The Kansas City Chiefs were a top 10 team against the run last season. They're going to need to be even better next season because the Oakland Raiders offensive line is bigger and better than they were last year.
Levi Damien over at Silver and Black Pride points out that with the addition of former Ravens G Kelechi Osemele, the Ravens now have FOUR starting offensive linemen over 330 pounds. The lightest Raiders starting lineman is Rodney Hudson at 300 pounds.
This is a big ass line.
It sounds like, based on quotes from the Raiders LT Donald Penn, that Oakland knows what they have and will want to run the ball next season.
"We just want everyone to follow our lead and we're gonna try and lead by example and get this thing going," Penn said, via Silver and Black Pride. "There's a lot of excitement in the air and we are going to be the focal point of the offense as leaders."
Oh boy, this will be a battle. The Chiefs were, not coincidentally, much better against the run last season with Derrick Johnson back. The Chiefs also saw Jaye Howard take a leap last season as a good run defender. Even Tamba Hali had a decent season against the run while Justin Houston has always played the run well.
The Chiefs front seven will absolutely be tested next season against what looks like the NFL's best offensive line, on paper.