PHOENIX — The Las Vegas Raiders are counting on more than just a big-money free agent to shore up their offensive line. While the addition of center Tyler Linderbaum on a record-setting deal grabbed headlines, the team believes its most impactful move may have been bringing back offensive line coach Rick Dennison.
Dennison, a longtime colleague of new coach Klint Kubiak, has a history with the Kubiak family dating back to the 1980s. He played alongside Klint’s father, Gary, in Denver and later coached with him at multiple NFL stops. Klint Kubiak made Dennison a condition of his own hiring.
“I told him I wasn’t taking the job unless he was coming with me,” Kubiak said with a smile during the NFL league meetings.
The pair most recently won a Super Bowl together with the Seahawks in February. Dennison’s expertise in Kubiak’s preferred outside zone scheme is expected to be crucial as the Raiders transition to that system.
“I’ve been really fortunate to get to work with Rick,” Kubiak said. “He was the offensive coordinator when I worked with Denver, and he teaches me way more than I’ve ever taught him. His experience in this scheme, his ability as a coach to get the best out of his players, his ability to scheme offensively. He’s as good as it gets.”
Linderbaum, signed away from the Ravens, became the highest-paid interior lineman in NFL history. His intelligence and ability to make line calls will be vital, especially with the team expected to start a rookie quarterback in projected No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza. Kubiak called Linderbaum “the leader of the whole operation.”
“He’s going to be leading meetings when the coaches aren’t there,” Kubiak said. “What stands out about him is just obviously the film that he’s put on is exceptional. He was a really, really talented college player that’s gotten better as a pro. Love his play style. He’s physical, he’s nasty, plays through the echo of the whistle, finishes games, has been on a winning team, so we’re trying to bring winners to the Raiders.”
The Raiders also expect a boost from the return of left tackle Kolton Miller, who played only four games last season. General manager John Spytek said Miller is progressing well and should be on the field by veteran minicamp in mid-June. Kubiak expressed excitement about young tackles DJ Glaze and Charles Grant, with Spytek emphasizing the importance of developing homegrown talent.
“There are good tackles, but you’re typically not signing a guy you’re just going to plug in and play left tackle. That would be crazy,” Spytek said. “You’ve got to draft those guys and develop them and re-sign them. That’s the formula.”
