Oakland Raiders sign Alex Barron

The Oakland Raiders have decided to add some depth at the offensive tackle position, and the team officially announced the signing of 30-year-old journeyman tackle Alex Barron today. The former St. Louis Rams, Dallas Cowboys, and Seattle Seahawks tackle has a penchant for committing penalties, which means he would fit right in with the Raiders (I kid).

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Barron was not able to make the San Francisco 49ers on a tryout last year (at around this time, actually), and he did not make the Seahawks roster either despite attending the team’s minicamp and being signed in May of last year. I would be very surprise to see the former NFC West tackle make the roster of this AFC West team, but the Raiders do have a need for some depth at the tackle position. It’s just that quality depth is the name of the game, and I’m not sure Barron qualifies as such.

An asset that Barron provides is the fact that he was good enough in St. Louis to garner nearly 75 starts from 2005 to 2009 with the Rams organization. However, it is telling that he couldn’t even cut it as a backup in Seattle. Let’s see if he has better luck this time, but it is also important to note that Barron has not received significant in-game action since the 2010 season.

He actually played really well back in 2008 and looked superb in pass protection but struggled as a run blocker, but Barron has usually been better as a run blocker. However, he isn’t consistent in pass protection, and his constant penalties consistently undermine him. He could make the Raiders roster if he shows his 2008 form, but I highly doubt that happens.

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