The Trench Warfare Film Room featuring former Raiders LT Donald Penn & LG Kelechi Osemele

Welcome everyone to a special Independence Day release of the Trench Warfare Film Room featuring former Raiders LT Donald Penn and LG Kelechi Osemele (KO).

The 2016 Raiders offensive line remains one of the best overall units that I have studied since I started watching film in 2013. From left to right, Penn, KO, Rodney Hudson and Gabe Jackson were a true ‘fearsome foursome’ that imposed their will on opponents at a level rarely ever seen in the NFL.

Size, brute strength, power and tenacity were hallmarks of this unit, but their intelligence and processing skills were easily overlooked key factors that helped unlock their dominance. This unit had three Pro Bowlers on it (Penn, KO, Hudson), and KO was selected as a First Team All-Pro in his first season with the franchise.

Penn, KO and I started the film room with the Raiders first game of the 2016 season against the Saints and touched on many of the games during the regular season.

Here are some of the topics we focused on:

• Establishing timing with each other in the first game of the year in the midst of all the built up excitement and energy from the off-season.

• Scoop, ‘B’, Deuce and combo blocks broken down in detail against different fronts.

• Having TE Lee Smith as a ‘6th offensive linemen’ and how vital that was for the unit’s success.

• Penn explains how KO’s size and strength were such benefits on double-teams.

• The importance of a timing step on combo blocks to intersect the linebacker at the right time and handle run stunts.

• Having patience and not ‘jumping out of the window’ at the second level.

• Breaking down a ‘5-0’ call out of empty protection with Penn de-cleating the blitzer as the most dangerous man.

• Facing standout defensive linemen like Brian Orakpo, Jurrell Casey, Leonard Williams, Terrell Suggs, Corey Liuget and more.

• Revisiting KO’s ‘revenge game’ against the Ravens the year after playing for them.

• Stories about the impact of ‘body blows’ on the psyche of an opponent, oftentimes before the game even started.

• Many examples of Penn’s infamous and potent ‘snatch-trap’ technique.

• Terrell Suggs being a wily veteran and knowing when to avoid rib shots.

• Why setting the tone with force early in the game is important.

• The art of picking up line games and why Penn & KO preferred the D-line to run games on them as opposed to rushing as individuals.

  • Picking up the penetrator first

  • Verbal communication

  • Drilling this in practice and making sure its perfect before game day

• Tracking knockdowns and pancakes as a unit, oftentimes on the sidelines during games

• Penn touching on the rivalry he had with former Broncos (current Bucs) edge-rusher Shaquil Barrett during their divisional matchups.

• Utilizing the ‘slingshot’ technique; how to know when to use it and when not to.

• The benefit of knowing the game and playing a lot of ball together.

There is MUCH more that we dive into during this nearly 50 minute film room that players, coaches, analysts and fans can learn from and take something valuable with them. The joy in reuniting Penn and KO together while breaking down arguably the best season of their careers was also palpable during the conversation and makes it well-worth the time to sit down and learn from two of the best to play the position.