (44th overall) in this year’s draft, made an outstanding debut on Sunday. Despite not beginning, he filled in for Dylan Parham at right guard and played effectively in 21 plays (18 pass, three run). According to Pro Football Focus, Powers-Johnson is among the top ten guards in pass-blocking, run-blocking, pressures allowed, and overall grade. The sample size isn’t there yet, but it’s difficult not to be positive about his start.

 

Which is great news for the Raiders, as their offensive line could use some help. While they’ve started well in pass protection (9th best, according to PFF), they’ve struggled to run the ball, as evidenced by their 31st-ranked blocking ratings. Parham has been the lone above-average run blocker on the line, as Thayer Munford Jr. and Cody Whitehair have the two lowest run block grades of any lineman in football this season.

It literally can’t get any worse for the Raiders, and Powers-Johnson was always going to take over for someone sooner or later, so a move this week wouldn’t be unusual. I hope JPJ is prepared for an easy first start versus [checks schedule] the Cleveland Browns defensive line.