Professor

Raiders' offense tries to get in the zone

excerpt:

Fire the head coach and both co-offensive line coaches. Have a new head coach bring in a new line coach with a new blocking system. Keep four of five starters from last year, and sprinkle in three veterans no longer wanted by their former employers.

Shake it all together, and what do you get? Something better than 72 quarterback sacks, or so Oakland's coaches are hoping.

They better be right, because if the offensive line still can't block, an entire season is likely to be shot. Look no further than last year, when horrific line play (and coaching) gave the offense no chance in a 2-14 season.

"I am excited about things," said center Jake Grove, working with his fourth line coach and blocking system in four years. "I've never seen it like this since I've been here. We've got a real system now."

To see how well the Raiders are picking up the new scheme, check out tonight's exhibition opener against the Arizona Cardinals at the Coliseum. This is their first chance to implement the cut-block portion of the system, something they are not allowed to do to teammates in practice.

"I think it will be our first measuring stick," right guard Cooper Carlisle said. "I don't think it'll be anything to live and die by. It'll be good to go against someone else and see where we are, and hopefully, we'll be productive."

Zone blocking was made popular by Denver, where Carlisle spent the past seven seasons before joining the Raiders as a free agent. New offensive line coach Tom Cable ran the system for the Atlanta Falcons last year, and they led the NFL in rushing.

By Cable's estimation, zone blocking teams have led the league in rushing 13 straight years. Last year, the Raiders attempted a power running game and averaged 94.9 rushing yards per game, fourth-worst in the NFL. Their five rushing touchdowns were fewest in the league.

"Totally different style than before," Cable said. "We're just doing something good and different and new, and I'll leave it at that. We do it our way."

Here's what makes zone blocking different, particularly in the run game:

When the ball is snapped, the linemen spread out and work in tandem to cover different areas. This spreads the defense out, which creates more angles and allows the running back to cut back as open lanes emerge.

Mobility trumps size, and players are allowed to cut block - knocking a defender off his feet by aiming the shoulder below the waist.

Last year, the Raiders' power run required linemen to engage one-on-one at the line of scrimmage. Linemen were often pushed into the backfield from the point of contact, or simply blown by, leaving the running back with no hole.

"A million times better," left guard Robert Gallery said. "Everything is real clear. Go out and do things the way we do it well in a friendly system that is going to help us be the best we can be."

If nothing else, at least the Raiders are trying everything they can to address their most glaring weakness.

They brought in Carlisle for his zone blocking experience. They're starting free agent Cornell Green at right tackle and giving former Pro Bowler Jeremy Newberry every chance to win the starting center job.

They've even moved Gallery inside to guard. That took a hard swallow, because No. 2 overall picks are usually expected to anchor the line at left tackle.

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