Oakland Raiders: 5 Pressing questions for the 2018 season
Can Tom Cable Protect Derek Carr?
There’s a clear connection between offensive line coach Tom Cable and running back Marshawn Lynch. They worked together in two Seattle Seahawk Super Bowl runs, one ending in a victory over the Denver Broncos in 2014.
Lynch experienced his best years running behind Cable’s offensive lines. He logged 1,590 rushing yards in 2012 then led the league in rushing touchdowns between the 2012-13 terms with 25 scores on the ground.
However, Raiders fans should pay more attention to Cable’s track record in protecting his quarterback more than his ability to unleash Beast Mode again. Looking at the offensive line coach’s history, which includes a 44-game stint as a head coach, you can see a troublesome trend in building a strong pocket:
| Tom Cable as Offensive Line Coach and Head Coach | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Team | *Pass Protection Rank (Football Outsiders) | Primary Quarterback (s) | Total QB Sacks Taken |
| 2006 | OL, Atlanta Falcons | 31st | Michael Vick | 47 |
| 2007 | OL, Oakland Raiders | 27th | Josh McCown/Daunte Culpepper | 41 |
| 2008 | OL/HC Oakland Raiders | 30th | JaMarcus Russell | 39 |
| 2009 | HC, Oakland Raiders | 31st | JaMarcus Russell | 49 |
| 2010 | HC, Oakland Raiders | 26th | Jason Campell | 44 |
| 2011 | OL, Seattle Seahawks | 24th | Tarvaris Jackson | 50 |
| 2012 | OL, Seattle Seahawks | 20th | Russell Wilson | 33 |
| 2013 | OL, Seattle Seahawks | 32nd | Russell Wilson | 44 |
| 2014 | OL, Seattle Seahawks | 24th | Russell Wilson | 42 |
| 2015 | OL, Seattle Seahawks | 30th | Russell Wilson | 46 |
| 2016 | OL, Seattle Seahawks | 25th | Russell Wilson | 42 |
| 2017 | OL, Seattle Seahawks | 25th | Russell Wilson | 43 |
*Note: Pass protection ranked according to adjusted sack rate.
Whether an offensive line coach or a lead skipper with his expertise, Cable’s groups have allowed 39 or more sacks in 11 out of 12 seasons. Carr took the most sacks (33) in 2015.
We can argue Cable inherits one of the best offensive lines in football. Pro Football Focus ranks the Raiders group seventh for the upcoming season. However, Cable can’t just expect to field Pro Bowlers. As we saw last year, coaching matters, and the unit didn’t look dominant in the trenches with a Downing-Mike Tice pairing.
The Raiders offense could put up huge numbers if Carr remains upright. It’s well-documented he must hold up under pressure, but the protection scheme cannot fail him with talented edge-rushers within the division.
As the table shows above, even athletically-gifted quarterbacks who can beat defenses with their legs felt immense pressure behind Cable’s offensive lines. Carr possesses the mobility to evade defenders, but you want your signal-caller’s eyes downfield rather than on the pass rush thinking about an escape plan.
Oftentimes, an unsettled pocket leads to frantic feet, compromised mechanics and excessive check-down passes to avoid hits — something we’ve seen from Carr in the past.