Offensive Line Now Leading The Way For Raiders

(AP) OAKLAND - Tom Cable won over the Oakland Raiders’ offensive linemen in his first meeting with the beleaguered group in the offseason.

Tired of being pushed over on the field and criticized off it, the linemen were ready to embrace the zone-blocking schemes being talked about by a position coach with the personality of a marine drill sergeant.

“I knew it was going to be better after about 30 seconds,” center Jake Grove.

Four weeks into the season, the rest of the NFL is learning that, too. One of the most-maligned units in the league last year is one of its most improved this season as the Raiders lead the NFL with 194.3 yards rushing per game and have cut their sack rate in half from this time in 2006.

“That’s the way it’s supposed to be,” left tackle Barry Sims said. “You want your front guys to get things done whether it’s running the ball or giving the quarterback time to throw.”

It’s a far cry from a year ago, when highlights of Shawne Merriman’s sack dances against Oakland were replayed almost any time the Raiders’ struggles were talked about on television.

The Raiders allowed an NFL-worst 72 sacks and averaged just 3.9 yards per carry. The joke around the team was that its best linemen were on the coaching staff, where head coach Art Shell and assistant Jackie Slater each had Hall of Fame playing careers.