Raiders have glaring holes to fill on O-line

http://ollieemily.over-blog.com/

The Raiders have made some hard decisions with several key players headed for free agency this offseason, and it was learned Thursday that OLG Robert Gallery(notes) will not be amongst those that are re-signed. Gallery is the team's best offensive lineman, but his asking price was apparently several million dollars higher than Oakland was interested in matching.

His departure leaves the Raiders with a void on an O-line that could be very young next season. OLT Jared Veldheer(notes), who showed promise as a rookie playing center and left tackle, is heading into his second year and Bruce Campbell(notes) is expected to get a chance to compete for a starting job at one of the guard spots heading into Year Two as well. Those two players, along with declining veteran OG Cooper Carlisle(notes), are the only O-linemen the Raiders have under contract through 2011.http://mikelmerisier.blog.hr/

New head coach Hue Jackson wants to feature a power running game on offense and move away from Tom Cable's zone scheme. Al Davis likely will be looking for an O-lineman or two that will fit that mold at this year's draft and in free agency, whenever it begins.