Anchor aweigh?

Raiders have decision to make about oft-injured OT Brown

The Raiders paid Trent Brown a ton of money to be the anchor of their offensive line. When he’s played, Brown has done just that.

The problem is keeping Brown on the field, an issue that dates back to last year and one that has plagued the 6-foot-8, 380-pounder for much of his NFL career. Brown, who has played in all 16 games just twice in six seasons, missed five games in 2019 and 10 in 2020.

Brown’s absence is at least partially responsible for the Raiders’ recent troubles protecting quarterback Derek Carr and the team’s overall slide in the running game.

In fact, the Raiders projected starting offensive line at the start of the season played just three snaps together.

“It’s huge with any sport,” Raiders head coach Jon Gruden said. “You watch the Lakers win their playoff this year, you saw LeBron James and Anthony Davis play. You take any team that’s in the World Series or any team that’s winning in postseason play. I don’t remember the 49ers winning without (Joe)Montana and their arsenal. The Chiefs won it last year, they were seeing their best players play their best football in the biggest moments. We’ve been missing a lot of players in the last two Decembers.