First team's blocks first rate

For most of the last year, the Raiders' offensive linemen constantly heard how horrible they were, from fans and writers from coast to coast. Now they may have to deal with the psychology of a different message: These guys are looking pretty good.

Granted, the first-team line has played less than a full game of exhibition action, staying on the field into the second quarter against Arizona on Aug. 11 and playing nearly all of the first half against the 49ers on Saturday. But the starters haven't yielded a single sack yet. And anyone who witnessed even portions of last year's dam break knows how amazing a sackless 3½ quarters are.

"They are doing things right, and they are playing very consistent, which shows up in the stats as far as sacks and quarterbacks getting hit," coach Lane Kiffin said on a Sunday conference call. "Our quarterbacks are staying pretty clean in pass protection and our backs are not having a lot of negative runs. So there are some things we've done up front."

Andrew Walter, who started against the Niners and stayed upright while hitting 9-of-16 passes for 78 yards, had a more direct assessment of his linemen.

"I went up and thanked every one of them," Walter said. "I thought they did a tremendous job."

And as Kiffin alluded, it wasn't just the pass protection. The Raiders' running backs -- primarily Dominic Rhodes early in the Arizona game and LaMont Jordan in the first half of the San Francisco game -- have found some encouraging holes to blast through.

The Raiders have two new starters, right guard Cooper Carlisle and right tackle Cornell Green -- both of them free-agent acquisitions. They also have a new center, Jeremy Newberry, who has gotten mostly second-team repetitions but is battling Jake Grove for the starting job. Left tackle Barry Sims and left guard Robert Gallery both were at different positions last year.

But it isn't the personnel or the positions that will determine the fate of the Raiders' offensive line this season. It's the zone-blocking scheme that new offensive line coach Tom Cable brought with him from Atlanta. So far, it's a system that seems to be repairing the damaged self-esteem of the Raiders' linemen.

"When you go out there and you do what those guys did (Saturday) night, of course you're gonna gain confidence," Jordan said. "They controlled the offensive line."

"When you know exactly what's required of you and what you have to go do, sure, a player's gonna be more sure of himself," Walter said. "But I've said all along, they're virtually the same group we had last year, and I thought they were great last year. Just put in tough situations. I think they're money."

The line also is being helped by a new overall offensive plan. As opposed to last year's scheme, which was primarily designed by since-fired coordinator Tom Walsh, Kiffin's system takes pressure off the men up front with quick passes, including short dumps to running backs and tight ends. Kiffin also has shown a willingness to run the ball thus far.

"I think for the first time since I've been here, we've had some play-calling that kind of stuck with the run game," said Jordan, who had 86 yards from scrimmage Saturday.

And the linemen aren't the only beneficiaries. Last year's breakdown could also be blamed on the backs and tight ends who failed to get the job done blocking, especially in blitz pickup. Lately, those players have been doing better, too. Jordan got a lot of his yardage bouncing outside, where he found the edge sealed by a tight end or wide receiver. And the backs, led by newcomers Rhodes and fullback Justin Griffith, look solid in pass protection.

For Kiffin, though, the big difference is communication among blockers.

"As you watch now for two games, you don't see people running free," he said. "And we're throwing the ball a good amount. We're talking about 75 passes in two games, and that's the whole thing: Up front, are we communicating with our backs and tight ends? It's the same thing when I got here. We said, 'Seventy-two sacks. Is it the offensive line?' No, it's everybody. It's the system."

Not to make too much of two meaningless games, but so far, the system is a go.

EXTRA POINTS

The Raiders resume their exhibition-season work in Alameda today.

S Hiram Eugene injured his hand against the 49ers. Kiffin said Eugene will see a specialist for further tests.

Kiffin said he is not ready to name a starting quarterback, either for this Friday's game against St. Louis or for the regular season.

You can reach Staff Writer Phil Barber at 526-8672 or phil.barber@pressdemocrat.com.