Oakland Raiders Offensive Line Coach Mike Tice makes due without Donald Penn.
After Oakland Raiders training camp concluded for the day on Wednesday, offensive line coach Mike Tice fielded questions about Donald Penn’s Holdout and the offensive line. His take on Penn’s holdout was that it gives the team an opportunity to prepare the line in case of injuries.
“Injuries happen… and you have to have a plan to have a player play at each position.”
That plan currently has Marshall Newhouse at left tackle and Vadal Alexander at right tackle. It also has Raiders 2017 fourth round draft pick David Sharp preparing to back up both positions. In fact coach Tice seemed to feel that Penn not being in camp, at the moment, was good for the long run.
“Its always good when you are developing depth,” coach State remarked optimistically.
He gave praise to Newhouse and his development, but do not confuse that with the Raiders not wanting Penn in camp; they do. However coach Tice addressed the reality of the situation. He has to prepare the Raiders offensive line to beat the Tennessee Titans with the men he has right now.
“I can’t site here and wonder when [Donald Penn] is going to come back…That’s reality,” stated the realistic coach Tice
That was not the only issue that coach Tice spoke about either. For the biggest story on the offensive line during camp has been Ian Silberman.
Both head coach Jack Del Rio, and now coach Tice have singled out Silberman. In fact coach Tice suggested that Silberman has a real opportunity to make the Raiders roster as the third center. That is very strong praise for a player at that position. On the Raiders offense it is the center that calls the plays for the line and gets them lined up.
“He has been a great story for us,” coach Tice praised Silberman.
With or without Donald Penn this year’s offensive line is making strides to be the best in the league. You can watch the entire press conference here.
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