Vegas Nation - Raiders Football · Las Vegas Review-Journal

First and 10 Podcast: What improvements can be made to the Raiders offensive line?

·20 min·1 clip

Why are the Raiders stubbornly keeping Jackson Powers-Johnson out of center despite last year's success?

This episode analyzes the struggling Las Vegas Raiders offensive line three weeks into the NFL season. Hosts Vinny Bonsignore and Adam Hill, both Raiders beat reporters for the Las Vegas Review-Journal, dissect head coach Pete Carroll's recent comments. They focus on Carroll's use of the word "fit," questioning if players are in their optimal positions. The main topic is the controversial decision to alter the offensive line alignment that ended the previous season. Last year's setup featured Jackson Powers-Johnson at center, Jordan Meredith at left guard, and Dylan Parham at right guard. The current alignment moves Powers-Johnson to right guard, Meredith to center, and Parham to left guard. Hosts note this configuration has not worked well, calling the unit's performance an understatement. Pete Carroll and his staff, including his son and offensive line coach Brennan Carroll, show no current inclination to revert to last year's setup. Jackson Powers-Johnson is now competing for playing time at right guard with Alex Bars after missing two weeks with a concussion. A surprising claim is that Powers-Johnson has received no direct feedback from coaches on why he lost the center job. Despite finishing last season as the 12th-ranked center by Pro Football Focus grade, he did not play well in the season opener. The hosts speculate the coaching staff's persistence could stem from stubbornness or a genuine belief the new alignment will develop. They reference a conversation with a famous baseball manager about sticking with a decision you believe is right, regardless of early results. An interesting insight is that Powers-Johnson is being viewed by fans as a potential savior for the line, a narrative the hosts feel sets unrealistic expectations. They argue any improvement with the current group will be incremental, not transformative. A minor but memorable moment clarifies that rookie tackle DJ Glaze briefly left a game because his shoe fell off, not due to performance or injury. The episode also touches on a tangential controversy involving Tom Brady's dual role as a Fox broadcaster and Raiders minority owner, with hosts debating the perception of a conflict of interest. The tone is analytical and conversational, blending direct reporting from the team facility with speculative commentary. The style is insider-focused, relying on the hosts' daily access to the team and post-practice interviews. This episode is ideal for dedicated Raiders fans seeking detailed, behind-the-scenes analysis of the team's biggest on-field problem. Listeners looking for broad NFL news or entertainment-focused content might find the deep dive into offensive line specifics too niche.

As heard by us

A direct Raiders line check that turns one lineup question into a broader roster debate.

The Raiders offensive line is treated as a live issue, not a side note, and Pete Carroll's answer on the lineup sets the tone. The piece stays with the practical questions: where Jackson Powers-Johnson fits, why the center question keeps coming back, and why the push to move him…

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Why you'd press play

You want a real read on the Raiders' offensive line mess, not a slogan.

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