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Oakland's new tandem brings vitality to O-line
"When you play for the Raiders you play to win and you play tough. It's not something the coaches teach or talk about. It's just there, like in the air. It's an attitude--you are going to hit people and smash them if you are a Raider."
Phil Villapiano, a nine-year linebacker for the Silver and Black, was the man behind those words. Villapiano was a member of the 1976 Super Bowl squad that triumphed in a 32-14 victory over the Minnesota Vikings following a remarkable 13-1 regular season.
Recently, however, the foundation behind those words has seemingly crumbled in Oakland. Over three long seasons, stockpiling a regular season record of 13-35, the offensive trenches in Oakland have routinely been on the receiving end of the "hitting" and "smashing."
Art Shell, the Oakland Raiders ' 15th head coach in the history of the franchise, played as an offensive line participant in eight NFL Pro Bowls throughout his 15-year career. In 1989, the lineman was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame; seventeen years later, holding a 54-38 career head-coaching record, Shell was invited back to guide the Raiders. Naturally, then, he already holds an innate liking to the improvement of his offensive facade.
However, even with Shell's extensive coaching resume, two men are equally as important in the 2006 success of the Silver and Black.
Not Robert and Randy. Not LaMont and Aaron.
Irv and Jackie.
Two sitcom-like names could ultimately become producers in the episode that makes up the 2006 Raiders season. Together, Irv Eatman and Jackie Slater will work this offseason to repair a front-five that even Kerry Collins can use to robustly defend himself.
Eatman, who previously worked on the sidelines in Kansas City, Green Bay, and Pittsburgh, was member of the NFL as a player for 11 seasons. During his tenure on the playing field, Eatman played for five years with Kansas City, two with the N.Y. Jets, and another four with the Rams, Falcons, and Oilers. Along with an impressive professional track record in the NFL, the offensive lineman played for three seasons in the USFL. During that span, he earned coveted honors ranging from All-Pro to Man of the Year.
His colleague, Jackie Slater, possesses a resume packed with even more notables. Slater was a 20-year lineman in the NFL, originally drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in 1976. Throughout his career, Slater blocked for seven different 1,000-yard running backs and 24 total quarterbacks. He earned seven trips to the Pro Bowl, received honors as an All-NFC team participant seven times, and blocked in 18 postseason games, including Super Bowl XIV.
Heading into 2006, Eatman and Slater will have the intricate task of combining 31 years of NFL experience and accolades to help construct a defensible fortress in front of the Oakland Raiders ' offense. Robert Gallery will be guided to the left, Sims will be shifted inside, Grove will recuperate at center, and the remainder of the right will be filled in sparingly. Up to date, Brad Badger and Langston Walker seemingly appear as the early frontrunners to piece in the right side; however, don't count out rookie Paul McQuistan and mammoth tackle, Chad Slaughter.
For Oakland, the basis for a rock hard foundation has already been set with the staffing of Irv Eatman and Jackie Slater to complement Art Shell.
"Hit the first damn thing you see!" Irv Eatman shouted at Chad Slaughter.
That sounds a bit more like the Phil Villapiano version of a Raider.
Anthony Carroll can be contacted at [email protected]
http://www.realfootball365.com/nfl/articles/2006/06/oakland-raiders-offensiveline120606.html
"When you play for the Raiders you play to win and you play tough. It's not something the coaches teach or talk about. It's just there, like in the air. It's an attitude--you are going to hit people and smash them if you are a Raider."
Phil Villapiano, a nine-year linebacker for the Silver and Black, was the man behind those words. Villapiano was a member of the 1976 Super Bowl squad that triumphed in a 32-14 victory over the Minnesota Vikings following a remarkable 13-1 regular season.
Recently, however, the foundation behind those words has seemingly crumbled in Oakland. Over three long seasons, stockpiling a regular season record of 13-35, the offensive trenches in Oakland have routinely been on the receiving end of the "hitting" and "smashing."
Art Shell, the Oakland Raiders ' 15th head coach in the history of the franchise, played as an offensive line participant in eight NFL Pro Bowls throughout his 15-year career. In 1989, the lineman was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame; seventeen years later, holding a 54-38 career head-coaching record, Shell was invited back to guide the Raiders. Naturally, then, he already holds an innate liking to the improvement of his offensive facade.
However, even with Shell's extensive coaching resume, two men are equally as important in the 2006 success of the Silver and Black.
Not Robert and Randy. Not LaMont and Aaron.
Irv and Jackie.
Two sitcom-like names could ultimately become producers in the episode that makes up the 2006 Raiders season. Together, Irv Eatman and Jackie Slater will work this offseason to repair a front-five that even Kerry Collins can use to robustly defend himself.
Eatman, who previously worked on the sidelines in Kansas City, Green Bay, and Pittsburgh, was member of the NFL as a player for 11 seasons. During his tenure on the playing field, Eatman played for five years with Kansas City, two with the N.Y. Jets, and another four with the Rams, Falcons, and Oilers. Along with an impressive professional track record in the NFL, the offensive lineman played for three seasons in the USFL. During that span, he earned coveted honors ranging from All-Pro to Man of the Year.
His colleague, Jackie Slater, possesses a resume packed with even more notables. Slater was a 20-year lineman in the NFL, originally drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in 1976. Throughout his career, Slater blocked for seven different 1,000-yard running backs and 24 total quarterbacks. He earned seven trips to the Pro Bowl, received honors as an All-NFC team participant seven times, and blocked in 18 postseason games, including Super Bowl XIV.
Heading into 2006, Eatman and Slater will have the intricate task of combining 31 years of NFL experience and accolades to help construct a defensible fortress in front of the Oakland Raiders ' offense. Robert Gallery will be guided to the left, Sims will be shifted inside, Grove will recuperate at center, and the remainder of the right will be filled in sparingly. Up to date, Brad Badger and Langston Walker seemingly appear as the early frontrunners to piece in the right side; however, don't count out rookie Paul McQuistan and mammoth tackle, Chad Slaughter.
For Oakland, the basis for a rock hard foundation has already been set with the staffing of Irv Eatman and Jackie Slater to complement Art Shell.
"Hit the first damn thing you see!" Irv Eatman shouted at Chad Slaughter.
That sounds a bit more like the Phil Villapiano version of a Raider.
Anthony Carroll can be contacted at [email protected]
http://www.realfootball365.com/nfl/articles/2006/06/oakland-raiders-offensiveline120606.html
