HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) — Raiders general manager John Spytek didn’t hesitate to try to improve the NFL’s worst offensive line, a unit that made life miserable last season for quarterback Geno Smith and running back Ashton Jeanty.He snagged three-time Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum out of Baltimore by handing him the richest contract ever for an interior offensive lineman.His presence and the return of standout left tackle Kolton Miller, who suffered a season-ending ankle injury after just four games, was a much-needed boost.So there is genuine hope in Las Vegas the line will be better, but how much is difficult to tell.“I think last year there was a lot of moving pieces,” Miller said. “I think the goal is to have the best five out there, build together, add to it each day, and really build for long-term success. This isn’t easy. Coaching O-line takes time and it’s a lot of work. It’s underappreciated. You can’t get too frustrated about it. You’ve just got to find ways to improve each day.”
It’s difficult to imagine the line being worse than last season, ranking last in the NFL in allowing 64 sacks and averaging 77.5 yards rushing per game and 3.57 per carry.Smith was constantly on the run and the now-New York Jet threw a league-high 17 interceptions.
