A lot of well-known players who have represented both teams over the years will play in the Week 15 showdown between the Las Vegas Raiders and the New England Patriots. But since leaving the Patriots, Jermaine Eluemunor has found a role with the Raiders. Head coach Josh McDaniels touched on the subject while talking to the media on Wednesday.
McDaniels and Eluemunor have now been together for a few years. McDaniels talked to the media about what he thought of Eluemunor’s development during that stretch, highlighting their shared history. “I have some experience with Jermaine, and we go back a little ways,” McDaniels said. “I’m really proud of the way Jermaine has fought.”
The Raiders had a significant issue at right tackle prior to the start of the season. As a result of the blunder that was Alex Leatherwood, Eluemunor had a chance to prove himself. Eluemunor and Thayer Munford were in competition for the starting right tackle spot early in the season. Ultimately, Eluemunor won, and he was appointed as the Raiders’ starting right tackle. He took part in every offensive snap (100%) for four straight games prior to the Los Angeles Rams game. He only missed a few snaps in that game because of an oblique injury that sidelined him.
According to Tristen Kuhn of TWSN, as of Week 5, Eluemunor is the 12th-ranked offensive tackle for run blocking and the 17th-ranked offensive tackle for pass blocking. Eluemunor has only allowed 14 pressures and zero combined sacks and quarterback hits during that same time period. McDaniels said he credits Eluemunor for sticking with the process and never losing hope. “I think Jermaine, credit to him, just stuck with it and continues to try and improve as a football player,” McDaniels said. “He’s carved out a good role for us here this year and played very admirably.”
Eluemunor is in for a bumpy ride as he prepares to face the Patriots in Week 15. Matt Judon and Josh Uche are a formidable duo who like to sack the quarterback. However, Josh McDaniels declared that he is eager to watch Eluemunor take on the challenge. “He works hard at it each week and each day in practice, and I’m hoping he has a good week this week,” McDaniels said. “He’s got a big challenge.”
Eluemunor will likely be paid well by the Raiders or another team if he maintains his excellent performance. Ask the Raiders: Getting a decent right tackle in this league is challenging. Hopefully Eluemunor maintains this level of play and convinces the Raiders that he is the answer to their right tackle problem. If nothing else, Eluemunor could provide a stop-gap solution for another year, while the Raiders draft a tackle in April.
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*Top Photo: Heidi Fang/Las Vegas Review-Journal